Dean: Heidi Bostic, Ph.D.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling website

Degree Offered

Master of Science

Program Description

The master of science in clinical mental health counseling is dedicated to training professional counselors in evidence-based and emerging best practices and prepares students to practice as a professional counselor. Course work focuses on human development, psychopathology, assessment, theories of counseling, consultation, ethical and legal issues, multicultural issues and counseling research, as well as individual, group, family and counseling interventions. Field experiences, small group experiences and practicum and internship are required and lead to the development of science-practice integration in all our graduates.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master of Science

Specializations: Addiction Counseling, Child and Adolescent Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling

The Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology offers in-person as well as online options. Students may choose one of four in-person, on-campus options by enrolling in the non-specialization option or one of three specializations: addiction counseling, child and adolescent counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling. As an alternative, students may choose one of the two fully-online options: the non-specialization option or the child and adolescent counseling specialization. 

Program Requirements

The master of science degree program in clinical mental health counseling requires 60 credit hours and successful completion of a comprehensive examination. 

For the non-specialization option, the following courses are required. All courses are the same for both in-person and online options.

As part of their course work, students must also complete a practicum and an internship in an approved clinical mental health counseling setting. More detailed requirements can be obtained from the department office. 

Specialization Course Requirements

Each of the three optional specializations require the following 42 credits of course work, plus the courses listed under each specific specialization below. Each program totals 60 credit hours. 

Addiction Counseling

The specialization in addiction counseling provides students with additional training concentrated on clinical services to clients experiencing difficulties with addictions and co-occurring disorders. In addition to the core requirements (42 credit hours) for the clinical mental health counseling program, students are required to take the following courses.

Child and Adolescent Counseling

The specialization in child and adolescent counseling provides students with training concentrated on the provisions of clinical services to children, adolescents and their families. In addition to the core requirements (42 credit hours) for the clinical mental health counseling program, students are required to take the following courses. All courses are the same for both in-person and online options.

Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling

The specialization in clinical rehabilitation counseling prepares students to: provide counseling services in rehabilitation agencies for youth and adults, understand the medical and psychosocial aspects of disabilities and provide a range of clinical services such as assessment, individual and group counseling, substance abuse counseling, career and vocational counseling and consultation. The specialization prepares students with the knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of a rehabilitation counselor. In addition to the core requirements (42 credit hours) for the clinical mental health counseling program, students are required to take the following courses.

University Policies

Graduate School Policies