M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Washington, D.C.
- Full-Time, Part-Time
- 2.5 Years Full-Time, 5 Years Part-Time
The Chicago School’s M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP).  The program incorporates the eight content areas outlined by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) to prepare those students seeking professional counselor licensure and desiring to begin professional practice at the master’s level. Graduates from this program will meet educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Washington, D.C., and Virginia and as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Maryland.
The M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program focuses on a strength-based approach to counseling in a variety of settings with diverse clients, including children and adolescents, adults, and families, and couples. Surrounded by much of the nation’s historical and cultural riches, students will have the opportunity to benefit from a location essential to much of the United States’ political, governmental, and multi-national affairs. The Washington, D.C. campus reflects The Chicago School’s commitment to diversity in our effort to expand mental health services to multicultural and underserved communities.
Students enrolled in the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will enjoy a transformative educational experience with the flexibility of a program that can be integrated with other commitments. Advising is individual and each student is assigned a faculty member with whom to work with during the program.Â
Guided by well-known practitioner faculty leaders, students enrolled in the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will experience in-depth training in various counseling areas, including, but not limited to:
- Counselor identity
- Ethical and professional issues
- Diversity and multiculturalism
- Diagnosis, assessment, and treatment planning
- Methods of research and program evaluation
- Advocacy and social justice
Graduates of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program have an in-depth understanding of a wide range of mental health issues that will be seen as a strong asset in a variety of professional arenas, such as:
- Mental health counseling in public and private community agencies
- Nonprofit settings
- Private practice
- Education
- Government
- Integrative healthcare
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Washington, D.C. Student Experience
Surrounded by much of the nation’s historical and cultural riches, students will have the opportunity to benefit from a location essential to much of the United States’ political, governmental, and multi-national affairs.
Expanding on the success of the Chicago, Los Angeles, and Orange County, Calif. campuses, the Washington, D.C. campus reflects The Chicago School’s commitment to diversity and effort to expand mental health services to multicultural and underserved communities.
Additional Information About the Washington, D.C. Campus’ Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
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Couples and Family Counseling
This survey course presents family systems and its major theories and practice. Couple and family lifecycle dynamics will be addressed as well as issues impacting healthy family functioning and development in a diverse society. Other relevant theories will also be covered.
Diversity & Multiculturalism
Recognizing that becoming a multiculturally competent practitioner is a lifelong endeavor, this course serves as a foundation upon which continued personal and professional development in the area of diversity should be built. Students will be supported in learning about themselves as sociocultural beings and will identify the impact of their own worldviews, cultural privilege, and biases on cross-cultural interactions. This course will also address the psychological, sociopolitical, historical, and economic influences on various aspects of social identity, including but not limited to, gender, ethnicity, religion, class, race, immigrant status, disability, and sexual orientation. This involves gaining a better understanding of the mechanisms that impact less privileged groups. The course will be presented in both didactic and experiential formats with a focus on self-awareness and students will be expected to actively engage in interdependent and reflective learning.
Addictions and Substance Abuse
This course introduces the multiple components and etiology of addictions and substance abuse. A strength-based and holistic model for assessment and evidence based research and treatment care models are examined.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
This course will provide an overview of mental health in the community setting with a historical context and the role that advocacy plays. Prevention and intervention approaches will be discussed. The practice of mental health in the changing community will also be a focus.
For information on where The Chicago School of Professional Psychology meets, does not meet, or has not determined if the program meets licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit: https://staging.thechicagoschool.edu/admissions/licensure-disclosures/.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is pleased to offer digital credentials for students enrolled in the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Earned through successful progression through the curriculum, digital credentials allow students to communicate skills achieved to support professional goals. Partnering with Credly’s Acclaim platform, qualifying students receive digital credentials that can be used in email signatures or digital resumes, and on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. This digital image contains verified metadata that describes student’s qualifications and the process required to earn them.
Students will work closely with the Director of Clinical Training to identify a site for the practicum and internship training experience of the program. During the practicum, students will complete coursework and 100 hours of practicum experience practicing foundational counseling skills and gradually integrating more advanced skills. Once the practicum course is complete, students will begin their internship, which entails course work, the National Certified Counselor (NCC) Application, a capstone project, and at least 600 hours of clinical practice.
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Admissions Operations
c/o The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
203 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60601
Application to The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is open to any person who has earned a bachelor degree from a regionally accredited institution and who meets other entrance requirements. Applicants will be judged on their overall ability to do graduate work. Factors that are considered in admission include GPA from undergraduate schools. Generally, an undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required for admission. Applicants must submit official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned. It is recommended that transcripts are submitted from all schools where credit was received to enhance their applications. Additional factors that are considering in admission include the following:
- Application
- Application Fee ($50)
- Essay: The mission of the program is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, practices, and values of the counseling profession: empowerment, resilience, optimal development, multicultural competence, and holism, in order to promote the well-being of individuals, families, and the diverse systems that support them. In a two-page essay address the following:
- How you would contribute to the fulfillment of the program’s mission given your personal and professional characteristics and accomplishments, your academic background, and your experience, and
- Upon successful completion of the program, how do you see yourself contributing to the profession as a clinical mental health counselor?
- Resume
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Admissions Interview
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university
Each applicant is reviewed holistically, taking factors such as personal and professional experience and accomplishments into consideration. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions to discuss their unique qualifications.
The Chicago School is dedicated to keeping our professional degree programs accessible to anyone regardless of financial status. In addition to the scholarships that may be available, our Financial Aid department will help provide you with information to determine what financial arrangements are right for you.
