Southern New Hampshire University - Online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Southern New Hampshire University offers an online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The program focuses on helping students understand that being a counselor is more than just a job. As such students participate in self-reflection, experience personal vulnerability, learn about their own personality and how that affects the counseling relationship and learn about their own strengths and weaknesses. Four core themes are present in the curriculum: ethical reasoning, embracing diversity, integration of theory and skills into the counseling setting, and critical thinking. Notably, the curriculum follows the standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

SNHU’s online MA in Clinical Mental Health counseling degree meets the requirements for certification as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC) for most U.S. states. Students are responsible for preparing for the exam and meeting all requirements for their state of residence. The program consists of 60 credits and can be completed in about 2 years by taking 2 courses per 10-week session. Students may begin in March, May, August, October or December.

The program is mostly online with two in-person, 5-day residencies, a practicum and 2 required internships. During residencies, students collaborate with faculty and peers to develop their counseling identity. Helping Skills and Techniques: Residency I takes place in the first year of the program. Advanced Individual and Group Helping Skills and Techniques: Residency II falls before students begin their 100-hour practicum and two 300-hour internships.

Courses for the online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling may include videos, labs, readings, assignments, projects and assessments. In-person residencies contribute to peer/faculty interaction and collaboration. In addition, students use online multimedia tools for collaboration. Internship and practicum requirements, as well as elective internships, provide opportunities for students to practice learned theory and skills. Student services include SNHUconnect (an online student portal), access to library services, an advisor, admission counselor, the writing center, 24/7 technical support and tutoring and career services.

Courses for the online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling include 54 credits of major courses including 2 residencies and 6 credits of a general track or a specialization track. Major courses may include Diversity in Counseling, Theories of Counseling, Research Methods and Program Evaluation, The Counseling Profession: Orientation, Identity, and Ethics, Assessment and Evaluation in Counseling, Human Development, Substance Use Disorders and Process Addictions, Prevention and Intervention of Crisis and Trauma, Group Counseling, Professional Issues, Ethics, and Laws in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Treatment Planning in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Also included are Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practicum, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship, and Advanced Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Students can then choose 6 credits from the general track or a specialization. General track course choices include Counseling Families, Couples, and Children; Counseling Sexuality Issues; Psychopharmacology; Advanced Psychopathology and Advanced Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling II.

Specialization tracks fall into 4 main categories, each having a combination of courses. Family tracks include Families, Families and Psychopathology, Families and Sexuality, and Families and Psychopharmacology. All combinations include the course Counseling Families, Couples, and Children. Depending on the combination, course choices may include Psychopharmacology, Counseling Sexuality Issues, Advanced Psychopathology and Assessment Techniques or Advanced Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling II.

Psychopathology tracks include Psychopathology, Families and Psychopathology, and Psychopathology and Internship. All combinations include the course Advanced Psychopathology and Assessment Techniques. Depending on the combination, course choices may include Psychopharmacology, Counseling Sexuality Issues, Counseling Families, Couples, and Children, or Advanced Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling II.

Psychopharmacology tracks include Psychopharmacology, Families and Psychopharmacology, and Psychopharmacology and Sexuality. All combinations include the course Psychopharmacology. Depending on the combination, course choices may include Counseling Families, Couples, and Children; Counseling Sexuality Issues; Advanced Psychopathology and Assessment Techniques or Advanced Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling II.

Sexuality tracks include Families and Sexuality, Psychopharmacology and Sexuality, and Sexuality and Internship. All combinations include the course Counseling Sexuality Issues. Depending on the combination, course choices include Counseling Families, Couples, and Children, Psychopharmacology, or Advanced Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling II respectively.

There is also an Internship track which includes Advanced Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling II and another course from those listed for the above combinations.

Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). SNHU plans to apply for accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).