Academic Programs Catalog

This program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, but it is not currently eligible for federal student loans.

The Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares future clinical mental health counselors to promote the effective delivery of mental health counseling services to families and individuals with emotional and/or substance abuse disorders. Through course work and clinical training, graduates will gain mastery in the skills, knowledge, and attitudes required for mental health services provision to clients across a variety of clinical and community settings.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Education, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be admitted into the Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling applicants must:

1. submit both the university application forms and applicable application fee. Individuals are admitted to the program once per year with enrollment starting in the Fall semester. The deadline to submit applications for admission is February 15th.

Consideration is given to the applicant's previous academic and professional experience. There should be a pattern of experience that supports the applicant’s expressed desire to pursue advanced graduate studies in clinical mental health counseling. Appropriate evidence of such experience should be reflected in the applicant's letters of recommendation. The following are factors significant in determining admission to the program: 

1. A bachelor's degree in an appropriate field from a recognized educational institution, with a grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better in the last two years of undergraduate study.
2. A written statement of academic goals and career objectives (1 to 2 pages single spaced) that describes the applicant's professional goals as they relate to the Master of Arts degree program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
3. Scores from the Graduate Record Examination General Test if the applicant's grade point average is less than 3.0.
4. Three letters of recommendation, with at least two from professors or employers regarding the applicant’s academic capability and/or professional and personal qualifications.

The applicant is required to submit a departmental application form, as well as the university application form. Upon request for admission to the program, the departmental application form is mailed to the applicant with the university application form. 

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The program is available only under Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete a total of 60 credits distributed as follows:

1.	Counseling Core. All of the following courses (15 credits):
	CEP	861	Counseling Theories						3
	CEP	862	Individual Counseling and Helping Relationships						3
	CEP	864	Career Development						3
	CEP	874	Counseling Ethics						3
	CEP	878	Counseling and Group Work						3
2.	Clinical Mental Health Counseling Core.
	All of the following courses (12 credits):
	CEP	839	Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling						3
	CEP	849	Diagnosis and Psychopathology						3
	CEP	859	Crisis and Trauma Counseling						3
	CEP	875	Addiction Counseling						3
3.	Research and Evaluation.
	Both of the following courses (6 credits):
	CEP	822	Approaches to Educational Research						3
	CEP	877	Assessment in Counseling						3
4.	Foundations. All of the following courses (6 credits):
	CEP	891C	Special Topics in Rehabilitation Counseling
			(Section: Development Across the Lifespan)						3
	CEP	872	Social and Cultural Diversity in Disability						3
5.	Practicum and Internship. Both of the following courses (15 credits):
	CEP	894A	Practicum in Counseling						3
	CEP	893A	Internship in Counseling						12
6.	Electives (6 credits):
	Complete 6 credits of relevant master’s level courses approved by program director and/or advisor.
7.	Completion of a final evaluation.