Counseling Programs offered at Barry University

Barry University’s counseling programs have their roots in Catholic liberal arts heritage and focus on professional development and ethical practice. The Master’s Counseling Program has a clear purpose: to deliver outstanding education and training in clinical assessment, leadership, and counseling practice. Students at this school graduate as ethical professionals with expert knowledge and skills needed for effective counseling practice.

The program stands on four core values that match Barry University’s mission: knowledge and truth, inclusive community, social justice, and cooperative service. These values build the foundation for a learning environment where students develop critical analysis and scholarly skills.

Barry University offers a close-knit community feel that makes it different from bigger schools. Students can count on administrators and faculty for guidance, support, and personal attention throughout their academic experience. The university takes pride in giving individual attention from day one to help students confidently direct their educational path.

The Counseling Program fosters an inclusive academic setting where students and faculty share ideas with mutual respect. This shared approach readies students for the varied environments they will face in their professional practice.

The program also focuses heavily on diversity and multiculturalism. Students learn to embrace social responsibility and understand the role of social justice in both their studies and society. This dedication extends to helping communities tackle human, social, economic, and environmental challenges.

Barry University goes beyond classroom learning. Students can access well-designed online courses and programs that fit their schedules. This flexibility helps them balance their studies with work and personal life.

The counseling programs work with partners across the university to create experiences that develop leaders for a just and humane world. This integrated approach prepares students both academically and personally for their future roles in the counseling profession.

What counseling programs does Barry University offer?

Barry University’s Department of Counseling and School Psychology helps students become skilled counseling professionals through three graduate programs. Students can choose from a Master of Science in Counseling (MS) with different specializations. The university also offers a Master of Science and Specialist in School Psychology (MS/SSP) program. Students looking to advance their careers can pursue the Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling (PhD) program, which prepares them for leadership roles.

The MS in Counseling program features CACREP accreditation and three main specializations. Clinical Mental Health Counseling teaches you to help people with mental health challenges through prevention, assessment, and treatment methods. This path meets Florida’s academic requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (L.M.H.C.). Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling focuses on systemic theories and practices when working with couples and families. School Counseling gives you the knowledge to create detailed guidance programs in PK-12 educational settings.

Students at Barry can pursue multiple specializations at once. This option lets you build expertise in two areas by completing core coursework plus required courses for both specializations. You can boost your job prospects and career options after graduation.

The program requires 42 semester hours of core courses and extra required courses for each specialization. Students must complete clinical field experiences, including practicum and internship, in their chosen area. You need to maintain a 3.0 GPA with no more than two C’s and pass comprehensive examinations to graduate.

Barry University has spent over fifty years preparing professional counselors. The counseling programs focus on personal growth and professional development through quality training, ethical practice, and multicultural competence. Students can choose between traditional classes at the Miami Shores campus or digital learning with both live and self-paced options.

Internships/Practicum at Barry

Clinical experiences are the heart of counseling education at Barry University. Students get to apply theory through well-laid-out field placements. The program lets you start a complete clinical training sequence that connects academic learning with ground counseling practice after finishing your core coursework.

You need to complete 700 total field placement hours with at least 280 hours of direct client contact. Your training happens at two places at once – an off-campus site that matches your specialization and an on-campus placement at the Dr. Maureen Duffy Family Enrichment CARE Center.

The CARE Center gives you an exceptional advantage with faculty-supervised training and real clients. Your practicum time at the center is one evening per week (4:00-9:00 p.m. EST), either in person or virtually. These clinical hours count toward your required experience and make your resume stronger for internship applications.

Getting ready for practicum takes careful planning. You should begin three semesters ahead to find the right site, finish paperwork and set your schedule. Most sites need background checks and fingerprinting before you can start.

Each specialization has its own clinical path:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling has CSL 694 (300 practicum hours) and CSL 695 (600 internship hours)
• School Psychology students work one day weekly during year two, then complete a 1,200-1,500 hour competitive internship in year three
• Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling students finish internship over two semesters plus practicum

Site supervisors and Barry faculty will guide you through these experiences with weekly individual and group meetings. This combined supervision will help you build clinical skills, enhance your counseling style, and put theory into practice effectively.

What sets Barry University apart?

Barry University’s counseling programs stand out primarily due to their prestigious accreditation. The Ph.D. Program in Counseling holds accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) as a doctoral-level program in “Counselor Education and Supervision”. This recognition confirms the program’s excellence in professional preparation.

The university offers a specialized focus in “Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling” that sets it apart from other counseling programs. Students interested in family systems approaches benefit from this targeted training.

Small class sizes at Barry create an intimate learning environment where meaningful discussions thrive. Students often remember their relationships with instructors as their most significant takeaways. Faculty members remain accessible for guidance and support throughout your academic experience.

Barry combines traditional teaching methods with hands-on learning effectively. Students participate in role-play demonstrations, review audio-visual recordings of practice sessions, and observe counseling sessions directly. This practical approach enhances both professional capabilities and personal development.

The program features intensive training sessions where student teams work with actual clients. One student acts as the counselor while others form “reflecting teams” that provide immediate feedback. Doctoral students gain valuable teaching experience by supervising master’s degree students, which bridges the gap between student and mentor roles.

The Dr. Maureen Duffy Family Enrichment Center serves as an excellent facility for supervised counseling and advanced supervision training. Students gain valuable experience working with real clients under faculty guidance.

Chi Sigma Iota, the counseling honor society, provides numerous professional growth opportunities. Students can take leadership roles as chapter officers and pursue International Fellow positions, which lead to remote internships with the society’s experienced professionals.

Barry University’s counseling programs excel through their blend of academic rigor, individual mentoring, and extensive practical training in a supportive community setting.

Next steps

Looking to start your counseling studies at Barry University? The process begins with connecting to an admissions counselor who will walk you through admissions and enrollment. This tailored support will give you quick answers to all your questions.

Take a virtual tour of Barry’s campus or come see it in person to experience the university atmosphere firsthand. After exploring the campus, you can submit your application for your preferred start date—January (spring), May (summer), or August (fall).

Students who join full-time can complete their studies in just 2½ years with four classes each semester. Part-time students usually finish in about 4 years. Barry’s Financial Aid team will help you explore financial aid options. The university provides competitive and affordable tuition rates among other benefits of private education.

Students need criminal background checks and fingerprinting before starting clinical work, especially when you have School Counseling specialization or work with minor children. On top of that, you must have professional liability insurance during clinical components.

Faculty recommends graduation only after students prove they are ready personally, academically, and clinically to be counseling professionals. This means passing comprehensive examinations and meeting all curriculum requirements in your specialty area.