Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S.
The master of science degree (60 credit hours) in mental health counseling is designed for persons seeking employment in an agency counseling setting. The program qualifies students to be eligible for state licensure as a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and certification as a professional counselor (NCC) and clinical mental health counselor (CCMHC). (Additional years of experience are required for licensure.) The mental health program is accredited by and aligned with the standards of the Council for the Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
Application Procedures
The admission requirements are similar to those in graduate education. All students attend an interview.
During the application process, the applicant has a nonmatriculated status and may register for three graduate courses in the mental health program. Courses taken during the nonmatriculated status do not guarantee acceptance into the program.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 595 | Intro to Educ Research & Statistics | 3 |
| EDU 651 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| EDU 652 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| EDU 654 | Counseling Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EDU 655 | Lifespan Development and Behavior | 3 |
| EDU 657 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| EDU 658 | Adv. Counseling Techniques | 3 |
| EDU 659 | Mental Health and Wellness | 3 |
| EDU 664 | Career Counseling and Planning | 3 |
| EDU 666 | Psychopathology & DSM Diag. | 3 |
| EDU 668 | Couples & Family Counseling | 3 |
| EDU 669 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| EDU 670 | Differential Diagnosis and Treatment | 3 |
| EDU 671 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| EDU 672 | Substance Abuse & Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| EDU 673 | Found/Ethic Mental Health Coun | 3 |
| EDU 679 | Mental Health Practicum | 3 |
| EDU 685 | Mental Health Internship I | 3 |
| EDU 686 | Mental Health Internship II | 3 |
| EDU 687 | Mental Health Internship III | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Note: A comprehensive portfolio is required.
Required Cycle of Required Courses for Full-Time Students
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credits | |
| EDU 651 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| EDU 654 | Counseling Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EDU 655 | Lifespan Development and Behavior | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| EDU 673 | Found/Ethic Mental Health Coun | 3 |
| EDU 664 | Career Counseling and Planning | 3 |
| EDU 658 | Adv. Counseling Techniques | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| EDU 672 | Substance Abuse & Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| EDU 666 | Psychopathology & DSM Diag. | 3 |
| EDU 595 | Intro to Educ Research & Statistics | 3 |
| EDU 679 | Mental Health Practicum | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| EDU 657 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| EDU 652 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| EDU 685 | Mental Health Internship I | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| EDU 671 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| EDU 686 | Mental Health Internship II | 3 |
| EDU 669 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| EDU 670 | Differential Diagnosis and Treatment | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| EDU 687 | Mental Health Internship III | 3 |
| EDU 668 | Couples & Family Counseling | 3 |
| EDU 659 | Mental Health and Wellness | 3 |
| Additional Requirement | ||
| Portfolio | ||
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
The Comprehensive Evaluation in the Mental Health Counseling Area of Studies (Portfolio)
The comprehensive evaluation is designed to assess the student’s ability to integrate theoretical knowledge into an effective counseling style. The program is based upon an eclectic counseling perspective which encourages students to learn various techniques from different theoretical counseling models.
Candidates complete a comprehensive portfolio demonstrating their knowledge, skills and dispositions in each of the Council for the Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) core areas:
- Professional identity
- Social and cultural diversity
- Human growth and development
- Career development
- Helping relationships
- Group work
- Assessment
- Research and program evaluation
Note: The faculty is responsible for recommending to the dean any student whose level of academic performance and/or personal characteristics require remediation or possible termination from the program. This may occur at any time during the student’s program of study.
Internships
The program includes a three credit-hour counseling practicum and a nine credit-hour internship for a total of 1,000 clock hours of supervised experience.
Registration
The master of science (M.S.) degree and the certificate of advanced studies programs in mental health counseling have been approved and registered by the New York State Education Department. The New York State Education Department licenses mental health counselors. The Niagara University mental health counseling program meets NYS Education Department requirements for licensure.