MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING

Be prepared for a career as a licensed professional counselor, where you are able to empower individuals, families, and groups to accomplish their mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.

You’ll engage in classroom learning rich in practical and theoretical knowledge, and clinical training. Plus, you have the opportunity to apply clinical skills in practice under close supervision by licensed faculty supervisors.

The need for clinical mental health counselors continues to increase in the region and state. With the development of mental health parity laws, more people are accessing health insurance and mental health services. The demand for highly trained counselors, offering evidence-based interventions in mental health treatment settings, exists in clinics, agencies, integrative care settings, and private practice. Students will develop skills critical to effective clinical mental health counseling such as: assessment, diagnosis, intervention, advocacy, and program evaluation.

A CMHC MS degree can lead to work as a professional counselor working with a range of populations (children and families, adults, couples, and groups) in a variety of settings including

•  Mental Health outpatient care
•  Hospitals
•  Clinics
•  Agencies
•  Integrative Care Settings
•  Private Practice

Several factors set this 60-credit hour counseling program apart from other clinical training programs. The program meets the educational requirements for licensure as a professional counselor and prepares you for a career as a Licensed Professional Counselor. As a graduate student, you have the opportunity to:

  • Develop knowledge, skills, and awareness for a future career as a clinical mental health counselor. 
  • Receive clinical supervision, mentorship, and advising from licensed faculty and supervisors.
  • Collaborate with faculty in determining practicum and internship placements that meet your clinical training needs and match your career interests.
  • Develop collaborative relationships with peers and faculty members through either a full-time or part-time program of study.
  • Collaborate with faculty members conducting research.


The priority deadline for admission is November 1, and the standard admissions deadline is February 15. (A priority deadline means we will review the apps early and make an early decision.  The standard deadline means decisions won’t be made until March.)

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Vision
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside seeks to train and educate students to be professional counselors who meet the mental health, wellness, education and career needs of all members of their communities and the broader region. Program faculty aim to foster students’ professional, personal, and social growth so students develop to be ethical, trauma-informed, multiculturally competent counselors and leaders in the counseling profession. 

Mission
To prepare counselors-in-training to meet the mental health, wellness, education and career needs of their communities and broader region, with a commitment to underserved populations. In addition, to work towards eliminating mental health stigma, through both professional leadership and providing ethical, trauma-informed and culturally competent counseling services, informed by current research, holistic care, and clinically effective interventions. 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND SESSIONS

There are no upcoming events at this time. Please check back later.

Do you have a bachelor's degree in something other than psychology? 

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed for people who want to help others. In addition to psychology majors, sociology, anthropology, criminal justice, communication, education, and students with other undergraduate majors can pursue the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
18 Credits in Social Sciences 
GPA of 3.0

FIND OUT MORE!

Learn more about application requirements, program schedule, and licensure at our open houses in October and March. Other available resources include a program interview on Community Matters, WGTD radio. We also encourage you to review the video testimony from a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student.

CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH FACULTY INTERVIEW

 

 

CMHC Student Testimony

PROGRAM RESOURCES

The need for clinical mental health counselors continues to increase in the region and state. With the development of mental health parity laws, more people are accessing health insurance and mental health services. The demand for highly trained counselors, offering evidence-based interventions in mental health treatment settings, exists in clinics, agencies, integrative care settings, and private practice. Students will develop skills critical to effective clinical mental health counseling such as: assessment, diagnosis, intervention, advocacy, and program evaluation.

 

A CMHC MS degree can lead to work as a professional counselor working with a range of populations (children and families, adults, couples, and groups) in a variety of settings including

•    Mental Health outpatient care
•    Hospitals
•    Clinics
•    Agencies
•    Integrative Care Settings
•    Private Practice

 

PROGRAM CONTACT INFO

Robtrice Brawner  | 262-595-2980  | cmhcgradprogram@uwp.edu

University of Wisconsin System Member
The Higher Learning Commission
Carnegie Foundation, Elective Community Engagement Classification
UW Vets - Veterans Education & Transition to Success
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