Shenika Jones, Ph.D.
Visiting Associate Professor and Program Director of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
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. Affordable tuition starts at $905 per credit.
What Is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S.?
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.
Accredited 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 Degree Program
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.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S./Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate Dual Program
This unique 72-credit program meets Pennsylvania LPC, NCC and BCBA requirements and prepares students to use a behavioral analytic approach to intervention when working with individuals who struggle with addiction, relational difficulties, self-harm, thoughts of suicide and mental health disorders.
What Can I Do with a Master'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.
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
Program Director
At a Glance
| Length | 2.5 years with summer attendance |
| Start Terms | Fall and spring |
| Format | Online |
| Credits & Concentrations | 60 Credits |
| Tuition for 2021-2022 | $905 per credit |
| Graduate assistantships | Graduate assistantships are offered on a limited basis. Please contact the program director for availability. |
| Discount Eligibility |
*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. |
For additional information regarding whether SJU’s programs meet educational requirements for professional licensure/certification, please visit https://www.sju.edu/disclosures.
Related Programs
Saint Joseph’s healthcare management stackable certificate will prepare you to develop healthcare organizations and lead in an effective, compelling manner. The certificate can be completed as a standalone certificate or as part of Saint Joseph's stackable MBA.
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 graduate certificate will prepare you to help students develop these skills.
The online Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) certificate program at Saint Joseph's prepares students to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam when accompanied with a master's degree. The program curriculum explores both the theoretical and methodological foundations of behavior analysis.