Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS)

The Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed to prepare students to function as licensed clinical mental health counselors. Students may choose to complete concentrations in Addictions Treatment, Marriage and Family Therapy, Eating Disorders, Play Therapy, or Wellness Leadership. The program provides the educational requirements outlined by the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice as requisite to attaining clinical mental health counseling licensure. Program requirements, policies, and resources are all available in the student handbook that all students review during the Professional Orientation and Ethics course.  It may also be requested from the program coordinator listed above. Students should note that there are significant post-degree requirements to undertake prior to being licensed. The clinical mental health counseling program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Internship

Students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program must successfully complete a 600-hour mental health counseling internship in a mental health setting. Students can choose to remain in one setting or can split their time between two settings. A mental health provider licensed under the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice must provide individual supervision at the internship site on a weekly basis. Students interning out of state need to be supervised by mental health providers licensed in the state in which they are practicing. In addition to their field experience, students are required to attend a weekly University based internship seminar. Typically, the internship requirement is met over two academic terms and carries six credits. Students must complete their internship experience within two calendar years.

Optional Concentrations in this Major

Addictions Treatment

Marriage and Family Therapy

Eating Disorders

Play Therapy

Wellness Leadership

Counselor Education Objectives - Students will be able to:

1. Articulate and demonstrate the professional and ethical role of a counselor.
2. Discuss and demonstrate techniques of cross-cultural counseling and advocate on behalf of multicultural populations.
3. Describe the role that human growth and development plays in counseling interventions and modify these interventions as appropriate.
4. Explain theories of career development and implement career interventions.
5. Define and utilize counseling skills and advanced counseling interventions.
6. Articulate theories of group counseling and utilize leadership skills in facilitating various types of groups.
7. Identify and utilize various types of counseling assessments.
8. Describe and conduct methods of research and program evaluation.

1. Articulate and apply foundational knowledge of clinical mental health counseling.
2. Articulate and demonstrate various types of counseling, consultation, prevention, and intervention – including response to crisis and trauma and addiction.
3. Discuss issues of multiculturalism, demonstrate multicultural competency skills, and advocate on behalf of multicultural populations in clinical mental health counseling settings.
4. Analyze and utilize various types of clinical mental health counseling assessments.
5. Critically evaluate and utilize research methods in the practice of clinical mental health counseling.
6. Describe and employ principles of case conceptualization, diagnosis, and treatment planning with a variety of populations.