Counseling—Clinical Mental Health Counseling Option, M.A.
The M.A. in Counseling with an option in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares counselors for positions in community mental health and human service agencies, schools, universities, hospitals, government, business, industry, and independent practice, and provides the academic core courses for licensure. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the Department of Counselor Education at NJCU is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling Related and Educational Programs (CACREP).
Graduates of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program meet the academic eligibility requirements for New Jersey Licensed Associate Counselor and are eligible to take the National Counselor Examination.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Phase l | ||
| COUN 601 | Orientation to Professional Counseling and Ethics 1 | 3 |
| COUN 603 | Counseling and Developmental Psychology Across the Life Span | 3 |
| COUN 604 | Appraisal and Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 605 | Counseling Theories 1 | 3 |
| COUN 606 | Research Methodology and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| COUN 607 | Group Process 1 | 3 |
| COUN 608 | Counseling Skills 1 | 3 |
| COUN 609 | Differential Diagnosis of Maladaptive Behavior | 3 |
| COUN 610 | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| Phase ll | ||
| COUN 629 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 632 | Family and Couple Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 636 | Group Counseling Theory and Practice | 3 |
| COUN 650 | Foundations of Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 663 | Career Counseling and Development | 3 |
| COUN 686 | Case Conceptualization and Treatment Planning in Counseling | 3 |
| Phase lll | ||
| COUN 690 | Practicum in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 694 | Internship I | 3 |
| COUN 695 | Internship II | 3 |
| COUN TBD | Counseling Elective | 3 |
| COUN TBD | Counseling Elective | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
COUN 601, COUN 605, COUN 607, and COUN 608 must be completed within the first 12 credits, preferably in the first year of study, but no later than the second year.
New students in the M.A. in Counseling Program are admitted to begin study in the Fall or Spring semesters only.
This degree map is to be used as an example only. Please consult with your advisor in your first semester to develop your own degree map/academic plan.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
| COUN 605 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
| COUN 607 | Group Process | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| COUN 601 | Orientation to Professional Counseling and Ethics | 3 |
| COUN 603 | Counseling and Developmental Psychology Across the Life Span | 3 |
| COUN 608 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer 1 | ||
| COUN 629 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Summer 2 | ||
| COUN 632 | Family and Couple Counseling | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| COUN 629 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 636 | Group Counseling Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| COUN 606 | Research Methodology and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| COUN 686 | Case Conceptualization and Treatment Planning in Counseling | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer 1 | ||
| COUN 650 | Foundations of Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Summer 2 | ||
| COUN XXX Elective Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| COUN 636 | Group Counseling Theory and Practice | 3 |
| COUN 663 | Career Counseling and Development | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| COUN 690 | Practicum in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN XXX Elective Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| COUN 694 | Internship I | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| COUN 695 | Internship II | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 57 | |
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the M.A. in Counseling with an option in Clinical Mental Health Counseling students will:
1. Gain foundational knowledge and skills to become culturally and ethically competent professional counselor.
2. Develop necessary counseling skills and techniques to work effectively with diverse clients in the formats of individual, couples, families, and group counseling to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.
3. Demonstrate the highest standards of professional dispositions including but not limited to ethical behavior, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in evidence based practices (EBPs) or best practices, including assessment, diagnosis, prevention and intervention treatment, for a wide range of mental health and substance use issues.
5. Demonstrate leadership and advocacy skills to promote social justice and support both individual and systemic change for the purpose of promoting clients’ well-being.