COURSE CURRICULUM

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the University of New Haven is a 60-credit graduate degree designed to prepare students for professional practice in diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health and emotional disorders while also promoting psychological wellness across diverse populations. The program is structured to meet educational requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential, combining a 48-credit core curriculum with a 12-credit concentration or elective component that allows students to specialize in applied counseling-related areas. The core curriculum provides comprehensive training in counseling theory, ethical and professional standards, human development across the lifespan, psychological assessment, group and family counseling, multicultural competence, addiction counseling, trauma and crisis intervention, and evidence-based counseling techniques. Students also complete a sequence of supervised clinical experiences, including Practicum, Internship I, and Internship II, where they apply theoretical knowledge in real-world counseling environments under professional supervision, progressively developing clinical competence and professional identity. Program outcomes emphasize three key competencies: students must demonstrate mastery across all eight core counseling domains along with clinical mental health counseling specialization; they must integrate theoretical knowledge from coursework with practical experience gained during practicum; and they must exhibit advanced, professional-level counseling and intervention skills during internship placements. The Community Development concentration provides additional training in program planning, administration, evaluation, and organizational leadership within human service systems. Required courses include Program Evaluation, Consultation Seminar, Organizational Behavior, and either Public Policy Formulation and Implementation or Nonprofit Management. This concentration prepares students to design, manage, and assess mental health and human service programs in both public and private sectors, including nonprofit organizations, government agencies, healthcare systems, and community-based service providers. Graduates are prepared for careers not only in clinical counseling roles but also in leadership, program coordination, and administrative positions within the broader human services field, expanding their impact in prevention, intervention, and community wellness initiatives.