Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)

Why a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling?

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) is designed to provide students with a practitioner model that fulfills the 60-hour educational requirements for students to obtain counseling licensure in many states. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program has a mission of training reflective, ethical practitioners who work in a variety of mental health settings. The counseling program faculty is committed to providing a dynamic education that prepares students to promote health and wellness in an ever-changing world. An emphasis is placed on both professional and personal development, recognizing that well-prepared counseling professionals are those who possess relevant academic training, as well as the self-understanding and awareness needed to facilitate growth, development, and healing among others. The counseling faculty provides an open and stimulating intellectual climate that prepares professional counselors who:

• Respect cultures, values, beliefs, and talents of all people.

• Conceptualize human behavior and the change process through the application of theory.

• Develop appropriate knowledge and skills to effectively affect wellness and facilitate change.

• Reflect the American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics.

• Commit to professional development essential for growth in learning, advocacy, and service.

• Commit to clinical mental heath counseling based upon lifelong reflection and learning.

• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication.

 

Why McKendree University?

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at McKendree University focuses on academic excellence through didactic coursework as well as courses that focus on the counselor-in-training developing skills through the use of live supervision. Students achieve competency in counseling skills on campus by participating in Practicum I skill experiences within the Stress Management Clinic. Students in the program gain skill development opportunities in the clinical courses taught and while participating in the Practicum and Internship courses. Practicum II and Internship experiences are completed off campus through pre-approved clinical sites.

 

 

Admission

McKendree University admits students who present evidence of their potential to complete graduate level work. Applicants are considered on an individual basis without regard to sex, race, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, or religion. The following documentation is required for consideration of admission:

1. A completed graduate admission application (no fee).

2. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

3. Official transcripts from each college or university attended. Official transcripts are those sent from institution to institution.

4. A minimum 3.0 GPA on a four-point scale in undergraduate studies.

5. A current resume or vita.

6. Three recommendation forms from master’s or doctoral level professionals who can attest to the applicant’s ability to pursue graduate work in a clinical program. Recommendations from personal acquaintances (e.g., friends, church leaders, family members) are not acceptable. This form will be provided to applicant after application has been submitted. 

7. Essay describing interests in counseling as a career, personal strengths and weaknesses, perceived ability to successfully pursue/complete graduate work, and future career goals.

8. The successful completion of the equivalent of six undergraduate credit hours in a behavioral science, of which three must be in introduction to psychology. 

9. Applicants who meet initial qualifications will be interviewed.

 

 Application Deadline

The program admits students once a year, for the fall semester. Applicants should use the deadline of July 1st in order to receive consideration for admission to the program.

 

Tuition & Financial Aid

The tuition for the 2024/2025 academic year (August-July) is $525 per credit hour.

Graduate Program - Tuition Discounts

Graduate Financial Aid

 

 

 

Format

This program is offered in a campus-based evening format. Classes meet either one time per week for 16-weeks or in a blended 8-week format. The program follows a cohort model that begins every fall and is completed in three years.

 

 

 

Curriculum Requirements

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s degree is 60 credit hours completed in a three year cohort format. 

 

        CNL 590 FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING             

        CNL 600 COUNSELING THEORY                                                           

        CNL 601 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FOUNDATIONS                               

        CNL 602 PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES                                 

        CNL 603 COUNSELING SKILLS                                                               

        CNL 605 RESEARCH AND EVALUATION                                                

        CNL 606 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING                              

        CNL 607 ADDICTIONS COUNSELING                                                    

        CNL 608 INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT                                                      

        CNL 609 COUPLES AND FAMILY COUNSELING                                    

        CNL 610 GROUP COUNSELING                                                              

        CNL 611 CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND COUNSELING                        

        CNL 614 GRIEF, LOSS, AND CRISIS INTERVENTION                            

        CNL 620 PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND MALADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR I                

        CNL 621 PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND MALADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR II       

        CNL 630 PRACTICUM I                                                                             

        CNL 631 PRACTICUM II                                                                            

        CNL 637 INTERNSHIP I                                                                             

        CNL 638 INTERNSHIP II                                                                            

        CNL 697 COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION                                           

 

Career Opportunities

Graduates with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling find employment in many clinical counseling settings.  Some examples include:

• Mental health agencies

• Private practice groups

• Hospitals

• Forensic settings

• Elementary and secondary schools

• University counseling centers

 

 

 

Clinical Counseling Courses

The following reflects some of the courses in which students develop counseling skills through live supervision on campus and real world experience in the field.

