CACREP-Accredited Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)

UT Tyler Psychology and Counseling

The M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) is intended to prepare students to counsel persons experiencing psychological disturbance due to developmental, educational, career, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, cultural, relational or environmental issues. Students develop competencies in diagnosis and assessment, evidence-based counseling/psychotherapy techniques, group processes, human development, cultural diversity, addiction and career counseling. Students who complete their degrees and meet state certification or licensing requirements may be employed in a variety of mental health settings.

All Clinical Mental Health Counseling students will complete a specified program that provides foundational knowledge and skills to be an effective mental health counselor. Students may take classes in Family and Couples counseling if they plan to work with these clients.

UT Tyler's CMHC program is a CACREP accredited program designed to prepare graduates to become Licensed Professional Counselors with the appropriate post-graduation experiences. The CMHC degree program requires 60 credit hours of graduate course work.

Testimonials

Certification and Licensure

Graduates of the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling are eligible to apply for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. In addition to the degree, the LPC requires successful passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) followed by 3000 hours of supervised practice in a counseling role.

To be eligible to practice within the U.S. Military (Tricare) and Veteran's Administration mental health care systems, graduates will also be required to take and pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination, administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Plan

Prefix & Course No	Course Title	Credit Hrs
Didactic Core (39 hours):
COUN 5312*	Counseling Theories and Applications	3
COUN 5328*	Foundations and Ethics of Clinical Mental Health Counseling	3
PSYC 5308	Advanced Psychopathology and Diagnosis	3
COUN 5340	Research and Program Evaluation	3
COUN 5384	Advanced Counseling Theories and Evidence-Based Practices	3
COUN 5368	Assessment Techniques in Counseling	3
PSYC 5320	Advanced Human Growth and Development	3
PSYC 5345	Group Counseling and Therapy	3
COUN 5335	Career Counseling and Assessment	3
COUN 5324	Cultural Diversity and Advocacy	3
COUN 5326	Addictions Counseling	3
COUN 5395	Professional Practice in Clinical Mental Health Counseling	3
Clinical Skills Core (15 hours):
COUN 5391*	Essential Counseling Skills	3
COUN 5392	Helping Relationships and Clinical Interviewing	3
COUN 5393	Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (100 hours, 40 direct)	3
COUN 5396	Internship I (300 hours on site, 120 direct)	3
COUN 5397	Internship II (300 hours on site, 120 direct)	3
Electives (6 hours):
COUN 5315 or COUN 5313	Couples Therapy OR Family Therapy (**Required 2017 for LPC)	3
	Graduate counseling and psychology courses identified in catalog	3
	Graduate counseling and psychology courses identified in catalog	3
TOTAL HOURS		60

 

 *First Semester Coursework

CMHC Student Handbook

Printable Degree Plan

CMHC Course Periodicity

Students who wish to complete the general program of study in Clinical Mental Health Counseling should choose their remaining 6 hours from the graduate counseling and psychology courses listed in the course catalog. They should consult their faculty advisor and specify the courses in their degree plans.

Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Comprehensive Exam: Students admitted to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program in spring 2013 or later are required to take and pass the national, standardized Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) to graduate.