How to Open a Mental Health Group Home
Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree
Earn Your Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in Online or Evening Classes
Clinical mental health counselors enter the field because they feel called to help others overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. If you feel that God has called you to serve those who are struggling with psychological, social or behavioral issues, you can earn your Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Grand Canyon University. A master's degree in counseling is a required stepping stone toward licensure in all 50 states.
This master's in clinical mental health counseling degree is offered in both online and in-person evening classes by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. It is an intensive survey of the evidence-based theories and practical applications of counseling, including the development of preventive, interventional, and rehabilitative plans. Students are trained to develop a greater awareness of social and cultural trends and equipped to serve diverse populations. Furthermore, students examine legal and professional standards, and think critically about current ethical issues that they may encounter in future practice as a clinical mental health counselor.
GCU's Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program was designed to meet the academic requirements of the National Board for Certified Counselors for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential, the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) credential and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.
Study How to Help Others Maintain Healthy Lives
Effective clinical mental health counselors are strong communicators, active listeners and empathetic, compassionate people who are able to make genuine connections with their clients. In this master's in clinical mental health counseling degree program, you will explore the client-counselor relationship and learn to establish appropriate boundaries. You will learn how to evaluate scientific research and apply evidence-based information to your practice. Students in the program also complete the career counseling course, which provides a broad understanding of career development and decisions as a clinical mental health counselor.
Additionally, in courses such as Substance Use Disorders and Addictions, Counseling the Culturally Diverse, and Group Counseling, students will study these key topic areas:
- The stages, processes and effects of substance use disorders, including the social and psychological dynamics of these disorders.
- Theories of multicultural counseling and identity development.
- Group counseling dynamics, theories and ethical standards.
- Scientifically sound assessment procedures for determining a client's mental or emotional status.
- The basic principles of psychopharmacology and the effects of psychoactive substances.
Students in the clinical mental health counseling program will complete the Counseling Practicum and two internship experiences. These provide hands-on, supervised experience in the field.
What Type of Career Can I Have With a Master's in Mental Health Counseling Degree?
The master's in clinical mental health counseling covers a variety of topics so you can work with diverse clients and prepares you to pursue a meaningful and impactful career helping others reach their full potential. As a future clinical mental health counselor, you could devote your practice to providing clients substance abuse, trauma or depression counseling. Clinical mental health counselors practice in settings such as community-based organizations, nonprofit entities, hospitals, clinics and private practices. Some professionals decide to practice telemedicine, which enables them to serve a wider audience.
GCU's Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree prepares students to pursue professional licensure. The program meets the academic requirements for licensure in Arizona as a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Students who wish to practice in another state should check that state's specific requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Is a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling worth it?
If you are passionate about assisting others through the trials and hardships of life, a clinical mental health counseling degree is absolutely worth it. All states require a master's degree for counselor certification purposes, so this mental health counseling degree brings you a step closer to achieving your passion. This master's degree also allows you the opportunity to work in a variety of settings and with individuals, groups and families of diverse ages and backgrounds.
How long does it take to get a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling?
The length of a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling varies by school and program, but this master's program from GCU totals 62 credits with many of the classes being eight weeks in length. If completed without interruption, this program takes approximately 200+ weeks to complete, roughly four years without an emphasis.
What's special about GCU's Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling?
GCU's Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree covers all aspects of the psychology of mental health and the ethical considerations into the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders. There are two required internship courses at the end of this program where students will receive valuable hands-on experience in the field.
GCU ensures that the academic rigor of this degree meets the academic requirements of the National Board for Certified Counselors for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential, the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) credential and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.
TOTAL CREDITS & COURSE LENGTH:
Total Credits: 62
Online: 8 weeks
[More Info]
TRANSFER CREDITS:
The coursework in this program is non-transferable from other institutions.
