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:

1. a thorough preparation in foundation skills and principles;
2. a functional mastery of techniques in various therapy modes; e.g., cognitive, affective, behavioral;
3. coverage of principles, issues and trends in the psychology of counseling; and
4. 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.