Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Core Counseling Courses: 48 credits

CMHC-600/600E Foundations & Orientation of Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3)

This course must be taken in the students’ first or second semester of enrollment. Topics include philosophy and identity of the counseling profession, professional roles, settings and functions, ethics, history, legislative policies, systems, prevention programs, interventions, social justice and multicultural counseling competencies, fiscal, technology, community resources, consultation, counseling supervision, advocacy, assessment, and evaluation.

CMHC-601/601E Social/Multicultural Foundations (3)

This survey course explores the role of the counselor embedded in the milieu of the social and cultural realities of society. Topics concerning work with families from diverse cultures are discussed, including the counselor’s role in social justice, advocacy and conflict resolution, cultural awareness, the nature of biases, prejudices, processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination, and other culturally supported behaviors that are detrimental to the growth of the human spirit, mind, or body.

CMHC-602/602E Human Growth and Development (3)

The study of human development from prenatal experiences through the life span. Topics include individual and family development, theories of learning, personality development, motivation, and neurobiological basis for behavior. Students explore developmental crises, transitions, disabilities, situational, cultural, and environmental factors impacting behavior. Models of resilience are examined.

CMHC-603/603E Counseling and Helping Relationships I (3)

Introduction to counseling theories, core skills, and the professional practice of counseling. Topics include current counseling theories, social justice and multicultural counseling competencies, basic attending, compassion, nonjudgmental states, and legal and ethical considerations. Methods of instruction include in-class roleplay, integration of peer and faculty feedback, and skill practice with peers.

CMHC-604/604E Counseling and Helping Relationships II (3)

This course builds on the content and skills presented in CMHC-603. Topics include crisis intervention, suicide prevention, suicide assessment strategies, as well as the use of psychological first aid. Students continue to develop their theoretical orientation, understanding of the stages of therapeutic relationship, and engage in video-taped practice sessions with supervision and integration of feedback.

CMHC-605/605E Group Counseling (3)

This course examines the history, theories, models, and research of group counseling and dynamics. Emphasis is placed on clinical mental health group counseling skills and techniques. Instruction includes at least 10 hours of experiential participation as a group member. Students gain experience and practice as a group leader with supervision, feedback, and guidance. Students critically examine group counseling approaches through lenses including diversity, power, and social narratives.

CMHC-606/606E Legal and Ethical Aspects of Counseling (3)

This course explores the interrelationship of and duties extending from the ethical standards and legal regulations governing professional counseling and clinical mental health counseling. Based on the American Counseling Association ethical standards, mental health laws, regulation, litigation, and legal regulation are examined in regard to professional practice.

CMHC-607/607E Diagnosis and Treatment Planning (3)

An advanced overview of clinical thinking and perspectives related to assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning. Counselors utilize the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a guide to frame diagnostic thinking. Topics include basic psychopharmacology, psychosocial modalities, evidence-based practice, and recovery strategies.

CMHC-608/608E Assessment (3)

This course provides an overview of individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation. Topics include standardized and non-standardized testing, assessment techniques (inventories, observations, and computer-managed methods), report writing, psychometric properties, special consideration for unique populations, case conceptualization, legal and ethical issues, intersectionality, and selection of assessments based on client needs and identities.

CMHC-609/609E Research & Program Evaluation (3)

An introduction to research methods and program evaluation applied to professional counseling. Topics include philosophical issues in research, importance of research, opportunities, and difficulties of conducting research. Research designs including qualitative, quantitative, single-case, action, and outcome-based are explored.

CMHC-610/610E Career Development (3)

This course addresses career counseling, career planning, and adult transition from a holistic and transpersonal point of view. Students learn the central theories of career development. Key assessment instruments for life/career planning and decision-making are reviewed. Career counseling skills and processes are explored, including those applicable to specific populations. Topics include the interrelationships between work, family, and other life roles, including the role of social location in career development. Ethical and legal considerations, career development programming and evaluation, occupational and labor market information, and web-based resources are studied.

CMHC-611/611E Substance Abuse & Addictions Counseling (3)

The physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of alcohol and drug dependency and other addictive behaviors are explored. Assessment, therapeutic techniques, intervention, and treatment modalities are discussed. Students explore the contributions, as well as the strengths and weaknesses, of 12-step and other self-help recovery groups. The interrelationships of alcohol and drug abuse and other addictive behaviors with attachment and bonding disruptions in early childhood and childhood trauma are also investigated. Lecture, discussion, role-play, and other experiential techniques are used.

CMHC-612/612E Couples, Partnerships & Family Counseling (3)

Drawing from a systems approach, students learn how to shift their focus from the individual to the dynamic interplay between people in relationships. The course focuses on collaborative approaches that promote healthier functioning, strengthen emotional bonds, and enhance communication and problem-solving skills. Family systems theories are presented along with principles, assessment, interventions, and challenges related to Family, Marital, and Relationship Counseling. Students explore their own family of origin as a ground for working with others. Also covered in this course are special considerations in working with social class, race, ethnicity, physical disability, trauma and abuse, culture, gender, and sexual orientation. The course consists of lecture, student presentations, class discussions, and experiential exercises.

CMHC-620/620E Counseling Practicum (3)

Prerequisites: CMHC-604 & 606. This course is the initial external clinical placement. Under site supervision, students apply counseling skills, consultation, group skills, case conceptualization, treatment planning, and social justice advocacy. Students will engage in direct services to clients, intake interviews, case notes, diagnosis, and treatment planning.

CMHC-622/622E Internship I (3)

Prerequisite: CMHC 620. This course supports field experience in which students provide direct counseling services under licensed supervision at an external site. Students attend university supervision as well to explore case conceptualization, client services, and their professional development.

CMHC-623/623E Winter Intercession Internship (0)*

This course supports field experience in which students provide direct counseling services under licensed supervision at an external site. This course is for students who have completed Internship I and have not yet begun Internship II. The purpose of the course is to provide clinical support and supervision to students who are asked by their site to continue working with clients from their Internship I experience and prior to the start of Internship II.

CMHC 624/624E Internship II (3)

Prerequisite: CMHC 622. Continuation of CMHC 622. Culminating field experience in which students provide direct counseling services under licensed supervision at an external site. Over the course of Internship I and II, students are to achieve a total of 700 hours, of which 350 need to be direct service to clients. Students attend university supervision as well to explore case conceptualization, client services, and their professional development.

Electives Courses: 12 Credits

Students may use these credits to customize their education or apply them toward one of six specialized certificate programs. Note that certificate requirements vary from 12 to 15 credits; any certificate credits beyond the 12 allotted elective credits will require out-of-pocket payment.

Total Credits: 60