Graduate Programs

In addition to our CMHC program, Valparaiso University offers a Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care, a 15-credit, online synchronous program crafted to equip participants with essential insights into trauma and practical skills to enhance effectiveness when working with trauma-exposed populations. Designed for flexibility, this program operates online, making it an accessible and convenient option for students and professionals across a variety of fields, including mental health, education, crisis and emergency services, healthcare, criminal justice, law, non-profit and human services, and any role that involves individuals or systems impacted by trauma.

Our trauma-informed care curriculum emphasizes foundational knowledge and practical application, allowing participants to directly integrate trauma-sensitive practices within their current or future professional settings. This certificate program not only complements existing graduate studies—often aligning with elective coursework requirements—but also provides a valuable, stand-alone experience for individuals seeking to deepen their impact and understanding of trauma.

The program is open to degree-seeking and non-degree graduate students who meet admission requirements, as well as to advanced undergraduates eligible for graduate-level coursework. An application for admission to the certificate is required, ensuring that participants are well-prepared to engage with and benefit from this training.

The success of our program across several metrics is reflected below in the statistics of the past five years:

Annual Report

Stakeholder Data

Efforts are made to offer courses so that individuals employed part- or full-time may pursue graduate study. A full-time load is three to four courses per semester and two courses during the summer. Students with significant outside commitments may enroll on a part-time basis. A typical part-time load is two courses per semester and one course during a summer session. Each year, the counseling program enrolls approximately 20 students, with each incoming class consisting of a mix of full- and part-time students.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements for the clinical mental health counseling program, which include:

• An undergraduate degree from an accredited university
• An undergraduate GPA of al least 3.00 (B)
• At least 15 earned credits in the social/behavioral sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, human development)

International student applicants can find additional requirements outlined by Valparaiso University Graduate Studies.

Applicants lacking the appropriate background will still be considered for the program, but may need to take additional courses to ensure adequate preparation for graduate coursework in counseling.

Applicants should provide the following by February 15** for priority consideration:

1. Valparaiso University Graduate Application;
2. Official transcript reflecting an undergraduate degree from an accredited university;
3. Two letters of recommendation;
4. A reflective essay detailing applicants’ professional goals (specific essay instructions can be found in the application portal);

The top applicants will be invited to participate in an interview in early spring (after the University’s spring break in March). Admission is offered only for the fall semester. Preference is given to applicants who plan to complete the program through full-time coursework, although part-time student applications will be considered.

**Review of applications begins in February and continues until program enrollment is complete. Prospective students interested in applying to the counseling program after Feb. 15 should contact Graduate Admission regarding any remaining openings in the incoming class cohort.

Valparaiso University is consistently ranked among the Top 25 Most Affordable Accredited Graduate Degree Programs in Counseling and Psychology in the Midwest. Prospective students will be pleased to discover the affordable tuition rate, especially in comparison to other CACREP-accredited counseling programs. For a private institution of recognized national quality, tuition and fees are highly competitive. Learn about current tuition and fee information.

Funding Options

• Financial aid is available through direct and indirect federal student loans for students taking six credits or more during fall and spring semesters. For most individuals, these loans will cover the entire cost of the program, including tuition and living expenses.
• Scholarships: Students in the counseling programs are eligible for merit-based scholarships (up to $3,000) for the first year in the program. Applicants with a GPA of 3.1 or higher will automatically be considered for this scholarship upon applying to the counseling program. Additional scholarship and financial assistance information is available through the Graduate School.
• Assistantships: A limited number of funded assistantship positions are available, including teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and program assistantships. Students who have been admitted to the program can apply for these positions in late spring, prior to beginning the program. Typically, about one-third of the incoming cohort is selected for an assistantship position.
• Transfer Credit: Students may transfer up to nine credits of approved graduate coursework into the program.
• Employment: In addition to additional on-campus job opportunities, graduate students can usually find employment in social service and mental health agencies in the Northwest Indiana region. Some students elect to work full-time and undertake their studies on a part-time basis. Typical salaries range from $7–10/hr. and usually require an undergraduate degree in psychology, social work, or related human services fields. Depending on the specific position, credit toward fulfillment of the required practicum and internship courses may be counted, assuming the position involves some combination of individual and group counseling. Outside of mental health work, other options are available.
• Post-Graduate Loan Repayment Programs: In order to address the increasing need for qualified licensed mental health professionals working with underserved populations, a number of federal, state, and local loan repayment/loan forgiveness programs were created to recruit counselors into jobs following graduation in exchange for loan repayment. Some examples include the National Health Service Corps and the Indiana Mental Health and Addiction Services Loan Repayment Assistance Program.

Below are links to important organizations in the counseling profession and state counseling licensure boards within the region. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with these organizations/entities and learn how they can facilitate your counseling career.

• American Counseling Association (ACA)
• Divisions, Regions, and Branches
• American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)
• Indiana Counseling Association (ICA)
• Illinois Counseling Association (also ICA)
• Michigan Counseling Association (MCA)
• Chi Sigma Iota – Counseling Academic and Professional and Honor Society International

• National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
• Indiana Licensure Board
• Illinois Licensure Board
• Michigan Licensure Board
• Information about other State Licensure Boards can be found on the NBCC website