TUITION RATE:
Online: $557 per credit [More Info]
Non-Traditional Tuition (Online and Evening Students)
GCU's non-traditional tuition rates are for students who are interested in pursuing an online degree program or taking evening classes. Speak with your university counselor to learn more about your opportunities for scholarships off tuition through GCU's educational alliances or to find out about options for continuing education for teachers.
| Undergraduate Tuition | 2019-20 |
| Education and Science Programs | $440 per credit |
| Theology Programs | $395 per credit |
| IT Programs | $449 per credit |
| Online and Professional Studies (all programs other than those listed above) | $470 per credit |
| Active Duty and Active Reserve (Online and Professional Studies) | $250 per credit |
| Graduate Tuition | 2019-20 |
| Education Programs | $545 per credit |
| MDIV Programs | $350 per credit |
| IT Programs | $520 per credit |
| Business Programs | $590 per credit |
| Nursing Programs | $515 per credit |
| Advanced Practice Nursing Programs | $690 per credit |
| Online and Professional Studies (all programs other than those listed above) | $530 per credit |
| Active Duty and Active Reserve (Online and Professional Studies) | $400 per credit |
| Doctoral Programs (includes dissertation courses 966-970) | $670 per credit |
| Doctoral Programs - Active Duty and Active Reserve (Online and Professional Studies) | $617.50 per credit |
| Continuing Education (CTE) Tuition | 2019-20 |
| Online | $150 per credit |
*2019-20 tuition rates for all courses begin June 1, 2019
It is the policy of GCU to collect and remit sales, use, excise and/or gross receipts taxes in compliance with state and local taxing jurisdiction regulations, which require the university to remit tax where applicable. Regulations vary by student location. Payment of tax is ultimately the student's financial responsibility to the university regardless of financing arrangements. Per Hawaii requirements: It is hereby stated that students residing in the State of Hawaii will be charged Hawaii General Excise Tax on all transactions. Students living in the District of Oahu will be charged 4.712 percent. Students residing in other Hawaii districts will be charged 4.1666 percent.
*Fees subject to change.
Course List
Major:
62 credits
Total Degree Requirements:
62 credits
Core Courses
UNV-508: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Counseling Total Credits: 2
Course Description
This course is designed as an orientation for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in counseling. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
CNL-505: Professional Counseling, Ethical, and Legal Considerations Total Credits: 3
Course Description
This course provides a broad understanding of counseling ethics, legal standards, and responsibilities, including professional identity, report writing, record keeping, and service reimbursement for clinical mental health and school counselors. Additionally, the history of and current trends in counseling are addressed. Important goals of this course are to help students develop a strong personal and professional ethic, as well as an appreciation of the value of professional collaboration and identity.
CNL-500: Theories and Models of Counseling Total Credits: 3
Course Description
This course provides a comprehensive survey of the major counseling theories and principles. Coursework includes the following theories: psychoanalytic, Adlerian, existential psychotherapy, behavioral, cognitive behavioral, person-centered, reality therapy/choice theory, and rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT).
CNL-501: Substance Use Disorders and Addictions Total Credits: 3
Course Description
This course provides a broad understanding of the stages, processes, and effects of substance use disorders, biological, social, and psychological dynamics of substance use disorders, and the professional's role in prevention, intervention, and aftercare, including recovery and relapse prevention. This course explores theories and models of treatment of addiction disorders to include understanding different types of addiction disorders, effective skills, drug classification, and assessment. It also continues building foundational knowledge, utilization of professional resources, and exploration of standards to help students prepare for licensure/certification within the counseling industry.
CNL-515: Counseling Skills Total Credits: 3
Course Description
This course provides a broad understanding of counseling processes, including characteristics and behaviors that influence the helping processes. Included are age, gender, ethnic differences, verbal and nonverbal behaviors, personal characteristics, and orientations. The development of counseling techniques is emphasized, including establishing and maintaining the counseling relationship; diagnosing and identifying the problem; formulating a preventative, treatment, or rehabilitative plan; facilitating appropriate interventions; and successfully terminating the counseling relationship.
CNL-509: Counseling the Culturally Diverse Total Credits: 3
Course Description
This course provides a broad understanding of issues and trends in a multicultural and diverse society. Studies in this area include the following: attitudes and behaviors based on such factors as age, race, religious preference, physical disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity and culture, family patterns, gender, socioeconomic status and intellectual ability; individual, family, group, and community strategies for working with diverse populations; theories of multicultural counseling and identity development; multicultural competencies; and issues such as substance use disorders. Students examine a variety of cultural populations in multiple regions of the United States, exploring issues and trends that are associated with each population. Cultural considerations for immigrants, refugees, and undocumented citizens are also addressed.
