Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Franc Hudspeth, PhD, LPC-S (AR & MS), NCC, ACS, RPT-S, RPh
Chair, Department of Counselor Education
Phone: 203-307-0332
Email: hudspethe@sacredheart.edu
Sacred Heart University's Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree is a 60-hour program that will prepare students to assist individuals experiencing significant life stress and presenting problems such as: low self-esteem, job loss, depression, substance abuse, grief, anxiety, family violence, relationship issues, eating disorders, and other mental health related challenges.
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed to meet the highest level of accreditation standards for counseling programs and has a foundation in The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) 2016 Standards. It will meet the academic portion of licensure requirements in a majority of states throughout the U.S.
Mission
Sacred Heart University’s (SHU) Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is uniquely designed with the mission, vision, and values of SHU at its heart. In the spirit of whole person wellness, the philosophical tenants of counseling, as a field, align well with SHU. With careful attention to the comprehensive standards set forth by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), SHU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed in a way that focuses on integrity, respect, and the ethical care of our students and those they serve. Building on SHU’s experience of delivering academic excellence in a low-residency, online format will allow for broader outreach to a diverse student population.
The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program strongly supports SHU’s Farrington College of Education & Human Development's goal of preparing educational leaders to “personally and professionally make a difference in the global community.” Additionally, the program aligns to Sacred Heart University’s Core Values. Specifically, the program is committed to excellence by actively pursuing truth and knowledge through teaching and scholarship of its faculty and students. The program is committed to the common good of society by addressing significant (and growing) societal issues. It explicitly recognizes the dignity and worth of every human being by focusing on prevention, resilience, and holistic well-being.
Methods of Instruction
The 60 hour Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree at Sacred Heart University is a low-residency, online program. Students complete two (2) week-long, on-ground residency experiences at the Sacred Heart campus in Fairfield, CT. One residency occurs in the first term within the program, and the second residency occurs in the term prior to student's commencement of their clinical experience courses. Courses within the program include both asynchronous and synchronous instruction and is conducted through the learning management system, Blackboard Ultra. During the final terms of the program, students will have clinical placements in a clinical mental health counseling setting.
State Licensure
The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree at Sacred Heart University is designed to prepare students to meet the educational requirements for licensure in many states.
Students have a responsibility to understand the specific educational requirements for licensure of the state in which they intend to apply and practice. Students should also be aware of any changes to those licensure educational requirements. If a student moves to another state, the requirements for licensure may be different from the state where they currently live. As such, students are responsible for determining the licensure requirements in the state to which they relocate. The National Board for Certified Counselors provides a directory of all state professional counselor licensure boards.
Sacred Heart University does not guarantee that completion of its Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree will result in state licensure. In addition to successful completion of the degree, students will need to meet other requirements prior to state licensure, which include but are not limited to, successful completion of a national exam, post-master’s, clinical experience, and post-master’s supervision requirements. Also, students are responsible for understanding if a background check is required as a part of applying for licensure and for understanding if their own life events create any barriers to licensure.
Accreditation
Sacred Heart University is a private, nonprofit university accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Currently, Sacred Heart University’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree is not accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.