M.S in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Overview
The Master of Science in School Mental Health Counseling meets the educational requirements
to become a Texas Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Certified School Counselor. The
program equips students with the skills to support K-12 students’ academic, emotional, and social
well-being, while emphasizing the role of mental health counseling in school and community settings.
The curriculum includes courses in counseling theory and techniques, assessment procedures, crisis
intervention, and multicultural competence. Graduates are trained to provide individual and group
counseling, collaborate with educators and parents, and develop programs that foster a positive school environment.
The program also emphasizes ethical practice, mental health advocacy, and prepares students to be moral and ethical practitioners in school and clinical settings.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Benefits
- Dual Credentialing Advantage: Graduates meet the educational requirements to become both a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Certified School Counselor in Texas, significantly expanding their career opportunities across school and clinical settings.
- Specialized Training for K-12 Impact: The program equips students to address the emotional, social, and academic needs of children and adolescents, preparing them for immediate impact in elementary, middle, and high school environments.
- Career-Ready Fieldwork: Students engage in specialized field experiences that strengthen their clinical and school-based counseling skills, enabling them to market themselves competitively for employment in school systems and mental health agencies.
- Holistic Counseling Skill Development: Coursework includes counseling theory and techniques, assessment, multicultural competence, and crisis intervention—preparing graduates for individual, group, and systems-level counseling.
- Commitment to Ethical Practice and Advocacy: The program emphasizes ethical decision-making, professional responsibility, and mental health advocacy in both school and community contexts.
- Addressing a Critical Need: The degree directly responds to the statewide and national shortage of mental health professionals equipped to support child and adolescent populations, particularly within educational settings.
Courses
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will be able to: • Demonstrate professional identity and ethical practice aligned with state and national counseling standards. • Apply knowledge of human growth, development, and behavior across the lifespan in counseling practice. • Integrate multicultural competence into client and community work. • Utilize counseling theories and techniques in individual, group, family, and career counseling settings. • Conduct assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning using evidence-based approaches. • Evaluate and apply research to inform counseling practice and program development.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Career Outcomes
Graduates of the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are prepared for roles such as: • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): Provide individual, group, and family counseling in private practice or agency settings. • Mental Health Agency Counselor: Deliver counseling and support services in community-based organizations and nonprofit programs. • Substance Abuse Counselor: Work in treatment centers and recovery programs to support clients overcoming addictions. • Career Counselor: Guide individuals in career development, transitions, and workplace adjustment through assessment and counseling. • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Counselor: Offer counseling and wellness services to employees in business and industry. • College Counselor: Provide academic, career, and mental health support in educational settings. • Community Wellness Counselor: Serve diverse populations in MHMR agencies, clinics, and outreach programs.
Certification and Licensure Preparation
• National Counselor Exam • Licensed Professional Counselor • National Certified Counselor
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Admissions Requirements
• 3.0 GPA or higher on last sixty (60) hours of undergraduate or graduate course work. • Participate in on-campus interview process. • Program orientation • Program application