Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Science (MS)
Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed for students wishing preparation as counselors or therapists in settings such as: mental health centers, hospitals, residential treatment centers, employment services, and vocational rehabilitation services. Clinical mental health counselors are also frequently found in juvenile correction facilities, community colleges, pastoral services, and business and industry.
Classes and Experiences Are Organized Around Four Objectives:
- a thorough preparation in foundation skills and principles;
- a functional mastery of techniques in various therapy modes; e.g., cognitive, affective, behavioral;
- coverage of principles, issues and trends in the psychology of counseling; and
- self awareness as it relates to the counseling process.
Practical application is stressed. Students are provided early and continuous skill practice with personalized feedback and coaching. Continuous opportunities for expanding awareness of the self of the counselor will be provided.
The program is both extensive and comprehensive. It is nationally accredited by CACREP and fulfills education requirements for licensure for mental health counselors. Graduates can complete the NBCC exam for National Counselor Certification.
Note: successful completion of comprehensive examination of conceptual attainments is required.
Required Courses | ||
PSYC 506 | COUNSELING DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSITION ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 4 |
PSYC 520 | TACTICS PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH | 4 |
PSYC 535 | INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING | 4 |
PSYC 542 | CAREER COUNSELING | 4 |
PSYC 544 | COUNSELING THEORY AND TECHNIQUES | 4 |
PSYC 545 | APPRAISAL IN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING | 4 |
PSYC 546 | TRAUMA INFORMED COUNSELING | 4 |
PSYC 548 | COUNSELING CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS | 4 |
PSYC 569 | FAMILY SYSTEMS | 4 |
PSYC 571 | COUNSELING SKILLS | 4 |
PSYC 572 | ADVANCED COUNSELING SKILLS | 4 |
PSYC 575 | DSM TREATMENT ISSUES FOR COUNSELORS | 4 |
PSYC 576 | PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING | 3 |
PSYC 583 | GROUP EXPERIENCE | 1 |
PSYC 584 | GROUP THEORY AND PROCESS | 4 |
PSYC 587 | ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR COUNSELING | 4 |
PSYC 588 | CRISIS INTERVENTION AND TRAUMA COUNSELING | 4 |
PSYC 590 | DIVERSITY COUNSELING | 4 |
PSYC 592 | SUICIDE ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT | 1 |
PSYC 694 | PRACTICUM | 4 |
PSYC 697 | INTERNSHIP IN PSYCHOLOGY (over four quarters) | 16 |
Electives approved by advisor | 4 | |
Total Credits | 93 |
Students who successfully earn an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling should be able to do the following:
- assess community needs, design, implement and evaluate mental health programs and systems–Mental Health Counseling Emphasis;
- describe the ethical and legal considerations that govern the practice of mental health counseling–Mental Health Counseling Emphasis;
- provide accurate assessment, diagnosis (where appropriate) and treatment planning for a diverse client population–Mental Health Counseling Emphasis.