Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Program Learning Outcomes

“Expected student learning outcomes specify the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes students are expected to attain in courses or in a program.” Page 69. Resource Manual for the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), 2018.

Through coursework and clinical training, students majoring in Clinical Mental Health Counseling will:

1. Exhibit proficiency in counseling skills unique to forming and utilizing professional relationships in school and community settings.
2. Perform competently in the foundational knowledge base, outlined by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Program (CACREP), as well as the specific subject matter (2016 CACREP Standards 5.C) required for delivery of ethical, professional care in a counseling specialization. The knowledge base required by CACREP include the following core area:
   • professional counseling orientation and ethical practice,
   • social and cultural diversity,
   • human growth and development,
   • career development,
   • counseling and helping relationships,
   • group counseling and group work,
   • assessment and testing, and
   • research and program evaluation (2016 CACREP Standards 2.F.1-8).
3. Demonstrate ability to integrate theologically informed and spiritually sensitive interventions in counseling practice when appropriate and desired by clients.
4. Effectively apply counseling knowledge, skills and dispositions in professional practice.

Getting Started

To meet the CACREP accreditation requirement, ALL students will participate in a mandatory online orientation prior to the start of their semester.

Core Counseling Courses (35 Credit Hours)

• COU 5133 - Counseling Skills and Characteristics 3 Credit Hours
• COU 5413 - Foundations of Counseling 3 Credit Hours
• COU 5103 - Counseling Theories and Techniques 3 Credit Hours
• COU 5003 - Human Growth and Development 3 Credit Hours
• COU 5033 - Research and Program Evaluation 3 Credit Hours
• COU 5113 - Group Theories and Practice 3 Credit Hours
• COU 5123 - Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards 3 Credit Hours
• COU 5403 - Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling 3 Credit Hours
• COU 5023 - Assessment and Testing 3 Credit Hours
• COU 5443 - Career Counseling and Development 3 Credit Hours
• COU 5163 - Foundations of Crisis, Trauma, and Disaster Counseling 3 Credit Hours
• COU 5173 - Faith, Spirituality, and Counseling 3 Credit Hours

Program Courses (21 Credit Hours)

• COU 5433 - Substance Abuse I: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention 3 Credit Hours
• COU 5323 - Human Sexuality Theory and Counseling Techniques 3 Credit Hours
• COU 5423 - Counseling in Community Settings 3 Credit Hours
• COU 5703 - Practicum 3 Credit Hours
• COU 5713 - Counseling Internship I 3 Credit Hours
• COU 5723 - Counseling Internship II 3 Credit Hours

Elective Approved by Advisor (3 Credit Hours)

Three additional credit hours are required to complete the program of study.

Sample Degree Plans

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Plan