M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services
Empower Others. Embrace Your Impact.
Encourage others to make positive changes. Make a breakthrough. A connection. A difference.
Saint Mary’s counseling and psychological services program is designed to help you meet the educational requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in Minnesota by the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.* In this master’s-level program, you’ll explore various areas of counseling and psychological services (psychology). By developing a dynamic skill set to learn how to assess human problems, you’ll help others change how they approach complex issues. And you’ll empower individuals to better understand and accept themselves — and their relationships with others.
Through rigorous courses taught by practitioner-led faculty, combined with a practicum experience, you’ll gain a solid understanding of the complex nature of human behavior and social interaction. In several courses, professional and ethical guidelines are explored and discussed, guiding you as the true professional you will soon be.
At Saint Mary’s, our Lasallian Catholic mission will help you learn to serve changing and diverse communities, accept and empathize with others, and find innovative ways to connect with clients. You’ll inspire others and provide hope in difficult situations. This dynamic has the power to help others heal.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Graduation from an institution accredited by a CHEA-recognized body is required to meet educational requirements for counseling licensure in Minnesota.
For additional information on Saint Mary’s programs and counseling licensure, visit our Professional Licensure page.
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Go Even Further: Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) in Counseling Psychology.
When you enroll in the M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services program, you have the opportunity to apply to the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Counseling Psychology program as an early entry student. If accepted into the Psy.D. program, you’ll finish your master’s degree within the doctoral program, using courses from both the master’s and doctoral programs combined.
Program Highlights
Cultivate the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in Minnesota. Our curriculum prepares you to work as a counselor, combining theory and practice to help people from all backgrounds. Empower others to find solutions that lead to hope and healing.
Cohort Details
- Average completion time: 2.5-3 years
- Option to add Addiction Studies (Graduate Certificate)
- Option for Early Entry Psy.D. pathway
- Average completion time: 3 years
- Option for Early Entry Psy.D. pathway
- Online classes meet via Zoom at scheduled times. Students are expected to attend during these class hours.
- Average completion time: 3 years
- Option for Early Entry Psy.D. pathway
Program Features
What Makes It Special
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Elective courses to match your career goals -
Minnesota LPC/LPCC licensure preparation
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Option to apply to the Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Counseling Psychology program as an early entry student
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Dual Program option combines Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies
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Practitioner-led faculty
What You'll Learn
What You’ll Learn
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Counsel clients of diverse backgrounds with awareness and appreciation of diversity
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Provide reasoning in support of diagnosis and treatment interventions
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Apply the fundamentals of research in counseling psychology to practice
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Apply ethics to counseling, incorporating the rules and regulations of the profession, critical thinking, and compassion
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Apply knowledge and theory of counseling to practice
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Assess client strengths, attributes, and problems
Course Catalog
Career Outlook
As a graduate, you’ll meet the education requirements to become a licensed professional counselor or licensed professional clinical counselor in Minnesota. Work in private practice, hospitals, social service agencies, or addiction treatment centers. Plus, you’ll be ready to pursue Saint Mary’s Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) in Counseling Psychology program.
Behavioral Health Counselor
$48,520 per year*Behavioral Health Counselor Job Growth 2020-2030
FAQ: Where is this program offered?
Please note: We review applications as they are completed and early applications are encouraged. Space in the program courses is limited and we cannot guarantee acceptance to your preferred semester if classes fill up.
Minneapolis Campus – Hybrid:
Start Dates: August, January, May (non-cohort model)
Average completion time: 2.5-3 years
Option to add Addiction Studies (Graduate Certificate)
Option for Early Entry Psy.D. pathway
Rochester Campus – Hybrid:
Start Dates: August (cohort model)
Average completion time: 3 years
Option for Early Entry Psy.D. pathway
Fully Online:*
Start Dates: August (cohort model)
Average completion time: 3 years
Option for Early Entry Psy.D. pathway
*Online classes meet via Zoom at scheduled times. Students are expected to attend during these class hours.