Curriculum
Training for clinical mental health counselors requires the minimal of a 60-credit-hour program, with 1,000 hours of practicum/internship. Clinical mental health counselors work in clinics, hospitals, public and private agencies and college and university settings. Currently, 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico license mental health counselors. A Certificate of Advance Study is available for individuals with a related master’s degree.
Graduate students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program may also transfer in nine (9) graduate credit hours from another university.
Required Coursework
60 credit hours
EDU 595 - Introduction to Educational Research
EDU 651 - Introduction to Counseling
EDU 652 - Multicultural Counseling
EDU 654 - Counseling Theory and Practice
EDU 655 - Lifespan Development and Behavior
EDU 657 - Assessment in Counseling
EDU 658 - Counseling Process
EDU 659 - Wellness and the Counseling Process
EDU 664 - Career Counseling and Planning
EDU 666 - Abnormal Psychology
EDU 668 - Family Counseling
EDU 669 - Group Theory and Application
EDU 670 - Differential Diagnoses and Threatment Planning
EDU 671 - Psychopharmacology
EDU 672 - Bases to Drug & Alcohol Addiction
EDU 673 - Foundations and Ethics of Mental Health Counseling
EDU 679 - Mental Health Practicum
EDU 685 - Internship I
EDU 686 - Internship II
EDU 687 - Internship III
Defend a portfolio
Prior to completion of the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Mental Health Counseling, a student will complete and successfully defend a portfolio.
Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS)
A CAS program is available for persons with a related master's degree. Advisement and permission from the department are necessary before acceptance.
Internships
The program includes a three credit hour counseling practicum and a nine credit hour internship for a total of 1,000 clock hours of supervised experience.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
LMHC New York State Niagara University’s program meets New York state requirements and graduates are license eligible after 3,000 post master’s clock hours and passing of the state test. Also, graduates may take the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination to be a certified clinical mental health counselor (CCMHC). The mental health program is aligned with the standards of the Council for the Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).