Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S.

Overview

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S. program at Saint Joseph’s University will prepare you to work as a licensed counselor serving clients, including individuals and families, who struggle with addiction, relational difficulties, self-harm, thoughts of suicide and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. The 60-credit program includes 700 hours of supervised fieldwork and an optional built-in certificate in addiction counseling.

The United States is seeing a rise in demand for mental health counselors and addiction specialists throughout the country. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), nearly 20% of adults in the United States experienced mental illness in the past year (2019). Now more than ever, it’s important that the individuals who fill counseling roles approach their work with an empathic, human-centered and ethical approach.

At Saint Joseph’s University’s School of Health Studies and Education, this is the core of our philosophy and the foundation for our program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Home of the Center for Addiction Recovery and Education (CARE), the School of Health Studies and Education prepares practitioners to earn the credentials, experience and skills they need to provide care for communities in need.

Earn Your Counseling License

Developed by faculty who are practitioners and experts in their field, the Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S. degree meets Pennsylvania requirements for Licensed professional counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification, the primary certification of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).

PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME, MOSTLY ONLINE

Saint Joseph's University's M.S. in clinical mental health counseling can primarily be completed online, with the exception of the hands-on practicum and internship experiences. Full-time students can complete the program in as little as two years, while working professionals can opt to enroll part-time, taking classes at their own pace.

HOW WILL SAINT JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY ADVANCE MY CAREER IN COUNSELING?

Saint Joseph's Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S. program covers a range of topics that will help enhance your career in mental health counseling. As part of the program, you will complete a practicum and two internships, allowing you to earn the 700 hours of supervised experience needed to earn your credentials.

Courses in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S. program include:

Ethical, legal and professional issues in counseling
Counseling across the lifespan
Cultural diversity, identity and social justice issues in counseling
Crisis counseling for trauma, violence and abuse
Addiction counseling

ADD AN ADDICTION COUNSELING CERTIFICATE

Saint Joseph’s 12-credit Addiction Counseling Certificate can be built into your M.S. in clinical mental health counseling without adding to the overall 60-credit requirement. This certificate will help you address the growing need for practitioners to serve individuals suffering from mental health issues and addiction. The Addiction Counseling Certificate meets the academic requirements for the Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) certification and the National Board for Certified Counselor (NBCC) Master Addictions Counselor (MAC).

The four-course sequence of the Addiction Counseling Certificate program includes:

Addictions counseling
Family systems and addictions counseling
Prevention, diagnosis treatment and recovery in addictions
Psychopharmacology and addictions treatment

WHAT CAN I DO WITH AN M.S. IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING?

A graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling will give you the knowledge and experience to move into an in-demand counseling profession. Clinical mental health counselors and addiction counseling specialists work in a variety of settings including private practice, education, healthcare and community agencies.

Positions include:

Counselor
College counselor
Family counselor
Addiction counselor
Mental health specialist

Nearly 100,000 new counseling jobs are projected to be added through 2028. This is a projected growth rate of over 20%, far outpacing the 5.2% for all other occupations.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

At a Glance

Length	24 months
Start Terms	Fall, Spring, Summer
Format	On Campus
Credits & Concentrations	60 Credits
Housing	While most graduate students commute, we do offer on and off-campus housing options for adult and graduate students.
Graduate assistantships	Graduate assistantships are offered on a limited basis. Please contact the program director for availability.
International Students	This program accepts candidates from across the globe and qualifies international students for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Discount Eligibility	Alumni of Saint Joseph's are eligible to receive 10% off the cost of this program through our alumni discount. Completed a year or more of service with a recognized service organization? You may be eligible for our mission discount. Check with your employer to see if they are an Edcor or a Bright Horizons EdAssist member, which may entitle you to a discount on graduate programs. *note - discounts cannot be combined.
Veterans	Saint Joseph's is a Yellow Ribbon School that accepts GI education benefits. Our Office of Veterans Services can help you access and understand your benefits.

Addiction Counseling Certificate

The Addiction Counseling Certificate program at Saint Joseph’s University will prepare you to work as a certified addiction counselor. This 12-credit, fully online program can be completed in as little as two semesters or combined with the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. If not taken as part of the M.S. program, a relevant graduate degree is a required prerequisite.

Social, Emotional and Behavioral Wellness Endorsement

Social and emotional (SEL) learning is the process by which children and adults acquire the skills necessary for managing emotions, showing empathy, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, making responsible decisions, and setting and achieving positive goals. These skills must be practiced in social contexts, including classroom and school environments. This endorsement will prepare you to help students develop these skills.

Applied Behavior Analysis: Post-Master’s Certificate

For over twenty years, the graduate program in criminal justice at Saint Joseph’s University has been at the forefront of education in intelligence-led policing and criminal justice administration. Our program allows you to create a unique plan of study that is compatible with your interests and career objectives in both the public and private sectors.