Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Become an Empathetic Counselor
The Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling program prepares students to practice counseling competently. Coursework introduces ethical and legal foundations of counseling and diverse content to work with varied clientele and diagnoses. Students develop their theoretical orientation through coursework, practicum and internships. The program includes core classes and clinical classes to provide students the knowledge and skills to deliver individual and group counseling services grounded in evidence-based practices.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Mission
The clinical mental health counseling program prepares ethical and compassionate counseling professionals committed to enhancing wellness and focusing on social justice. We foster lifelong learners dedicated to providing culturally sensitive and evidence-based services that promote resilience and responsible contributions within diverse communities.
Admission Requirements
The clinical mental health counseling program admission requirements will include:
- Submitting a completed application through the Shenandoah University application portal located on the clinical mental health counseling website.
- A completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a recommended grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 grade scale.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (or previously attended).
- Submit three letters of recommendation that indicate the applicant’s ability to participate in the rigors of graduate school as well as the traits applicants possess to be a future allied health practitioner. It is preferred that a minimum of two letters of recommendation is from a previous educator unless the student graduated with the undergraduate degree more than three years ago, then they are to submit two letters of recommendation from supervisors or colleagues.
- Applicants must respond to a prompt to serve as a writing sample.
- International students may be required to meet additional requirements
- Students who meet academic requirements will be invited to participate in an interview with the faculty members of the Counselor Education Division.
- Students will be required to complete state and federal background checks.
- Students will be required to obtain personal liability insurance from the start of the program.
- Students will be required to adhere to Shenandoah’s School of Health Professions and individual practicum and internship sites immunization and vaccination policies.
*Applicants with a GPA below the recommended may still apply and be considered for admission at the discretion of the clinical mental health counseling program director.
Eligibility
To ensure you meet eligibility for licensure please visit the Virginia Department of Health Professions, Board of Counseling website.
Brittany Sager-Heinrichs, Ph.D.
Program Director, Division of Counselor Education
A degree in clinical mental health counseling provides opportunities to work in diverse settings including college career/student services, substance abuse community agencies, inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities, and private practice.
Per the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the substance abuse, behavioral disorders, and mental health counseling profession is expected to grow 18% in the next year with the average salary being $49,710; however, some licensed professional counselors in private practice can make around $90,000.
The Shenandoah University Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program will
- Prepare counseling professionals with a breadth of knowledge and skills for prevention, intervention, and advocacy in clinical mental health settings.
- Cultivate a counselor professional identity and disposition aligned with ethical practice and the ACA Code of Ethics.
- Foster the ability to critically evaluate and consume research through a social justice lens to inform evidence-based clinical mental health counseling practices.
- Prepare counseling professions to advocate for clinical mental health needs at the individual, community, and policy levels.
- Promote the development of critically reflective practitioners focused on wellness, self-care, and professional quality of life.
- Students will develop and maintain a strong professional counselor identity rooted in the profession’s ethics, values, and principles.
- Students will be able to and demonstrate competence in working ethically with clients of diverse backgrounds across the lifespan.
- Students will be able to apply counseling skills and effectively deliver counseling interventions aligned with their theoretical orientation.
- Students will be able to analyze their own social location and lived experience, while mastering strategies to bracket and challenge
- Students will be able to evaluate counseling specific assessments, including career assessments, and administer assessments in the best interest of their clients.
- Students will be able to design a holistic counseling practice that aligns with their theoretical orientation and remain aligned with the Shenandoah University mission of being a lifelong learner committed to continuing education and service work.
- Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of their role in an interdisciplinary team.
- Students will be able to present scholarly research findings.
- Students will be able to apply for residency in the state of Virginia.
- Students will be able to pass the CMHCE required for licensure in Virginia.
