COURSE CURRICULUM

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Master of Arts program at Fairleigh Dickinson University is a 60-credit graduate degree designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in New Jersey, while also aligning with standards set by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The program provides a structured academic and clinical training sequence that prepares students for professional counseling practice in mental health settings and includes an optional pathway for Student Assistance Coordinator (SAC) certification through additional coursework and practicum experience in school environments. The curriculum includes foundational and advanced counseling courses such as Counseling Theories, Skills and Practices, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, Human Development, Crisis Intervention, Group Counseling, Career Counseling, Family Systems, Psychological Assessment, Multicultural Counseling, Ethics, Research Methods, Addictions Counseling, Psychopharmacology, Program Evaluation, Sexual Issues Counseling, and Counseling Supervision. Students also complete a clinical training sequence consisting of a Practicum (COUN 9701) followed by three Internship experiences totaling at least 600 supervised hours (COUN 9702, COUN 9703, and COUN 9704), providing extensive real-world counseling experience under supervision. The program culminates in a Comprehensive Examination (COUN 9900) that evaluates mastery of counseling knowledge and clinical competencies. Beyond academics, the program emphasizes professional identity development, ethical practice, and engagement with issues of social justice and multicultural competence. Students also have access to Chi Sigma Iota, an international honor society in counseling, which promotes leadership, research, academic excellence, and advocacy for mental health awareness. Membership requires a high academic standard and faculty endorsement. Overall, the CMHC program prepares graduates for careers in clinical mental health counseling in community agencies, hospitals, private practice, schools, and nonprofit organizations while also supporting licensure and advanced professional development in counseling and behavioral health fields.