Counseling, M.A. (Clinical Mental Health Concentration)

General Program Information

The counseling program is designed for the advanced preparation of personnel to serve children, adults, and families in various school and community agency settings. The counseling program offers two concentrations: clinical mental health counseling and elementary/secondary school counseling. Emphasis is placed upon assisting students to develop a broad range of counseling skills that are applicable in a variety of professional settings. Students are admitted into the counseling program once a year in the fall or summer semesters. Applications that are not complete by the early deadline risk denial of admission due to no remaining available spaces. A minimum of 60 credits are required to complete the Master of Arts degree in Counseling. The Elementary/Secondary School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling options are accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Faculty: Jon Borland; Christine Lewis-Pugh; Rebecca Milner; Christine Oaks; Mickey White

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Mickey White, Ph.D., Assistant Professor  and Clinical Mental Health Concentration Coordinator

Clinical Mental Health Counseling-This program is for students seeking preparation for counseling in community agency settings. Electives will be chosen from disciplines relevant to the area of professional interest of each student. Graduates who have completed the concentration in clinical mental health counseling will demonstrate professional skills for working in community mental health agencies, substance abuse centers, correctional facilities, employee assistance programs, hospice services, or other human service settings.

Counseling, M.A. Degree Requirements: 60 credits

Counseling Core Requirements: 39 credits

• COUN 5100 - Groups: Processes and Practice (3 credits)
• COUN 5110 - Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling (3 credits)
• COUN 5150 - Career Development: Theory, Research and Practice (3 credits)
• COUN 5420 - Theories and Practice: Couples and Families (3 credits)
• COUN 5430 - Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Counseling (3 credits)
• COUN 5550 - Theories and Practice: Individuals (3 credits)
• COUN 5555 - Counseling Process and Skills: Individual, Couples, and Families (3 credits)
• COUN 5570 - Supervised Counseling Practicum (3 credits)
• COUN 5810 - Psychological Assessment in Counseling (3 credits)
• COUN 5880 - Internship in Counseling (1-6 credits) (2 semesters for a total of 6 credits)
• COUN 5950 - Research and Evaluation for Counseling and Human Services (3 credits)
• HDAL 5230 - Advanced Developmental Psychology (3 credits)

Clinical Mental Health Concentration: 18 credits

• COUN 5250 - Introduction to Clinical Mental Health (3 credits)
• COUN 5255 - Clinical Issues in Mental Health Counseling (3 credits)
• COUN 5440 - Treating Trauma and Abuse in the Family (3 credits)
• COUN 5549 - Substance Abuse: Counseling Individuals and Families (3 credits)
• COUN 5825 - Developmental Psychopathology for Counselors (3 credits)
• Advisor Approved Elective (3 credits)

Thesis or Non-Thesis Option: 3 credits

• COUN 5960 - Thesis (1-3 credits) /Non-Thesis Option or Elective (3 credits)

Note:

* Will be LPC eligible upon Graduation. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) eligible means that students will have met the academic requirements for these licenses in the state of Tennessee (and many other states.)

Additional Information

Recommended Electives-It is recommended that students, with written approval of their advisor or advisory committee, choose electives with a focus clearly related to their specific professional objectives. Coursework can be chosen from the disciplines of counseling, special education, criminal justice, social work, sociology, psychology, early childhood education, health education, personnel management, and other approved disciplines. Courses should be approved for elective credit before the courses are taken.

Retention and Dismissal-As required by ACA and AAMFT, students failing to demonstrate personal, professional, and/or ethical behaviors, as these behaviors relate to the ability to function as a counselor, upon review and  substantiation (with due process), can be denied continuance in counseling programs. If intervention is indicated and completed, the student may petition the department for readmission.

Students are responsible for being familiar with and following all graduate school admission and retention requirements as stated in the front section of this catalog and in the counseling graduate student handbook.