Clinical Mental Health Counseling
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Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
If you want to become a professional counselor and help those in need, South University’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling can provide the opportunity for you to learn the necessary skills to help people navigate through life’s challenges. The master’s degree in counseling program focuses on teaching comprehensive studies of theories and principles, dynamic applications in the field, training in effective assessment and treatment practices, a thorough understanding of the significance of research in the field and competence in ethical, legal, and professional standards.
The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed to prepare graduates to sit for licensure in their state and the opportunity to become certified as a National Certified Counselor by the National Board for Certified Counselors*.
*Graduates are required to pass the national certification exam and obtain a state license in order to work in the field. (Exam names vary by program.) Please refer to the State Professional Licensure Determination and National Certification/Licensure section of the University catalog for additional information. South University cannot guarantee each graduate will pass the required licensure examinations. South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment, or salary amounts.
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
The Master of Arts (MA), Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program at South University is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, 1001 North Fairfax Street, Suite 510, Alexandria, VA 22314, phone (703) 535-5990.)
Admission Requirements
Procedure for Admission to the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
Admissions criteria for the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are consistent with those required in other master's degree level programs at South University. As the admissions process also takes into consideration the characteristics deemed essential to becoming a clinical mental health counselor, material is also required which will enable a determination to be made of the applicant's personal integrity, maturity, interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate effectively. The criteria used in determining admission to the graduate program include:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- A grade point average of at least 2.3 (on an Admissions scale of 4.0) for the last 60 semester hours/90 quarter hours of coursework (including relevant graduate work), or, a bachelor's degree with an overall CGPA of 2.3, or, an earned graduate degree from an accredited institution with a CGPA of 3.0 or higher.
- A minimum score on a South University preapproved English language proficiency test is required for all applicants whose "first" language is not English as specified in the English Language Proficiency Policy.
- Interview with the Clinical Mental Health Counseling department chair/program director or designated faculty member.
- Approval of the campus program admissions committee.
- Completion of an application for admission.
- Submission of a personal/professional statement addressing the applicant's interest in counseling, professional goals, along with a self-appraisal of academic and professional qualifications.
- Submission (within 5 weeks of class start dates) of official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended (refer to Conditional Acceptance).
- Current résumé (or career summary).
- Background Check
All required admissions documentation and criteria will be reviewed and evaluated. Applicants will be notified regarding acceptance. Applicants should review the published general graduate requirements listed in the South University catalog. Students who are citizens of countries other than the United States should also refer to the section in the South University catalog entitled International Student Admissions Policy.
For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here.
Course Requirements
Curriculum for Columbia, Richmond, and Savannah campuses only
Curriculum for Columbia; Richmond; Savannah and Virginia Beach campuses only
Mission, Goals & Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Analyze historical and current testing and assessment methods for implementing ethical and accurate appraisal of diverse clients by individual or group methods.
- Plan, implement, and evaluate evidence-based programs and counseling approaches that are designed to treat psychopathology and promote optimal mental health.
- Apply the major theories of change, consultation practices, diagnostic impressions, and evidence-based interventions to a diverse clientele for the delivery of effective and ethical treatment.
- Apply culturally appropriate group skills, techniques, and theory-based interventions in the context of group counseling dynamics while exploring effective facilitation styles.
- Apply research and core theory to the needs of diverse individuals across the lifespan, to include atypical personality and neurological development, addictive disorders, family and social relationships, and crisis response.
- Demonstrate implementation of research and core theory related to the processes of decision-making in career development and planning in the context of the psychology of work.
- Apply aspects of professional functioning to include ethical standards, legal implications, advocacy and social justice, counselor roles, and professional credentialing.
- Apply needs assessment, program evaluation, and research methods to ethical and effective practice and to add to the body of literature in the counseling profession.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply multicultural research and core theory to issues and relationships in the context of culturally competent counseling.
Delivery/Modality
The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is offered in a 10-quarter or 8-quarter program.
The CMHC program at the Savannah campus is an online program, where courses are delivered via digital tools and platforms, the internet, and Learning Management System (LMS). Students complete work on their own schedule within the parameters of the given weekly/module/assignment due dates and deadlines with minimal synchronous activities.
All CMHC online students must participate in an in-person residency. Residencies are tied to courses CNS6161, Counseling Techniques, and CNS7510, Internship IA.
Financial Aid
All information pertaining to Tuition and Fees and Financial Aid can be located in the South University Academic Catalog by clicking the links below:
Tuition and Fees
Financial Aid
Current students can refer to the CMHC Program Guide tab for information on graduate assistantships.
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Campuses offer flexible learning formats* including: on-campus, virtual instructions, and online courses.
*Clinical, practicum, and externship requirements exist in certain programs and require field experiences. Learning formats may not be flexible.
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