M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Mission

The mission of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TSCPP) Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program is to provide a comprehensive and supportive learning environment that will facilitate professional and personal growth while producing competent, ethically sound, culturally sensitive, and skilled counselors who are committed to serving the community and society at large.

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will acquire skills in:

1. Diversity and Advocacy: demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and practices to deliver culturally appropriate counseling services, advocate for clients, and understand how to influence policy to enhance the practice of clinical mental health counseling.
2. Foundations: show a commitment to their identity as counselors through membership and activities in professional organizations, and through ethical behavior in their work with clients and other professionals.
3. Counseling, Prevention, and Intervention: demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and practices of culturally appropriate diagnosis, treatment, referral, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders.
4. Assessment: demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and practices of culturally appropriate and holistic clinical evaluation and assessment of normalcy and psychopathology.
5. Diagnosis: demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and practices of culturally appropriate diagnosis of both psychopathology and normal developmental challenges, including appropriate use of diagnosis during trauma-causing events.
6. Research and Evaluation: competently and critically evaluate clinical mental health counseling research, demonstrate understanding of evidence-based treatments and outcome evaluation, and apply appropriate models of program evaluation.

Eight Core Competencies

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Experience at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology-Chicago Campus

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Philosophy

The Essential Threads appear in every aspect of the curricula experience at the Clinical Mental Health Counseling– Chicago Campus. The Essential Threads reflect the four core functions of a professional counselor.

• Professional Identity
• Ethical Decision Making
• Multicultural Competence
• Practical Application

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Core Belief

Clients have the ability to heal within in a safe (judgement free zone) therapeutic environment.

Relationship Philosophy

The faculty and staff members of the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling– Chicago Campus are committed to providing support while building healthy relationships to ensure academic success. Support includes but is not limited to department faculty, department staff, instructors, academic advisors, student support counselors, and student service team members. Therefore, students within the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are expected to: pursue excellence, communicate effectively, and build strong professional relationships with the Clinical Mental Health Counseling support team and fellow peers.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements are available on the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Chicago Campus) Program of Study page.

Accreditation Status

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has been accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since 2011. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program on the Chicago campus is accredited by The Council of Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through March 31, 2028, and the program aligns with CACREP Standards as core learning outcomes. (See Accreditation and State Licensure for more information).

2022 CACREP Vital Statistics Report

Methods of Instruction

The CMHC is a 60 credit hour graduate program that leads to initial licensure in the state of Illinois. Students complete 1 – 4 courses per semester (Fall and Spring semesters) across a 15-week term. Students will need to invest approximately 21 hours each week per class. The CMHC program at the Chicago Campus is a traditional on-ground program that can be done either full-time or part-time. Within their coursework, students complete a series of learning activities (such as readings, media, or small group activities) and assessments (such as discussions, exams, case studies, or presentations).

Students in the CMHC program complete a 100-hour Practicum, Internship 1 (300 hours), and Internship 2 (300 hours) and constitutes coursework and a minimum of 700 hours of fieldwork experience (100 hours during practicum and 600 hours during internship). Students considering pursuing licensure outside of the state of Illinois upon graduating should consult with that particular licensure board’s state requirements to ensure appropriate courses have been taken and licensure requirements are met.

Click here to review Required Core Courses for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program offered at the Chicago campus.

Minimum Degree Requirements

The program leading to the M.A. degree consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours that includes a curricula experience that helps students develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to become a professional counselor. The program of study includes core courses essential to all counselors, emphasis area courses in clinical mental health counseling, and fieldwork experiences. M.A. students must pass a final comprehensive examination and capstone project during their final semester of internship. Fieldwork experiences include a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour (minimum) internship across two courses, Internship 1 and Internship 2, in which students practice the skills they have developed under the supervision of faculty.

Matriculation Requirements

Click here for Matriculation Requirements (aka Good Standing).

Financial Aid Information

In most cases, a combination of scholarships, fellowships, student loans, and paid employment (either inside or outside of the school) is necessary to cover costs associated with tuition and fees. The CMHC (Online Campus) program also proud to sponsor several competitive graduate assistantships. The professional and personal benefits of an education from The Chicago School can be significant, and it’s important to be prepared for the commitment that is involved. Contact us and let us help.

For more information, visit our Financial Aid office or call the office at 800.684.2890.

Click here for Tuition and Fee information.

The faculty and staff members of the MA in CMHC are committed to providing support while building healthy relationships to ensure academic success. Support includes but is not limited to department faculty, department staff, instructors, academic advisors, student support counselors, and student service team members. Therefore, students within the MA in CMHC program are expected to: pursue excellence, communicate effectively, and build strong professional relationships with the CMHC support team and fellow peers.

Chicago CMHC Faculty