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 (Summer) | 3 |
COUN 5020 - Lab in Individual Counseling (Fall) | 3 |
COUN 5040 - Human Growth & Development (Summer) | 3 |
COUN 5100 - Theories & Techniques of Group Counseling (Spring) | 3 |
COUN 5130 - Relationship & Family Counseling (Summer) | 3 |
COUN 5330 - Issues, Ethics, & Trends in Professional Counseling (Fall) | 3 |
Foundations in Professional Counseling - 18 Credit Hours | |
Course/Title | Credit Hours |
COUN 5410 - Measurement & Appraisal (Summer) | 3 |
COUN 5430 - Career Development (Spring) | 3 |
COUN 5510 - Principles of Addiction Treatment (Fall) | 3 |
COUN 5550 - Practice of Crisis Counseling, Trauma, & Disaster Work (Fall) | 3 |
COUN 5860 - Social & Cultural Foundations of Professional Counseling (Spring) | 3 |
LEAD 5700 - Introduction to Research & Statistics | 3 |
Fieldwork Course - 9 Credit Hours | |
|---|---|
Course/Title | Credit Hours |
COUN 5120 - Practicum in Professional Counseling (Spring) | 3 |
COUN 5720: Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Summer, Fall, and/or Spring) | 6 |
Clinical Mental Health Track - 15 Credit Hours | |
Course/Title | Credit Hours |
COUN 5140- Child & Adolescent Counseling | 3 |
COUN 5440 - Advanced Psychopathology and Diagnosis | 3 |
COUN 5830: Special Topics in Counseling | 3 |
COUN 5840 - Advanced Techniques and Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
COUN 5950 - Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
Access the Student Handbook.
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: