MS in Mental Health Counseling (MSMHC)

Curriculum

Degree requirements: 18 courses, 60 credits

A minimum program involves sixty credits of coursework depending on undergraduate preparation.

Core Requirements (5 courses, 15 credits)

COUNS-712	Life Span Development	3
COUNS-715	Methods of Research	3
COUNS-728	Professional Orientation: Ethical/ Legal Issues	3
COUNS-733	Counseling Diverse Populations	3
COUNS-735	Group Counseling	3

Counseling Requirements (8 courses, 30 credits)

COUNS-713	Counseling: Theory & Practice	3
COUNS-716	Psychological Diagnosis	3
COUNS-717	Introduction to Psychological Testing	3
COUNS-737	Counseling Skills Lab	3
COUNS-738	Mental Health Counseling Practicum I	3
COUNS-739	Mental Health Counseling Practicum II	3
COUNS-740	Counseling Internship I	6
COUNS-741	Counseling Internship II	6

Note: COUNS-740 and COUNS-741 are each taken for 6 credits.

Special Treatment Issue Requirement (1 course, 3 credits)

Choose one of the following:

COUNS-727	Substance Abuse & Treatment	3
COUNS-729	Human Sexuality Seminar	3

Note: other option may be taken as an elective.

Electives (4 courses, 12 credits)

Choose four of the following:

COUNS-725	Forensic Psychological Assessment	3
COUNS-726	Family Therapy	3
COUNS-732	Psychological Disorders of Childhood & Adolescence	3
COUNS-910	Independent Study	1

Note: Students may choose COUNS-727 or COUNS-729 as an elective if not taken to fulfill the Special Treatment Issue Requirement.

Practicum and Internship

It is during the Counseling Skills Lab (COUNS-737) and the Mental Health Counseling Practica (COUNS-738 and COUNS-739) that a student demonstrates the ability to translate training into professional judgments and techniques. Students are required to apply formally for the Counseling Internship and to consult with their faculty advisors regarding their ﬁeld placements. The Counseling Skills Laboratory and the Practicum must be completed with a grade of “B” (3.0) or higher. After two failed attempts to satisfactorily complete the clinical practicum and/or internship, students will be subject to dismissal from the program at the discretion of faculty. Student engagement in unethical behavior as defined by the American Counseling Association (ACA) will be subject to discipline, including potential dismissal from the program, at the time the indiscretion occurs.

Learning Goals and Objectives

Learning goals and objectives reflect the educational outcomes achieved by students through the completion of this program

Learning Goals	Learning Objectives
Students will...	Students will be able to...
Be provided with foundational training in the field of mental health counseling	- Gain theoretical and applied knowledge pertinent to counseling in the areas of assessment, diagnosis, treatment, consultation, and multicultural considerations - Gain knowledge about the professional role including self-care, case management, consultation skills, and maintaining clinical practice - Learn ethical decision-making models to resolve ethical dilemmas
Be trained to become competent practitioners	- Develop core counseling skills - Develop theoretical orientation and can speak in an informed manner about empirically validated treatments - Adopt evidence based practice approach to psychodiagnostic assessment
Be trained to promote social justice in their professional capacities as counselors	- Learn theoretical foundations of social justice oriented counseling - Promote social justice in their clinical practice