M.A. in Counseling: Addiction
The M.A. in Counseling: Addiction is a 60-semester hour program that prepares individua...
M.A. in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a 60-semester hour program rooted in core tenets such as the development of personal awareness as a counselor, a deep understanding of counseling and psychological concepts, and the cultivation of practical skills in mental health service delivery across the lifespan. It emphasizes assessment and research skills, enabling graduates to utilize evidence-based practices in their clinical work. The program is specifically structured to meet the educational requirements for Pennsylvania state licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC) and qualifies graduates to sit for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) examination, which is often a prerequisite for state licensure. Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of settings, including community mental health agencies, hospitals, drug and alcohol treatment organizations, college/university settings, and private practice.
CACREP Accreditation: A significant highlight of Kutztown University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is its full accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This accreditation signifies that the program meets rigorous national standards for counselor education, covering aspects such as curriculum, faculty qualifications, program resources, and student outcomes. Attending a CACREP-accredited program enhances the credibility of graduates and facilitates licensure portability across states, a crucial advantage in the counseling profession.
Curriculum: The 60-credit curriculum is thoughtfully designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in counseling theory and practice. It encompasses a core set of courses that include professional orientation and ethics, intercultural issues in counseling, fundamentals of counseling, career counseling, group processes, and counseling theories. A strong emphasis is placed on research and assessment, with dedicated courses in tests and assessment in counseling and research methods in counseling. The program core delves into human growth and development, and diagnostic and treatment planning in counseling. Specialty area courses provide in-depth knowledge and skills specific to clinical mental health counseling, ensuring students are well-versed in contemporary issues and interventions. A substantial portion of the program is dedicated to supervised clinical experience, including a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship, providing invaluable hands-on learning in real-world settings.
Research Focus: Kutztown University's counseling programs integrate a strong research component, encouraging students to develop robust assessment and research skills. The faculty actively engages in research, often providing opportunities for students to participate in meaningful projects and present at conferences. This focus ensures that graduates are not only skilled practitioners but also critical consumers and, where appropriate, contributors to the body of counseling knowledge. The university's commitment to scholarly inquiry is evident in its contributions to academic journals and the emphasis on using research findings to inform clinical practice.
Industry Engagement: Kutztown University fosters strong connections with the mental health industry and community stakeholders. The Counseling Program Advisory Committees, composed of alumni, practitioners, site supervisors, university partners, and community partners, play a vital role in ensuring the curriculum remains current and responsive to the evolving needs of the workforce. This engagement ensures that graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the profession, equipped with relevant skills and an understanding of contemporary challenges in mental health care across diverse settings. These collaborations facilitate robust internship and practicum placements, providing students with valuable practical experience and networking opportunities.
Global Perspective: While primarily preparing counselors for practice within the United States, Kutztown University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program inherently incorporates a global perspective through its emphasis on "Intercultural Issues in Counseling" and the development of multicultural competencies. The curriculum stresses the importance of understanding diverse populations and the impact of cultural factors, power, and privilege on mental health and counseling outcomes. This broad training prepares graduates to work effectively with individuals from various backgrounds, recognizing the global nature of mental health challenges and the need for culturally sensitive and responsive counseling approaches.
Location
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 16793
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
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.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
Kutztown University is dedicated to supporting international students by offering scholarship opportunities that help reduce the financial burden of studying in the United States. These scholarships recognize academic excellence and encourage talented students from around the world to join the university community.
Merit-Based Scholarships: New international undergraduate students are automatically considered for a 40% out-of-state tuition reduction, which significantly lowers tuition costs. In addition, Kutztown University offers limited merit-based scholarships for high-achieving international students based on their academic records, leadership qualities, and extracurricular involvement.
Renewable Scholarships: Many scholarships at Kutztown University are renewable, provided students maintain a minimum GPA requirement throughout their studies. This encourages sustained academic performance and rewards continued excellence.
Special Program Scholarships: Certain departments and programs may offer additional scholarships targeted at international students pursuing specific fields of study. These scholarships aim to attract diverse talents and foster specialized academic communities.
Graduates of Kutztown University's Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling are equipped with the specialized knowledge and practical skills to pursue a wide array of fulfilling career opportunities within the dynamic field of mental healthcare. The program's CACREP accreditation further enhances their professional standing and opens doors to diverse employment settings.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Community Mental Health Centers: This is a core career path, where graduates provide direct individual, group, and family therapy to clients facing various mental health challenges, often serving diverse and underserved populations.
Mental Health Counselor in Hospitals: Working within a hospital setting, counselors provide mental health support to patients dealing with illness, injury, trauma, or medical conditions that impact their psychological well-being. They often collaborate with medical teams to offer holistic care.
Counselor in Private Practice: With sufficient post-graduate supervised experience and state licensure, graduates can establish their own private practices, offering counseling services to individuals, couples, or families, often specializing in particular areas of expertise.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Counselor: These counselors work with organizations to provide short-term counseling, crisis intervention, and referrals to employees dealing with work-life balance issues, stress, grief, or other personal challenges affecting their job performance.
Substance Abuse and Addiction Counselor: While Kutztown has a dedicated Addiction Counseling program, Clinical Mental Health graduates also possess the foundational knowledge to work with individuals struggling with substance use disorders, particularly those with co-occurring mental health conditions.
Counselor in College and University Counseling Centers: Many higher education institutions employ clinical mental health counselors to provide support to students navigating academic stress, developmental issues, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns common in young adulthood.
Crisis Counselor: These professionals respond to immediate mental health crises, offering support and intervention to individuals experiencing severe emotional distress, suicidal ideation, or the aftermath of traumatic events, often working with crisis hotlines or mobile crisis teams.
Rehabilitation Counselor: Clinical mental health counselors can work with individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or injuries to help them cope with their conditions, improve their mental well-being, and achieve personal and vocational goals.
Behavioral Health Specialist: This broad role often involves working in integrated healthcare settings, collaborating with medical professionals to address the behavioral and psychological aspects of physical health conditions, promoting overall wellness.
Program Coordinator or Case Manager: With experience, graduates can move into administrative or coordination roles, overseeing mental health programs, managing client caseloads, coordinating services, and advocating for client needs within various agencies.
