Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Our Mission
Degree Awarded
Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Program Delivery
Hybrid
Locations Available
Online courses with two five-day face-to-face intensives in New Hampshire
Franklin Pierce University is a leader in innovative teaching and experiential learning. Dedicated to having a positive social and economic impact on its communities, Franklin Pierce University has established the Clinical Masters in Mental Health to support and prepare students to thrive as leaders and caregivers in the field of mental health treatment. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), over 47 million American adults struggle with mental illness problems annually. You will play an important role in improving the mental health of individuals and reducing the suffering it causes in our communities by earning your Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Franklin Pierce University.
Request InformationMental Health Counselors are In-Demand
According to the Breau of Labor Statistics, employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 42,000 openings for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHCs) are uniquely educated and licensed in ways that make you distinct from the other mental health professions. Like members of the other mental health professions (Social Work, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy), you can have either a master's or doctoral degree. Throughout your graduate studies, you become qualified in psychopathology and in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. But philosophically, you are distinctly trained to be holistic and strength-based in working with individuals, couples, families, and groups. In addition, you will strive to focus on treating both the symptoms and causes of mental and emotional concerns.
LCMHCs offer a remarkable combination of holistic focus, rigorous training, and advanced practice experience that prepares us for careers that promote public health.
LCMHCs provide a full range of services, including:
- Assessment and diagnosis
- Psychotherapy
- Treatment planning and utilization review
- Trauma informed care
- Solution-focused therapy
- Alcoholism and substance use treatment
- Treatment for multiple mental disorders (e.g., addiction and PTSD)
- Integrated behavioral health coordinated with Primary Care Physicians and other medical providers (e.g., psychiatric medication monitoring, diabetic life-style management, etc.)
- Psychoeducational and prevention programs
- Crisis Management
What You Will Learn?
- Elements of the counseling process
- Session planning and longer-term goal setting
- How to provide outcome assessments
The mission statement of the FPU CMHC program is to develop compassionate and competent clinical mental health counselors who are prepared to meet the diverse and unique mental health needs of their communities through quality clinical services, advocacy, and collaborative efforts with other allied health professions.
The FPU CMHC program has the following objectives:
- Students will be able to utilize ethical decision-making models to make sound decisions regarding ethical dilemmas across different service delivery modalities and specialized areas of practice.
- Students will be able to identify the various intersecting identities of the clients they work with and discuss how these identities impact mental/physical health, wellness, coping strategies, and help seeking behaviors.
- Students will accurately conceptualize clients based on relevant theories of individual and family development across the lifespan.
- Students will be able to assess and conceptualize how work environment conditions impact client life experiences and overall wellness.
- Students will develop and consistently implement a personal model of counseling grounded in theory and research.
- Students will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to develop and implement a successful group counseling session.
- Students will be able to utilize current diagnostic classification systems to provide accurate diagnoses to clients.
- Students will be able to critically review counseling and counseling-related research
to inform their counseling practice.
In accordance with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) Standards, the Clinical Masters in Mental Health curriculum will cover these core areas:
- Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
- Social and Cultural Diversity
- Human Growth and Development
- Career Development
- Counseling and Helping Relationships
- Group Counseling and Group Work
- Assessment and Testing
- Research and Program Evaluation
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The hybrid delivery of curriculum uses both synchronous and asynchronous methods for
the learner to encourage rich discussion, critical thinking, and problem-based learning.
Connect with your professors and peers during live chats.
Breakout sessions enhance learning by keeping groups of students in small numbers.
Educational platforms include innovative technology to view pre-recorded lectures,
patient simulations, interactive content, work through case studies, and practice
question banks.
YOU, AS A STUDENT, HAVE ACCESS 24/7 TO...
- Study groups
- Social hangouts
- Special interest groups
- Coursework and assignments
- Instructional videos
- Online library
STUDENT SUPPORT
You will be assigned a faculty coach. The faculty coach is more than an academic advisor
and provides guidance and mentorship throughout the program to ensure student success.
Virtual office hours increase access to faculty at convenient times. Responsive faculty
provide feedback and answers to emails within 24 hours.
IN-PERSON RESIDENCY
There are in-person clinical rotations.
Practicum – 100 hours with 40 of those to be direct service hours
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship I – 200 hours with 80 hours to be direct service hours
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship II – 200 hours with 80 hours to be direct service hours
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship III – 200 hours with 80 hours to be direct service hours
ON-SITE IMMERSIONS
Practice skills labs
Standardized patient experiences
Validation skills testing
Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
Guest speakers
Workshops
The FPU CMHC program is not currently CACREP accredited. The CMHC program is currently aligned with CACREP accreditation standards and is pursuing CACREP accreditation at this time.
Admissions Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Three letters of recommendation
Letters of recommendation should come from non-family members. Recommenders may include work colleagues, supervisors, professors or other individuals who know you in a professional capacity. Letters should be no more than one page and should speak to your potential to complete graduate level coursework, your ability to work successfully with others, and any other information that may be of value when considering your potential to become a clinical mental health counselor.
- Essay: How does a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling fit in to your career goals? (250-500 words)
- Interview with Program Director
- Current resume or CV including any clinical experience
Educational requirements to become a licensed counselor vary by state. Licensure for professional counselors is not regulated by a national board, but rather by each individual state. It is encouraged that students who desire to become licensed post-graduation contact the state licensing board for the state(s) in which they intend to obtain licensure to determine those specific state requirements.
Students may visit the NC-SARA website to obtain a directory for state licensing boards.
Currently, students who wish to obtain licensure in New Hampshire post-graduation from Franklin Pierce's CMHC program are able to do so, per the most recent 2024 review of the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification.
What MAKES OUR MASTER’S IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING PROGRAM DIFFERENT?
Our 24-month CACREP aligned program blends online learning sessions with two intensive five day in-person labs and 48 weeks of clinical work.
The program features a combination of coursework and fieldwork and provides a comprehensive framework in counseling theory and clinical methods. It is everything you need to advocate for clients facing addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health challenges.
Click here for CMHC FAQ’s where you can find details about program delivery and clinical placement opportunities.
Where Can My Degree in Mental Health Counseling Take Me?
adults experience mental illness
in the U.S.
adults in the U.S. experience serious mental illness
each year
youth age 6-17 experience a mental health disorder in the U.S.
each year
Who Should Study Clinical Mental Health Counseling?
You will find this major a good fit if you have or want to develop:
- Effective communication and clinical intervention skills
- A strong working alliance with the clientele being served
- Advanced counseling skills and techniques that promote change
- Presentation skills to effectively collaborate in a professional setting
CONTACT Graduate Admissions
(800) 325-1090
FPUonline@franklinpierce.edu
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
