Bridge Program/CAS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The CAS in mental health counseling is designed for students with a master’s degree in a related field (school counseling, school psychology, counseling psychology, etc.) who are interested in pursuing mental health counseling licensure.
Clinical mental health counseling is the provision of professional counseling services, involving the application of principles of psychotherapy, human development, learning theory, group dynamics and the etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional behavior to individuals, couples, families and groups for the purposes of treating psychopathology and promoting optimal mental health.
The CAS/Bridge program in clinical mental health counseling is designed for persons seeking employment in an agency counseling setting. The program qualifies students for New York State licensure - Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Individuals can also apply for national certification as a professional counselor (NCC) and as a clinical mental health counselor (CCMHC). (Additional years of experience are required for the certification.)
Why Clinical Mental Health Counseling?
- Clinical mental health counselors work in clinics, hospitals, public and private agencies, career centers, rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, addictions, government and college and university settings.
- Listed in Money magazine as one of the “best jobs.”
- Among the 20 fastest growing careers in the United States.
- All 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico license mental health counselors.
CAS/Bridge Program: Certificate of Advanced Study in Clinical Mental Health Counseling LMHC New York State
The 15-credit hour CAS/Bridge program in clinical mental health counseling is designed for students with a master’s degree in a related field (school counseling, school psychology, counseling psychology, etc.) who are interested in pursuing Mental Health Counseling licensure. The CAS/Bridge program in clinical mental health counseling will satisfy New York state's regulations for licensure and will prepare students to take the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination for licensure in New York state.
The change in the licensure laws for mental health practitioners resulted in many certified and non-certified master's-level clinicians (i.e. CASAC, NCC, CRC, school counselors) who need to pursue a course of continued study that will lead to eligibility to sit for NYS licensure. The CAS in clinical mental health counseling is designed to provide advanced courses and clinical experiences in clinical mental health counseling that will meet New York state educational requirements.
All CAS/Bridge program applicants will take a minimum of 15 credit hours. Depending on courses completed toward a master's degree, some applicants may be required to take additional courses due to the curriculum of their previous master's in order to meet New York state licensure requirements. State counselor licensure is New York is called licensed mental health counselor (LMHC). The courses listed below have been approved by the New York Department of Education as the Niagara University bridge program.
Dr. Shannon Hodges
shodges@niagara.edu
716.286.8328
Dr. Hodges talks about NU's programs in clinical mental health counseling, including its unique bridge program.