Private Catholic graduate university integrating faith and science in psychology and counseling.
Divine Mercy University offers graduate degrees at the master's and doctoral levels through two main divisions: the School of Counseling and the Institute for the Psychological Sciences. The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association and emphasizes in-person training with low student-to-faculty ratios. The M.S. in Counseling (CACREP-accredited as of October 2023) combines online and in-person instruction. Additionally, the university offers an M.S. in Psychology available entirely online, a Ph.D. in Psychological Sciences, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision. All programs integrate Catholic-Christian anthropology, philosophy, and theology with evidence-based mental health practice.
DMU is affiliated with Regnum Christi, a lay affiliate of the Legionaries of Christ. The university's mission centers on training mental health professionals who integrate Catholic teaching and theology with scientific psychology. The institution seeks to educate practitioners with comprehensive understanding of Catholic culture, history, and Christian anthropology, serving the mental health needs of the broader community while maintaining fidelity to Church teaching.
The university's main campus is located at 45154 Underwood Lane in Sterling, Virginia, in a suburban setting. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. provides access to a region of historical, cultural, and political significance. The campus includes the Thelen Memorial Library, which supports academic and research needs. As of 2016, the university had trained students from over 30 U.S. states and 13 different countries, with over 160 advanced degree graduates.
Divine Mercy University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The Psy.D. program in clinical psychology is recognized by the Association of State & Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and designated by the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. The M.S. in Counseling achieved CACREP accreditation in October 2023.