Master of Science in Counseling, Catholic Anthropology Concentration

Your first step is to get in touch with any questions or submit the simple application for admission. After acceptance to the University as a candidate for graduate studies, we will assist you every step of the way toward acceptance into your academic program so you can enroll and begin your classes!

The Human Person: Created, Fallen, and Redeemed

Explore the classical, Christian vision of full human flourishing. This course proceeds from the perspective of natural law and thus sees human persons as a unity of body, soul, rational intellect, will, and passions who are created to find happiness in freedom through virtue and called by God to particular vocations. It also examines related dimensions of emotions and experience. Students will learn the dynamics of this integrative, holistic, and transformative vision in its biblical, theological, and philosophical grounding, as well as its embedding in biological, psychological, and socio-cultural contexts.

Holistic Flourishing and Integration

Engage in the Christian vision of the human flourishing in terms of its conviction that the human person is an integrated unity designed to live in mutually enriching relationships with God and other persons in true freedom and happiness. Particular diagnoses, such as depression and anxiety, are considered from psychological, theological, and philosophical perspectives with a view towards the proper understanding of Catholic anthropology and its successful integration into clinical practice for the sake of client growth, healing, and flourishing.

Vocation and Virtue as Man and Woman

Reflect upon the nature and discernment of particular vocational states in life, asking what it means to receive and thrive in a call to be single, married, ordained, or consecrated. This course makes note of the comprehensive union of male and female in marriage as a natural and sacramental institution divinely ordained for the good of children, adults, families, and societies from the perspective of Catholic teaching as shaped by classical, legal, philosophical, biblical, and theological sources. The course involves the analysis of issues pertinent to clinical practice such as disorders and difficulties related to singleness, romance, marriage, and family.

Human Flourishing in Life and Implications for Clinical Practice

Encounter models for the integration of the Christian vision of the human person into life in general and counseling praxis in particular. Drawing on the theological, philosophical, and psychological foundations of Catholic anthropology, the course examines the human, religious, and spiritual resources necessary for the mature discernment of vocation, the free exercise of virtue, the operation of reason, the cultivation of healthy relationships, the process of personal growth, the avenues of healing, and, ultimately, growth in faith, hope, and love.

Caring for the Human Person: Towards an Integrated Practice

Examine the emotional, passional, rational, sensory-perceptual, and cognitive dimensions of the human person. This course involves deep exploration of the integration of the theological, philosophical, and psychological grounding of the Catholic vision of the human person into aspects of clinical practice such as psychological evaluations and assessments, case conceptualization, and ongoing counseling of clients.

If you are serving or have served our country, we sincerely thank you. Our military services office is here to work closely with active duty, retired, reserve, and eligible family members qualified for military benefits. Learn how we can help you with the application process and review the benefits you have earned.

For a full list of fees, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

The University of Mary is committed to putting your educational goals within reach. Learn what scholarships you qualify for.

We welcome students from various backgrounds, including transfer students from regionally accredited colleges and universities and those with military or career and work experience.

How do I show my previous college, military, or work experience?

• Official transcripts (if applicable) from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 should be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions. Preference is given to candidates with a degree in Psychology, Education, Social Work, Criminal Justice, or a closely related human service field.
  • Did you graduate from the University of Mary? Then we’ll get your Mary transcript for you!
  • At most other schools, you can request transcripts by going to the National Student Clearinghouse or by contacting the registrar’s office. 
    • Have your transcripts sent to:
      Office of Admissions
      University of Mary
      7500 University Drive
      Bismarck, ND 58504
    • Or request to send electronic transcripts to registrar@umary.edu.
• Students with previous career or work experience can earn credits for prior learning.
  • You can choose to test for prior learning credits — we convert your test scores into college credit.
  • You can request a portfolio review for prior learning credits. You’ll assemble documentation to show your experience, which will be reviewed and evaluated by an experienced faculty member.
• Military experience can count towards a degree.
  • If you are Active duty, National Guard, Reserve, or a Veteran from the Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy, you can request your transcript through Joint Services Transcript.
  • Air Force personnel should contact the CCAF to receive your transcript. 
  • If you already have your CCAF degree, check out our Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative page to see how you can apply your degree to get a bachelor’s degree at the University of Mary.

• WHAT WILL I NEED TO APPLY?

• All of our programs require you to fill out the general application form in addition to submitting the application fee and your transcripts.
• Any program-specific requirements you’ll need to submit in addition to the items listed above can be found in our catalog.

• At the University of Mary, we review every application on an individual basis, ensuring that the materials you submit are evaluated with care and attention. Reach out to us if you have any questions in filling out your application.