CNL 603 Counseling Skills

A fundamental study of the helping relationship is provided. The course provides an overview of basic and advanced counseling skills, including listening, reflection, rapport building, creating a therapeutic alliance, interviewing, goal-setting, session structuring, and confrontation. Information regarding facilitation of client self-awareness and change will be provided. The importance of therapist self-understanding and development will be emphasized throughout the course.

       CNL 610 Group Counseling

A broad understanding of group development, group dynamics, and various group counseling theories is provided. Group leadership styles, as well as basic and advanced group therapy methods and skills, are also discussed.

CNL 630 Practicum I

Students must accrue a minimum of 100 clock hours for this experience, meeting the minimum direct and indirect hour requirements guided by the standards of practice. To be eligible for this class, students must have completed CNL 603 with a B- or better and have a 3.0 GPA. Prerequisites: CNL  590, 600, 602, 603, and 610. Suggested: CNL 620 and 621.

CNL 631 Practicum II

This course is an extension of Practicum I. It provides supervised clinical experience at an approved training site. Students must accrue a minimum of 100 clock hours for this experience, meeting the minimum direct and indirect hour requirements guided by the standards of practice. To be eligible for this class, students must have completed CNL 603 with a B- or better and have a 3.0 GPA. Prerequisites: CNL 590, 600, 601, 602, 603, 607, 608, 609, 610, 614, 620, and 621. Suggested: CNL 606 and 611.

CNL 637 Internship I

This course provides supervised clinical experience at an approved training site. Students must accrue a minimum of 300 hours of experience. In addition to the required hours working at the training site, students enrolled in internship meet weekly in an internship group supervision led by a faculty member. Supervision facilitates students’ clinical skills such as client conceptualization, application of theory, treatment planning, and intervention.

CNL 638 Internship II

This course is an extension of Internship I. It provides supervised clinical experience at an approved training site. Students must accrue a minimum of 300 hours of experience. In addition to the required hours working at the training site, students meet weekly in an internship group supervision. Supervision facilitates students’ clinical skills such as client conceptualization, application of theory, treatment planning, and intervention.

 

 

 

Internship Opportunities

An internship is a clinical training experience that takes place in a clinical health care delivery system. Students generally take internship during the last two semesters of their course work. To enroll for internship, students must be in good standing, maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better, and have successfully completed CNL 590, 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 608, 610, 611, 630, and 631.

Internship is treated like a course. Students apply for and secure internship sites prior to the semester in which they enroll in the internship course. All students enrolled in internship must also concurrently attend a weekly group supervision led by a faculty member. The content of the supervision varies according to the internship sites represented.

Fall Semester Start - Internship Deadlines

Internship Registration Form Due: February 1

Site Must Be Confirmed By: May 1

 

 

Comprehensive Examination

The Comprehensive Examination assesses students’ knowledge and ability to apply theoretical constructs learned throughout the Program. The MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program uses the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE). The CPCE is a standardized examination that assesses knowledge of core content areas that are designated by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and state licensure rules.

 

 

 

Stress Management Clinic

We all experience some stress in our lives; however, when stress becomes overwhelming it is counterproductive and can ultimately lead to depression, anxiety, and deterioration in physical health.

During the Practicum I course the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program offers free and confidential stress management services that focus on education, prevention, and support. Interested students, staff, or faculty meet one-on-one with trained practicum students enrolled in the MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. All sessions are supervised by Dr. Julie Smirl, LCPC.

 

 

 

Key Faculty

 

Dr. Julie Smirl, Ph.D., LCPC

Ph.D., Rehabilitation Counseling and Administration,

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

M.A., Counseling Psychology, University of North Florida

B.A., Psychology, Saint Louis University

  

 

 

Next Step

Contact your student services specialist below and get details on the admission process.

Carol Fairlie

Student Services Specialist
Old Main 102, Lebanon, Illinois
(618) 537-6507
cjfairlie@mckendree.edu

 

 

 

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