The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares students to identify and address the need for culturally and contextually relevant counseling and social change for individuals, communities, and society.
Walden University’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) as a mental health counseling program under the 2016 standards. CACREP is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and a requirement for licensure in many states.
The Walden University Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program is designed to prepare graduates to practice as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in many states. However, the requirements for licensure as a LPC or LMHC vary greatly from state to state. Each state board that is responsible for regulating the practice of professional or mental health counseling has its own academic requirements and issues its own license to practice as a LPC or LMHC in that state.
Walden CMHC graduates may apply for licensure as a professional counselor, such as the LPC or LMHC, in most states. However, each state issues its own credential for an individual to be permitted to practice as a licensed professional or mental health counselor in that state. While Walden enrollment specialists can provide general information relating to the state-by-state educational requirements for mental health or professional counseling licensure or certification, it remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization, or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of its coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, certification, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential. Licensure eligibility determinations are ultimately determined by the appropriate state board that issues the credential to practice.
Prospective students enrolling in licensure-leading programs are advised that relocation to another state may impact the student’s ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification, or other credential in another state. Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.
The following Learning Outcomes are common to all MS in counseling programs. The competent and confident counseling professional will:
The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling consists of core coursework; two 4-day pre-practica, which include a 4-day face-to-face or virtual synchronous experience; a practicum; an internship; and the completion of a capstone. Core courses must be taken in the order presented. Additional courses may be taken at the end of the program of study to provide breadth and depth of learning.
Each pre-practicum includes online course content integrated with a 4-day, face-to-face or virtual synchronous residential requirement.
Students undertake courses in the following sequence.
Quarter | Course | Credits |
---|---|---|
Quarter 1 |
COUN 6101 - Foundations of MS Counseling in Graduate Studies |
1 credits |
COUN 6100 - Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
5 credits | |
Quarter 2 |
COUN 6722 - Theories of Counseling |
5 credits |
COUN 6316 - Techniques in Counseling |
5 credits | |
Eligible to take Pre-Practicum 1 - CPLB 601L (must be completed before COUN 6720) | ||
Quarter 3 |
COUN 6306 - Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling |
5 credits |
COUN 6723 - Multicultural Counseling |
5 credits | |
Quarter 4 |
COUN 6360 - Assessment in Counseling and Education |
5 credits |
COUN 6215 - Lifespan Development |
5 credits | |
Must complete Pre-Practicum 1 before moving forward | ||
Quarter 5 |
COUN 6720 - Diagnosis and Assessment |
5 credits |
COUN 6250 - Group Process and Dynamics |
5 credits | |
GRPL 6100 - Counseling Group Lab |
0 credits | |
Eligible to take Pre-Practicum 2 - CPLB 602L (must be completed before COUN 6336) | ||
Quarter 6 |
COUN 6726 - Couples and Family Counseling |
5 credits |
COUN 6753 - Career Counseling |
5 credits | |
Quarter 7 |
COUN 6730 - Counseling Addictive Disorders |
5 credits |
COUN 6743 - Psychopharmacology |
5 credits | |
Must complete Pre-Practicum 2 before moving forward | ||
Quarter 8 |
COUN 6336 - Crisis, Trauma, and Disaster Response |
5 credits |
COUN 6626 – Research Methodology and Program Evaluation |
5 credits | |
Quarter 9 |
COUN 6785 – Social Change in Action: Prevention, Consultation, and Advocacy |
5 credits |
COUN 6671 - Counseling Practicum |
3–5 credits | |
Quarter 10 |
COUN 6682A - Counseling Internship I |
3–5 credits |
Quarter 11 |
COUN 6682B - Counseling Internship II |
3–5 credits |
Optional specialization courses (10 credits) may be taken in Quarters 10 and 11 |
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