When caring meets competent.

Prepare yourself to serve people at their most vulnerable. The university’s three masters programs will prepare you well for serving people of all ages and diverse backgrounds at a high standard of ethical behavior and a high degree of confidence in your skills.

Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

We offer an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling designed to meet the academic requirements for Tennessee licensure as a Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation (LPC-MHSP). This credential allows students to provide counseling services in a variety of settings in the community such as mental health centers, hospitals, schools, and private practices.  Our M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree has been accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

The degree requires a core set of classes that are required for all students seeking LPC licensure in Tennessee as well as elective hours that allow students to acquire the minimum of 60 graduate hours needed for this licensure. Students are also required to complete one year of practicum and internship totaling 750 hours of supervised clinical experience.

Unique advantages for students:

• Opportunity to specialize in Play Therapy
• Opportunity to specialize in Addictions
• Opportunity to do research and write a thesis (typically for students pursuing a PhD)
• Opportunity to incorporate Integrative Behavioral Health into your learning plan

Want to hear from our students?  Get their perspective with this video:

https://vimeo.com/225855870

Program in Marriage and Family Therapy

The M.MFT in Marriage & Family Therapy offers a 60-hour curriculum designed to meet the academic requirements for licensure as a Marriage & Family Therapist in Tennessee. This credential allows students to provide Marriage and Family Therapy services to individuals, couples, and families in a variety of settings in the community such as mental health centers, private practices, school, and hospitals.

The M.MFT in Marriage and Family therapy is a 60 hour, 24 month program structured in a cohort model which requires all the coursework and practice necessary for students seeking MFT licensure. Students in this program attend full-time, year-round and take courses on Tuesday evenings at our off-site location in Cool Springs. Students will complete 500 hours of supervised clinical work in addition to their coursework.

Unique advantages for students: 

• Opportunity to specialize in Play Therapy
• Opportunity to specialize in Conflict Management
• Opportunity to do research and write a thesis (typically for students pursuing a PhD)

Want to hear from our students?  Get their perspective with this video:

https://vimeo.com/225858389

Program in Psychology

The 39-hour M.S. in Psychology provides training in psychological theories and research, leaving room for students to choose from a variety of electives tailored to their unique career goals. The program is designed for students to develop their identity as a psychologist so that they can be better prepared applicants to doctoral programs in psychology.

The M.S. in Psychology also provides a solid foundation in the complex understanding of human nature and relationships, making it a suitable degree for those wishing to enhance career opportunities in fields such as education, ministry, social work, health care and business, or become more effective in their chosen profession.

The degree requires 30 hours of core coursework that would provide basic training in psychology. The remaining 9 hours may be taken from a variety of courses in the psychology & counseling graduate programs or in another academic area (e.g., ministry, conflict resolution, etc.). You are required to do your own research and write a thesis under the supervision of a thesis committee (the committee will be comprised of experts in your field).