Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS-CMHC)

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The Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling is a 90 quarter-credit, comprehensive online program designed to prepare students who want to become licensed professional counselors. Students complete all coursework online and engage in in-person clinical experiences during practicum and internship. The coursework guides students as they learn to assess, diagnose, create behavioral health care plans, and treat those with mental health symptoms and illness, including addictions. In addition to core content areas typically required by state licensing boards and counseling program accreditation bodies, this unique program integrates sport and performance throughout the coursework. The program culminates with a year-long counseling internship during which students hone knowledge and skills in supervised clinical settings within their communities. Program faculty, instructors and students adhere to the codes of ethics of the American Counseling Association (ACA), the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), and those of their state licensing agencies. The CMHC program is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).

Mission Statement

The mission of the clinical mental health counseling program is to educate and prepare the next generation of professional counselors and leaders who, through commitment, excellence, and engagement, will have meaningful and sustained impact in their communities. Such impact is accomplished by actively and diligently affirming the dignity and self-worth of all persons.

Admission Requirements - MS-CMHC

UWS admits new students into the MS-CMHC program in fall (October) and spring (April) academic terms. Applicants should carefully review the program’s selection criteria to ensure they are making the best possible presentation of their qualifications. The application for admission is available on the UWS website.

In addition to the general entry requirements for the College of Graduate Studies, students must also meet the following specific entry requirements for the MS-CMHC program.

• Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA. 3.0 undergraduate GPA preferred.
• Submit a well-written personal statement responding to a provided prompt.
• Submit all undergraduate and graduate official transcripts.
• Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an academic reference.
• Current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Complete a successful interview (video conference or face-to-face) with the director or designee (interview will only be scheduled after applicant has submitted a completed university application meeting the minimum requirements including fee payment).
• Pass a comprehensive criminal history background check (requirement at admission).
• Application fee.

Applicants to the MS-CMHC program must be either a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Due to student visa restrictions, currently international applicants are not eligible for admission.

Students may not be simultaneously enrolled in a program in clinical mental health counseling and a program in sport and performance psychology.

Graduation Requirements - MS-CMHC

The MS-CMHC degree is conferred upon an individual who has fulfilled the following requirements.

• Maintenance of enrollment eligibility through satisfactory academic performance, professional development and behavior.
• Successful completion of all required coursework with a minimum, cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Successful completion of all clinical experience courses with a passing grade.
• Students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 100 practicum hours and 700 internship hours.

Rehabilitation Counseling Concentration - MS-CMHC

Students may select an optional concentration designed to allow specialization in rehabilitation counseling as part of their licensure program. The courses included in this concentration align with requirements from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

Program Learning Outcomes - MS-CMHC

Upon completion of the program, students in the MS-CMHC will be able to:

1. Create a professional identity based on the philosophies, history, and roles of the clinical mental health counseling profession.
2. Apply ethical and legal standards to clinical mental health counseling practices.
3. Develop culturally responsive counseling strategies based on their professional evaluation of the cultural context of relationships, issues, and trends of a multicultural society.
4. Apply effective advocacy strategies to enhance clinical mental health services.
5. Synthesize theories of human growth and development to create differentiated counseling interventions that promote resilience, optimum development, and wellness across the lifespan.
6. Create a career development plan to assess and develop client skills appropriate to their work, relationships, and wellbeing.
7. Integrate theories and best practices related to trauma-informed and community-based strategies to appropriately meet the needs of diverse clients.
8. Develop culturally responsive treatment and/or intervention plans with measurable outcomes for clients.
9. Apply theoretical foundations, group processes, developmental dynamics, and therapeutic factors to effectively lead group counseling.
10. Implement evidence-based assessment techniques appropriate for mental health counseling professionals to diagnose developmental, behavioral, and mental health disorders in diverse clients.
11. Assess mental health counseling research to inform clinical practice.

Additional Program Learning Outcome for Rehabilitation Counseling Concentration

• Apply rehabilitative counseling theories and policies to assessment and treatment planning.