Nov 24, 2024  
2019-2020 Academic Bulletin 
    
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2019-2020 Academic Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA

E-mail: gpc@andrews.edu

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by CACREP. The program is designed to prepare students to function as professional clinical mental health counselors in community agency and mental health settings, such as: (a) mental health centers; (b) family counseling centers, and (c) solo or group private practice.

Due to the sequential nature of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, students must begin full-time study in the fall semester if they are to complete in two academic years.

Licensure: Because licensure requirements are controlled by local governments, it is the student’s responsibility to prepare for licensure requirements in the locality where practice is intended.

Upon entering this program, students may receive training in settings where vulnerable populations are served. Instances where this may occur are course assignments and practicum/internship experiences either within schools or in a counseling setting. It is the department’s responsibility to help protect the safety of children and clients. Certain convictions may prevent future licensure/certification eligibility. The department utilizes two methods to validate and track applicant and student criminal backgrounds: a Conviction Clearance Form and a formal Background Check conducted by an outside agency.

Total Credits - 60

Core - 51

Clinical Instruction - 9

Additional Requirements

Students are required to attend a minimum of eight weekly personal counseling sessions during the first semester of enrollment. These sessions may be arranged with the University’s Counseling & Testing Center or in the public sector by a licensed therapist. A letter verifying the completion of these eight sessions is required by the end of the first semester.

Maintaining Academic Standing

Continuation in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is based upon a periodic review, by the department, of the student’s academic performance and personal qualifications as a counselor.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, students will be able to:

  • Understand, respond to and advocate for the needs of diverse client populations in a multicultural and pluralistic society, including issues regarding race, culture, religion, spirituality, sexual orientation, age, ability, gender, socioeconomic status, educational levels and multi-racial identities.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the major theories of counseling and develop a personal theory of counseling. 
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the major theories of career development and how to provide career/lifestyle counseling to clients. 
  • Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of human development across the life span and how this relates to counseling interventions and assessment of clients.
  • Selects appropriate comprehensive assessment interventions to assist in diagnosis and treatment planning, with an awareness of cultural bias in the implementation and interpretation of assessment protocols.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use current technology for presentations, supervision, assessment, and professional record keeping.
  • Develops measurable outcomes for clinical mental health counseling programs, interventions and treatments, and then analyzes and uses data to increase the effectiveness of clinical mental health counseling interventions and programs.
  • Model legal and ethical standards of clinical mental health counseling in accordance with state and federal law and the standards of the American Counseling Association.
  • Apply basic counseling and facilitative communication skills in individual and small group settings. 
  • Demonstrate a commitment to professional development by joining and becoming active members in the American Counseling Association (ACA) or the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA).
  • Model the desire to give back to one’s community, church or society either by advocating for an identified issue of social justice or by engaging in service to their church and/or community.