By Dennis Frank, Ph.D.
Online learning gives graduate students the flexibility to balance careers, families, and other responsibilities. But preparing to become an effective counselor requires more than mastering theories and concepts. It requires opportunities to practice skills, receive feedback, build professional relationships, and develop confidence as a counselor-in-training.
The University of Olivet’s online Master of Arts in Counseling programs—including Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling—combine the flexibility of online coursework with required on-campus residency experiences. These immersive weekends give students opportunities for hands-on learning, collaboration, and professional growth.
The first Olivet Counseling Residency was held in May 2026, bringing together the inaugural Clinical Mental Health Counseling cohort and faculty for a focused long weekend of experiential learning and connection. As Olivet’s counseling programs continue to grow, students in both the Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling programs will benefit from these immersive residency experiences, strengthening the skills, relationships, and confidence essential to their future careers.
Why Online Counseling Students Benefit from an On-Campus Residency
Counseling is a relationship-centered profession. Developing the ability to build therapeutic relationships, communicate effectively, and respond thoughtfully requires intentional practice and feedback.
During residency, students step beyond the online classroom to work alongside faculty and classmates in a supportive environment designed to strengthen counseling skills and foster professional identity. These face-to-face experiences allow students to build relationships with classmates, connect with faculty, and develop a sense of community within the program.
An effective counselor education program must provide students with opportunities to do more than learn about counseling. Students need opportunities to practice counseling skills, receive feedback, reflect on their development, and build relationships with faculty and peers who support their professional growth. Our residency experience reflects our commitment to combining the flexibility of online learning with intentional opportunities for connection, skill development, and professional preparation.
Building Practical Counseling Skills Through Experience
The residency allows students to apply concepts from their online coursework through hands-on learning experiences. Throughout the long weekend, students participate in activities designed to strengthen counseling skills and prepare them for future clinical mental health and school counseling settings.
Throughout the residency, students engage in experiences such as:
- Counseling skill practice and role-play activities.
- Feedback and skill development sessions with faculty.
- Group counseling experiences.
- Assessment and application activities.
- Professional identity development activities.
- Discussions focused on ethical practice, advocacy, and culturally responsive counseling.
These experiences help students build confidence while receiving guidance from experienced counselor educators.
Creating Community Beyond the Virtual Classroom
For many graduate students, an online program provides the flexibility needed to pursue their educational goals while balancing professional and personal responsibilities. At the same time, students value opportunities to connect with classmates and faculty beyond the virtual classroom.
The required residency experience provides that connection. Students learn alongside peers who share their commitment to the counseling profession and engage with faculty who support their development throughout the program.
Students consistently describe the residency as one of the most meaningful parts of the program.
“It was an incredibly wonderful experience overall! I think we all will notice growth in ourselves and in our understanding of clinical mental health counseling because of the work Dr. Breaker and Dr. Frank put into creating a thoughtful, inspiring, and collaborative residency weekend. I am really looking forward to the next!”– First-year counseling student
“The residency was an incredibly rewarding experience. The opportunity to connect with both the cohort and professors in person added a depth to my learning that simply isn’t replicable online. Building genuine rapport with everyone enriched not only the academic experience, but also my growth as a developing counselor.”– Second-year counseling student
Preparing Ethical, Confident Future Counselors
Effective counselor preparation extends beyond coursework. It involves developing practical skills, professional confidence, ethical decision-making, and the ability to build meaningful relationships with those seeking help.
Olivet’s Counseling Residency Experience reflects the program’s commitment to preparing counselors who are ready to support individuals, families, schools, and communities. By combining flexible online coursework with required on-campus learning experiences, students receive an educational experience designed to support both accessibility and meaningful professional preparation.
As Olivet’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling programs continue to grow, future students will benefit from a learning community that supports them well beyond graduation.
About the Author
Dennis Frank, Ph.D., is the founding director of the online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Master of Arts in School Counseling programs at The University of Olivet in Michigan. A counselor educator and licensed professional counselor with more than 20 years of experience, he has trained more than 1,000 school and clinical mental health counselors and frequently presents on counseling ethics, multicultural counseling, and LGBTQ+ client competence. He is a certified online instructor.