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.
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0.
- 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 3.0 or in last 60 hours to include semester where 60th hour occurred.
- Completed School Counselor application with essay.
- Valid Teacher Certificate.
- Two years creditable service as a teacher of record or one year creditable service with letter indicating continuing employment at a TEA approved site.
- Interview.
- Letter of Intent to pursue certification.
Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 5302 | Intro to Research | 3 |
| COUN 5304 | Human Development | 3 |
| COUN 5307 | Abnormal Behavior | 3 |
| COUN 5311 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 5350 | Foundations of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 5351 | Career Counseling and Guidance | 3 |
| COUN 5353 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 5354 | Group Procedure for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 5356 | Introduction to Family Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 5357 | Methods and Practices in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 5358 | Counseling Perspective on Psychopathology | 3 |
| COUN 5363 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 5365 | Ethical Foundation of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 5381 | Assessment and Evaluation Fundamentals | 3 |
| COUN 5386 | Clinical Mental Health Internship (1) | 3 |
| COUN 5386 | Clinical Mental Health Internship (2) | 3 |
| Graduate-level elective | 9 | |
| COUN 5393 | Clinical Mental Health Practicum | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counseling with School Counseling Certification Preparation Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 5302 | Intro to Research | 3 |
| COUN 5304 | Human Development | 3 |
| COUN 5307 | Abnormal Behavior | 3 |
| COUN 5311 | Multicultural Counseling 1 | 3 |
| COUN 5350 | Foundations of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 5351 | Career Counseling and Guidance 1 | 3 |
| COUN 5352 | Foundations of Professional School Counseling 1 | 3 |
| COUN 5353 | Theories of Counseling 1 | 3 |
| COUN 5354 | Group Procedure for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 5356 | Introduction to Family Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 5357 | Methods and Practices in Counseling 1 | 3 |
| COUN 5358 | Counseling Perspective on Psychopathology | 3 |
| COUN 5363 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 5365 | Ethical Foundation of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 5381 | Assessment and Evaluation Fundamentals | 3 |
| COUN 5386 | Clinical Mental Health Internship 1,2 | 3 |
| COUN 5386 | Clinical Mental Health Internship 1,2 | 3 |
| Graduate-level elective | 6 | |
| COUN 5393 | Clinical Mental Health Practicum | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
- 1
Course is required for School Counseling Certification Preparation, must be admitted to School Counseling Certification Preparation program prior to taking course.
- 2
For students seeking school counselor certification, the following requirements must be met prior to enrollment: admission into the school counselor certification preparation program and submission of a creditable service record with at least two years of teaching experience to the school counseling program coordinator. All 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.
