Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed for persons who wish to practice individual, group, or family counseling. Emphasis is given to understanding and applying theories of counseling and psychopathology, trauma informed care, and developing a professional identity as a counselor. The 60-semester credit hour curriculum is offered in a format that combines distance learning with a low residency component (4-5 days/40 hours) each year.
All courses are taught by credentialed specialists in the field of counseling, psychology, and social work. Students participate in hands on side-by-side real life learning licensed counselors during their clinical courses. The program will prepare the student to sit for the National Counselor Exam to obtain their Licensed Mental Health Counselor - Associate (LMHC-A) certificate. This is a step towards achieving their independent license in mental health counseling (LMHC).
Program Goals and Related Learning Outcomes:
1. Understand clinical theories and how to apply these to specific case conceptualization/response. SLO’s:
· Student can describe theories (e.g. Humanism, Cognitive behavioral, Psychoanalytic), including their explanation of the human experience (e.g. behaviors, change, mental health issues, etc.).
· Student will be able to use specific theory as a lens to see a case, from initial conceptualization of the client’s presenting problem to treatment recommendation.
2. Implement appropriate counseling techniques based on situations faced. SLO’s:
· Students will properly utilize basic listening sequence
· Student demonstrates understanding of crisis intervention skills
· Student demonstrates understanding of trauma-informed care
· Student is able to identify specific techniques to help clients through symptoms (examples: depression and behavioral activation, anxiety and grounding).
3. To engage in aspirational ethics, including cultural awareness and understanding.
· Students understand ethical guidelines for counselors, and the importance of holding themselves to the standards of professional ethics at all times.
· Students will grow in their understanding of themselves as cultural beings, maintain awareness/sensitivity/humility of their clients as cultural beings, demonstrate comfort in exploring these concepts when necessary in session, and interweave anti-oppressive principles into practice.
4. Proficient in basic clinical documentation requirements from assessment to discharge.
· Students will understand when it’s appropriate to engage in assessment, treatment planning, individual/family/group sessions, and discharge planning.
· Student will demonstrate proficiency in the completion of assessment (to include diagnostic impression), treatment planning, therapy progress notes, and discharge summaries.
Admission Requirements
Admission criteria, including: undergraduate, master’s-level, and, if appropriate, other post baccalaureate preparation for admission; other admission requirements; and provisions, if any, for conditional admission of selected applicants who do not meet all the requirements for admission
- BA or BS (or higher) in a related field (psychology, social work, music therapy, etc.)
- Preference given to people who have experienced a helping profession field through occupation or internship
- GPA 2.75 Preference given to people who have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and greater
- No GRE requirement
- At least 9 hours in psychology courses with C or higher
- Official transcripts
- Two professional letters of recommendation
Other specific requirements:
- Application
- CV
- Personal statement
- Interview
Who should consider a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling?
- Those interested in helping professions
- Those with experience volunteering with human service organizations
- BA or BS in a related field, or greater
- Preference given to people who have experienced a helping profession field through occupation or internship
- Preference given to people who have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and greater
- No GRE requirement
Credit policies, including:
The number of credits that students may transfer into the program: 18 credits
The distribution of credits allowed or required at the master’s level is 60 credits in specific content areas required to achieve licensure eligibility.
Academic residence requirements
Student must be a resident of the United States or intending to practice in the US with legal immigration status. It will be expressed that the program is preparing students for Indiana licensure; however, they will gather the requirements they need to be licensed in some other states of the US. Students will be linked to information about Reciprocity and the Counseling Compact.
Student must attend two 5 day residencies on campus over the course of the program.
MS-CMHC Curriculum
(60 credit hours)
Required Courses
| CN 500 | Helping Relationships | 3 |
| CN 520 | Advanced Appraisal and Assessment | 3 |
| CN 526 | Social and Cultural Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| CN 530 | Foundations of Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CN 536 | Contextual Dimensions in Clinical Mental Health Treatment | 3 |
| CN 542 | Counseling Through Lifespan Development | 3 |
| CN 580 | Theories and Techniques of Counseling | 3 |
| CN 583 | Ethics and Practice in Counseling Professions | 3 |
| CN 585 | Career Development and Counseling | 3 |
| CN 590 | Research Methodologies | 3 |
| CN 591 | Group Dynamics in Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CN 598 | Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| CN 599 | Counseling Internship I | 3 |
| CN 660 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| CN 680 | Advanced Counseling Internship | 3 |
| Possible Electives (15 credit hours) | |
| Choose from: | |
| CN 565 | Family Systems | 3 |
| CN 535 | Community Counseling | 3 |
| CN 525 | Supervision and Consultation in Helping Professions | 3 |
| CN 576 | Quantitative Research Methods | 3 |
| CN 577 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| CN 545 | Gender and Sexuality | 3 |
| CN 650 | Crisis Intervention and Trauma Informed Care | 3 |
| CN 675 | Addiction Counseling | 3 |
| CN 540 | Somatic Processing and Mindfulness | 3 |
| CN 595 | Domestic Violence and Relationship Trauma | 3 |