Counseling, MA - Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Clinical Mental Health Emphasis

Counseling, MA

Program Delivery

On Campus

Total Credits

60 Credits

About the Program

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) emphasis within the Department of Counseling and Human Services is designed to prepare graduate students to assume positions in the provision of professional counseling and consultation services involving the principles of psychotherapy.

The Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC) training program is currently recognized by CACREP. The CMHC track is based on CACREP training standards and is designed to meet the academic requirements for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) in Colorado to practice psychotherapy. In addition to completing the Master’s Degree, applicants for the Professional Counselor License must complete appropriate post-masters degree supervised experiences and pass a written examination.


Focus of Study

The program offers training to students in various areas such as human development, learning theory, group dynamics, and identifying mental illness and dysfunctional behavior.

After completing the program, students will have the skills to offer professional services to individuals, couples, families, and groups to treat psychopathology and improve mental health.

The ultimate goal of this program is to promote and enhance healthy, self-actualizing, and satisfying lifestyles, regardless of whether the provided services are in an educational, military, business or industrial, health or medical, private practice, or human services setting.


Program Requirements

Students must complete a rigorous 60-semester-hour program that has been developed by the departmental faculty to prepare Clinical Mental Health Counselors for the responsibility of professional practice.

Students graduating from the CMHC degree program will be eligible to take the National Counselor Exam during their last semester in the program. The student may submit the score from this examination as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Professional Counselor license in Colorado. Post-master’s supervised clinical experience is required prior to becoming licensed. Additionally, graduates of the program will be immediately eligible and are encouraged to apply for National Certified Counselor (NCC) recognition.


Program Coursework

Core Course Requirements - 18 Credit Hours
Course/Title Credit Hours
COUN 5010 - Theories & Techniques of Individual Counseling 3
COUN 5020 - Lab in Individual Counseling 3
COUN 5040 - Human Growth & Development 3
COUN 5100 - Theories & Techniques of Group Counseling 3
COUN 5130 - Theories and Techniques of Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling 3
COUN 5330 - Issues, Ethics, & Trends in Professional Counseling 3
Foundations in Professional Counseling - 27 Credit Hours
Course/Title Credit Hours
COUN 5410 - Measurement & Appraisal 3
COUN 5430 - Career Development 3
COUN 5510 - Principles of Addiction Treatment 3
COUN 5550 - Practice of Crisis Counseling, Trauma, & Disaster Work 3
COUN 5860 - Social & Cultural Foundations of Professional Counseling 3
LEAD 5700 - Introduction to Research & Statistics 3
Specialty & Fieldwork Courses - 15 Credit Hours
Course/Title Credit Hours
COUN 5120 - Practicum in Professional Counseling 3
COUN 5440 - Advanced Psychopathology and Diagnosis 3
COUN 5720 - Internship: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2 semesters) 6
COUN 5950 - Roles & Functions of the Clinical Mental Health Counselor 3

As the Department transitions to a sixty-semester-hour program, students will be offered an array of elective courses. These courses may be selected to complement the student’s required coursework and/or professional career objectives. Students will select two electives if they desire to graduate with a 60-semester-hour master’s degree. This schedule will begin in Summer 2023.

Electives - Optional 9 Credit Hours
Course/Title Credit Hours
COUN 5070 - Adventure Education & Experiential Learning      3
COUN 5090 - Spiritual Dimensions of Counseling      3
COUN 5300 - Lab of Marriage, Family, &Couples Counseling      3
COUN 5520 - Infectious Diseases in Addiction Treatment      1
COUN 5240 - Executive Coaching & Leadership      3
COUN 5530 - Theory & Techniques of Motivational Interviewing       2
COUN 5800 - Roles & Functions of the School Counselor       3
COUN 5810 - Organization & Administration of School Counseling Programs      3
COUN 5570 - Play Therapy & Child Counseling      3
COUN 5580 - Sexuality In Counseling      3
COUN 5590 - Clinical Supervision I & II      3
COUN 5900 - Science of Process & Behavioral Addictions      3
COUN 5960 - Psychopharmacology      1
COUN 5970 - Advanced Pharmacology      1


For details on program coursework, please visit the Academic Catalog.


Admissions Details

To learn more about the general application process, please visit the program's Admissions page.

Additional resources for Admissions: