Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Master of Science degree program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling educates students to become license-eligible for the counseling profession in many states throughout the United States. Licensed professional counselors and licensed mental health counselors can receive third party payment through health insurance agencies, Medicaid, and the Veterans Administration. This allows counselors opportunities to work in a variety of settings such as mental health agencies; private practice and veterans outreach sites and hospitals. The overarching goal of the program is to prepare students to function independently and successfully as clinical mental health counselors in a variety of professional settings. Upon graduation, students will possess well-developed identities as professional counselors and will have mastered the knowledge and skills to practice effectively and ethically. Program graduates will attain desirable and satisfying positions in their areas of expertise or will pursue further graduate education. Program graduates will report satisfaction with their experience in the program and employers will report satisfaction with the preparation and performance of the graduates that they hire. The program will educate students to provide therapeutic interventions to a diverse population across the spectrum of cognitive, emotional and behavioral disorders. The program offerings will be consistent with requirements for licensure as a professional counselor in Pennsylvania and the 2009 standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. As such, the program will provide opportunities for students throughout the Commonwealth to become eligible for licensure to practice counseling independently or as members of interdisciplinary teams in Pennsylvania and nationwide. Students seeking licensure outside of Pennsylvania must contact their state licensing boards for requirements.