Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A.
Credits: 60
CIP Code: 511504
Overview
The Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling consists of 60 credit-hours and is designed to prepare candidates for professional counseling positions in a variety of community settings, including mental health agencies, hospitals, juvenile justice agencies, and substance abuse treatment centers facilities. Graduates of the program are prepared to provide individual and group counseling, education and lifestyle development, and career planning, all in diverse settings. The curriculum of this program meets the standards of preparation as set forth by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Additionally, the curriculum program is aligned with the basic requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia (LPC) and qualifies graduates to take the National Board of Certified Counselor’s Examination (NCE) to obtain the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation from the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, graduates will be able to:
- Understand the effects of the onset, progression, and expected duration of disability on client’s holistic functioning and environmental, attitudinal, and individual barriers for people with disabilities.
- Explain the impact of disability on sexuality and one’s ecological system.
- Describe the rehabilitation service delivery systems including housing, case management, public benefits programs, educational program, and public and proprietary vocational rehabilitation programs.
- Identify the clinical rehabilitation counseling services within the continuum of care, transferrable skills, functional assessment and work-related supports for achieving maintaining meaningful employment for people with disabilities.
- Understand the role of family, social networks, and community in the provision of service of treatment of people with disabilities.
- Demonstrate assistive technology to reduce or eliminate barriers and functional limitations.
- Discuss your experience with intake interview, mental status evaluation, biopsychosocial history, mental health history, and psychological assessment for treatment planning and caseload management for people with disabilities.
- Advocate for people with disabilities and explain third-party reimbursement.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to the Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling must meet the General Admissions Requirements of the University as published in this Catalog. A GPA of 2.6 or higher is required for admission into the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
Endorsement
The Department of Counselor Education endorses the licensure requirements of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the General Degree Requirements, as published in this Catalog, and those specified by the School of Education, students pursuing the Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling must complete the following course requirements:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Common Core Courses | ||
| COUN 501 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 502 | Helping Relationship Skills | 3 |
| COUN 503 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| COUN 504 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 505 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 506 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 507 | Research & Measurement | 3 |
| COUN 508 | Individual and Group Appraisal | 3 |
| COUN 509 | Counseling Diverse Populations | 3 |
| COUN 510 | Professional Ethics and Legal | 3 |
| Specialty Courses | ||
| COUN 531 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 532 | Counseling Couples & Families | 3 |
| COUN 533 | Counseling Childn and Adolesc | 3 |
| COUN 534 | Clinical Mental Health Counsel | 3 |
| COUN 535 | Abnormal Psychology and Diagno | 3 |
| COUN 536 | Trauma & Grief | 3 |
| COUN 539 | Theories of Personality | 3 |
| Clinical Field Courses | ||
| COUN 530 | Cliniic Men Health Counsel Pra | 3 |
| COUN 542 | Clinical Men.Health Intern. I | 3 |
| COUN 543 | Clinical Men.Health Intern. II | 3 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Qualifying Examinations
These exams must be taken in December preceding the spring semester of the graduation year. The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) consists of approximately 175 multiple-choice questions, encompassing content from core and specialty courses.
Licensure
All Counselor Education students interested in becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) are required to take and pass either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). An application to the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage & Family Therapists is required for students who want to practice in Georgia.
Plan of Study for Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| COUN 501 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 502 | Helping Relationship Skills | 3 |
| COUN 503 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| COUN 504 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 505 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 509 | Counseling Diverse Populations | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Summer Session I | ||
| COUN 510 | Professional Ethics and Legal | 3 |
| COUN 533 | Counseling Childn and Adolesc | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| COUN 507 | Research & Measurement | 3 |
| COUN 532 | Counseling Couples & Families | 3 |
| COUN 534 | Clinical Mental Health Counsel | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| COUN 508 | Individual and Group Appraisal | 3 |
| COUN 530 | Cliniic Men Health Counsel Pra | 3 |
| COUN 535 | Abnormal Psychology and Diagno | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| COUN 533 | Counseling Childn and Adolesc | 3 |
| COUN 539 | Theories of Personality | 3 |
| COUN 542 | Clinical Men.Health Intern. I | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| COUN 531 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 536 | Trauma & Grief | 3 |
| COUN 543 | Clinical Men.Health Intern. II | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Note: A passing score on a state approved, national counseling exam is required for Counselor licensure. Candidates will be granted permission by the program to register and complete this test once specific program requirements have been met.