Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Master of Science)

develop effective counseling skills and broad-based expertise

Clinical mental health counseling is the practice of helping people maintain the emotional, psychological, and intellectual well-being that creates the capacity to function in society.

In-Person and Hybrid

 

Clinical mental health counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish wellness, education, and career goals. This program prepares graduates to work with a diverse population of clients in various settings, such as mental health agencies, private practice, juvenile justice settings, and programs that address drug and alcohol abuse. The program helps prepare students to meet the counseling needs in Georgia and society.

Clinical mental health counselors possess the knowledge, skills, abilities, and training to provide a wide array of clinical mental health services. These persons, with integrity, support the dignity and value of each person in society. They make every reasonable effort to protect human welfare, abiding by and supporting the highest professional standards in the profession of counseling. Graduates from the FVSU Master of Science degree program in Clinical Mental Health counseling have acquired the advanced knowledge, skills, experiences, dispositions, and technical competencies to function effectively as clinical mental health counselors in the 21st century.

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Program at Fort Valley State University requires sixty (60) credit hours.

The program is administered through the College of Education.

Students in this graduate program take courses in counseling theories and process, career and lifestyle development, statistics and measurement, group theory, behavior assessment and modification, human growth and development, research, multicultural counseling, substance abuse and addictions counseling, clinical diagnosis and treatment, family counseling and guidance, crisis counseling, psychological tests and evaluation, and psychopathology, among other courses. Students complete three field experiences, including a practicum and two internships. The graduates are eligible for licensure in the State of Georgia. The program is administered through the College of Education and Professional Studies.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Fort Valley State University is a sixty (60) credit hour master’s level program. The program is administered by the College of Education and Professional Studies Department of Counseling. The program’s coursework is offered on a semester basis. When enrolled in courses representing approximately nine (9) to twelve (12) hours a semester, a student can expect to complete the program in five (5) to seven (7) semesters. This equates to approximately two and a half years (when taking four classes a semester) or three and a half years (when taking three courses a semester).

The program is fully aligned with the standards established by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs and the requirements of the State of Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists. This program prepares graduates to work with a diverse population of clients in various settings, such as mental health agencies, private practice, juvenile justice settings, and programs that address drug and alcohol abuse. The program helps students develop effective counseling skills and gain broad-based expertise to meet the counseling needs in Georgia and society.

Program Mission

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling students will: 

• Demonstrate knowledge and skills that reflect foundational understandings of key principles and models of 21st Century clinical mental health counseling conducive to efficacious treatment and prevention of emotional and mental health disorders in various mental health settings  
• Apply the knowledge and skills that promote mental health practice that is professional, legal, ethical, and culturally responsive to the needs of diverse individuals, groups, and communities  
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills that encourage dynamic professional identity development through active engagement and participation in the learning environment; professional advisement and mentorship with program faculty; positive peer interactions, active professional organization membership, and successful completion of experiential activities to include field experience work.

Program Accreditation

The CMHC program is pursuing accreditation through the Council on the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP is a nationally recognized organization and is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. The State of Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists also recognizes this organization and the Licensed Professional Counselor Association of Georgia (LPCAGA). Fort Valley State University is regionally accredited through the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC). Graduates of the program will be eligible for Georgia licensure.

Program Delivery Format

Most courses are delivered in a face-to-face or hybrid format. Content delivery methods include lectures, internet activities, handouts, videos, community learning, guest speakers, and presentations. The CMHC program is not an online program; however, with permission, students may be able to take an online course under exceptional circumstances. For additional information regarding program delivery format guidelines, please review the CMHC Program Handbook.

Course Requirements for MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60 Hours)

Graduation Requirements

Prospective graduates must take and pass all required coursework with a letter grade of “B” or better, obtain and maintain a 3.0 grade point average, pass the Comprehensive Professional Counselor Exam (CPCE), and demonstrate competency regarding counselor disposition and clinical skills. The CMHC program also adheres to the graduation requirements of the Graduate Studies Office. Please refer to the program graduation handbook and the Graduate Student Handbook.

Admission Application Requirements

1. A Completed Graduate Application
2. Application Processing Fee (non-refundable)
   • $20 – Domestic Applicants
   • $75 – International Applicants
3. A Professional Resume
4. A Statement of Purpose
   • The statement must be between 550-600 words. The Statement of Purpose should be in essay format and include personal characteristics/disposition, professional goals, academic background, research, work/volunteer experience and why you wish to pursue a graduate degree in the respective area.
5. Three Professional Recommendations
   • Letters of recommendation must be submitted using the FVSU Recommendation form for Graduate Admission.
6. Official Transcripts from each postsecondary institution (College/University) attended. The transcript should show all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades earned.
7. Immunization records
   • International Transcript Evaluation: Transcripts from educational institutions outside the United States must be evaluated by any current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) (https://www.naces.org/members.html) with a course-by-course evaluation and grade point average (GPA) included. The transcript must be received directly from the evaluation service/agency.

All materials must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies before the CMHC admissions team will review your application. Partial applications will not be reviewed. Once a complete application is received, the admissions team will score the application components prescribed by the Office of Graduate Studies. The applicant will be notified of their acceptance status by the Office of Graduate Studies. Applications must be received by the admission deadline for review. Applications received after the admission deadline will be considered for the next admission date.