Student Learning Outcomes

1. Synthesize historical and contextual dimensions of professional orientation, assessment, research, career, theory, and lifespan development

2. Construct clinical interventions that demonstrate group skills and foster group development

3. Apply ethical, empirically grounded, and culturally relevant strategies and models in counseling practice

4. Practically apply advocacy and leadership principles in the context of professional clinical mental health counseling

5. Apply social and cultural diversity theories, models, and multicultural competencies in counseling practice and research

6. Construct and implement a comprehensive clinical needs assessment that investigates the needs of diverse clients and provides a pathway to develop systemic methods of clinical intervention

7. Demonstrate application of knowledge of biopsychosocial assessment, treatment planning, cultural genogram, and documentation

Program Description

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares professional counselors to offer a broad range of clinical mental health counseling services and interventions focused on wellness and advocacy. These therapeutic services are designed to enhance the growth and development of all clients and can be delivered in a variety of settings such as community agencies, private practice, residential treatment, community hospitals, Veterans Affairs Clinics, and human service organizations.

Students develop skills in clinical mental health counseling, multicultural/social justice counseling, career counseling, substance abuse services and crisis counseling. Students who graduate from this program meet all educational requirements for the New York State license in clinical mental health counseling (LMHC). After completion of the program, students may apply for a limited permit to practice mental health counseling, while accumulating the required post degree hours to sit for the licensure exam. Students also meet the educational requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor in most other states.

Counseling faculty at Syracuse University have been pioneers in training highly skilled practitioners and leaders in a wide range of counseling settings. Our programs are nationally accredited and can lead to national certification or state certification in school counseling or licensure as a clinical mental health counselor. Faculty members are nationally recognized for their leadership in the profession and all classes are taught by skilled experts and experienced clinicians.

The coursework offered for this program is delivered in a one day/week format, generally scheduled from 4-7 pm or 7-10 pm. Courses are offered at specific time slots during specific semesters. We identified these timeslots to complement Practicum and Internship expectations. During the field experience, counselor-trainees engage field sites as interns, typically during business hours on weekdays. Although some sites are located along the bus route, it is strongly recommended that students have access to their own independent transportation to travel to and from their field experience sites. The CMHC Program has field partnerships with agencies around the Central New York area.

The faculty is deeply committed to the growth and development of their students; faculty work closely with both our master’s and doctoral students. Students are trained in the most current practices and research in counseling and provided the opportunity to develop their skills and succeed in their chosen area of specialization. The faculty’s goal is to prepare national leaders in counseling.  We provide constructivist and experiential learning environments in our classes and are committed to reflexive leadership. We seek to develop a diverse group of professionals who will excel in knowledge, skills, commitment, and service in a wide range of educational and community settings.