Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS

(60 credits)

Program Description

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a rigorous 60-credit degree program designed to provide students with the educational and experiential components required for licensure as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. The program spans a minimum of 2 academic years and connects students to the world of clinical mental health counseling through coursework infused with research and scientifically based best practices, applications to the field, hands-on clinical experiences, and professional ethics embedded in social justice. 

Program Delivery

The CMHC program is offered fully online, except for the practical fieldwork experiences such as practicum and internship. There are no requirements for students to attend classes at a physical campus location. The program uses asynchronous and synchronous course delivery methods, and each course runs for 10 weeks. There are eight (8) courses totaling 24 credit hours that are designated as residency. Residency courses require live, synchronous interaction (usually through Zoom) with faculty and other students in the course. The remaining 12 courses (36 credit hours) are offered asynchronously via Blackboard Learning Management System and may have a Microsoft Teams companion site to enhance student-faculty interaction and collaboration. All courses may be taken on a full-time or part-time basis and are accumulated within the timeframe and plan of study of the program.

Learning Outcomes/Program Objectives

• Establish and exhibit a professional counselor identity by displaying dispositional comportment; utilizing wellness, prevention, and strength-based models; and integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Develop an integrated theoretical orientation. 
• Integrate cultural diversity, equity, and social justice into counseling practice. 
• Thoughtfully and intentionally apply advocacy competencies to participate in (a) case, (b) class, and (c) professional social justice actions.
• Consult scholarly literature and diverse perspectives to make ethical, socially justice, and culturally relevant professional and legal decisions. 
• Assess crises, trauma, and addictions and utilize interventions to increase stabilization and decrease suffering. 
• Utilize trauma informed models and practices that attend to a range of trauma histories and experiences including historical trauma, injustice, interpersonal violence, and military service. 
• Collaborate with clients and apply creativity and adaptability to select counseling delivery methods (e.g., telehealth, in-person sessions, modified session lengths), goals, and interventions to best meet the needs of diverse clients.

Course Map

Students are encouraged to use the following program map to guide their degree completion in 2 years at full time status. The final term is typically completed under part-time status.

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS Course Map