M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Online
- Full-Time
- 3 Years Full-Time
The Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program consists of 60 credit hours of course work and supervised clinical training experiences. Students learn to promote mental wellness, prevention, and resilience in individuals and communities.
Students in the Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program gain experience and training in general counseling competencies including ethics, research, program evaluation, diagnosis, theories, career development, assessment, and counseling interventions. Students receive specialized training that focuses on community, prevention, and early intervention in community settings.
Students are prepared in the requisite knowledge, skills, multicultural competence, and self-awareness required of professional counselors.
The Online M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by The Council of Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) effective January 19, 2018. More information about CACREP accreditation is available here. The program also incorporates the eight content areas outlined by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) to prepare those students seeking professional counselor licensure and desiring to begin professional practice at the master’s level.
Acknowledged for its commitment to diversity, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology recognizes that service to a diverse community plays a vital role in mental health services. Through its programs, the Counseling Department embraces this commitment through the integration of multicultural education and diversity across its curriculum; successful students demonstrate an appreciation for and competency in this area. Likewise, the faculty reflects experience in graduate-level teaching and counseling practice with diverse clinical populations. This program seeks to serve a diverse student body.
Guided by practitioner faculty, master’s in mental health counseling online students experience in-depth training in various counseling areas, including:
- Ethics
- Research
- Program evaluation
- Diagnosis
- Prevention
- Counselor identity
- Assessment
- Advocacy
- Multiculturalism
Graduates of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s online 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:
- Business
- Education
- Government
- Nonprofit
- Integrative healthcare
The Chicago School’s practitioner faculty help prepare online mental health counseling program students to apply to become licensed or certified professional counselors. Professional development plans are specific to the state or country in which the student plans to seek licensure or certification to become a professional counselor.
Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Online Student Experience
Through the convenience of The Chicago School’s online programs, your life remains intact. Our online Global Student Dashboard is where you will find all of the components to successfully complete your program. There, you’ll find your coursework and assignments, interact with fellow students, and ask questions from your instructor.
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Diagnosis of Mental Health Issues
This course addresses the general principles of etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders. Major definitions and descriptions of psychological phenomena as categorized and classified by the DSM diagnostic system are covered. This course includes models of mental status assessment as well as the application of how cultural factors influence mental health.
Group Theories and Processes of Counseling
This course provides the foundation for understanding theory, dynamics, principles and techniques of group therapy and counseling. Throughout the course students are exposed to various models for conducting therapeutic groups with diverse populations. Students are also involved in an experiential practice of group process throughout the course.
Assessment of Individuals
This course introduces the student to psychological evaluation and its role in the counseling relationship. It provides the student with a strong foundation in understanding and communicating clinical assessment data. The course will review basic concepts of standardized and non-standardized testing and other assessment techniques including norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessment, environmental assessment, intellectual assessment, individual and group test and inventory methods, behavioral observations, and computer-managed and computer-assisted methods. Attention will be given to understanding strategies for selecting, administering, and interpreting assessment and evaluation instruments and techniques in counseling.
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 their faculty advisor to identify state licensure course requirements and with both the director and assistant director of clinical training to identify a site for the direct service component
of their program. After successful completion of the CM 604 Practicum Readiness Assessment course, students may begin the fieldwork portion of their program, which includes Practicum, Internship 1, and Internship 2 and constitutes coursework and a minimum of 700 hours of fieldwork experience (100 hours during practicum and 600 hours during internship). Once the practicum course is complete, students will begin an internship, which entails coursework, a national exit exam, a capstone project, and at least 600 hours of clinical practice at an approved site.
Students who wish to be licensed in states requiring 1,000 hours of fieldwork may complete CM 616 Advanced Internship for the remaining 300 hours of fieldwork experience.
Residency:
Students in the online M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program attend two mandatory residencies. The first residency occurs during the CM 528 Helping Relationships and Skills course during the first year of the program. The focus will be on developing basic clinical counseling skills. A significant portion of your time will be spent practicing basic individual counseling skills and implementing peer and instructor feedback. The second residency occurs during the CM 543 Group Theories and Processes of Counseling course during the second year in the program. This residency continues to develop your basic counseling skills, exposes students to various models for conducting therapeutic groups with diverse populations, and begins to develop a practice of group process during the course.
Send materials to:
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
- Apply Online
- 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 and Student Accounts Department will help provide you with information to determine what financial arrangements are right for you.
Yes! The Chicago School of Professional Psychology offers this degree program 100% online. For students who wish to complete this program in person, we offer it at our Chicago Campus and our Dallas Campus.
The M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a part-time online program that takes three years to complete and requires 60 credit hours of coursework and supervised clinical training experiences.
Yes! The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council of Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) effective January 19, 2018.
