School of Counseling

School of Counseling

Richmont Graduate University School of Counseling provides graduate programs that integrate counselor education and Christian faith. We are committed to academic and clinical excellence through educating counselors to be spiritually sensitive practitioners.

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MACMHC) provides specialized graduate training in proven counseling methods combined with sound theological principles. This degree fulfills the academic requirements in most states for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) and certification as a national certified counselor (NCC).

CACREP

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Equips students with theoretical and empirical foundations of clinical mental health counseling, in addition to a practical understanding of counseling ethics, law, and professional standards
Empowers students to integrate a sound Christian theology with clinical counseling to address the whole person
Prepares students with skills of interpersonal therapeutic processes, clinical assessment, and treatment interventions among diverse populations

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Outcomes

10
Total Graduates
(Summer 2022 – Spring 2023)
30 %
Completion Rate
30 %
Licensure Examination
Pass Rate
30 %
Job Placement Rate
(180 Days Post-Graduation)

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling curriculum consists of a minimum of 67 semester hours.

CED1010

Enrich 

0

CED5122

Foundations in Counseling

2

CED6112

Personal and Spiritual Life of the Counselor

2

CED6113

Helping Relationships

3

CED6123

Ethical, Legal, and Professional Standards in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

3

CED6133

Counseling Systems and Interventions

3

CED6143

Psychopathology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disorders

3

CED6163

Clinical Appraisal and Assessment

3

CED6612

Family Systems Theory 

2

CED6833

Addictions: Theory and Clinical Assessment

3

CED7113

Human Growth and Development 

3

CED7123

Group Counseling Theory and Practice

3

CED7132

Theodicy and Trauma Counseling

2

CED7143

Lifestyle and Career Development

3

CED7153

Social and Cultural Issues in Counseling

3

CED7713

Methods of Research 

3

CED6813 Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy 3
CED7891 Professional Seminar in Clinical Mental Health Counseling 1
CED7822 Psychodynamic Theories and Counseling 2

CED6233 

Relating Faith and Spirituality in Counseling

3

CED6342 

Faith Traditions with Implications for Counseling

2

CED7312 

Biblical Interpretation and Application for Counselors

2

CED7362

Integrative Theology for Counselors 

2

CED6913 

Applied Practicum and Treatment Planning Lab in Counseling 

3

CED6922/6962

Counseling Practicum

2

CED7932/7962 

Counseling Internship I

2

CED7942/7972

Counseling Internship II

2

CEDXXXX

Students may choose one of the following electives as listed below. Students who have already taken an elective that also meets the criteria for a Richmont Graduate Certificate will use that course as their elective.

2

Elective Options

  

CED5612

Person of the Marriage and Family Therapist

2

CED6512

Human Sexuality 

2

CED6412

Child and Adolescent Psychopathology

2

CED6802

Trauma in the Developmental Context

2

CED6812

Trauma and Biology

2

CED7162

Psychopharmacology for Counselors

2

CED7282

Church Based Counseling

2

CED7333

Theology of Social Justice

3

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Online Campus

Online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Richmont’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling has equipped counselors to serve individuals and families in a transformative way for nearly five decades, and since 2015, the online modality of this degree has extended the mission of the School of Counseling by increasing accessibility to the Richmont learning community through faithful online teaching and student engagement.

In 2020, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) approved the Online Clinical Mental Health Counseling Modality; this accomplishment signifies that the online modality meets the highest educational and clinical training standards within the counseling profession.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Outcomes

Total Graduates (summer 2021 – spring 2022):  62

Completion Rate: 73%

Licensure Examination Pass Rate:  100%

Job Placement Rate* (180 days post-graduation):  83%

CACREP
Master of Science in Pastoral Care and Integration

Master of Science in Pastoral Care and Integration

The Master of Science in Pastoral Care and Integration (MS) degree was created for individuals who already possess a clinical degree and desire to integrate their faith in their practice as clinicians, or for pastors who want more training in applied counseling but without the clinical sequence of the CMHC program. Although this degree is not designed to lead to licensure as a counselor, MS graduates may pursue further study in counseling elsewhere or use this training to supplement training received at another institution.

The Master of Science in Pastoral Care and Integration

Equips students to understand the methods and models of integrating counseling and Christian theology, enabling them to address spirituality issues in the counseling room in ways consistent with professional ethics
Provides students with experiential knowledge of integrating their faith and profession in their personal lives
Empowers students to bring relevant information from the traditional theological areas of biblical studies and church history to their counseling, thus preparing them to distinguish between spiritual versus psychological problems

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Pastoral Care and Integration curriculum consists of a minimum of 32 semester hours.

