Mar 29, 2024  
Ohio University Graduate Catalog 2017-19 
    
Ohio University Graduate Catalog 2017-19 [Archived Catalog]

Clinical Mental Health Counseling - ME


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs

Degree Title: Master of Education

Program Name and Number: Clinical Mental Health Counseling - ME6278

Department/Unit: Department of Counseling and Higher Education

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus with an annual fall intake. May be offered at Ohio University regional campuses but not annually.

Terms of Entry: [Fall | Spring | Summer]

Program Mission: The mission of the Master’s Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is to prepare highly competent professional counselors with an integrated counseling style, characterized by the recognition of the need to work with a client in a variety of areas including cognitive processes, feelings, and behavioral processes.

Program Learning Objectives: Successful completion of the M.Ed. specializing in clinical mental health counseling prepares students to:

  1. Become familiar with the requirements for a professional counselor, the body of literature and research that is central to the field, and professional preparation standards which impact the field as a whole.
  2. Become familiar with the typical characteristics of individuals and communities served by a variety of institutions and agencies that offer clinical mental health counseling services.
  3. Develop knowledge and understanding of models, methods, and principles of program development and service delivery for a clientele based on assumptions of human and organizational development, including prevention, implementation of support groups, peer facilitation training, parent education, career/occupational information and counseling, and encouragement of self-help.
  4. Learn to develop effective strategies for promoting client understanding of and access to community resources.
  5. Develop knowledge and application of principles and models of biopsychosocial assessment, case conceptualization, theories of human development and concepts of normalcy and psychopathology leading to diagnoses and appropriate counseling plans.
  6. Acquire knowledge of the principles of diagnosis and the use of current diagnostic tools, including the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.
  7. Learn to develop effective strategies for client advocacy in public policy and other matters of equity and accessibility.
  8. Develop knowledge and application of appropriate individual, couple, family, group, and systems modalities for initiating, maintaining, and terminating counseling, including the use of crisis intervention, and brief, intermediate, and long-term approaches.
  9. Acquire an understanding of ethical and legal considerations related specifically to the practice of clinical mental health counseling.

Program Overview:  The Master of Education specializing in Clinical Mental Health (CMH) Counseling at Ohio University is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). By maintaining CACREP accreditation, the program strives to provide the highest quality of faculty and curriculum standards. The master’s program in CMH counseling consists of core coursework in counseling required for all counseling majors, including coursework in theory and techniques, appraisal, human development, research methodology, and group counseling. The CMH counseling specialization requires additional coursework in CMH counseling, including courses in psychopathology and diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. All students must complete a supervised practicum of 100 hours and an internship of 600 hours in a clinical setting under the supervision of a licensed professional clinical counselor with a supervisory endorsement. Graduates of the program are eligible for licensure as Professional Counselors in the state of Ohio, and would have to pass the examination required by the Ohio Counselor Social Worker Marriage and Family Therapy Board. Upon successful completion of the academic requirements in the CMH Counseling program, the Counselor Education program will formally endorse the student for the Professional Counselor license and/or employment appropriate to the CMH counseling program.

Concentrations: Students completing the CMH counseling specialization may elect to complete coursework for specializations in other areas such a school counseling or rehabilitation counseling. This would require additional coursework and practicum and internship experiences.

Opportunities for Graduates: Graduates will be eligible to apply for professional counseling positions in clinical settings.

Link to Program: http://www.ohio.edu/education/academic-programs/counseling-and-higher-education/counselor-education/clinical-mental-health-counseling.cfm

Graduation Requirements:

  • Minimum of 60 semester hours required
  • Practicum of 100 clock hours and Internship of 600 clock hours to be completed in a clinical setting under the supervision of a licensed professional clinical counselor with supervisory endorsement
  • Expected time to degree if studying fulltime is 6 semesters.

Culminating Experience: Portfolio

Admission Requirements: Applicants for the M.Ed. Program in Counseling must apply online to Ohio University’s Graduate College http://www.ohio.edu/graduate/apply/

Beyond Ohio University requirements for graduate admission including a minimum of a 4-year undergraduate degree and a TOEFL of 80+ or an IELTS of 6.5 for non-native English speakers, the following materials are required to be submitted:

  • Transcripts showing a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.9 or higher
    • Students with a GPA lower than 2.9 may apply by submitting Verbal and Quantitative scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  • Three letters of recommendation written by current or former professors or supervisors, or others in the field who can address the applicant’s suitability for a graduate program in counseling.
    • Note that letters of recommendation must be submitted online by the authors of the letters. However if your references prefer to submit hard copies please contact Graduate College to check on how to submit hard copies. Program faculty may contact your references for further information.
  • Personal Statement of approximately 5 double-spaced typed pages from the applicant addressing specific questions including:
    • What are your career goals? What experiences and/or persons in your life have influenced your career goals?
    • What experiences have you had that you believe would help you be successful in a graduate program in counselor education?
    • Describe your personal characteristics that will be assets and challenges to your study in counselor education. What qualities do you possess that you think would enable you to become an effective counselor?
    • Describe your culturally relevant interpersonal experiences with individuals or groups who are different from you (race, gender, age, disability status, etc.).
    • Counselor preparation involves a great deal of self-exploration and discovery. How will you manage your personal and professional boundaries in this process?
    • What distinguishes you from other candidates for the counselor education program?

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs