M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program is highly valued by candidates seeking licensure as professional counselors, those planning to pursue a doctoral degree, those interested in teaching and/or research, those seeking human service counseling positions in a variety of settings and more!
Students will receive a comprehensive background in counseling theories, empirical research findings, counseling skills, and treatment approaches necessary for the effective delivery of services in a variety of mental health settings. The program places a particular emphasis upon developing strong skills in differential diagnosis, case conceptualization, ethical practice, personal growth, multicultural sensitivity and evidence-based practices.
The Master's of Clinical Mental Health Counseling program consists of 60 credit hours of graduate work. This counseling master's program prepares students to sit for the National Counselor Exam (NCE) in order to apply for licensure as Licensed Associate Counselors (LAC). Once graduates of the program complete additional experience requirements by working in the field, they are eligible for full licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). We strongly recommend that all students interested in pursuing licensure in NJ become familiar with the NJ state regulations and keep abreast of any relevant changes to these regulations. Please see the Professional Counselor Examiners Committee webpage for additional information.
Students are required to complete at least 600 hours of supervised clinical practice in a mental health setting, which provides a hands-on approach for honing skills to be effective, ethical counselors.
The application deadline for the Fall 2024 semester is February 15, 2024 (candidates selected for interview will be contacted in early March). However, if a cohort is not filled, applications may be considered after the deadline. Please contact Rowan Global Admissions at 856.256.4747 or global@rowan.edu to inquire if applications are still being accepted.
For additional information and application materials, please visit: Global Learning & Partnerships
Interested in our program? We encourage you to attend a Rowan Global Information Session.
**If you already have an MA degree in counseling (or a closely related field) and you need additional coursework in order to achieve the "60 credit" NJ requirement, then you may be interested in our Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Mental Health Counseling.
Coursework and Licensure Preparation
PDF of coursework schedule
Faculty
List of core faculty & affiliated faculty
Links of Interest
Ethical codes, laws, licensing information and certification information, and professional associations and organizations
Admissions
The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Mental Health Counseling is intended for individuals who have already completed a master's degree in counseling (or related field) and need additional graduate course work in order to have the 60 credits required for state licensure (LAC/LPC) and/or national certification (NCC). Additionally, the program is available for mental health professionals in the community seeking to enhance their professional development. The courses within the certificate program are intended to be advanced courses within the profession that will allow students to improve their practical knowledge and skills. Students typically complete 12 semester hours of graduate credits in classes taught by the Clinical Mental Health Program within the Department of Psychology in order to bring their total credits to the state requirement of 60. The 12 semester hours may be completed by taking a combination of courses within the program. However, individual courses may have prerequisites associated with them. Given that some degrees total more (or fewer) than 48 credits, we occasionally accept individuals who request more (or fewer) than 12 semester hours and/or specific courses that are normally part of our own master's degree program. Any exceptions should be discussed with the Program Coordinator. Students who simply need particular coursework (e.g., to obtain the 60 credits required for state licensure (LPC) and national certification/personal growth, etc.) may register for up to 9 graduate credits as non-matriculated students to meet their own individual needs. If additional credits are needed, students should apply to the program. (Please contact Rowan Global Student Services to register as a non-matriculant. Please note: It is highly recommended that all CAGS students seek to matriculate.) Students matriculated (applied and admitted) must follow the program requirements as outlined. Please consult with the Program Coordinator to discuss your enrollment needs.
Admission requirements for the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Mental Health Counseling Program include:
- Completed Science & Mathematics Application Form
- Completed Rowan Global Foundation Course Completion Form
- Note about Foundation Courses: Applicants must have successfully completed at least 12 credits of undergraduate-level Psychology courses at an accredited institution, including one course in Abnormal Psychology, one course in Statistics, and one course in Research Methods.
- $65 (U.S.) non-refundable application fee
- Bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited institution of higher learning
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended (regardless of number of credits earned)
- Current professional resume
- Applicants should include a statement on the professional resume that verifies evidence of applied skills including research proficiency and work experience within a mental health setting (e.g., field experience, volunteer work, employment).
- Typewritten statement of professional objectives
- Two letters of recommendation
- Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
Financial Aid & Assistantships
For information about Financial Aid, click here.
For information about Graduate Assistantships, click here.
For information about Graduate Tuition and Fees, click here.
Alumni
Click here to fill out our Alumni Questionnaire so we can keep in touch about any important updates/changes. We are also interested to hear how you are doing.
Check out Employment Opportunities within Rowan and in Local Organizations.
Contact
For additional program information and inquiries, please contact:
Ms. Briget Nunn MA, LPC, NCC
Coordinator, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs
Email: nunn@rowan.edu
Phone: 856-256-4500 x 3757
Office: Robinson 116B
Office Hours: Email for appointment
