Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Next session begins MAR 24. Some program start times may vary.
Call 844.YES.UOPX for full schedule and details.
Zip code:
Overview
Approx. program length:
3 years and 6 months
Credits:
60–66
Accreditation:
Help people pursue mental well-being
Gain theoretical and applied counseling skills to empower others who are seeking to improve their lives. Earn a Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree. You’ll learn how to clinically assess client populations coping with substance use and abuse, anxiety and depression, marriage and family issues, military transition and other focus areas. A broad overview of these clinical specialties will help you identify which one you’re most passionate about pursuing.
In this Master of Science in Counseling program, you’ll learn to:
- Apply clinical skills to help clients improve relationships, advance personal growth, and face crisis or trauma
- Understand mental health environments, including private practice, hospitals, and public and private mental health agencies
- Develop skills in cultural competency and client advocacy
- Integrate legal and ethical considerations into your practice
You’ll learn through relevant coursework, a supervised practicum and hands-on clinical experience. You can earn your MSC/Clinical Mental Health Counseling in three and a half years, and you’ll take just one 6- to 8-week course* at a time so you can balance life and work on the path to your degree.
* Course lengths vary.
Our campus and online programs are designed to help you prepare to sit for examinations, including the National Counselor Exam (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). The Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) at the Utah and Phoenix campuses.
Utah
The Utah campus (ground) program is in teach out. This means that, although we’re no longer accepting new enrollments, current Utah campus students will be able to complete the program. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) at the Utah and Phoenix campuses.
The Utah online version of the MSC/CCMH is open for enrollment for new students and is not affected by the teach out of the ground program. The online version is not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Courses
Course length:
6 weeks*
* Course lengths vary
Total credits required:
60–66
Max. number of transfer credits:
9
Requirements and prerequisites
You’ll need 60–66 credits to complete this program, depending on your state requirements. These credits are earned through a combination of required courses and up to three waived courses (nine credits). One practicum and two internship courses are required for all students. A third internship is required for Nevada residents.
Students in the program must pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) in order to graduate.
Your course curriculum will vary depending on your state requirements and whether you attend online or on campus. Our dedicated enrollment team will help identify the course requirements that apply specifically to you. Call 844.YES.UOPX for more information.
Waive courses
Earn your degree faster by waiving eligible courses. Contact an enrollment representative at 844.YES.UOPX for more information.
Core courses
Careers & Outcomes
Job opportunities
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors is projected to be 23 percent between 2016 and 2026. The MSC/Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree can help prepare you to be a:
- Mental health counselor
- Counselor
- Case manager
Networking opportunities
Access powerful networking tools through our PhoenixLinkTM career services platform. Take advantage of personal career coaching. Search and apply for jobs, or make your resumé visible to employers. And connect with employers and alumni through career fairs and mixers. It’s all about connections. And we help you make them.
Learning outcomes
Along with the knowledge and skills related to the University Learning Goals, graduates should gain program-specific knowledge, skills and abilities. Each college or school creates a set of Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) to describe the knowledge, skills or attitudes students will possess upon completion of the program of study. By the time you complete your MSC/Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree, you should be able to perform these learning outcomes.
Program purpose statement and licensure requirements
In order to practice as a counselor in most states, a student must be licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), or other comparable state professional license designation. License requirements vary by state. It is the student's responsibility to ascertain and meet licensure requirements in any state in which the student desires to practice. View the licensure requirements for your state.
California students
This program meets the California Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) educational requirements for registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC). Upon successful completion of all educational requirements and required postgraduate supervised clinical hours, graduates are eligible to sit for the LPCC licensure exam in California.
Accreditation
CACREP-accredited in Utah and Phoenix
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) at the Utah and Phoenix campuses.
What does that mean? CACREP-accredited schools are committed to quality standards. Accreditation is granted for a specified period of time. A full CACREP accreditation cycle is eight years. A program may be accredited for either the full eight-year cycle or receive accreditation for two years of the full cycle, necessitating further reporting on specified program elements.
Counseling program handbooks
Master of Science in Counseling Program Handbook (online)
Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Handbook (ground)
The online version of the MSC/CCMH program is not CACREP-accredited.
Campus Report for Utah
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) awards programmatic accreditation to the Master of Science in Counseling program at the Utah Campus of University of Phoenix for meeting specific professional and educational standards.
View 2017 report
View 2018 report
View 2019 report
Faculty listings
Utah Campus MSC/CCMH faculty
View our core and noncore faculty
Online MSC/CCMH faculty
View our core and noncore faculty
Assessment reports
MSC/CCMH Program Student Learning Outcome Assessment Report — Phoenix Campus
MSC/CCMH Program Student Learning Outcome Assessment Report — Online
Campus Report for Arizona
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) awards programmatic accreditation to the Master of Science in Counseling program at the Phoenix campus for meeting specific professional and educational standards.
View 2017 report
View 2018 report
View 2019 report
Faculty listings
Phoenix Campus MSC/CCMH Faculty
View our core and noncore faculty
Online Campus MSC/CCMH Faculty
View our core and non-core faculty
Assessment reports (AZ)
MSC/CCMH Program Student Learning Outcome Assessment Report — Phoenix Campus
MSC/CCMH Program Student Learning Outcome Assessment Report — Online
University of Phoenix uses a complex assessment process that involves multiple institutional units. This assessment report contains information about Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) measured on a scheduled cycle. In addition to the data in this report, the program systematically evaluates mastery of student learning during the course development and revision process. The program reviews and analyzes data on student knowledge, skills and professional dispositions and uses the data to inform program improvement.
Counseling program handbooks
Master of Science in Counseling Program Handbook (online)
Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Handbook (ground)
Download program info
Save this program information as a PDF to share or read at a later time.
What sets us apart?
When you choose our MSC/CCMH program, you can:
Have confidence going into test day. Our program prepares you to sit for the National Counselor Exam (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by CACREP at the Utah and Phoenix campuses. This means the program meets CACREP’s requirements for content and quality.
Complete your first clinical experience during your practicum course, applying what you’ve learned to assist real clients.
Take the next step
It’s time to let your education prepare you for the next phase of your career. You’ve got the will. And, by taking one course at a time toward an MSC/Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree, you’ve got the way.
Or call 844.YES.UOPX for more details.
While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.
