M.Ed. in Special Education
The University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville offers a Master of Education (M.E...
M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Jacksonville, Florida
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
The University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville, Florida, offers a Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through its Brooks College of Health. This 60-credit hour, full-time, cohort-based program is meticulously designed to prepare students to become competent, ethical, and culturally sensitive Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) in the state of Florida. The program emphasizes a "scholar-practitioner" model, providing a unique blend of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and extensive field-based experience. With a strong commitment to individualized mentorship and diverse transformative learning opportunities, UNF's CMHC program aims to train future mental health leaders and fierce advocates for client well-being.
CACREP Accredited: Yes, the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at UNF is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This accreditation is a highly significant indicator of quality in counseling education, recognized as the "gold standard" for professional counseling programs. CACREP accreditation ensures that the curriculum meets rigorous national standards, facilitates licensure in Florida and many other states, and enhances graduates' professional credibility and employment opportunities. UNF's program has maintained its CACREP accreditation since November 1998, with the current accreditation valid until March 31, 2031.
Curriculum: The 60-credit hour curriculum for the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UNF is comprehensive and designed to meet the educational requirements for LMHC licensure in Florida. Core coursework covers a wide range of essential topics, including: theories of clinical mental health counseling, human development across the lifespan, legal and ethical issues in counseling, clinical counseling skills, advanced counseling techniques, counseling diverse populations, group counseling, clinical assessment and diagnosis, career counseling, clinical mental health counseling in community settings, addictions counseling, and sexual issues in counseling. A significant component of the curriculum is the 1,000 hours of in-field experience, including practicum and internship, which provides supervised clinical practice in various community mental health settings. Students also have options for elective courses or can pursue a thesis.
Research Focus: The M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UNF adopts a scholar-practitioner model, meaning it integrates both scientific inquiry and clinical practice. While primarily focused on preparing students for professional practice, the program emphasizes a research-informed approach to counseling. Students are trained to critically evaluate counseling literature, utilize evidence-based practices in their conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of clients, and engage in program evaluation. Courses like "Clinical Research and Outcome Evaluation" specifically develop skills in understanding and applying research in a clinical context. For students who choose the thesis option, there is an opportunity to conduct original research under faculty mentorship, contributing to the knowledge base of the counseling profession.
Industry Engagement: The M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at UNF has robust industry engagement, largely driven by its intensive field-based experience requirements. The 1,000 hours of supervised practicum and internship are completed in diverse mental health agencies, hospitals, community counseling centers, and other relevant settings throughout Northeast Florida. These placements provide invaluable hands-on clinical experience, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge, develop essential counseling skills, and build professional networks within the mental health community. The program's mission to train counselors who are "community-engaged" directly reflects this strong connection to the local mental health industry, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for immediate employment upon licensure.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UNF implicitly incorporates a global perspective through its strong emphasis on cultural competency and counseling diverse populations. In an increasingly interconnected world, mental health professionals must be equipped to work with individuals from a wide array of cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The curriculum explicitly addresses "Counseling Diverse Populations," promoting an understanding of global and diverse human experiences, and fostering ethical and culturally sensitive counseling practices. The program's mission to train "culturally competent" counselors means graduates are prepared to address the unique mental health needs of individuals from various cultural contexts, aligning with universal principles of inclusive and respectful client care.
Location
Jacksonville, Florida
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 18803
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $31
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
The University of North Florida (UNF) offers a variety of scholarships specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals while easing the financial burden of studying in the United States. These scholarships recognize outstanding academic achievements, leadership potential, and community involvement.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UNF provides merit scholarships to international students based on their academic performance, standardized test scores, and extracurricular accomplishments. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are awarded automatically to eligible applicants during the admissions process.
International Student Scholarships: Special scholarships are reserved exclusively for international students. Examples include the International Freshman Scholarship and the International Transfer Scholarship, which reward high-achieving students with financial aid packages that may cover partial to full tuition fees.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While limited for international students, some need-based financial aid options may be available through private organizations or partnerships coordinated by UNF’s financial aid office. International students are encouraged to explore external scholarship databases for additional funding opportunities.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain academic departments and colleges at UNF offer scholarships targeted to students enrolled in specific fields of study. International students can apply for these scholarships based on their major, research interests, or academic achievements within their discipline.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Florida (UNF) is a highly specialized and impactful degree, distinguishing itself through its CACREP accreditation. This 60-credit hour, full-time, cohort-based program, housed within the Brooks College of Health, is meticulously designed to prepare graduates for licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Private Practice: After completing supervised post-graduate hours and passing the state licensure exam, graduates can establish their own private practice, offering individual, group, or family therapy to a diverse client base.
Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Community Mental Health Centers: Works with individuals, families, and groups facing various mental health challenges, providing assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and therapy services to underserved populations.
Substance Abuse/Addiction Counselor: Specializes in helping individuals overcome substance use disorders and other addictions. These counselors often work in rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, or hospitals, providing individual and group therapy, and developing recovery plans.
Counselor in Psychiatric Hospitals/Residential Treatment Facilities: Provides therapeutic services to patients in inpatient or residential settings, often working as part of a multidisciplinary team to address severe mental health conditions and facilitate stabilization and recovery.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Counselor: Works for corporations or EAP providers, offering confidential counseling and referral services to employees and their families dealing with work-related stress, personal issues, or mental health concerns, aiming to improve well-being and productivity.
Crisis Counselor: Provides immediate mental health support and intervention to individuals experiencing acute psychological distress, trauma, or crisis. These roles can be in crisis centers, emergency rooms, or mobile crisis units.
College/University Counselor: Works in college counseling centers, providing mental health services to students, addressing issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, and academic pressures, often through individual and group therapy.
Rehabilitation Counselor: Specializes in helping individuals with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities achieve personal, social, and vocational independence. They may work in rehabilitation agencies, hospitals, or private practices.
Trauma-Informed Counselor: Focuses on providing specialized therapy to individuals who have experienced trauma, using evidence-based approaches to help clients process traumatic events and develop coping mechanisms. This can be a specialization within many of the roles listed above.
Behavioral Health Specialist (Integrated Care): Works as part of a healthcare team in primary care settings or other medical facilities, integrating mental health services with physical healthcare. They provide brief interventions, screenings, and referrals to address the behavioral health needs of patients.