CNL-520: Group Counseling Total Credits: 3
Course Description
This course provides a broad understanding of group development, group dynamics, group counseling theories, and ethical standards with reference to professional and substance use disorders counseling. The course addresses group process components, appropriate selection criteria, developmental stage theories, group members' roles and behaviors; and group leadership styles and approaches. The course includes didactic and experiential group learning. Required synchronous group experience: 12 hours. Prerequisite: CNL-515.
CNL-527: Principles of Psychopharmacology Total Credits: 3
Course Description
This course introduces students to the basic principles of psychopharmacology and the effects of psychoactive substances. Students examine the behavioral, psychological, physiological and social effects of psychoactive substance use, and learn to recognize symptoms of intoxication, withdrawal, and toxicity. The class covers various screening options, limitations, legal implications, and the utilization of pharmacotherapy as part of substance addiction treatment.
CNL-530: Human Sexuality and Issues of Aging Total Credits: 3
Course Description
This course is divided into two distinct and separate sections. The first part of the course examines human sexuality and systems of sexual therapy. Psychological, biological, social, and moral perspectives on sexual development and functioning are also examined. The last part of the course provides an understanding of the nature of aging and older adults. Theories and strategies for facilitating optimum care of older adults are addressed. Elder abuse, dependent adult abuse, and neglect of the aging and older adults are explored. Sexuality, mental health, physical health, the role of substance use disorders, and family issues are also addressed.
CNL-518: Lifespan and Development Total Credits: 3
Course Description
This course provides an understanding of the nature, needs, and differing abilities of individuals at all developmental levels. Theories of individual and family development, transitions across the life span, theories of learning, theories of personality development, and ethical and cultural strategies for facilitating optimum development over the life span are addressed.
CNL-521: Counseling Couples and Families Total Credits: 3
Course Description
This course provides a broad understanding of the structure and dynamics of the family, which includes theory, assessment, and methods of marital and family intervention and counseling.
CNL-545: Abuse, Crisis, and Trauma Counseling Total Credits: 3
Course Description
This eight-topic course is divided into three distinct and separate sections. The first three topics examine crisis intervention and trauma counseling; Theories and strategies of trauma counseling and facilitating crisis interventions are also addressed. The second three topics examine spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies. The legal and ethical issues, the role of substance use disorders, and children in families where domestic violence and abuse occur are also addressed. The last two topics examine child abuse assessment and reporting. Legal and ethical issues and specific California child abuse assessment and reporting codes are also examined.
CNL-523: Assessment, Tests, and Measurements Total Credits: 3
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to basic tests and appraisal in counseling. Individual and group approaches to testing, assessment, evaluation, behavioral observations, computer-managed and computer-assisted methods are addressed. The following statistical concepts are also addressed: scales of measurement, measures of central tendency, indices of variability, shapes and types of distributions, correlations, reliability, and validity.
CNL-525: Career Counseling Total Credits: 3
Course Description
This course provides a broad understanding of career development and related life factors including psychotherapy, career counseling techniques and processes, career development theories, decision-making models, issues of diversity, and interrelationships between work and family.
CNL-540: Research Methods and Program Evaluation Total Credits: 3
Course Description
This course introduces research methods and basic statistical analysis, including the following: the importance of research, opportunities for research, and difficulties in conducting research. Research methods such as qualitative, quantitative, single-case designs, action research, and outcome-based research are addressed.
CNL-610: Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Total Credits: 3
Course Description
This course provides a conceptual framework for the use of assessment and diagnostic tools for the development of appropriate treatment interventions for a variety of behavioral health and substance use disorders. Included is an introduction to the use of the diagnostic tools, including the DSM, and the integration of diagnostic and assessment information, in the development of treatment plans.
CNL-605: Psychopathology Total Credits: 3
Course Description
This course introduces the study of mental illnesses and the science of psychopathology. The goal is to provide counseling students a conceptual understanding of psychological and behavioral dysfunction that occurs in mental illnesses. The course includes a survey of major psychiatric disorders and their causes.