Students can choose to be part-time or full-time for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
Projected Schedule for Full-Time Students
Year One
Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
COUN 502 | Professional Counseling Ethics | 3 |
COUN 504 | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
COUN 506 | Counseling Theory | 3 |
COUN 501 | Basic Counseling Skills | 3 |
COUN 503 | Group Counseling | 3 |
COUN 505 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
COUN 508 | Addiction Counseling | 3 |
COUN 512 | Grief, Loss, Trauma, and Crisis | 3 |
COUN 511 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
COUN 509 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
Year Two
Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
COUN 602 | Systems Concepts in Counseling | 3 |
COUN 610 | Individual Practicum | 3 |
COUN 601 | Diagnostic Processes | 3 |
COUN 507 | Research Seminar I | 1 |
COUN 609 | Group Practicum | 3 |
COUN 550/560/570 | Elective | 3 |
COUN 517 | Research Seminar II | 1 |
COUN 603 | Assessment Processes | 3 |
COUN 650 | Field Placement I | 3 |
Year Three
Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
COUN 527 | Research Seminar III | 1 |
COUN 510 | Career Counseling | 3 |
COUN 660 | Field Placement II | 3 |
Projected Schedule for Part-Time Students
Year One
Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
COUN 502 | Professional Counseling Ethics | 3 | Fall |
COUN 504 | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 | Fall |
COUN 506 | Counseling Theory | 3 | Spring |
COUN 501 | Basic Counseling Skills | 3 | Spring |
COUN 503 | Group Counseling | 3 | Spring |
COUN 514 | Human Sexuality | 3 | Summer |
COUN 508 | Addiction Counseling | 3 | Summer |
Year Two
Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
COUN 505 | Lifespan Development | 3 | Fall |
COUN 511 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 | Fall |
COUN 503 | Group Counseling | 3 | Spring |
COUN 601 | Diagnostic Processes in CMHC | 3 | Spring |
COUN XXX | Elective | 3 | Summer |
COUN 512 | Grief, Loss, Trauma, and Crisis Counseling | 3 | Summer |
Year Three
Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
COUN 610 | Individual Practicum | 3 | Fall |
COUN 602 | Systems Concepts in Counseling | 3 | Fall |
COUN 507 | Research Seminar I | 3 | Spring |
COUN 609 | Group Practicum | 3 | Spring |
COUN 603 | Assessment Processes | 3 | Summer |
COUN 510 | Career Counseling | 3 | Summer |
Year Four
Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
COUN 517 | Research Seminar II | 3 | Fall |
COUN 650 | Field Placement I | 3 | Fall |
COUN 527 | Research Seminar III | 3 | Spring |
COUN 660 | Field Placement II | 3 | Spring |
All courses and their descriptions within the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are listed below. Please note the asterisks indicating their delivery method and which courses are electives.
*S Courses are online-synchronous
*A Courses are online-asynchronous
**Courses are electives
COUN 501 Basic Counseling Skills
This course provides an introduction to core counseling skills including interviewing, listening, understanding the client’s perspective and establishing strong therapeutic relationships. Students will develop a variety of basic counseling skills through demonstrations, role plays and video recordings with an emphasis on culturally competent applications. The course prepares students for practicum readiness through skill building and disposition development.
COUN 502 Professional Counseling Ethics*A
This course provides an in-depth examination of ethical issues, standards, and decision-making models relevant to the professional practice of counseling. Students will explore the ethical principles established by the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics. Students will examine legal issues related to counseling practice. Students will develop skills for ethical reasoning, decision-making and problem solving through discussion and case study.
COUN 503 Group Counseling
This course provides an overview of the theories, methods, and principles of group counseling and group work. Students will examine the dynamics and processes of various types of groups, as well as ethical, legal, and professional issues related to group counseling. The course will involve experiential learning through participating in group counseling sessions.
COUN 504 Clinical Mental Health Counseling as a Profession*A
This course provides an introduction to the foundation and practice of clinical mental health counseling. Students will examine the history, philosophy, roles, services, and settings in clinical mental health counseling. The course will also address management, administration and evaluation of clinical mental health programs and interventions. Students will develop their counseling professional identity.
COUN 505 Lifespan Counseling*A
This course provides an overview of human development across the lifespan, from conception to death, with an emphasis on development issues relevant to counseling practice. Students will examine biological, cognitive, social, and emotional developmental changes and milestones. The course highlights implications and applications of developmental theory and research to better understand client issues. Students will examine systemic barriers that effect development.
COUN 506 Counseling Theory
This course provides an overview of the major counseling theories and techniques. Students will explore the philosophical foundations, key concepts, techniques, and appropriate applications of each theory. Through readings, discussions and case studies, students will evaluate the implications of different theories for diverse populations and settings.
COUN 507 Research Seminar I*A
This course provides an introduction to research methods and basic statistics in counseling. Students will examine quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research designs, with an emphasis on developing literacy in research methodology and data analysis. Through reviews of literature, students will develop skills in critically evaluating published research to inform counseling practice and research questions. Students will initiate a research project.
COUN 508 Addiction Counseling*S
This course provides an overview of addiction counseling and exploration of contemporary theories and models of addiction, principles of treatment and the continuum of care. Students will learn of various substances and process addictions, examining biological, psychological, and social factors and effects. The course covers assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and counseling skills utilized for individuals and families impacted by addictions. Students will examine and confront their biases in order to provide ethical clinical services in a culturally sensitive manner.
COUN 510 Career Counseling*A
This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of career counseling and development across the lifespan. Students will explore major career development theories, examine factors influencing career choice and learn effective career counseling strategies and techniques. The course emphasizes acquiring knowledge and skills to assist diverse clients in career decision-making and planning suitable to their abilities, personality, lifestyle and developmental concerns.
