HELP 2014-2015 Walden University Catalog (December 2014) [ARCHIVED CATALOG] M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Print Degree Planner | Print-Friendly Page Add to Pages

Return to: College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Return to: School of Counseling  

“Realizing I can be successful in my career is the most rewarding aspect of pursuing my degree at Walden.”

Tylesha McCray
M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student
 

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares students to identify and address the need for culturally and contextually relevant counseling and social change for individuals, communities, and society.

Learning Outcomes

Through the use of technology, experiential practice, and collaboration, M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling students will be able to:

1. Apply sound ethical, legal, and business practices in the work of a mental health counselor.
2. Implement counseling/prevention/intervention services related to mental health counseling.
3. Promote diversity and advocacy as related to mental health counseling.
4. Employ various assessment techniques to appropriately intervene in meeting the needs of diverse clients.
5. Use evidence-based research literature to inform practice in meeting the needs of diverse clientele.
6. Use diagnostic tools to diagnose disorders in diverse clientele. 

Students will also be able to:

1. Develop a professional orientation and identity as a counselor.
2. Effectively address the social and cultural diversity issues that impact the counseling process.
3. Synthesize theories of human growth and development to develop culturally responsive counseling practices.
4. Apply theories and models of career development to related life factors, which affect an individual’s lifestyle and mental health.
5. Utilize major counseling theories to develop an empirically based, personal theoretical orientation that integrates theory and best practices.
6. Apply theoretical and experiential principles of group work to develop targeted interventions within group contexts.
7. Evaluate and interpret individual and group assessment in a multicultural society.
8. Utilize research methods commonly used in the counseling profession.
9. Demonstrate skills in applying principles of advocacy toward promoting cultural understanding and positive social change in individuals, communities, and society.
10. Achieve personal growth and sustainability in the profession.

Accreditation

Walden’s M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP accreditation attests to the quality and relevancy of Walden’s program—a program that helps provide students with the skills and credibility to maximize their impact on the profession. In addition, earning a degree that is CACREP-accredited helps to streamline the licensing application process and provides students with an advantage when applying to doctoral programs.

Specialization (Optional)

• General Program
• Addiction Counseling - Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling  
• Career Counseling - M.S. in Mental Health Counseling  
• Forensic Counseling  
• Military Families and Culture - M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling  
• Trauma and Crisis  

Degree Requirements

• 90 total quarter credit hours for General Program (100 cr. with optional 10-credit specialization)
• Foundation course (1 cr.)
• Core courses (80 cr.)
• Optional specialization courses (10 cr.)
• Field experience: 100-hour practicum (3 cr.); 600-hour internship (6 cr.)
• 12 days of academic residency (two 6-day residencies)

Core Curriculum (General Program)

The M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling consists of core coursework, a practicum, an internship, two 6-day residencies, and the completion of a capstone or thesis. Core courses must be taken in the order presented. Additional courses may be taken at the end of the program of study to provide breadth and depth of learning.