Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MA

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program prepares candidates as qualified entry level counselors able to practice in a variety of contexts. These settings may include community agencies, residential settings, social service agencies, hospitals, religious organizations, and private practice. Candidates from the program exhibit high standards of professionalism while integrating theory, technique, and ethics into every aspect of their careers. The program requirements reflect current educational components of the Licensed Professional Counselor examination in the State of Illinois. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree also holds special and unique accreditation by the Council of Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP).The clinical mental health counseling program is designed to enable candidates to:

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

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Admission Requirements

Bachelor's degree in related field from a regionally-accredited institution.
Graduate admission application including an objective statement.
12 prerequisite hours of Psychology or Sociology with a grade of C or better.
Official transcripts from bachelor's degree (& any prior master's degree).
Two letters of recommendation (preferably one from a college or university instructor) addressing academic proficiency, personal character, and competence and effectiveness in professional work.
Written responses to admission committee's counseling-related questions.
Students may be required to take tests such as the GRE or MAT, interview, or supply a writing sample.