Program Requirements for Degree Completion
The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires a minimum of 60 semester hours of didactic and experiential coursework, including a 100 hour practicum and a 600 hour internship in a public or private counseling agency. The course of study balances theory and practice and provides the prospective counselor with a firm foundation for developing counseling strategies as well as the ability to apply intervention tactics. Courses are integrated into a comprehensive program providing an excellent foundation for professional counseling practice.
Course Requirements
The following courses are required of all students:
| CSL 501 | Research and Evaluation for Mental Health Counselors | 3 |
| CSL 502 | Human Growth and Personality Development | 3 |
| CSL 503 | Professional, Ethical, and Legal Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| CSL 504 | Theories and Techniques of Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CSL 505 | Theories and Techniques of Marriage and Family Counseling | 3 |
| CSL 506 | Therapeutic Techniques of Counseling | 3 |
| CSL 520 | Mental Health Appraisal | 3 |
| CSL 521 | Lifestyle and Career Development | 3 |
| CSL 607 | Issues in Psychological and Spiritual Integration | 3 |
| CSL 621 | Group Dynamics and Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CSL 623 | Social and Cultural Foundations | 3 |
| CSL 624 | Practicum in Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CSL 625 | Internship in Mental Health Counseling I | 3 |
| CSL 626 | Internship in Mental Health Counseling II | 3 |
| CSL 635 | Introduction to Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| CSL 637 | Diagnosis for Mental Health Counselors | 3 |
| Four Electives | |
The above program involves a minimum of 60 credits of graduate coursework. Most courses are 3 or 4 credit hours. Courses cover the didactic and experiential areas recommended by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) for graduate counselor education and training. The curriculum is designed to meet the requirements for certification by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), and it fulfills the course demands for counselor licensure in most states, though students are strongly encouraged to explore the licensure requirements in the state in which they intend to reside.
The full-time student who intends to graduate in two years will need to take courses for two full academic years (Fall and Spring semesters) as well as one summer semester (usually between year one and year two). Students can opt to take the program on a part-time basis. Successful completion of at least 60 credit hours of classroom, practicum, and internship courses is required for graduation. Students in the CMHC Program must maintain a minimum 3.0 QPA and must not receive lower than a “B-“grade in all core courses and all elective courses counted towards the 60 credit program minimum for graduation. Students who receive lower than a “B-“ in any core course or any elective course that will be counted towards the 60 credit minimum required for graduation will be required to retake the course prior to qualifying for graduation.
Christian Counseling Concentration
Christian Counseling Concentration may be earned by students who have completed the Master of Arts degree requirements in Clinical Mental Health Counseling including the following two electives:
| CSL 607 | Issues in Psychological and Spiritual Integration | 3 |
| CSL 631 | Human Sexuality and Christian Marriage and Family Counseling | 3 |
| CSL 634 | Pastoral Counseling | 3 |
Master’s/Post-Master’s Course of Study in Clinical Counseling
A student seeking an LPC or a professional seeking an LPCC license in the state of Ohio who has not graduated from a 60 hour CACREP accredited program must complete 60 semester hours of graduate work covering the 11 content areas as defined in Section 4757-13-01 of the Ohio Revised Code. Persons who hold a master’s degree in counseling of less than 60 semester hours or a degree that does not include clinical content courses required by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board can complete these courses in the CMHC Program as a non-degree student.
Practicum and Internship
The Practicum (CSL 624) involves both small group and individual supervision by faculty and site supervisors. Under supervision, students will provide approximately eight hours per week of professional counseling services for a total of 100 hours.
The Internship (CSL 625 AND CSL 626) consists of at least 600 hours of professional counseling service. The internship involves supervision at the internship site by an appropriate mental health professional as well as small group and individual supervision by a faculty supervisor.
Most students complete their internship requirements over the fall and spring semesters of the second year. Students may also elect to begin their internships during the summer between their first and second year in order to complete their internship requirements in the fall semester of the second year. In making practicum and internship placements, the program helps students to match their experience, skills, and interests with the needs of the practicum or internship agency. It is the student’s responsibility to prepare a résumé or curriculum vitae to submit to a prospective practicum or internship agency and to have a personal interview at the agency as part of the practicum or internship assignment process. Final decisions about practicum and internship placement are made mutually by the student, the program, and the agency.
As is customary, students are expected to carry liability insurance and to provide their own transportation to the practicum and internship sites.
The Program is accredited as a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Franciscan University’s CMHC Program fulfills the necessary educational and training components to allow graduates to apply for counselor licensure in Ohio and most other states and to pursue national certification through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Applicants for licensure in Ohio must also pass the National Counselor Exam (NCE) for the LPC and the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE) for the LPCC (independent practitioner license). 3000 hours of supervised clinical service (post-graduation) are also necessary for independent licensure (LPCC) in Ohio.