CNL-644: Assessment of Mental and Emotional Health Status Total Credits: 2
Course Description
Students in this course are introduced to a variety of testing instruments used to determine a client's emotional or mental status. Assessment procedures are explored within the context of diagnosis and treatment planning. This course focuses on the administration and interpretation of individual and group standardized tests of mental ability, personality, and measurement.
CNL-624: Counseling Practicum Total Credits: 2
Course Description
The practicum course is a distinctly defined, supervised clinical fieldwork experience in which the student develops basic counseling skills and integrates professional knowledge under the supervision of a faculty member or an on-site clinical site supervisor approved by the college or university with a minimum of 1 hour per week of individualized and/or triadic supervision throughout the practicum via Zoom. Practicum students participate in an average of 1 ½ hours per week of group supervision with a counseling faculty member or student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member on a regular schedule throughout the practicum. Documentation of a minimum requirement of 100 hours of counseling-related activities, which includes 40 direct client contact hours, is submitted directly to the college's Office of Field Experience for verification and tracking. The practicum is completed prior to the internship; therefore, students may not progress to CNL-664A without the required amount of hours submitted, the required amount of individual and group supervision, and proper approval. This course has multiple synchronous required activities. Students must be prepared to be flexible in meeting the demands of this course in order to progress to the internship. Practicum/field experience hours: 100. State licensure requirements may mandate additional hours. Students must review and adhere to their state board's additional requirements. Prerequisites: Completion of all didactic coursework in the program; a GPA of 3.0 or better; and maintenance of student professional liability insurance in the amount of $1 million, $3 million.
CNL-664A: Counseling Internship I Total Credits: 4
Course Description
The internship course is a distinctly defined, supervised clinical experience in which the student refines and enhances basic counseling and student development of knowledge and skills, and integrates and authenticates professional knowledge and skills related to program objectives. The internship is performed under the supervision of an on-site clinical site supervisor approved by the college or university with an average of 1 hour per week of individualized and/or triadic supervision throughout the internship via Zoom. Internship students participate in a minimum of 1 ½ hours per week of group supervision with a counseling faculty member or student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member on a regular schedule throughout the internship. Documentation of 300 hours of counseling-related activities, which includes a required minimum of 120 direct client contact hours, is submitted directly to the college's Office of Field Experience for verification and tracking. Internship hours: A minimum of 300 total hours of which 120 is total direct hours. Students must successfully complete CNL-624 before progressing to the internship. This course has multiple synchronous required activities. Students must be prepared to be flexible in meeting the demands of this course in order to meet the internship requirements. Practicum/field experience hours: 300. State licensure requirements may mandate additional hours. Students must review and adhere to their state board's additional requirements. Prerequisites: CNL-624; a GPA of 3.0 or better; maintenance of student professional liability insurance in the amount of $1 million, $3 million; and college approval.
CNL-664B: Counseling Internship II Total Credits: 4
Course Description
The internship course is a distinctly defined, supervised clinical experience in which the student refines and enhances basic counseling and student development of knowledge and skills, and integrates and authenticates professional knowledge and skills related to program objectives. The internship is performed under the supervision of an on-site clinical site supervisor approved by the college or university with an average of 1 hour per week of individualized and/or triadic supervision throughout the internship via Zoom. Internship students participate in a minimum of 1 ½ hours per week of group supervision with a counseling faculty member or student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member on a regular schedule throughout the internship. Documentation of 300 hours of counseling-related activities, which includes a required minimum of 120 direct client contact hours, is submitted directly to the college's Office of Field Experience for verification and tracking. This course has multiple synchronous required activities. Students must be prepared to be flexible in meeting the demands of this course in order to meet the internship requirements. Practicum/field experience hours: 300. State licensure requirements may mandate additional hours. Students must review and adhere to their state board's additional requirements. Prerequisites: CNL-624 and CNL-664A; a GPA of 3.0 or better; maintenance of student professional liability insurance in the amount of $1 million, $3 million; and college approval.
Locations
- Online
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
- Evening
Grand Canyon University's evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.
* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.
How to Open a Mental Health Group Home
Source: https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/masters-clinical-mental-health-counseling