Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S. (Online)

Palm Beach Atlantic University’s M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a CACREP-accredited program offered through two learning modalities: West Palm Beach and Online. Both modalities share the same mission, curriculum, faculty, and commitment to preparing clinically skilled, ethically grounded counselors who serve others through a Christ-centered perspective.

The Online modality is designed for students seeking the flexibility of distance learning while remaining actively engaged with faculty, classmates, and the Palm Beach Atlantic community. Through a hybrid format, students complete coursework online while participating in scheduled synchronous class sessions that encourage collaboration, discussion, and professional growth.

Flexible Online Learning with Meaningful Connection

Our Online modality combines the convenience of online learning with intentional opportunities for engagement and skill development.

• Complete coursework in a flexible online format.
• Participate in live synchronous class sessions throughout the semester.
• Progress through 16-week semesters that include two 8-week subterms.
• Learn alongside a supportive cohort of counseling students.
• Receive mentorship and feedback from experienced counselor educators.

A Unique Residency Experience

A hallmark of the Online Clinical Mental Health Counseling modality is the Graduate Intensive Residency experience.

During the program, students travel to Palm Beach Atlantic University’s West Palm Beach campus for two required week-long residencies. These immersive experiences provide opportunities to practice counseling skills, receive direct feedback from faculty, engage in professional development, and experience the PBA community firsthand.

Feedback from the program’s inaugural residency was overwhelmingly positive. Students shared that meeting faculty and cohort members in person enhanced their learning, strengthened their understanding of the counseling profession, and provided valuable opportunities to practice counseling skills in a supportive environment. Many described the experience as encouraging, affirming, and instrumental in developing their confidence and professional identity as future counselors.

Several students also noted that the residency helped clarify future career goals and inspired interest in advanced professional opportunities, including trauma counseling, EMDR certification, and doctoral study.

What Students Value Most About the Residency Experience

Students from the program’s first residency experience identified several key benefits:

• Building meaningful relationships with classmates and faculty.
• Practicing counseling skills and receiving direct feedback.
• Strengthening professional identity and confidence as future counselors.
• Gaining deeper insight into the counseling profession.
• Experiencing the Palm Beach Atlantic community firsthand.

Learn from Faculty Who Invest in Your Success

PBA faculty are committed to the personal, professional, and spiritual development of every student. Throughout online coursework and residency experiences, students learn from counselor educators who bring extensive clinical expertise, scholarly knowledge, and a passion for mentoring future professionals.

Students from the inaugural residency described faculty as supportive, approachable, knowledgeable, and encouraging. Many shared that faculty mentorship and feedback strengthened their confidence and deepened their commitment to the counseling profession.

Develop Skills for Professional Practice

The Online Clinical Mental Health Counseling modality combines academic rigor with practical skill development. Through coursework, supervised experiences, and residency activities, students learn to:

• Build effective therapeutic relationships.
• Apply evidence-based counseling interventions.
• Develop culturally responsive counseling practices.
• Strengthen ethical decision-making and professional judgment.
• Integrate faith, spirituality, and counseling when appropriate and desired by clients.
• Prepare for professional counseling practice and licensure.

One Program. Two Modalities. Shared Excellence.

Whether you choose the West Palm Beach or Online modality, you will receive the same CACREP-accredited education, learn from the same dedicated faculty, and join a community committed to academic excellence, professional competence, and Christian service.

The Online modality offers the flexibility of distance learning while providing meaningful opportunities for connection, mentorship, and hands-on skill development through the Graduate Intensive Residency experience.

To be considered for the clinical mental health counseling degree program at PBA, you need to demonstrate that you:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution
2. Achieve undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with exceptions, on a case-by-case basis
3. Submit:
   • Online application
   • Official transcript from college/university where bachelor’s degree was conferred and from college/university where prerequisite courses were taken
   • Two confidential recommendation forms
   • Essay (prompt provided)
4. Faculty Interview

Note: Admission decision recommendations are made by the Counselor Education Program’s Faculty Selection Committee and include consideration of each applicant’s articulation of career goals, record of academic achievement, relevant preparation and experience, potential success in becoming a counselor, and attitude of openness to diverse cultures and people.

Statement of Diversity: PBA complies with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws and does not engage in unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, gender, disability, veteran status, race, color or national origin in any employment practice, admissions, education program or educational activity. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment and access to and treatment in University programs, services and activities.

