COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a structured 60-credit-hour Counselor Education program designed around a planned sequence of study that must be approved and followed under the guidance of an assigned academic advisor. Students begin the program by meeting with their advisor to align coursework with their professional goals, and once the plan of study is approved, it becomes the required academic pathway unless formally changed with advisor approval. The curriculum is designed to meet accreditation standards for professional counseling preparation and integrates coursework from multiple related areas within the College of Education, including Counselor Education, Educational Psychology, Educational Research, and School Psychology, allowing students to benefit from a broad range of faculty expertise. Core counseling courses provide foundational training in counseling theory, counseling skills, professional identity, and ethical practice, while also introducing students to specialized areas such as career development, group counseling processes, multicultural counseling approaches, and substance abuse counseling. Additional coursework in human development, psychopathology, and research methods strengthens students’ understanding of psychological functioning, lifespan development, and evidence-based practice, ensuring they can critically evaluate and apply research in clinical settings. Practical training is a major component of the program, with structured practicum and internship experiences that allow students to progressively apply counseling techniques under supervision in real or simulated clinical environments. These experiences are designed to build clinical competence in individual and group counseling, assessment, treatment planning, and case management. The program emphasizes culturally responsive counseling practices, ethical decision-making, and effective communication skills needed to work with diverse populations across mental health settings. Students also complete elective coursework to support individualized career interests and specialization goals. The culminating internship requirement provides extensive supervised clinical experience, preparing graduates for professional licensure and employment in community mental health agencies, hospitals, private practice, and related counseling environments. Overall, the program combines rigorous academic preparation with intensive applied training to develop competent, ethical, and professionally prepared mental health counselors.