CLINICAL mental health counseling
Program Description
The Department of Counselor Education’s 60-credit Clinical Mental Health Counseling program (MS) prepares students to provide individual as well as group care to a diverse set of clients experiencing any number of complex mental health concerns. Particular focus is paid to the application of evidence-based practices as students learn to conceptualize, diagnose, and provide treatment across a variety of clinical settings with different populations. Our CACREP-accredited program meets all educational requirements to become a Nationally Certified Counseling (NCC) as well as for licensure in Pennsylvania as well as the majority of states throughout the country.
Clinical Settings
A career in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is incredibly versatile, preparing you to work in a variety of settings including:
- Private practice
- Psychiatric hospitals
- Correctional facilities
- College and university locations
- Intensive outpatient facilities
- Substance abuse treatment centers
- Employee assistance programs
- Residential facilities
- And more…
Program Snapshot
- Fully face-to-face program
- 60 credits (20 courses)
- 8 Core Courses
- 6 Specialty Courses
- 3 Electives
- Field Experience (9 credits/700 hours)
Advising sheet
- Evening classes (4:00p – 6:45p OR 7:00p – 9:45p)
- Located at the Graduate Center on McDermott Drive, West Chester
- May be completed in as little as 2.5 years
provide evidenced-based care
As scientist-practitioners, Clinical Mental Health Counselors are trained to provide evidenced-based care to clients experiencing a variety of mental health concerns including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Crisis- and trauma-related issues
- Eating Disorders
- Personality Disorders
- Bipolar Disorders
- Psychotic Disorders
- Eating Disorders
- And more…
Admissions Requirements
- Completed Graduate Application with goal statement
- Official undergraduate academic transcripts (min. GPA 3.0)
- Two academic/professional recommendations
- Applications accepted once per year
- Completed applications must be submitted by February 1st for the applicant to be considered for the Fall term.
Check the status of your application by contacting the Graduate School at GradAdmissions@wcupa.edu or 610.436.2943.
What are students saying about the CMHC Program?
Allee Cavallo
CMHC Graduate
"The quality of instructors and the insight/knowledge they have to offer at WCU are just a few of the many reasons I felt prepared after graduation. I believe the clinical skills I developed, through course work and supervision from professors, are what helped me stand out when I entered the field. I am proud to say I came from WCU’s clinical program!"
