The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares graduates to work with clients across a spectrum of mental and emotional disorders, as well as to promote mental health and wellness. Clients may be served individually, as families, or in group settings. Clinical Mental Health Counselors are knowledgeable in principles and practices of diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders, referral, and prevention, and often work in interdisciplinary teams with other health professionals. Employment opportunities may include private practice, community-based mental health centers, hospitals, and other treatment centers.
The licensure track program is designed to meet the curricular requirements for the Connecticut State Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Please note that completion of a Master's program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is only one of the requirements for obtaining a Licensure as a Professional Counselor. Each student is responsible for understanding the Connecticut State Department of Public Health licensure requirements, as described on their website.
A criminal record review may be required for licensure or certification in professional counseling. Additionally, some sites require fingerprinting and a criminal check when working with vulnerable populations, such as children or clients involved in the criminal justice system.
Program Features
Students develop skills and theoretical knowledge in practicing individual, group, and career counseling with diverse populations in either public or private agencies. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Master of Science requires the completion of 60 credits, including completion of a one-semester practicum (100 hours) and a two-semester internship (600 hours). Students find practicum and internship placements in a variety of settings, including community counseling centers, child guidance centers, crisis stabilization programs, rape crisis and domestic violence programs, substance abuse programs, college counseling centers, youth services programs, and inpatient and residential treatment programs. All practicum and internship experiences must be completed under the supervision of a Licensed Professional Counselor with at least two years of experience in the counseling field. A comprehensive examination is required for the Master of Science Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Students who complete the MS in CMHC are prepared to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE), the exam required by the state of Connecticut for licensure as an LPC.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the CMHC program, the student:
- Evidences understanding of diagnostic process, including differential diagnosis and the use of current diagnostic classification systems, including the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)
Careers
The program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares graduate students to work in a variety of community counseling agencies, college counseling centers, hospitals, and other counseling settings, including private practice. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of school and career counselors is projected to grow 22 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.
Typical Job Titles
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Clinical Mental Health Counselor
- Psychotherapist
- Mental Health Therapist
- Behavioral Health Counselor
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Crisis Counselor
- Trauma Therapist
- Family Therapist
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council on the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
From Fall to Summer 2024, there were 13 graduates of SCSU's Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s program. This graduating class had an 76% completion rate. Our graduates consistently achieved high pass rates on comprehensive examinations and licensing examinations. The pass rate for graduates taking the comprehensive exams was 100%; and, according to our exit interview data, pass rates on the national licensure examinations (NCE and NCMHCE) for this cohort was 100%. At follow-up in Fall 2024, 100% of students were employed within the field.