M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Curriculum
Our full-time, 60-credit hour Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling sets itself apart from others with our focus on an intersectional approach to mental health throughout the program.
Students will complete this program in five consecutive semesters within cohorts through an in-person delivery model. As of fall 2024, students have the ability to choose between a daytime or evening cohort. No GRE needed to apply.
Year One: Fall - Summer
Fall Semester I (12-credit hours)
CMC-610: Counseling Theories I (3.00)
This course will provide an overview of the basic concepts, history, process of psychotherapy, mechanisms of change, and applications of the major schools of counseling and psychotherapy. Learners will focus on the integration of theory as it relates to individual psychotherapy, multicultural, developmental, and systemic foundations. A multicultural lens will be used to examine each theoretical framework and evaluate utility based on its culture-bound factors and applicability to diverse populations. The course will thoroughly examine current trends and pressing questions in the practice of counseling.CMC-612: Professional Orientation to Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3.00)
This graduate course is designed to introduce learners to the profession of mental health counseling and to support their professional development. Learners will gain foundational knowledge of all facets of the professional duties and responsibilities of mental health counselors including: roles, organizational structures, ethics, standards, and credentialing. Learners will engage in a variety of activities designed to apply course content and achieve the learning outcomes. Examples of learning activities include in-class quick writes, ethical dilemmas, case studies, role-plays, and oral presentations.CMC-614: Counseling Diverse Populations: Social, Linguistic & Cultural Foundations (3.00)
This course will provide learners with an introduction to the influence of culture on human behavior and mental processes. More specifically, the course will introduce the dynamic and fluid nature of cultural influences on human behavior and emphasize the importance of self-reflection for helping professionals. Learners will be encouraged to explore their own cultural background, self-identity, worldview, self-esteem, and to understand how their implicit biases and perspectives influence the counseling process. Topics begin with an examination of theoretical definitions of culture, and cover a broad range of theories and research findings regarding cultural influences on human behavior and cognitive processes such as: lifespan development, abnormal behavior and mental health, self-concept, emotion, motivation, learning, intelligence, perception, memory, communication, social cognition, and social behavior. Learners will examine the diversity of human expression in contexts ranging from everyday modes of functioning, family, work, and other social relationships. With an understanding of how culture influences human behavior, learners will be better equipped to interact with clients and stakeholders from a global perspective. Course content will highlight cross-cultural research and methodology.CMC-620: Principles and Techniques of Counseling (3.00)
This course is the first part of a yearlong sequence designed to introduce mental health counseling students to the clinical skills relevant to beginning practice in the field. Both the course material and lab experience will contribute to meeting practicum requirements for licensure as licensed professional counselor in Georgia.Spring 1 (12-credit hours)
CMC-616: Individual Appraisal and Assessment (3.00)
This course is designed to provide an understanding of individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation in a multicultural society. Comprehension and application of basic concepts of standardized and nonstandardized testing and other assessment techniques, including norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessment, environmental assessment, performance assessment, inventory methods, psychological testing, and behavioral observations are examined. Learners will discuss the social and cultural factors related to the assessment and evaluation of individuals, groups, and specific populations. Identifications of applicable ethical strategies for selecting, administering, and interpreting assessment and evaluation instruments and techniques in counseling will be evaluated.CMC-622: Counseling Theories II (3.00)
This course will link the theoretical foundations and perspectives of counseling theory (obtained in Counseling Theories I) to their application in the practice of counseling. Learners will use their knowledge of the principles and history of modern counseling theories to understand the use of such theories with the counseling profession. The course will allow students to engage in the practical application of clinical techniques and review and practice skills related to identified theories. An emphasis will be placed upon cultural humility to promote a cultural context that is inclusive of gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, ability, and age. Prerequisite: Permission of director.CMC-624: Advanced Psychopathology: Assessment, Diagnosis & Treatment (3.00)
This course provides students with a basic understanding of abnormal human behavior by examining an overview of psychiatric disorders. Students will examine the history, theories, models and classification of mental disorders and approaches to their treatment. The course familiarizes learners with vocabulary and diagnostic categories currently in use, using the DSM-V. Topics will cover the mental health profession and relevant legal, social and theoretical issues. Advanced Psychopathology will assist learners in the classification of abnormal behavior.CMC-626: Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues in Counseling (3.00)
