Program Overview

The M.S. in Psychology program at Albizu University, Miami campus, trains students to become culturally competent mental health professionals who deliver effective services to diverse populations. Three majors are offered: Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, and School Counseling. A dual major option is available to provide you with additional specialized training and a competitive advantage in the labor market.

Program Highlights

The M.S. in Psychology program with a major in Mental Health Counseling trains you to become a mental health counselor who provides culturally relevant counseling, assessment, and consultative interventions in public and private mental health care systems. You will acquire a broad knowledge base and develop the skills to diagnose and treat disorders as well as to promote optimal mental health.

In addition to the core curriculum, the following courses are required: Human Sexuality & Sexual Dysfunctions (PSYM563), Career Development & Assessment (PSYM513), Group Counseling (PSYM520), Individual Assessment & Appraisal (PSYM657), Family Therapy: Theory & Practice (PSYM562), Mental Health Care Systems (PSYM599), and Counseling in Community Settings (PSYM682). The degree requirements for this major include 51 academic credits, 10 practicum credits, a cumulative GPA of 3.00, and successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination.The program is committed to providing personal attention to your professional growth throughout the course of your studies. The faculty members are active professionals who bring to the classroom a working expertise in theories, skills, techniques, research, and practice in their fields. The program’s extensive practicum placement network offers an ample choice of sites in the tri-county area (Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach), including community mental health agencies, hospitals, treatment facilities, and schools.

Afternoon, evening, and Saturday classes make the adaptation to academic life less difficult if you hold a full-time or part-time job. Some courses are also available partially or fully online. The small student-faculty ratio enhances learning by creating classroom environments where you will be encouraged to engage in critical thinking and hone your skills to meet the needs of a diverse clientele upon graduation.

Licensure Information

Graduates of the program are eligible for licensure as Mental Health Counselors in the state of Florida through the Florida Department of Health’s Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling. Each state board sets its own requirements for licensure, although those requirements are generally similar. National certification is also available through the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Career Opportunities

Graduates typically find employment in a variety of public and private mental health services settings. These include community mental health agencies, hospitals, public and private social services agencies, shelters for special populations, inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities, school-based programs, substance abuse treatment programs, hospice centers, colleges and universities, and private clinical practice.