Trinity International University Counseling Programs

Trinity International University runs a detailed counseling program that creates skilled mental health professionals who excel in both clinical practice and Christian values. The Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling (MA in MHC) gives you the tools to understand human needs, value individual differences, and become skilled at counseling while bringing faith into your practice.

The program prepares you to become a licensed mental health counselor. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program has earned the prestigious CACREP (Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) accreditation, which shows its steadfast dedication to high professional training standards. The university maintains accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.

The program’s integrated approach to counselor education sets it apart. The curriculum looks at what makes us human by focusing on our physical experiences, relationship needs, and desire for healing and reconciliation. This view recognizes both strength and pain in clinical work, which helps you handle the full range of human experiences.

The program welcomes students from all faith backgrounds, while staying true to its Christian principles. The counseling department sees therapy as an “intentional dialog to achieve change” that can heal and enrich lives. This process helps with many needs – from mental health concerns and relationship issues to persistent habits, spiritual growth, and career changes.

The program’s residency component plays a vital role. These three-day intensive experiences happen every fall, bringing students, faculty, and peers together. You’ll participate in training, evaluation, community-building, and spiritual activities that strengthen your faith and professional identity. Each new residency builds on what you’ve learned, helping you develop advanced skills and cultural awareness in a supportive, Christ-centered setting.

After graduation, several career paths open up, including:

• Substance abuse or addiction counselor
• Outpatient therapist
• Counselor in residential settings
• School adjustment counselor working with children or teens
• Various other rewarding professional opportunities

The Counselor Education faculty leads this program as part of the Counseling and Psychology Department. Their guidance provides you with solid academic and professional training that blends theory, research, and hands-on experience to prepare you for a meaningful career in mental health counseling.

What counseling programs does Trinity International University offer?

The Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling (MA in MHC) is Trinity International University’s primary counseling program. Students can become licensed mental health professionals through this professional licensure track’s rigorous academic and professional training.

Students must complete minimum of 60 units of coursework in the MA in MHC curriculum. The program requires at least 48 units specifically focused on mental health counseling. The well-laid-out program consists of several key components:

• Biblical and Theological Foundations – 11 units covering biblical theology, interpretation, and systematic theology
• Mental Health Counseling Core – 33 units including counseling skills, strategies, and specialized topics
• Mental Health Counseling Electives – 12-14 units
• Formation Group – Required for two semesters
• Capstone in MHC – 6-8 units including practicum and internship

Students should complete the program within five years of matriculation. They may petition to extend this timeframe if needed.

Program admission requirements include:

• An undergraduate major that has 3 units of statistics
• An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• A possible interview with TEDS Counseling Department faculty

Students must achieve degree candidacy after admission. This requires completing a minimum of 12 units with a GPA of at least 2.5, finishing CO 5081 (Counseling Residency), and clearing all entrance deficiencies.

Trinity’s program offers flexibility to students who want to pursue a second degree with their MA in MHC. The program allows overlap of up to 50 percent requirements with shorter degree programs such as MA/TS or MDiv.

A certificate option is available that covers ministry practices, counseling techniques, socio-cultural impacts on ministry, church leadership development, and biblical curriculum building.

Graduation requirements include completing all coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Students must pass a written comprehensive exam and complete the Biblical and Theological Studies course sequences. The program concludes with either an internship or an acceptable thesis as the capstone project.

Internships/Practicum at Trinity International University

Field experience plays a significant part in Trinity International University’s counseling education through structured practicum and internship requirements. Students get hands-on clinical experience that shapes their professional development.

The practicum (CO 6950) works as a pre-internship fieldwork experience with group supervision on campus. Students get supervised experience in counseling settings and spend six to eight hours weekly. This original field experience has 100 practicum hours and students can repeat it if needed. Students must achieve MA in Mental Health Counseling candidacy and get the Counseling Department’s consent before enrollment.

After the practicum, students complete an internship through two available options. Most students choose the traditional Mental Health Counseling Internship (CO 7961 & CO 7962) that runs from summer or fall through spring semester. Students must complete 900 hours of internship work, including 360 direct service hours. The International Counseling Experience (CO 7969) serves as an alternative option.

Students receive dual supervision during their internship – individual guidance at the site and group supervision on campus. Hospital inpatient programs, community counseling agencies, counseling centers, and other mental health facilities serve as approved internship sites. Students must take both internship courses over one academic year consecutively. These six units count as full-time academic status.

These field experiences come in flexible formats. Students build valuable professional connections while applying theoretical knowledge in real-life settings. In spite of that, program admission doesn’t guarantee placement in practicum or internship courses. Students need to meet specific program requirements for these capstone experiences.

Students who complete both practicum and internship components gain detailed clinical experience. This experience combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills and prepares them for licensure and professional practice as mental health counselors.

What sets Trinity International University apart?

Trinity International University’s counseling program stands out with outstanding outcomes and unique features. The program holds prestigious CACREP accreditation through 2031, placing it among the top counseling education programs nationwide.

The program’s student success rates tell a compelling story. Their graduates excel in licensing examinations, achieving a perfect 100% pass rate for the NCE examination in spring 2024. An impressive 95% of job-seeking graduates land mental health care positions within three months of graduation. These numbers showcase the program’s excellence in developing skilled professionals.

Trinity’s faculty brings both stellar credentials and ground experience. Dr. Luis San Roman, a bilingual Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, exemplifies the program’s unique 3Cs Framework—Christ-centered care, clinical excellence, and culturally sensitive care. Dr. Gruenewald adds 44 years of counseling expertise to his teaching role.

Student diversity strengthens Trinity’s program significantly. Among the 58 students enrolled in 2023-24, half identified as People of Color. This rich diversity creates an enriched learning environment and equips counselors to serve diverse communities effectively.

The program adapts continuously to meet current needs:

• A new “Self-Care for Counselors” course teaches personal wellness and client interventions
• A professional conference on Cultural Humility received support from a university donor
• A new ICA chapter on campus provides wellness resources to nearby communities
• New digital delivery options serve students beyond the Deerfield area

Trinity’s program takes a comprehensive approach. Students develop skills that address both spiritual and clinical aspects of healing—a unique combination in today’s digital world.

Next steps

Ready to start your trip at Trinity International University’s counseling program? Here are the essential steps you need to take for admission.

After acceptance, you need to pay a confirmation tuition deposit of $125.00 to the Admissions Office. You can get a refund if you cancel by July 1 for Fall semester or December 1 for Spring semester. International students with F-1 or J-1 visas must pay a $3000.00 deposit before receiving their I-20.

Your application needs these items:

• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended since high school
• Recommendations through the online recommendation request system
• Personal essays and current resume/CV
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 for MA programs

An academic counselor will help you plan your first semester and explain scholarship options after acceptance. Students seeking financial aid should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with Trinity’s school code 001772. Trinity’s Endowed Scholarship Application offers additional funding opportunities.