Begin your journey toward becoming a well rounded, thoughtful, and impactful mental health counselor at apply.pba.edu/apply.

At the bottom of the page, Create an account to create a new application. You will then:

• Create a new graduate application
• Select Online as the campus/location
• Select the Counseling degree as the focus
• Select your entry term and year (Spring starts in January, and Fall starts in August).
• Fill in your personal information.
• Fill in contact information for recommendations. They will receive an email with instructions on submitting recommendations.
• Submit the application.
• After submission, a checklist will populate that keeps you abreast of your progress toward the completion of your application. It will alert you once your transcripts and recommendations have been received.
• Use the provided hyperlink to complete the required essay
• Fully completed applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled. See the interview schedule below.
• Admission decisions will be communicated to applicants within 72 hours of interviews.

Interview Session Schedule

Interview dates for the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program follow a consistent schedule:

10 a.m. – Group Interview Session

• Introductions of faculty and all attendees
• PowerPoint presentation by faculty providing an overview of the program (specialization, concentrations, clinical experience, required courses, other assessments, class schedule, etc.)

11 a.m. – Individual Interview Session

• Individual interview with a program faculty member

11:15 a.m. – Question & Answer Session with Admissions and an Alumnus

12:15 p.m. – Conclusion of Question & Answer Session

12:30 p.m. – Conclusion of Interview Session

In the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, you can learn in a traditional, residential format or through our online collaborative learning environment. All programs, concentrations, and certificates are available online and at our West Palm Beach campus.

Your formative and summative assessments will take many forms, including but not limited to quizzes, exams, lectures, small-group discussions, presentations, research papers, role-playing activities, field experiences, and engagement with Canvas (PBA’s online learning management system).

Determine whether to pursue an optional concentration based on your existing work experience and long-term professional aspirations. The Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentrations include:

• Crisis and Trauma Counseling—examine physiological effects of trauma and potential interventions 
• Marriage and Family Studies—prepare for further education and work in marriage and family therapy

Apply your learned counseling knowledge in clinical settings through two hands-on, face-to-face experiential opportunities. These courses are designed to meet Florida’s Mental Health Counseling licensing requirements.

In the practicum course, you will work alongside an on-site licensed mental health professional and a university supervisor to complete a minimum of 100 clock hours, of which at least 40 hours must be direct service. You’ll further develop your skills and experience in a two-semester internship over 600+ clock hours, including a minimum of 240 hours of direct service. Review the full practicum and internship course requirements.

If you work or intend to work in substance abuse counseling, gain additional training in our Counselor Education Program, which can lead to CAP (Certified Addiction Professional) designation. CAP is a professional substance abuse credential for people who assess, develop, and provide substance abuse treatment services and plans.

NOTE: The Counselor Education Program will not directly certify you in addiction counseling; it helps you fulfill the educational requirement toward the CAP.

Review the Counselor Education Annual Report 2024-2025

Jeremy Bonta, Ph.D., LMHC, Assistant Professor of Counseling; Director of Counselor Education Program*

Kathryn Bosso-Iandoli, Ph.D., LMHC, Assistant Professor of Counseling*

Stephan Brown, Ph.D., LMHC-S, NCC, Qualified Supervisor, Assistant Professor of Counseling*

Crista Glover, Ph.D., LPC, ACS, Assistant Professor of Counseling*

Rachel Heffield, Ph.D., LPC, Associate Professor of Counseling, Clinical Director*

Philip Henry, Ph.D., LP, Qualified Supervisor (MHC), Professor of Counseling; Department Chair, West Palm Beach Campus*

Ana Jaramillo de Graham, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Counseling*

JoAnn Kutsukos, Ed.D., LMHC-S, CAP, Qualified Supervisor, Assistant Professor of Counseling*

Mary Tatum, LMHC, QS, Ph.D. Candidate, Assistant Professor of Counseling*

Steven Vensel, Ph.D., LCSW, Qualified Supervisor (MHC, CSW, and MFT), Associate Professor*

* Denotes Core Faculty

Tanesha Bryce-Rainford, Assistant to the Dean, School of Education and Behavioral Studies

Martha Christlieb, Counseling Operations Administrator, School of Education and Behavioral Studies

Jacqueline French, Success Coach, Online Enrollment

Grecia Hernandez, Counseling Program Coordinator, School of Education and Behavioral Studies

Learn more about your classes and requirements in the course catalog.

Course Catalog