Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Arts Counseling - U.S.A.
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.
In addition to City University of Seattle's graduate admission requirements, found under Admissions in the catalog menu, students in this program must also meet the requirements listed below:
The following are additional requirements for admission for Master of Arts Counseling Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Marriage, Couples, Family Counseling programs:
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 in undergraduate degree program.
- Three (3) confidential letters of professional reference.
- A writing sample defining professional goals and addressing past and current experience relevant to becoming a counselor. Guidelines for writing the sample paper will be sent from the academic advising office. The writing sample will be used to determine whether minimum qualifications have been met for admission to the program.
- CV/resume.
- Completed, signed background information form, with a history free of convictions for criminal misdemeanors and felonies. Applicants who have such a history may be denied a professional credential at the state level (see RCW 18.130 for US program). The background information form must be submitted prior to the interview process.
- Interview with the program director/coordinator or designee. The interview will be used to determine whether minimum qualifications have been met for admission to the program.
Total Required Credits (90 Credits)
Core CACREP Areas (49 Credits)
Other Required Courses (20 Credits)
| COUN 519 | Foundations of Mental Health Services | 1 |
| COUN 520 | Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology I | 5 |
| COUN 521 | Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology II | 5 |
| COUN 522 | Systemic Theory: Crisis, Disaster and Trauma Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 529 | Addictions and Co-Occurring Perspectives | 3 |
| COUN 550 | Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
| COUN 690 | Integrative Portfolio Project | 3 |
Additional Required Depth Coursework (8 Credits)
Choose eight credits from the list below.
| COUN 511 | Loss and Grief Counseling | 2 |
| COUN 513 | Brief Therapy Models | 2 |
| COUN 600 | Systemic Theory: Child and Adolescent Counseling | 2 |
| COUN 604 | Counseling Older Adults | 2 |
| COUN 605 | Systemic Theory in Couples Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 609 | Systemic Theory: Human Sexuality | 3 |
Internships/Practica (13 Credits)