Master of Science in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health
The Master of Science in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health program prepares graduates with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to be successful in a variety of counseling related settings including marriage and family, substance use and addictions, and general counseling. The 100% online program for adults is designed to allow students to develop clinical proficiencies through academic courses and practicum and internship experiences at a time and setting convenient to their schedule.
This degree is a fit for individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and now seek a graduate counseling education. A background in Psychology is helpful, though not required.
The program can be completed in two years, or six semesters of full-time continuous enrollment.
Key Program Features
Demonstrate knowledge of the historical development of counseling and current trends of counseling including marriage and family, addictions
Demonstrate knowledge of the plight and scope of culturally diverse populations including physical, mental, social, and cultural
Ability to assess, diagnose, plan treatment, and evaluate client outcomes
Understand trauma and crisis intervention techniques
Understand counseling theories specific clinical mental health, marriage and family, and addictions
Demonstrate professional, ethical, and legal standards of practice
Foundational core and specialty area curriculum are based on national standards established by the 2016 CACREP standards
Students develop clinical proficiencies through course work, supervised 100-hour practicum and 600- hour internship experiences
Classes are led by faculty with professional career experience who provide valuable industry insight
Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (Individual states and licensure boards may vary with regard to requirements)
Program Details
- Students benefit from small classes led by many instructors with field experience
- Practicum and internship experiences focused on direct supervised clinical experience with individuals, couples, and families as required by most counseling license boards
- No GRE or other test scores required
- Students do NOT need undergraduate degrees in Psychology or Psychology-related field
- Program can be completed in 2 years and one semester for MS, 6 semesters full-time continuous enrollment
*Eligibility to obtain professional licensure for Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor pending Program accreditation by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
*Eligibility to obtain professional licensure for Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist pending approval of courses specific to substance use and addictions by The North Carolina Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board.
Students will develop knowledge and skills related to general mental health counseling practice, marriage and family counseling, addictions counseling. Graduates will be prepared to assess for trauma and provide crisis intervention, as well as learn to diagnose and develop treatment plans and evaluate client progress.
As a part of the Master of Science in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health, applicants will be required to:
- Submit a personal statement to include the following (250 word minimum for each question):
1. How does the Masters of Science in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health program support your professional goals? And, why is this graduate degree in counseling the right one for this season of your life?
2. Describe a time when you received feedback that was difficult to hear in the moment. How did you respond? How did the experience impact you directly? How did the experience influence immediate relationships (person(s) who gave the feedback, others connected to the situation)? - Participate in a pre-admissions interview, by invitation, conducted by program faculty. The interview is conducted online; applicants must have a webcam and microphone.
- Online new student orientation is required prior to the start of the program.
- GRE or GMAT are not required.
More Information
The MS program is comprised of 20 courses totaling 60 semester-credit hours.
6 maximum transfer credit hours allowed upon approval of program director.
- COUN 500 Professional Identity, Ethical, and Legal Issues in Counseling
- COUN 510 Theories of Counseling
- COUN 520 Multicultural Counseling
- COUN 530 Psychopathology and Counseling
- COUN 540 Counseling Issues in Human Sexuality and Gender Roles
- COUN 550 Trauma and Crisis Intervention Counseling
- COUN 560 Human Growth and Development: Lifespan Perspectives for Counseling
- COUN 570 Group Counseling
- COUN 580 Lifespan Career Counseling
- COUN 591 Practicum
- COUN 592 Clinical Internship I
- COUN 593 Clinical Internship II
- COUN 594 Clinical Internship III
- COUN 600 Theories of Family Systems
- COUN 610 Counseling Techniques and Helping Relationships
- COUN 620 Counseling Children, Adolescents, and Families
- COUN 630 Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning
- COUN 640 Research Methods in Counseling
- COUN 660 Foundations of Addictions and Substance Use Counseling
- COUN 670 Addictions Diagnosis and Treatment
- COUN 680 Addictions Case Management and Prevention
- COUN 690 Individual and Family Systems in Addictions Counseling
- COUN 691 Counseling Internship I
- COUN 692 Counseling Internship II
- Private Practice
- Hospitals
- Mental Health Centers
- Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
- Outpatient Treatment Centers
- Public and Private Universities
- Social Services
- Legal and Correction Systems
- Government
- Military
- Veteran Administration
- Family Resource Centers
- Non-profits
- Domestic Violence Centers
- Religious and Faith-based Settings