(60 credits)
Program Description
The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offers a rigorous 24 month, 60-credit, degree program that provides the educational preparation for licensure as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is available to students using two delivery models. The first delivery model involves a hybrid approach where students participate in face to face classes as well as asynchronous Blackboard course work. The second delivery model involves a completely online program that includes asynchronous classes as well as synchronous classes identified within the curriculum as residency classes. Both delivery models provide classes over four terms during the academic year. In addition, the program involves an intensive internship program, in which students are placed according to their talents and career ambitions, and mentored by the host organization, and New England College faculty member and with support from Core program faculty assigned to support student practice.
Learning Outcomes
- Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
Students will acquire knowledge of the history and philosophy of counseling; professional roles, collaboration, professional organizations, credentialing, and ACA & AMHCA ethical standards as a means to developing a counseling identity and an advocacy mindset.
- Social and Cultural Diversity
Students will acquire knowledge of how the elements of diversity and societal factors impact individuals; while, gaining self-awareness regarding their culture and developing a personal understanding of how their own perspectives may affect the counseling relationship.
- Human Growth and Development
Students will acquire knowledge of adaptive and maladaptive development, developmental crises, disability, psychopathology, and theories development and will apply theories of learning, personality development, and strategies for helping individuals throughout the lifespan in an ethical and developmentally appropriate manner.
Students will know and apply career development theories, decision-making models, vocational and occupational information to career development program planning, organization, implementation, administration, and evaluation.
- Counseling and Helping Relationships
Students will demonstrate basic and advanced counseling skills, including developing goals and interventions for the purpose of working directly with or indirectly in consultation with various stakeholders in various settings to improve the lives of those they serve.
- Group Counseling and Group Work
Students will know group theory and gain an experiential understanding of group development, dynamics, and leadership styles for use in an ethical and legal manner in various types of groups.
Students will know statistical concepts, reliability, validity, multicultural issues in assessment, ethical & legal issues, as well as learn bio-psychosocial assessment, case conceptualization, principles of diagnosis, and use of the current DSM so that they have the ability to conduct individual and group assessment and evaluations.
- Research and Program Evaluation
Students will acquire knowledge of research methods, statistical analyses, needs assessment, and program evaluation, including qualitative and quantitative methods, technology uses, and ethical and legal issues.
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Students will have knowledge of integrative systems of care; fiscal and legal issues; collaboration; community needs assessment; interventions and outreach; individuals and communities served; and clinical mental health counseling services.
Students will develop and demonstrate clinical skills through supervised practicum and internship experiences and an integration of the knowledge and skills needed to be successful as practicing counselors.
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