COUN 511 Multicultural Counseling*S
This course covers the variety of multicultural counseling methods and the cultural differences among the different racial and ethnic groups in the United States. This course will help students become aware of their own social location, gain cultural self-awareness. Students will gain understanding in how counseling is aligned with eliminating prejudices, biases, oppression, and discrimination.
COUN 512 Grief, Loss, Trauma, and Crisis*S
This course provides an in-depth examination of theories and responsive counseling strategies related to grief, loss, trauma, crisis, and disasters. Students will explore the psychological, behavioral, and systemic impact of trauma and crises on individuals and communities. Students will be prepared to evaluate ethical considerations and trauma-informed skills in clinical mental health settings.
COUN 514 Human Sexuality in Counseling*S
This course examines attitudes, knowledge and skills related to addressing human sexuality issues in counseling. Students will develop increased self-awareness regarding sexuality, explore research on sexual behaviors. learn approaches for assessing, diagnosing, and treating sexual concerns in a holistic, ethical, and culturally sensitive way.
COUN 517 Research Seminar II*A
This course provides students the opportunity to apply research principles through designing and conducting a research study started in Research Seminar I. Students will synthesize knowledge of research methodologies to complete a research study. Students will engage in obtaining IRB approval and begin data collection.
COUN 527 Research Seminar III*H
In this course, students will develop research for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Students will engage in activities to strengthen their research skills, including critically reviewing literature, analyzing data, writing for research journals, and navigating the publication process. By the end of the course, students will have completed a manuscript suitable for submission to a counseling or psychology journal.
COUN 550 Counseling Children and Adolescents**
This course will examine developmental, cognitive, behavioral, and family systems theories relevant to counseling children and adolescents. Students will apply ethical, legal and culturally sensitive approaches to address mental health, emotional, behavioral, academic and adjustment issues in this population.
COUN 560 Counseling Veterans and Military Personnel**
This course provides an overview of issues facing military veterans, service members, and their families. Students will learn content related to military culture, transition challenges, deployment, trauma, mental health issues and family concerns with military populations. Students will gain knowledge to provide culturally informed counseling services and techniques to this population.
COUN 570 Case Management**
This course provides an overview of the principles and practices of case management in clinical mental health counseling. Students will examine various case management models and learn skills related to client intake, assessment, service planning and coordination, monitoring and documentation, advocacy, and termination of services. Students will review and appraise ethical and legal issues in case management. Students will gain knowledge in developing comprehensive case management plans that meet diverse client needs.
COUN 601 Diagnostic Processes in Counseling*S
This course covers foundational knowledge of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and diagnostic categories. Students will develop skills to make accurate, culturally sensitive diagnosis. The course examines differential diagnosis, ethical issues in diagnosis and biases and systemic oppression in the diagnostic process. Students will build critical thinking skills to integrate knowledge into competent clinical diagnostic skills.
COUN 602 Systems Concepts in Counseling *A
This course will cover systems theory perspectives and fundamentals of counseling theories, strategies and techniques when working with couples, families, and communities. Students will examine issues related to race, culture, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, and privilege. The course emphasizes a holistic view of clients and systems and develops skills for applying systems concepts.
COUN 603 Assessment Processes in CMHC*A
This course covers fundamentals of assessment in clinical mental health counseling, preparing students to ethically select, administer and interpret assessments to inform diagnosis, treatment planning and counseling goals. The course prepares students to apply assessments appropriately and ethically to inform counseling goals.
COUN 609 Group Practicum
This course provides at least 50 hours of supervised counseling experience, including 20 direct client hours in group work. Students receive weekly individual and triadic supervision to supplement their group counseling experience. Practicum develops competent, ethical skills in diagnosis, treatment planning, documentation, and group interventions.
COUN 610 Individual Practicum
This course provides at least 50 hours of supervised counseling experience, including 20 direct client hours in individual work. Students will receive weekly triadic and group supervision. Counseling sessions will be video and audio recorded to facilitate case conceptualization skill development through supervision.
COUN 650 Field Placement I
This supervised course allows students to practice counseling at an approved agency. Students will complete 300-350 hours total. Students will engage in weekly campus-based group supervision, along with individual and triadic supervision to receive ongoing guidance and development. Students gain advanced competencies in areas such as caseload management, clinical program development, intake assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, counseling techniques, professional documentation, and ethical/legal issues at an internship site.
COUN 660 Field Placement II
This supervised course allows students to practice counseling at an approved agency. Students will complete 300-350 hours total. Ongoing campus-based group supervision, triadic supervision, and on-site supervision facilitate continued skill development. Students refine competencies in areas such as diagnosis, treatment planning, clinical interventions, documentation, case management, ethical/legal issues, and clinical supervision skills.
- You will have the opportunity to complete a 600-hour internship at a location within your community.
- You will have the opportunity to complete a research project, and if desired receive mentorship to submit your manuscript for publication.