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About the Program
The Master of Science in Counseling with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health is a fully online graduate program designed to prepare students for professional licensure and clinical practice in diverse mental health settings. Delivered through the Online Division of the Metro Orlando Campus, the program is grounded in a developmental, multicultural, and ethical framework. It equips future counselors with the competencies needed to address the emotional, behavioral, and psychological needs of individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan.
Students engage in a curriculum aligned with national counseling standards and gain supervised clinical experience through practicum and internship courses. The program fosters critical thinking, ethical decision-making, cultural humility, and advocacy skills essential for today’s mental health professionals.
Graduates are prepared to work in community agencies, private practices, integrated health systems, and other clinical environments that serve populations with diverse needs.
Delivery Type
The program is part of the Online Division of the Metro Orlando Campus.
AGMU has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Mental Health Counselor in specific states. Click here for more information
Program Administration and Faculty
Dr. Julio A. Cruz Rodríguez, LPC, LMHC, LCMHC, CPC, NCC, ACS
Dr. Cruz holds a Doctorate in Education with a specialization in Educational Management and Leadership, a Master of Arts in Counseling, and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Mental Health Counseling. He is licensed as a Professional Counselor in Puerto Rico and Wisconsin; as a Mental Health Counselor in Florida and Iowa; as a Clinical Professional Counselor in Nevada; and as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina. He is also a National Certified Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, and provides clinical supervision in Puerto Rico, Florida, Nevada, Wisconsin, and North Carolina. Through the Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, he holds recognized specialties in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Oncological Mental Health Counseling, Grief Counseling, Couples and Family Counseling, Sex Therapy, and Counselor Education and Supervision. He brings over ten years of experience in private practice, counselor education, and clinical supervision. He currently serves as Program Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, Vice President of the Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, and Founder and Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Professional Counselors Alliance.
Dr. Lucilo Salas Pérez, LPC
Dr. Salas holds a Doctorate in Education with a specialization in Counseling, a Master’s in Education with a concentration in Counseling, and a Bachelor’s in Special Education with a concentration in Visual Impairments. He is licensed as a Professional Counselor in Puerto Rico and holds certifications in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, LGBT Clinical Intervention, and Distance Counseling and Therapy. Dr. Salas brings extensive experience in professional practice, teaching, and community engagement, with a strong focus on diversity, inclusion, and social justice. Within the program, he currently serves as the Program Coordinator and Faculty Mentor for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student Association, supporting program operations, student engagement, leadership development, and professional identity formation.
Dr. Mary Ann Martínez Santiago, LPC, LMHC, CCMHC, ACS
Dr. Martínez holds a Doctorate in Education with a specialization in Guidance and Counseling, a Master’s in Education in Guidance and Counseling, and professional certifications in Sex Therapy and Marriage and Family Therapy. She is licensed as a Professional Counselor in Puerto Rico and as a Mental Health Counselor in Florida, and holds credentials as a National Certified Counselor, Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor. Through the Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, she holds recognized specialties in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Couples and Family Counseling, Sex Therapy, and Counselor Education and Supervision. With nearly three decades of experience in counseling, clinical supervision, and higher education, Dr. Martínez has served as an educator, clinician, and mentor to emerging professionals in the field of mental health counseling. She currently serves as President of the Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and, within the program, as the Practicum and Internship Coordinator, overseeing students’ clinical training experiences and supporting their progression through practicum and internship requirements.
Dr. Dorelys Rivera Dávila, LPC, LMHC, NCC
Dr. Rivera holds a Doctorate in Education with a specialization in Guidance and Counseling, a Master’s in Education in Guidance and Counseling, and a Bachelor’s in Social Work. She is licensed as a Mental Health Counselor in Florida and as a Professional Counselor and Social Worker in Puerto Rico. Additionally, she is credentialed as a National Certified Counselor and a Qualified Supervisor in Florida. Dr. Rivera brings over fifteen years of combined experience in counseling, education, and clinical supervision, with expertise in mental health counseling, counselor training, and faith-integrated therapeutic practice. Within the program, she currently serves as the Coordinator of the Co-Curricular Counseling Skills and Application Program.
