Master of Science in Faith-Based Clinical Mental Health Counseling Administration — Minor: Christian Psychotherapy, Trauma Care

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

M.S. in Faith-Based Clinical Mental Health Counseling Administration

Total program length

60 graduate semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Two academic years of full-time study

Advanced Faith-Based Clinical Mental Health Counseling Administration core

27 credit hours

Research, assessment, and program evaluation

12 credit hours

Professional application and field experience

12 credit hours

Graduate capstone requirement

9 credit hours

The Master of Science in Faith-Based Clinical Mental Health Counseling Administration is a comprehensive graduate program designed to integrate advanced administrative leadership with clinical mental health proficiency. The curriculum addresses the complexities of managing social service agencies, mental health clinics, and non-profit organizations through the lens of ethical organizational stewardship. Students explore the intersection of behavioral health practice and administrative strategy, ensuring that operational success is rooted in sustainable community support.

Building upon a foundation of institutional management and specialized psychotherapeutic modalities, the program emphasizes the role of the administrator as a servant leader. Through rigorous academic inquiry, participants develop the capacity to design robust programs, oversee human resources in clinical settings, and navigate the regulatory landscape of the behavioral health sector. This degree prepares practitioners to lead organizations with both technical precision and a deep commitment to ethical integrity.

The 60-credit master's program provides advanced preparation in faith-based clinical mental health counseling administration theory, human behavior, ethics, assessment awareness, research, program evaluation, crisis response, leadership, referral, and faith-based clinical mental health counseling administration-support services.

The graduate capstone may include: An applied research study; A community needs assessment; A faith-based clinical mental health counseling administration-support program; A professional training manual; A program-development and evaluation project; Another faculty-approved scholarly project.

The program is designed for completion within two academic years by students maintaining the University's prescribed full-time course load. Part-time students may require additional time.

Florida establishes a minimum of 24 semester credits beyond the bachelor's degree for a master's program. The University's 60-credit requirement is an institutional academic standard that exceeds that minimum.

Program Details

• Total Credits: 60
• Duration: 2 years
• Degree Level: Master

Capstone Project in Counseling Administration

• 4
• RES510, MGT620
• MGT650
• Marketing and Fundraising for Nonprofits
• 3
• MGT501
• COU660
• Group Leadership and Community Wellness
• 3
• COU505
• MGT670
• Public Policy and Behavioral Health
• 3
• MGT501
• CAP690 — Capstone Project in Counseling Administration: Students complete an applied research project that integrates administrative leadership, trauma care, and ethical practice. The project must reflect the intersection of professional excellence and faith-based mission. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT650 — Marketing and Fundraising for Nonprofits: Examines strategies for organizational branding, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable fundraising. Emphasizes the alignment of donor intent with programmatic impact. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU660 — Group Leadership and Community Wellness: Analyzes the dynamics of group leadership and its role in promoting collective health within community and church-based settings. Focuses on fostering supportive and restorative environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT670 — Public Policy and Behavioral Health: Explores how public policy influences mental health service availability and delivery at the local, state, and federal levels. Evaluates the advocacy role of organizational administrators. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Thesis or Capstone Project

• The Capstone Project serves as the culminating academic experience, requiring students to synthesize their learning across administration, trauma care, and organizational leadership. Students must identify a real-world administrative or clinical management issue within a faith-based or community organization and propose an evidence-based, theoretically grounded solution. The scope includes a literature review, a critical analysis of current practices, and the development of a strategic implementation plan that adheres to professional standards and demonstrates sound fiscal and human resource stewardship.
• The project requires a deep integration of faith-based perspectives, specifically challenging students to articulate how their proposed solutions reflect biblical stewardship, servant leadership, and a Christian worldview. Deliverables include a formal written report and a public presentation. This experience evaluates the student's academic competency, their ability to apply professional knowledge to practical problems, and their growth in faith-informed character development, ensuring they are prepared to lead with integrity and wisdom in diverse settings.

