Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A.

This program is only available to individuals interested in pursuing licensure in the states of Missouri or Illinois.

 

Consistent with Maryville’s mission, the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, provides a quality, professional education that serves the community. This is a 60-credit hour program designed to adhere to the standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP). It is not currently accredited, and as per CACREP policy, however, this program will be applying for accreditation when eligible after the first students graduate in Spring of 2027. Any questions concerning accreditation, please contact Dr. Robert Bertolino (rbertolino@maryville.edu) or Dr. Katherine Kline (kkline@maryville.edu).

 

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Mission

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Program is dedicated to cultivating skilled, effective, compassionate, and culturally competent mental health professionals. Our mission is to provide an inclusive and rigorous educational environment that emphasizes the integration of theory, research, and practical experience. We strive to prepare our graduates to promote mental wellness, advocate for social justice, and address the diverse needs of individuals and communities. Through a commitment to ethical practice and lifelong learning, we empower our students to become leaders in the field of mental health counseling, fostering resilience and positive change in the lives of those they serve. The CMHC Program provides educational preparation for national certification and licensure as a professional counselor.

 

Maryville’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program provides the educational preparation for national certification, as well as Missouri and/or Illinois licensing as a professional counselor.

 

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Professional Identity: Develop a worldview that promotes one’s professional identity, highlights reflective practice, emphasizes personal growth and self-awareness, adherence to ethical standards, and is able to work in a variety of settings serving a diverse population.
2. Advocacy and Social Justice: Encourage advocacy for clients and communities, focusing on systemic issues that affect mental health and access to services, and a respect for diversity and the dignity of all.
3. Theoretical Knowledge: Provide a strong foundation in various counseling theories and models to inform practice and enhance client care.
4. Cultural Competence: Demonstrate counselor awareness of their own values and biases, understanding of the worldviews of culturally different clients, and developing and implementing appropriate intervention strategies in working with culturally different clients as an ongoing professional practice.
5. Clinical Competence: Demonstrate clinical competence through the acquisition of knowledge, effective practice, demonstration of skills, and professional disposition.
6. Ethical Practice: Instill a commitment to ethical standards and professional conduct, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality, informed consent, and ethical decision-making.
7. Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Encourage the use of research to inform practice and promote evidence-based approaches to counseling.
8. Developmental Understanding: Explore human development across the lifespan to understand the different stages and factors affecting mental health.
9. Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Work: Prepare students to work collaboratively with other professionals, including psychologists, social workers, and medical personnel, to provide comprehensive care.
10. Practical Experience: Provide opportunities for supervised clinical experience through internships or practicums, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.

 

Through coursework and clinical experiences, the graduate student will integrate the critical knowledge and clinical skills necessary for professional practice. The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program provides the educational preparation for Missouri and Illinois licensing as a Professional Counselor (LPC) and national certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC). 

 

Program Overview and Evaluation

Students are admitted into the program during the fall, and spring semesters. Program evaluation is conducted each semester using numerous procedures to assess student outcomes. There are three full-time tenured faculty. Students can complete the program in 6-8 semesters, and the average cost of the program is $36,000 plus technology fees. Graduates from Maryville’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are eligible to sit for the National Counselor Exam (the licensure exam for Missouri and Illinois). All graduates successfully complete a capstone course consisting of an oral portfolio defense. For more information on Maryville’s enrollment and graduation numbers please see Maryville’s Planning Reference Guide.