www.wheaton.edu/graduate-school/degrees/ma-in-clinical-mental-health-counseling/
Director, Ki Chae
The Master of Arts degree program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) offers training in professional counseling. Our students are prepared for employment as professional counselors in a wide variety of settings such as hospitals, mental health agencies, human service agencies, churches, international ministries, and private counseling practice. This degree fulfills the educational requirements in most states for licensure as a Clinical Professional Counselor and certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Many of our graduates become licensed as Clinical Professional Counselors (LPC/LCPC) or Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) depending on the licenses available in the state where they practice. Some enter other related mental health ministries and careers. Other graduates of our program have gone on for doctoral work in counselor education or clinical psychology programs. The coursework in this program was designed to meet or exceed the educational standards for professional counselors set forth by the state of Illinois and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Requirements for admission to the Master's Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling include:
-
completion of a bachelor's degree
-
participation in an interview process
A background in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field is encouraged, but no pre-requisite coursework is required.
Requirements for the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling are 51 semester hours of course work plus a three hour graduate practicum and a six hour graduate internship for a total of 60 hours. Required courses include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CMHC 611 | Foundations of Integration I | 1 |
| CMHC 612 | Foundations of Integration II | 1 |
| CMHC 613 | Foundations of Integration III | 1 |
| CMHC 614 | Group Counseling | 2 |
| CMHC 614L | Group Counseling Lab | 1 |
| CMHC 618 | Research Design and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| CMHC 621 | Counseling Skills & Techniques | 2 |
| CMHC 621L | Basic Counseling Skills Lab | 1 |
| CMHC 624 | Issues and Ethics in Professional Practice | 3 |
| CMHC 625 | Counseling Theories and Practice | 3 |
| CMHC 631 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| CMHC 636 | Family Systems Theory and Counseling | 3 |
| TRMA 632 | Introduction to Trauma and Crisis Counseling | 3 |
| CMHC 641 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| CMHC 642 | Psychopathology: Biological and Sociocultural Foundations | 3 |
| CMHC 649 | Multicultural Issues and Social Advocacy in Counseling | 3 |
| CMHC 651 | Substance Abuse and Addictions | 3 |
| CMHC 653 | Lifestyle & Career Development | 3 |
| CMHC 691 | Comprehensive Exit Exam | 0 |
| CMHC 692 | Graduate Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| CMHC 696 | Graduate Internship | 6 |
| BITH 561 | Theological Anthropology | 2 |
| Select one 4-credit biblical and theological studies course from the approved Category I listing in the Graduate School section of this catalog | 4 | |
| Electives: | ||
| Student should select 3 credits from CMHC | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
CMHC students must successfully pass a written comprehensive examination (CMHC 691 Comprehensive Exit Exam) covering eight common core areas of counseling:
- human growth and development;
- social and cultural foundations;
- helping relationships;
- group work;
- career and lifestyle development;
- appraisal;
- research and program evaluation; and
- professional orientation and ethics.