Program Overview
The University of Providence’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program prepares students for exciting careers as professional mental health counselors. The graduate program’s specialty is clinical mental health counseling with concentrations in Addictions Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, providing students with the tools they need to become licensed professional counselors (LPC).
The content and clinical hours of the mental health counseling master’s degree program are structured to prepare students for the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) and to provide the necessary educational courses and supervision required for licensure in the State of Montana. The NCE is accepted for licensure in all 50 states.
Upon completion of the M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program, students are eligible to sit for the National Certification Exam (NCE) through the National Board for Certified Counselors. Students may explore various avenues of employment as professional counselors ranging from private practice and clinical practice to licensed mental health counselors in a hospital setting.
Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Program Highlights
Students will complete the clinical mental health master’s program prepared to function as professional, ethical and culturally competent mental health counselors and learn the proper competencies to prepare for the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in order to receive their accreditation of counseling or licensure as professional counselors (LPC/LCPC) through the NCE.
Tailor your education to your interests. If supported by enrollment, the University of Providence offers a specialized course sequence that you can complete in order to achieve certification in Addictions Counseling or Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling.
The University of Providence’s cohort model means that master’s in mental health counseling students will gain a sense of community and individual attention as they progress through the program with the same group of students.
All students who took the NCE exam immediately upon graduating during the 2017-2018 academic year passed the exam. Recent changes in the rules governing eligibility to take the licensure exam at the state level in Montana have also made it possible for students to take the exam at the end of their final year in the program.
The University of Providence is proud to share that our mental health counseling master’s degree program has a 90 percent student retention rate.
- Providence Partnership Tuition Discount
Providence St. Joseph employees can receive up to 50 percent off tuition with our partnership rate.
Program Curriculum
The mental health counseling master’s degree program consists of six 15-week semesters and two three-credit summer courses. All courses in the mental health counseling program are delivered online through either an asynchronous, synchronous, or hybrid face-to-face format.
There are three face-to-face online clinical skill development courses in blocks of four days during each of the first four semesters. In addition, there are 60-credit hours of courses specific to clinical mental health counseling, including required practicum and internship experiences, which may be offered in person.
The program can be completed at your own pace in a part- or full-time capacity. On average, students can complete the program in three years.
Students in the clinical mental health counseling degree program will take courses in counseling techniques, psychopathology, research, testing and theories of counseling, all of which are designed to build a solid understanding of the fundamentals of psychology and counseling treatments.
New cohorts begin in August of each year and annual Fall enrollment is 24 students (new and continuing).
For more details on the curriculum, review the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program curriculum.
