Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A.
60 Credits | Main Campus | Washington, D.C.
Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and other states
Redefine Your Career. Empower Others.
Whether you’re seeking more purpose, greater impact, or a meaningful new direction, our CACREP-accredited counseling programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed with you in mind!
Turn your experience into impact! Make a difference!
What You’ll Learn
Our Clinical Mental Health Counseling program includes coursework and supervised experiences. Some of what you will learn:
- Diagnosis using DSM/ICD systems
- Crisis and trauma interventions
- Substance use and addiction counseling
- Expressive Arts counseling
- Treatment planning and case management
Additionally, the supervised field experience includes the following:
- Practicum (100 hours): Initial hands-on experience with clients
- Internship (600 hours): In-depth clinical training in a real-world setting
What does this mean? Graduates of our program are typically:
- Well-prepared for licensure exams (e.g., NCE or NCMHCE)
- Equipped for diverse roles in mental health, schools, agencies, or private practice
- Trained to practice ethically and effectively with a broad range of clients
Why Study Clinical Mental Health Counseling in Washington DC at Trinity
- Our programs are built for career changers and working professionals.
- Our flexible format allows you to balance your studies with life’s responsibilities … without compromising quality.
- Gain the clinical skills, professional credibility, and licensure preparation needed to step confidently into the counseling field.
Access to Diverse Clinical Populations
Washington DC’s unique demographic landscape provides counseling students with exposure to exceptionally diverse client populations. Trinity’s clinical training prepares graduates to work effectively with clients from varied socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds.
Policy and Advocacy Connections
As the nation’s capital, Washington DC offers unparalleled opportunities to engage with mental health policy development and advocacy. Trinity counseling students are in extremely close proximity to the headquarters of organizations like the American Counseling Association, the American School Counselor Association, the American Mental Health Counselors Association, Veteran Affairs, the National Institute of Mental Health, and other federal agencies developing mental health initiatives. This proximity provides insights into how clinical practice intersects with legislation, funding, and national standards.
Multistate Licensure Preparation
Trinity’s counseling program is specifically designed to meet the licensure requirements for Professional Counselors in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. This tri-jurisdiction focus allows graduates to pursue employment opportunities throughout the entire metropolitan area without requiring additional coursework—a significant advantage in a region where many mental health professionals practice across state lines.
Specialized Federal Career Pathways
Washington DC hosts numerous federal agencies and military installations with growing mental health services. Trinity’s counseling program prepares graduates for specialized career opportunities with the Department of Veterans Affairs, military family support programs, federal employee assistance programs, and government-contracted services. These positions often offer competitive benefits and advancement potential unique to the capital region.
Integrated Community Mental Health Network
The Washington DC region features an extensive network of community mental health centers, hospital systems, and social service agencies. Trinity maintains established relationships with these organizations, providing students with internship placements that frequently lead to employment offers. These connections create streamlined pathways from classroom to clinical practice in settings addressing the region’s most pressing mental health needs.
Clinical Partners (partial listing)
- PG County Public School System
- Montgomery County Public School System
- PACE Center
- Mosaic/Sheppard Pratt
- Alexandria County Public School System
- Catholic Charities
Global Careers (partial listing)
- Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
- Addictions Counselor
- Child and Adolescent Counselor
- Licensed/Certified School Counselor
- Marriage & Family Counselor
Master’s Degree
Post-Master’s Counselor Program
Master’s Degree
School Counseling
Applying to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. Program
Applying to Trinity is free, and Trinity reviews each application as soon as it is complete: you’ll get our decision right away.
We’re here to help at 202-884-9400 or admissions@trinitydc.edu.
Admissions Requirements
Entrance Requirements
Candidates for admission must possess a bachelor’s degree from any appropriately accredited institution of higher learning with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. Associations recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation; these associations include but are not limited to regional accreditors.
Students who do not meet the standard admission requirements but who demonstrate potential may be provisionally admitted and may take up to six (6) credits during their first semester. A student must receive a minimum grade of “B” in each of these courses in order to be fully admitted to a graduate program.
Application Procedure
Candidates for admission to the School of Nursing and Health Professions Master of Arts in Counseling must submit the following documents to the Office of Admissions:
- Complete the online application for admission.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended at the undergraduate and graduate level. Students should request that the transcripts be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. Transcripts submitted by students must be in the original sealed envelope.
