The Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration is a 60-credit hour program appropriate for persons who plan to seek licensure in Indiana (or states with similar statutes) as a clinical mental health counselor. Four core courses (12 credit hours) are required, along with 4 semesters of the Counseling Proseminar (COUN 694 ). Nine advanced courses (21 credit hours which includes COUN 605 Comprehensive Exam and COUN 689 Counseling Exit Interview both for 0 credit hours), five elective courses (15 credit hours), and experiential training (12 credit hours of practicum, internship, and advanced internship, COUN 685 , COUN 686 , COUN 687 , and COUN 688 ) comprise the remainder of the curriculum. The experiential training includes 1,000 clock hours of supervised work in a clinical mental health counseling setting.
Admission
In addition to meeting the requirements for graduate admission (see here ), each applicant must be accepted into the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Applicants should complete the supplemental counseling application form. A minimum 3.000 (B = 3.000) overall grade point average for all undergraduate work is required. Applicants are expected also to have completed at least 15 semester hours with a minimum 3.000 grade point average in the socio/behavioral sciences (psychology, sociology, social work, human development, or other closely related fields). Applicants who lack appropriate background in these areas either may not be admitted or may be required to take additional courses to provide a sufficient knowledge base for successful professional development in the program. Admissions interview, letters of recommendation, employment and volunteer work, and a personal statement are also carefully considered by the admissions committee. The 4-6 page personal statement substitutes for the general essay required of all students seeking admission to a graduate program. Applicants may provide additional information, like GRE scores, if they feel this will assist their admission. Finally, due to the highly responsible nature of counseling and various certification requirements, it is expected that students admitted to this program exhibit and are committed to high ethical standards. The deadline for priority consideration is February 15.
A Student Handbook and program web site valpo.edu/psychology/academics are maintained by the Psychology Department and contain information and procedures related to the program and the admissions process. Those interested should obtain a copy of the handbook and the application materials by contacting the Graduate Office.
Note About Professional Liability Insurance and Criminal Background Check
In connection with the practice component within the counseling programs, all students must provide evidence of professional counseling liability insurance and clear a criminal background check. Students who fail to provide these requirements will not be allowed to work in field placement sites and risk dismissal from the program.
Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care
Graduate students enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program may also choose to pursue a Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care . Nine of the fifteen required credits for this certificate program can also fulfill CMHC elective credits. CMHC students should discuss this option with their advisor and contact the Graduate Office for more information about application and co-enrollment in the Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care program.
Pathway to the LCAC (Licensed Clinical Addictions Counseling)
Students enrolled in the CMHC program have the opportunity to obtain their LCAC license while completing the CMHC curriculum. The CMHC program has partnered with the state of Indiana and the Behavioral Health Acadamy to allow CMHC students to apply for completion of the LCAC through this program. You must be accepted into the program and complete the Behavioral Health Acadamy workbook and additional supervisions run by BHA while you are completing your internship requirements for the CMHC program at one of their appoved sites in the area. Please speak with your advisor for more information.
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