Career Opportunities

• Clinical Program Manager
• Nonprofit Executive Director
• Director of Behavioral Health Services
• Trauma-Informed Care Program Coordinator
• Faith-Based Social Service Administrator
• Operations Consultant for Mental Health Ministries
• Community Outreach Director

Important Notices

• The program educates ethical professionals who demonstrate technical excellence, servant leadership, professional integrity, and a commitment to apply sound principles to advance faith-based organizations, strengthen communities, and contribute responsibly.
• HBIU is a lawfully operating nonpublic faith-based postsecondary institution that maintains its status under section 1005.06(1)(f), Florida Statutes. The University annually affirms its compliance with the requirements applicable to faith-based institutions in Florida through Commission for Independent Education.
• HBIU accreditation from QAHE (for quality assurance in pre-tertiary and higher education mechanisms). QAHE offers globally recognized accreditation and quality assurance for higher education, training providers, and professional institutions worldwide. Students should consider the nature and scope of this recognition in relation to their individual certification and professional goals.
• Transfer credit is evaluated individually based on course content, credit hours, grades, institutional documentation, program requirements, and applicable university policies. Although HBIU provides academically structured programs, no institution can guarantee that another college, university, employer, licensing board, or credential-evaluation service will accept its credits or credentials. Students are encouraged to obtain advance written confirmation from the intended receiving organization.
• The program develops academic knowledge and applied competencies for service in faith-based organizations, nonprofit institutions, community programs, and related professional environments. Some occupations associated with the subject area may be regulated by governmental or professional authorities. A degree from HBIU demonstrates completion of the University's academic requirements but does not, by itself, confer professional licensure or legal authority to perform regulated services.
• Where a program is related to an external certification, eligibility is determined exclusively by the applicable certifying organization. Certification bodies may establish additional requirements involving education, examinations, experience, background screening, continuing education, or membership. HBIU does not guarantee certification eligibility or examination approval unless a formal written agreement expressly provides otherwise.
• Career and occupational information is provided to help students make informed educational decisions. Employment outcomes depend on factors such as the graduate's experience, geographic location, professional qualifications, employer requirements, economic conditions, interviewing ability, and any applicable licensure or certification requirements. Completion of a program does not constitute a promise of employment, promotion, job placement, or a particular occupational title.
• This program is delivered through online instruction. Students must have access to the technology, equipment, internet service, software, and learning resources identified in the University's technology requirements.
• Internship or field-experience participation is subject to academic eligibility, site availability, supervisor approval, and the requirements of the participating organization. The University assists students with the placement process but cannot guarantee placement with a particular organization, supervisor, location, or schedule.
• Students are responsible for reviewing the catalog, understanding program requirements, providing accurate information, meeting academic and financial obligations, and verifying whether the program supports their intended educational or professional goals.
• Completion of a University program does not authorize a graduate to use a professional title that is protected or restricted by law. Graduates must use titles that accurately reflect their education, credentials, employment role, and current licensure or certification status.
• Degree abbreviation | M.S. in Faith-Based Clinical Mental Health Counseling Administration
• Total program length | 60 graduate semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Two academic years of full-time study
• Advanced Faith-Based Clinical Mental Health Counseling Administration core | 27 credit hours
• Research, assessment, and program evaluation | 12 credit hours
• Professional application and field experience | 12 credit hours
• Graduate capstone requirement | 9 credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MGT501 | Organizational Leadership in Social Services | 4 | None
• COU505 | Foundations of Clinical Counseling | 4 | None
• RES510 | Research Methods for Behavioral Health | 3 | None
• THE520 | Ethics and Stewardship in Administration | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COU530 | Trauma-Informed Care Modalities | 4 | COU505
• MGT540 | Financial Management for Nonprofits | 4 | MGT501
• COU550 | Christian Psychotherapy Principles | 3 | COU505
• MGT560 | Human Resource Management in Clinical Settings | 4 | MGT501
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COU610 | Advanced Trauma Intervention Strategies | 4 | COU530
• MGT620 | Strategic Planning for Community Impact | 4 | MGT501
• COU630 | Family Systems and Social Support | 3 | COU505
• MGT640 | Legal and Regulatory Compliance | 3 | MGT501
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP690 | Capstone Project in Counseling Administration | 4 | RES510, MGT620
• MGT650 | Marketing and Fundraising for Nonprofits | 3 | MGT501
• COU660 | Group Leadership and Community Wellness | 3 | COU505
• MGT670 | Public Policy and Behavioral Health | 3 | MGT501