- Two letters of recommendation in support of the application testifying to the applicant’s aptitude for graduate education and potential for professional growth and development. Letters from college instructors and current or recent employers are appropriate.
- A 500-word personal reflective essay, describing your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in counseling, why you believe you will be a good fit for Trinity’s program, and how this degree will help you pursue your academic and personal goals.
- Completion of an interview with Counseling faculty
- A current résumé or curriculum vitae.
All supporting materials should be sent to:
Trinity Office of Admissions
125 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20017
All materials received by Trinity from applicants or third parties (high schools, undergraduate institutions, graduate institutions, recommenders, etc.) will become the property of Trinity. Trinity does not return or release materials submitted to the admissions office to applicants or to third parties.
Interviews
Trinity Washington has a welcoming campus environment and prospective students are encouraged to visit. For entrance into the counseling program an interview is required. Dates for the interview will be provided once all admission materials have been received.
Candidate interview dates:
- February Date/Time: February 10th 6pm- 7pm
- March Date/Time: March 24th 6pm-7pm
- April Date/Time: April 14th 6pm-7pm
- May 19th, 2025 from 6pm-7pm
- June 16th, 2025 from 6pm-7pm
- July 21, 2025 from 6pm-7pm
- August 4, 2025 from 6pm-7pm
Decisions will be made within 2 weeks after the interview date.
Application Deadline
Applications are received for Fall and Spring semesters.
In some instances, students may be permitted to register for up to six (6) credits prior to the receipt of all admission materials. Such students will be assigned non-degree status for no more than one (1) semester. In such cases permission to register should not be construed as conferring admission to the degree program. Students from whom complete admission files have not been received by the end of the first semester will be dismissed and must reapply for admission.
Transfer Credits for Graduate Degrees
Students enrolled in a graduate degree program may transfer a maximum of six (6) credits from appropriately accredited institutions of higher learning toward a degree at Trinity. Associations recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation; these associations include but are not limited to regional accreditors. For specific rules governing transfer credits, see the Graduate Academic Policies section.
Resources
MISSION OF THE COUNSELING PROGRAM
The Trinity Washington University Clinical Mental Health and School Counselor Programs’ mission is to prepare candidates to become Licensed Professional Counselors and Certified or Licensed School Counselors, who work in a myriad of settings including medical, community, educational, and private practice. Our program prepares candidates to engage in social justice policy, advocacy, and research as it affects and reflects the profession of Counseling and the well-being of the diverse clients, students, communities, families, and institutions that we serve.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES OF THE COUNSELING PROGRAM
The counselor education program prepares all graduates to:
1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge, skills, and dispositions required for effective counseling practice across diverse settings.
2. Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with diverse populations, respecting individual differences in culture, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and socioeconomic status.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in conceptualizing, diagnosing and implementing evidence-based treatment plans across diverse populations.
4. Develop ability to critically evaluate and apply research findings to improve counseling practice.
5. Ensure students meet academic and practical training requirements for state licensure and/or national certification as professional counselors.
6. Encourage ongoing self-reflection and personal growth to promote the student’s development and its’ importance as a professional counselor.
OBJECTIVES OF THE CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM is to prepare graduates to:
- Have a general knowledge of and experience with treatment modalities appropriate for a broad range of mental health service recipients and mental health service settings.
- Establish a professional identity as Clinical Mental Health Counselors.
- Interact effectively with the full spectrum of mental health professionals.
- Provide competent professional service and leadership within the mental health field.
- Have knowledge and skill as socially-just, reflective-practitioners.
- Demonstrate knowledge and competency in culturally appropriate, community-focused mental health interventions and service delivery.
- Be ethically and legally informed practitioners.
CURRICULUM
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling Standard Track
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling Moderate Track
- School Counseling Standard Track
- School Counseling Moderate Track
HANDBOOK
Faculty
Accreditation and Annual Reports
The Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and meet state certification requirements for the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. The program prepares students to take the licensure examination to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Licensed/Certified School Counselor.
Counseling Program Reports
The Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
The Counseling Program offers 2 Master of Arts in Counseling Programs: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC), and School Counseling. The School Counseling program was created to meet the American Counseling Association 2020 Vision. As required by CACREP accreditation, information on demographics of students, enrollment numbers, retention numbers, completion rates, number of graduates, pass rates on the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE; required exam for CMHC students), pass rates on the Praxis (required exam for SC students), job placement information, and a summary of program evaluation results and subsequent program modifications is presented in the Annual Report.