This is an advanced seminar focusing on ethical and legal issues in mental health counseling. The overarching goal of the course is to socialize students into the profession of mental health counseling; the focus will be on providing students with an opportunity to learn about the identity of mental health counselor and the expected roles and responsibilities. A major objective of this course is for students to learn how to critically think about the ethical principles and guidelines within mental health counseling. In addition, students will learn about certification and licensing, accreditation, professional identity, the history of mental health counseling, and future developments.Summer I (12-credit hours)
Students are required to be enrolled during summer semester to remain on track within this cohort program.CMC-642: Human Growth & Development Across the Lifespan (3.00)
This course is an introduction to lifespan developmental theory and its practical application for counselors. An overview of the psychological, biological, ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors that influence the growth and development through the lifespan will be provided. Counseling strategies and interventions based on lifespan developmental theory to meet the personal, social, and academic needs of students will be included.CMC-632: Group Theory and Process (3.00)
This course will provide foundational knowledge and skills related to group development, process, and dynamics; group counseling theories; and group leadership and counseling methods. Emphasis will be placed on factors to consider when developing, conducting, and evaluating groups. Learners will explore different theoretical approaches to counseling groups, as well as evaluating various types of counseling groups. The course content will highlight ethical, legal, and professional issues.CMC-636: Addictions and Substance Use (3.00)
This course provides an overview of counseling theory, techniques and professional/ethical standards that are most effective in counseling clients who have been diagnosed with an addictive disorder. Learners will acquire knowledge about prevention strategies, relapse prevention strategies, treatment planning, and the importance of family therapy and self-help groups and how they relate to psychosocial rehabilitation treatment outcomes. Research related to most effective and practical theoretical counseling models that foster personal growth, healing and change will be presented. Learners will develop an ability to critique current research using recovery, multicultural and social-justice oriented frameworks. The importance of comprehensive integrated treatment of individuals with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders will be emphasized.CMC-660: Counseling Practicum (3.00)
The ability to interact and work successfully with others in society begins with an understanding of where we, ourselves, stand with regard to complex social issues such as racism, classism, sexism, disability, and other human rights issues. The broader goal of the practicum experience is fostering personal growth, deepening critical consciousness, engaging in lifelong learning and social change. This course will provide learners with the opportunity to increase understanding of themselves and their impact on others. Course activities will be designed to facilitate growth in specific counseling skills, case conceptualization skills, self-awareness, and professional development. Learners will engage in activities including: role plays, case presentations, professional self-assessment, and peer consultation. Registration is limited by program of study.Year Two: Fall - Spring
Fall II (12-credit hours)
In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to take one elective course during their second fall semester in the program.
CMC-634: Crisis, Trauma & Grief Counseling: Impact, Intervention and Management (3.00)
The course is designed to provide students with knowledge of and competencies in trauma and crisis counseling in urban and multicultural contexts in school based settings. We specifically investigate ecological, developmental, and social variables that impact ethnic minority and low-income communities and their experience of trauma. Trauma associated with racism, poverty, violence, immigration, refugee status, homelessness, abuse, death, injury, health, and crime (as well as other conditions and issues) will be explored. Culturally relevant intervention models and strategies will be discussed for various forms of crisis and trauma. These include the use of cultural-ecological crisis assessment and intervention models for school and community based settings.CMC-646: Lifestyle and Career Development Assessment (3.00)
In this course, learners will examine career development from various theoretical standpoints, the relationship between theory and practice, and how these come together in the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities of the career counselor. Emphasis is placed on the unique contributions that diverse factors such as age, gender, race, ethnic group, sexual orientation, disability, etc. make to career and lifestyle development across the lifespan. The course will also critically examine traditional career development theories, as well as major career assessment and occupation information systems. An overview of components and evaluation of career counseling interventions and programs in schools, work, and community settings will also be provided.CMC-650: Internship in Mental Health Counseling I (3.00)
Internship in Mental Health Counseling I is designed to introduce students to specific issues of clinical importance frequently encountered in counseling practice. Specific topics will be discussed in class/lecture format followed by practice/discussion sessions. Experienced guest lecturers with expertise in various areas of clinical practice will provide information on clinical interventions for certain special populations, which will help you prepare for practice in the field. Both course material and lab experience will contribute to meeting internship requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia. Prerequisite: Approved internship application.Spring II Semester (12-credit hours)
In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to take one elective course during their second spring semester in the program.