Dr. Carmen England Bayrón, LMHC, LPC, NCC
Dr. England holds a Doctorate in Education with a specialization in Counseling and Guidance, a Master of Science in Counseling with a focus on Family, Marriage, and Children, and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management. She is licensed as a Mental Health Counselor in Florida and as a Professional Counselor in Puerto Rico, and holds the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. Dr. England brings over twenty years of experience in higher education, clinical practice, and supervision within diverse multicultural settings. Within the program, she serves as the Student and Alumni Liaison, supporting communication, engagement, and connection with current students and program graduates.
Dr. Billy Santiago Bermúdez, LP, NCC
Dr. Santiago holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, a Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a major in Psychology. He is licensed as a Psychologist in Puerto Rico and is a National Certified Counselor. Dr. Santiago brings over twenty years of experience in counselor education and clinical supervision across academic and professional settings. He also maintains a private practice specializing in addiction counseling and mental health services for diverse populations. Within the program, he serves as the Lead for the Program Evaluation Component, supporting the systematic evaluation of program outcomes, effectiveness, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Dr. Francisco I. Correa Arias, LPC
Dr. Correa holds a Doctorate in Education with a specialization in Counseling and a Master’s degree in Counseling. He is a licensed Professional Counselor in Puerto Rico and holds the specialties of Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Marriage and Family Counselor, as well as a subspecialty in Trauma, granted by the Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. Dr. Correa brings over sixteen years of professional counseling experience in school settings, along with more than ten years of private clinical practice. His professional experience includes clinical counseling, work with victims of crime, trauma, and sexual addictions. He has specialized training in Emotion-Focused Therapy and Systemic Family Therapy. In addition to his clinical experience, Dr. Correa has several years of experience teaching at the graduate level in counselor education programs.
Dr. Vicmarie Vargas Acevedo, LP
Dr. Vargas holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is a licensed Psychologist in Puerto Rico, certified in Health Psychology, with specialized expertise in grief and loss, and trained in Clinical Supervision in Counseling. She has extensive experience in clinical practice, counselor education, clinical supervision, and professional development within graduate counseling and psychology programs. She currently serves as the Coordinator of the Skills Development and Clinical Simulation Laboratory, where she leads experiential learning and clinical simulation initiatives designed to strengthen students’ counseling competencies, clinical skills, and readiness for professional practice.
Mission
To produce graduates with a national, international, and global perspective; respect for human diversity; an understanding of scientific principles; and advanced skills as practitioners who facilitate optimal mental and emotional health and well-being for individuals, families, and communities.
Program Learning Objectives
- PLO 1. Explain professional practices, ethical and legal standards, historical foundations, and professional roles.
- PLO 2. Employ cultural, social justice, advocacy, theoretical approaches, and strategies to counseling relationships with diverse populations.
- PLO 3. Apply human growth and development theories and principles to counseling practices, promoting development and wellness across the lifespan.
- PLO 4. Apply theories, strategies, and models of career development, counseling, and decision-making with culturally diverse populations.
- PLO 5. Apply theories, skills, and approaches to counseling practice integrating ethics, consultation, and crisis intervention.
- PLO 6. Apply theoretical, ethical, cultural, and social justice skills, methods, and principles to group counseling practice.
- PLO 7. Administer testing and measurement instruments using ethical standards, cultural sensitivity, and appropriate statistical concepts for individual and group assessment.
- PLO 8. Analyze research and statistical methods and strategies in evidence-based practice, supervision, and program evaluation, considering ethical and cultural implications.
- PLO 9. Apply skills and practices to address issues in clinical mental health counseling practice, integrating ethical, cultural, diversity, and advocacy perspectives.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited or internationally recognized institution with a GPA ≥ 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (graduate credit may help demonstrate aptitude if GPA < 3.0).
- Official transcripts from institutions where a degree was earned (additional transcripts may enhance the application).
- Two letters of recommendation from professionals who can assess aptitude for graduate education in counseling.
- A 2–4‑page personal essay.
- A résumé or curriculum vitae (CV).
- An interview with the program’s admission committee.
Program Costs
Annual Evaluation Report
View 2024–2025 Annual Evaluation Report.
Financial Information
View Financial Aid Information
