About the M.S. in Counseling (Virtual)
National Louis University’s Master of Science in Counseling (Virtual) program is open to students across the United States who are interested in working as a clinical mental health counselor. Combining both the intimacy of an in-person classroom and the flexibility of an online program, our Live-on-Line format combines Real-Time instruction with online coursework. You’ll learn from faculty with real-world clinical expertise and build connections with fellow students through weekly video discussions.
Program Highlights
Flexible Classes
Fit your degree around your busy schedule. The program’s Live Virtual classroom sessions are delivered once per week M, T, W, or Th at 5:00pm-6:30pm, 6:30pm-8:00pm, or 8:00pm-9:30pm EST) to accommodate the lifestyles of working professionals. The live sessions are combined with online coursework to give you ultimate flexibility.
Intimate Learning
Enjoy small class sizes through our Live-On-Line interactive, distance learning format. This allows you to regularly engage with professors and fellow students for a more intimate learning experience.
Engaged and Experienced Student Community
Engage in a collaborative learning environment with students representing a broad range of professional and life experiences. Our most recent cohort included 88% female students and 73% aged 30 or older, consistent with the program’s focus on serving working adults. This structure supports meaningful peer learning, clinical skill development, and professional identity formation.
Hands-On Experience
Completion of the Master of Science in Counseling program fulfills the educational requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor in most states, including Florida and Illinois. Because licensure requirements vary by state, students are encouraged to review the requirements for the state in which they intend to practice and consult with the Department Chair as needed.
NLU's M.S. Counseling: Virtual Live Classroom program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP), the organization that accredits professional counseling programs. See link.
Completion of the master of science in counseling program fulfills the educational requirements to become a licensed mental health counselor in the State of Florida. It also fulfills the educational requirements in other states. Check your state’s requirements and speak with the Department Chair if you wish to practice outside of Florida.
In the state of Florida, licensure by examination requires:
- Master's or doctoral degree and coursework as required by the state in the content area
- Supervised clinical internship, practicum or fieldwork
- Two years of supervised clinical experience in mental health counseling
- Passing score on the national clinical exam
- Completing a board-approved 8-hour continuing laws and rules course
- Completing a 3-hour course on HIV/AIDS from an approved CE center
Laws and rules can be found at https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/.
Program Faculty:
- Laura M. Schmuldt, Ph.D., LMHA, NCC
- Martin Cortez Wesley, PhD, LMHC, LPCC-S, NCC, LCADC, MAC, DCC
- Tremaine Leslie, PhD, LAC
- Elisa Pellegrino, Ph.D., LPC, LCADC, ACS, CCFE, EMDR, NCC
- Giscard Petion, Ph.D.
- Eric S. Thompson, Ph.D.
- "Ward", Christopher, PhD, ACS, NCC
- Robert Lima, Ph.D., LMHC, NCC, CCMHC, ACS, RPT-S
- Rodney Ho, Ph.D., Ed.D., MPH, PA-C, Psychiatric-CAQ, LPC, NCC
What You Will Learn
You’ll be immersed in the study of human behavior and development and gain applicable counseling skills that you can apply to real-world situations. The curriculum requires 60 SH for graduation, including a 600-hour internship and 100-hour practicum. Highlights of what you’ll learn include:
Clinical Skills
Development of foundational and advanced counseling skills, including interviewing, case conceptualization, assessment, and diagnosis using current diagnostic frameworks (DSM-5-TR). Emphasis on building effective therapeutic relationships, working with complex presentations such as personality disorders, and developing skills in clinical mental health counseling, program planning, and client advocacy.
Human Growth and Development
Study of human development across the lifespan, including biological, psychological, and environmental influences. Exploration of typical and atypical development, the impact of family and community systems, and the role of social and cultural contexts in shaping human behavior and well-being.
Counseling Theories and Applied Practice
Application of major counseling theories to clinical practice, including work with individuals, couples, and families. Topics include career development, ethical and legal considerations, psychological assessment, substance use and treatment, and crisis and trauma intervention. Emphasis is placed on the development of self-awareness and clinical decision-making.
Research and Program Evaluation
Introduction to research methods relevant to counseling practice, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation of findings. Students develop skills in program evaluation and the application of research to inform ethical and effective clinical practice.
Mission Statement
The mission of the NLU Counseling Program is to develop competent, ethical, and professionally grounded counselors prepared for clinical mental health practice. The curriculum emphasizes the integration of theory, research, and experiential learning to foster professional identity, critical thinking, and applied clinical skills. Graduates are prepared to meet licensure requirements and to deliver effective counseling services across a variety of settings and populations.
In pursuit of this mission, the program has the following outcomes:
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
At the completion of the master’s degree in counseling, students will:
- Demonstrate the ability to apply code of ethics and legal standards in the profession.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply the multicultural competencies in diversity, multiculturalism, and advocacy.
- Describe and apply theories of individual and family development across the lifespan.
- Describe and apply theories and models of career development, counseling and decision-making.
- Describe, compare, contrast and apply major counseling skills and approaches to practice.
- Demonstrate the ability to select and utilize assessments for diagnostic and intervention planning purposes.
- Describe, compare, contrast and apply major counseling theories to practice.
- Demonstrate effective group leadership through the application of theoretical foundations and techniques of group counseling, process and development.
- Demonstrate awareness of personal characteristics and behaviors that influence the counseling process and engage in ongoing personal and professional self-evaluation and implications for practice.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of evidence-based, ethical, and culturally relevant research in advancing the counseling profession.
Professional Conduct
Students are expected to adhere to professional standards outlined by the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics. Additionally, students are expected to demonstrate professional behavior:
- Interpersonal interactions with others
- Appropriate self-awareness and self-evaluation
- Openness to professional feedback and supervision
- Ability to resolve problems effectively and professionally
Students who fail to demonstrate professional behavior may be subject to a variety of university interventions. Outcomes may include advisement, remediation, or dismissal from the program. Students will receive feedback regarding personal, academic and professional strengths, weaknesses, and performance as they progress through the program.
Diversity Statement
The Master of Science in Counseling program is committed to fostering a supportive and rigorous learning environment for students, faculty, and staff. The program emphasizes the development of counselors who are prepared to work effectively with individuals across a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The curriculum promotes understanding, respect, and the ability to engage thoughtfully in an increasingly complex world.
Career Outlook
With an M.S. in Counseling, you will be prepared for a number of fast-growing careers. Master’s degree holders often work in schools, private practices, mental health clinics and hospitals. Positions for Mental Health Counselors are projected to grow 25% from 2019-2029,* much faster than the average for all jobs. Numerous other job openings will occur as more individuals are willing to seek help. Numerous other job openings will occur as more individuals are willing to seek help.
Clinical mental health counselors will also see an expanded job market as insurance companies increasingly approve reimbursement to counselors as a less costly alternative to psychiatrists and psychologists.
Just a few of the career options available to you are:
- Academic counselor
- Career counselor
- Marriage and family counselor
- Mental health counselor
- School counselor (in some states)
- Substance abuse counselor
