Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Arts - U.S.

The M.A. in Counseling (CMHC) program is for students who want to work as licensed mental health counselors in Washington State. The CACREP-accredited program trains well-rounded clinicians for the realities of daily practice. It emphasizes application of theory to practice. Students are introduced to a broad range of clinical issues through a breadth of course work, delivered by practitioner faculty. Supported internships focus on the delivery of clinical services, and assist students to develop a coherent theoretical and ethical framework for practice.

The Master of Arts in Counseling will prepare students to:

  • Recognize and apply professional ethical standards including clear and appropriate relationships with clients/students, colleagues, and the community.
  • Collaborate with people of diverse ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, religious beliefs, and socio-economic status.
  • Develop self-awareness into beliefs about what impacts personal development.
  • Formulate a personal philosophy of counseling grounded in these beliefs.
  • Appraise the impact of work-related issues on the mental health and wellness.
  • Establish and maintain effective counseling relationships.
  • Employ counseling techniques that are consistent with the selected theoretical approach.
  • Recognize and positively influence intrapersonal and interpersonal dynamics when leading and co-leading groups.
  • Gather information to assess needs and next steps in the counseling process, including assessment for suicide/homicide risk and report requirements for abuse/neglect.
  • Locate community resources and critically evaluate research related to core areas of counseling practice.
  • Produce written communication that meets professional standards.
  • Develop multicultural and social justice counseling competencies through gaining a systemic understanding for the influence of cultural background in presenting problems and the role of counselors in promoting social justice and the well-being of the greater community.

Total Required Credits (90 Credits)

Core CACREP Areas (49 Credits)

COUN 501Introduction to Counseling Practice

5

COUN 502Systemic Theory: Multicultural Counseling

5

COUN 503Human Growth and Development

5

COUN 510Professional Ethics and Law

5

COUN 512Systemic Theory: Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling

5

COUN 514Research Methods and Statistics

5

COUN 516Career Counseling

3

COUN 525Testing and Assessment

5

COUN 526Counseling Theory

5

COUN 527Group Counseling

5

COUN 528Professional Counseling Orientation

1

Other Required Courses (20 Credits)

COUN 519Foundations of Mental Health Services

1

COUN 520Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology I

5

COUN 521Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology II

5

COUN 522Systemic Theory: Crisis, Disaster and Trauma Counseling

3

COUN 529Addictions and Co-Occurring Perspectives

3

COUN 550Comprehensive Examination

0

COUN 690Integrative Portfolio Project

3

Additional Required Depth Coursework (8 Credits)

Choose eight credits from the list below.

COUN 511Loss and Grief Counseling

2

COUN 513Brief Therapy Models

2

COUN 600Systemic Theory: Child and Adolescent Counseling

2

COUN 604Counseling Older Adults

2

COUN 605Systemic Theory in Couples Counseling

3

COUN 609Systemic Theory: Human Sexuality

3

Internships/Practica (13 Credits)

COUN 621Practicum I

1

COUN 622Practicum II

1

COUN 632Practicum III

1

COUN 633Practicum IV

1

COUN 651Internship I

3

COUN 652Internship II

3

COUN 653Internship III

3