Clinical Mental Health Counseling MS
The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) is a 60 credit hour graduate degree program that prepares students to work with individuals, couples, families or groups to develop behaviors and skills that will help them to manage and recover from stressors and problems of living, addictions, relational difficulties, self-harm and thoughts of suicide, and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares students to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders and problems of living, including grief and loss, relationships, and wellness. Clinical mental health counselors and addiction counseling specialists work in a variety of settings including private practice, education and health care settings, and community agencies. Clinical mental health counselors work with other health professionals to coordinate care through the development and implementation of treatment plans.
Licensure
CMHC degree program meets the Pennsylvania Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Counselors education requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential and the National Board Certified Counselors education requirements for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) and the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors (CCMHC) credentials.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Informed by specific CACREP Knowledge Domains (Section 3)
Saint Joseph’s University Counseling Program graduates will:
PLO1: Develop a professional identity as a counselor and demonstrate knowledge and skills related to ethical and professional practice in counseling (3.A).
PLO2: Apply knowledge and demonstrate skills associated with humility and culturally responsive practice (3.B).
PLO3: Apply knowledge of human development across the lifespan and how it relates to the counseling process (3.C).
PLO4: Apply knowledge and skills of career development and demonstrate how they relate to the counseling process (3.D).
PLO5: Demonstrate the communication skills required to be effective counselors (3.E).
PLO6: Apply knowledge and skills related to group counseling, dynamics, and facilitation (3.F.).
PLO7: Apply knowledge and skills related to appraisal and diagnostic processes (3.G.).
PLO8: Apply knowledge and skills related to research and program development (3.H)
SJU Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program graduates will:
PLO10: Apply knowledge and skills related to intake interviews, mental status evaluations, biopsychosocial histories, mental health histories, and psychological assessment for treatment planning and caseload management (5.C.4).
PLO11: Demonstrate knowledge and skills related to techniques and interventions for prevention and treatment of a broad range of mental health issues (5.C.5).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CNS 500 | Ethic Legal & Prof Iss in Coun | 3 |
| CNS 505 | Coun Theories & Techniques | 3 |
| CNS 510 | Counseling Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| CNS 515 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| CNS 520 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| CNS 525 | Counseling Skills & Techniques | 3 |
| CNS 530 | Assessment Practices for Coun | 3 |
| CNS 535 | Cult Div, Iden & Soc Justice | 3 |
| CNS 540 | Res & Prog Eval in Coun Pract | 3 |
| CNS 545 | Crisis Coun Trauma, Violence | 3 |
| CNS 550 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| CNS 555 | Sexuality Counseling | 3 |
| CNS 560 | Family & Couples Couns Techniq | 3 |
| CNS 565 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| CNS 600 | Practicum 1 | 3 |
| CNS 691 | Internship I 1 | 3 |
| CNS 692 | Internship II 1 | 3 |
| Electives (Choose three): 2 | 9 | |
| Special Topics in Counseling | ||
| Family Systems and Addictions | ||
| Diag, Treat & Recov in Addict | ||
| Psychopharmacology | ||
| Foundations: School Counseling | ||
| Counseling Children in Schools | ||
| College and Career Readiness | ||
| Seminar in School Counseling | ||
| Total Hours: | 60 | |
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Practicum and Internship Requirements: Students obtain 700 hours of clinical experience through supervised practicum and internship experiences. Students are required to maintain a personal liability insurance policy throughout their practicum and internship coursework. Non-degree seeking students are not eligible to complete practicum and internship courses.
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Students are eligible to take graduate courses offered by other programs as electives, pending availability and approval.