CED6112

Personal and Spiritual Life of the Counselor

2

CED6233

Relating Faith and Spirituality in Counseling

3

CED6362 

Practical Integration

2

CED7132

Theodicy and Trauma Counseling

2

CED6352

Biblical Anthropology

2

CED7362

Integrative Theology for Counselors

2

CEDx2x2

Counseling and Spirituality Integration Elective

2

CED5122

Foundations in Counseling

2

CED6143

Psychopathology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disorders

3

CED6153

Helping Relationships for Pastoral Care

3

CED6162

Crisis Response and Intervention

2

CED6512

Introduction to Human Sexuality & Sex Therapy

2

CED6612

Family Systems Theory 

2

CED7113

Human Growth and Development

3

“I have had great training and hands on experience with professors throughout my time here, specifically with my interest in working with addiction and neurodivergence.”
Steven Remiersma
School of Counseling Student

School of Counseling Faculty

Charles Allen, Psy.D.

Charles Allen, Psy.D.

Christine Baker, Ph.D.

Christine Baker, Ph.D.

Kathleen E. Bazile, Ph.D.

Director of Clinical Training and Assistant Professor of Counseling

Kathleen E. Bazile, Ph.D.

Director of Clinical Training and Assistant Professor of Counseling

Amanda Blackburn, Psy.D.

Vice President of Student Affairs and Professor of Counseling

Amanda Blackburn, Psy.D.

Vice President of Student Affairs and Professor of Counseling

Stephen P. Bradshaw, Ph.D.

Stephen P. Bradshaw, Ph.D.

Matt Casada, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Matt Casada, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Tamekia Cathright, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Tamekia Cathright, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Jenny L. Chien, Ph.D.

Assistant Director of Clinical Training and Associate Professor

Jenny L. Chien, Ph.D.

Assistant Director of Clinical Training and Associate Professor

Cara Cochran, Ph.D.

Dean of the School of Counseling and Professor

Cara Cochran, Ph.D.

Dean of the School of Counseling and Professor

Robert C. Duckworth, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Robert C. Duckworth, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Jerry A. Gladson, Ph.D.

Jerry A. Gladson, Ph.D.

Stanley Hoover, Ph.D.

Assistant Dean of the School of Counseling, Coordinator of the Trauma Certificate Program, and Associate Professor of Counseling

Stanley Hoover, Ph.D.

Assistant Dean of the School of Counseling, Coordinator of the Trauma Certificate Program, and Associate Professor of Counseling

Stephanie Keane, Ph.D.

Assistant Director of Clinical Training and Assistant Professor

Stephanie Keane, Ph.D.

Assistant Director of Clinical Training and Assistant Professor

Laura Land, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Laura Land, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

William E. McGee, Ed.D.

William E. McGee, Ed.D.

Brian A. Mesimer, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Brian A. Mesimer, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

DeVon Mills, Ph.D.

Clinical Director of the Richmont Trauma Center and Assistant Professor

DeVon Mills, Ph.D.

Clinical Director of the Richmont Trauma Center and Assistant Professor

Andrew Morse, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Andrew Morse, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Emily Oliver, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Emily Oliver, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Amy Perkins, Ph.D.

Clinical Professor of Counseling and Staff Psychologist at Henegar Counseling Center

Amy Perkins, Ph.D.

Clinical Professor of Counseling and Staff Psychologist at Henegar Counseling Center

Mary Plisco, Ph.D.

Director of Research and Associate Professor

Mary Plisco, Ph.D.

Director of Research and Associate Professor

Evalin Rhodes Hanshew, Ph.D.

Evalin Rhodes Hanshew, Ph.D.

Clark Rose, Ph.D.

Clark Rose, Ph.D.

Lorrie Slater, Ph.D.

Director of Henegar Counseling Center and Associate Professor of Counseling

Lorrie Slater, Ph.D.

Director of Henegar Counseling Center and Associate Professor of Counseling

Vanesa Snyder, Ph.D.

Vanesa Snyder, Ph.D.

Michael R. Sytsma, Ph.D.

Michael R. Sytsma, Ph.D.

Jack Underwood, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Jack Underwood, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Morgan Weatherly, Ph.D.

Morgan Weatherly, Ph.D.

Jama L. White, Psy.D.

Professor Emerita

Jama L. White, Psy.D.

Professor Emerita

Take the First Step Toward a Career in Mental Health Counseling

The cost of the program is $740 per credit hour + applicable fees.
Richmont wants to help make your education goals a reality, so please inquire about financial aid opportunities. 

Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Spiritual Formation and Leadership

Application Requirements

  • Admission application with a $50 nonrefundable application fee 
  • An acknowledgement that the applicant has reviewed the Statement of Faith
  • A 40 hours Master’s degree with 11 hours of Bible and Theology in Ministry or a related field of study 
  • Three completed reference forms:
    • Pastoral Reference
    • Character reference
    • Academic or professional reference
  • Resume
  • Academic Writing Sample 
  • Personal Interview with the Dean of the School of Ministry and Program Director 
  • A personal statement that outlines the applicant’s intent behind applying for the Doctor of Ministry at Richmont. Said application must be between 500 to 700 words typed, double spaced.