Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Coordinator: Melissa L. Whitson, Ph.D., Columbia University

The masters of arts in clinical mental health counseling is designed to prepare students for the master's level counseling license (Licensed Professional Counselor). The program prepares candidates to work in a variety of human service settings, including clinical mental health counseling centers, career centers, substance abuse centers, crisis counseling centers, and other mental health agencies offering counseling services.

Notes:

Counseling Practicum

Students are required to complete a 100-hour practicum. A minimum 40 of these hours should be direct service (e.g., counseling) and 60 can be indirect. Seminar includes weekly (or bi-monthly) group meetings (not a full class time) that involve some group supervision and discussion of professional issues.

Counseling Internship I and II

Students are required to spend a minimum of 600 hours on site during the entire two-semester internship. Two hundred and forty of these hours should be considered direct service (e.g., counseling individuals and groups) and the remaining indirect hours (e.g., faculty/staff meetings). These hours are typically part-time (approximately 20 hours per week) across two semesters. Seminar includes weekly group meetings (not a full class time) that involve some group supervision and discussion of professional issues.