Clinical Mental Health Counseling
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Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
With a focus on gaining experience through coursework, South University’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares students to become compassionate professional counselors. The master’s degree in counseling holds itself to a professional standard through classes that follow the 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*.
It is important to note that starting July 1, 2025, the state of Florida will require all graduates who apply to become Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns to graduate from an accredited CACREP program.
*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.
Clinical/Medical programs have a required in-person clinical, practicum, or externship requirement. We cannot guarantee flexibility in these components of the program.
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 West Palm Beach campus only
Curriculum for West Palm Beach campus 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.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling at South University, West Palm Beach
Core Faculty
West Palm Beach Campus Core Faculty
Bridget Glass, Ph.D., LMHC, ACS
Program Director and Assistant Professor
Dr. Bridget Glass is a licensed Mental Health Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor who holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, as well as a master's degree with a dual focus in both Mental Health Counseling and Marriage, Family, and Couple Therapy. Dr. Glass serves diverse populations and specializes in treating childhood trauma, relationship abuse, and workplace distress. She is a contributing author to the book, Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Throughout the Lifespan: A Clinician’s Guide to Treatment Considerations, and other articles which expand on the literature for Counselor Education. Dr. Glass is the Secretary of the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association. Dr. Glass’ cares for herself through traveling with her husband of 23 years and playing with her fluffy Goldendoodles, Cooper, and Barkley.
Julia Lancaster, Ph.D., LPC, ACS, BC-TMH
Clinical Coordinator and Assistant Professor
Julia L. Lancaster, Ph.D., LPC, ACS, is a licensed professional counselor in Virginia. She utilizes wellness, CBT, and Solution-Focused interventions with a post-modern perspective. She is a board approved clinical supervisor and a Clinical Coordinator, Assistant Professor in the CMHC program at South University's West Palm Beach campus. She is a member of the editorial review board for the Association for Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness. Her research interests include social determinants of health and mental health, invisible stigma, identify formation, crisis/ trauma and human sexuality education in CACREP programs. She is a mother of two daughters and in her spare time, she instructs yoga classes, travels, and reads.
Core Faculty and Assistant Professor
Julie Vogel is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling and a Doctorate in Counseling Education and Supervision. Dr. Vogel has over thirty years of experience working with clients through community agencies and private practice in both rural and urban settings. She has served as the Regional Director for an agency focusing on adoption and has managed a facility focused on the treatment of chronic and severe mental illness. Dr. Vogel has distinct expertise in the treatment of substance abuse disorders. She facilitates educational workshops on topics related to parenting, adoption, emotional regulation and personal safety. She is also a qualified supervisor for professionals seeking licensure in the field of mental health. Dr. Vogel has previously provided course instruction at South University in Virginia Beach, VA. Dr. Vogel identifies as an advocate for those who seem to have no voice in our society due to systemic barriers. Her philosophy for clinical treatment is derived from a place of strength and optimism, as she believes all individuals have the capacity to create a meaningful and fulfilling life based on their vision of the future.
Career Outlook
These are some of the career options* you can explore when you have earned your degree:
- Mental Health Counselor
It is important to note that starting July 1, 2025, the state of Florida will require all graduates who apply to become Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns to graduate from an accredited CACREP program.
*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.
CMHC Program Guide
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Guide contains information specific to students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at South University. It is the responsibility of all students to be knowledgeable about the policies, procedures, regulations and expectations contained within. If at any time there is a conflict between the Program Guide and the Academic Catalog, the Academic Catalog will take precedence.
This Guidebook has been prepared by the CMHC program. Information in it maybe be modified, supplemented or discontinued with or without notice.
To view the South University, West Palm Beach Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Program Guide, click HERE.
Sample Syllabi
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Course Syllabi Samples
The syllabi listed below represent the courses in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. They are provided for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as the “official” syllabus for the course.
CNS6051, Diagnostics of Psychopathology and Treatment
CNS6161, Counseling Techniques
CNS6313, Professional Orientation and Ethics
CNS6425, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
CNS6529, Research and Statistical Evaluation
CNS6535, Clinical Mental Health Appraisal I
CNS6565, Multicultural Foundations
CNS6602, Lifestyle and Career Development
CNS6709, Couples, Marital, and Family Dynamics
CNS6775, Counseling Administration, Advocacy, Supervision and Policy
CNS6901, Diagnosis and Treatment of Addictive Disorders
CNS7510, CNS7610, CNS7611, Internship IA, Internship IIA, Internship IIB
CNS7950, Child/Adolescent Psychopathology and Treatment
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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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