M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling

https://www.tamuct.edu/degrees/graduate/mental-health-counseling.html

OVERVIEW

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a 60 semester hour program, prepares professional counselors to work in community agencies, educational settings, as well as private practice. Our faculty are committed to graduating students who have exemplary theory-based knowledge and skills in counseling and who have demonstrated aptitude in providing counseling and mental health services to people from diverse backgrounds.

Our master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is intended for students seeking licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) in Texas.   

Program Level Student Learning Outcomes

The student will be able to:

  • develop strong professional identities as counselors.
  • establish helping relationships with diverse clients.
  • demonstrate understanding of individual and family development and transition across the life span including ways to promote optimal human development.
  • demonstrate an understanding of theories and models of career development, counseling, and decision-making approaches for conceptualizing the interrelationships between work and mental well-being.
  • demonstrate an understanding of the principles of group dynamics, including group process components, developmental stage theories, group members’ roles and behaviors, and therapeutic factors of group work.
  • use research in the field and employ evidence-based practices in counseling interventions, assessments, and program evaluations.
  • abide by relevant ethics, laws, and standards of professional practice.
  • use theories and models to guide their professional practice.

Entry Requirements

Students will be admitted into the M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program by the faculty once the following application criteria are met:

  • Successful admission to graduate school.
  • Completed Counseling and Psychology Department application.
  • Clinical/Work/Volunteer Experience: While specific experience is not required, previous related work experience may make the applicant more competitive.
  • Timely submission of admission materials.

Students will be admitted to the M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling with School Counselor Certification Preparation program by the faculty once the following application criteria are met:

  • Graduate School admission
  • Admission to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 or in last 60 hours to include semester where 60th hour occurred.
  • Completed School Counselor application with essay.
  • Interview.
  • Letter of Intent to pursue certification.

Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Requirements

COUN 5302Intro to Research3
COUN 5304Human Development3
COUN 5307Abnormal Behavior3
COUN 5311Multicultural Counseling3
COUN 5350Foundations of Counseling3
COUN 5351Career Counseling and Guidance3
COUN 5353Theories of Counseling3
COUN 5354Group Procedure for Counselors3
COUN 5356Introduction to Family Counseling3
COUN 5357Methods and Practices in Counseling3
COUN 5358Counseling Perspective on Psychopathology3
COUN 5363Addictions Counseling3
COUN 5365Ethical Foundation of Counseling3
COUN 5381Assessment and Evaluation Fundamentals3
COUN 5386Clinical Mental Health Internship (1)3
COUN 5386Clinical Mental Health Internship (2)3
Graduate-level elective9
COUN 5393Clinical Mental Health Practicum3
Total Credit Hours60

Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counseling with School Counseling Certification Preparation Requirements

COUN 5302Intro to Research3
COUN 5355Advanced School Counseling: School Counseling Models 13
COUN 5304Human Development3
COUN 5307Abnormal Behavior3
COUN 5311Multicultural Counseling 13
COUN 5350Foundations of Counseling3
COUN 5351Career Counseling and Guidance 13
COUN 5352Foundations of Professional School Counseling 13
COUN 5353Theories of Counseling 13
COUN 5354Group Procedure for Counselors 13
COUN 5356Introduction to Family Counseling3
COUN 5357Methods and Practices in Counseling 13
COUN 5358Counseling Perspective on Psychopathology3
COUN 5363Addictions Counseling3
COUN 5365Ethical Foundation of Counseling3
COUN 5381Assessment and Evaluation Fundamentals 13
COUN 5386Clinical Mental Health Internship 1,23
COUN 5386Clinical Mental Health Internship 1,23
Graduate-level elective3
COUN 5393Clinical Mental Health Practicum3
0
COUN 5090Comprehensive Examination (TExES Representative 252 School Counselor)0
Total Credit Hours60
1

Course is required for School Counseling Certification Preparation. Students must be admitted to the School Counseling Certification Preparation Program BEFORE enrolling in certification courses. Certification courses taken prior to entry into the School Counselor Certification Preparation Program will not be counted toward certification and must be retaken after admission into the School Counselor Certification Preparation Program.

2

For students seeking school counselor certification, the following requirements must be met prior to enrollment: admission into the school counselor certification preparation program.  All field experience hours must be completed in a TEA approved Prekindergarten through 12th grade school setting (public or private). Students are required to have field experience both at the elementary and secondary levels.