MS in Counseling in Clinical Mental Health

The Master of Science in Counseling with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health is designed to prepare candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary to work with individuals, groups, and families presenting with a variety of mental and emotional disorders, as well as to promote mental health and wellness. The program prepares students to be capable and responsive licensed professional counselors in a variety of settings, as well as to engage in consultation and collaboration with other professionals. The program is aligned with counselor education standards, and it covers all required content areas for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification.

Mission

To produce graduates with a national, international, and global perspective; respect for human diversity; an understanding of scientific principles; and advanced skills as practitioners who facilitate optimal mental and emotional health and well-being for individuals, families, and communities.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program students will be able to:

PLO 1: Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
Apply professional practices, ethical and legal standards, historical underpinnings, roles, professional organizations, credentials, and advocacy competencies to professional work.

PLO 2: Social and Cultural Diversity
Employ cultural, social justice, advocacy, theoretical approaches, and strategies to counseling relationships with diverse populations.

PLO 3: Human Growth and Development
Apply human growth and development theories and principles to counseling practices, promoting development and wellness across the lifespan.

PLO 4: Career Development
Implement theories, strategies, and models of career development, counseling, and decision-making with culturally diverse populations.

PLO 5: Counseling and Helping Relationships
Apply theories, skills, and approaches to counseling practice integrating ethics, consultation, and crisis intervention.

PLO 6: Group Counseling and Group Work
Apply theoretical, ethical, cultural, and social justice skills, methods, and principles to group counseling practice.

PLO 7: Assessment and Testing
Administer ethical and culturally relevant testing, measurement instruments, and statistical concepts to individual and group assessment and evaluation.

PLO 8: Research and Program Evaluation
Describe research and statistical methods and strategies in evidence-based practice, supervision, and program evaluation, considering the ethical and cultural implications in the counseling profession.

PLO 9: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Apply skills and practices to address a variety of issues in clinical mental health counseling practice, integrating ethical, cultural, diversity, and advocacy perspectives.

Employment Opportunities

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that mental health counselor positions will grow by 25% through 2029. Mental health counselors may work in a variety of mental health settings like hospitals, mental health centers or organizations, schools, wellness centers, employee assistance programs, private or group practices, among others. Some careers are:

• Mental Health Counselor
• Psychotherapist
• Clinical Therapist
• Child and family Counselor
• Marriage and Family Therapist