Counseling and Human Resource Development (M.S.) - Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization

Program Coordinator/Contact

Staci Born, Assistant Professor
Department of Counseling and Human Development
Wenona Hall 301, Box 507
605-688-5062

Program Information

Students who successfully complete this 60-credit hour specialization will earn a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Resource Development specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Upon successful completion of the core requirements, and those of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization and with the successful completion of the comprehensive written and oral examinations, graduates are endorsed as having constructed appropriate entry level knowledge and as having met appropriate skill acquisition to be recognized as professional clinical mental health counselors. Students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization are also responsible for having taken supporting area courses which supplement or enhance their chosen specialty.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Accreditation

The Master of Science in CHRD specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) under the 2001 standards for Community Counseling.

Certification

All Master of Science students are eligible to begin the process for the National Certified Counselor certification by taking the NCE six months before or after they graduate.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization is designed to meet the requirements of the South Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners. Graduates of this specialization are eligible for training supervisee status under the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors. Once graduates complete an approved plan for the remainder of the supervised clinical experience, they are eligible for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Licensure

Graduation from this program does not grant immediate licensure as a counselor. Licensure differs by state and is obtainable by completing additional client contact hours after graduation. Students are responsible for researching licensure requirements for the state in which they plan to practice.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course requirements for a M.S. in CHRD specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, students will:

understand and advocate for positive attention to developmental needs of individuals, families, schools, and communities;
promote mental health through well-developed and consistent theoretical study and application;
appreciate cultural, ethnic, and gender differences as they relate to perceptions and expectations of counseling;
apply ethical, legal, moral, and professional standards to all aspects of professional counseling services;
respond to the mental health needs of a variety of individuals and families, through a wide spectrum of services including support, education, assessment, and treatment;
understand and be able to appropriately select and apply a variety of service or treatment modalities;
understand assessment strategies and the criteria for mental illnesses as well as effective treatments;
understand and model healthy community and work relationships; and
be prepared to pursue licensure as a professional counselor.

Course Delivery Format

Instruction occurs through didactic (classroom) and clinical experience. Most classes are enhanced with internet supplement.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Master of Science	Option A - Thesis	60 Credit Hours
	Option B - Research/Design Paper	60 Credit Hours
	Option C - Coursework Only	60 Credit Hours

Core Requirements

CHRD 601 - Introduction to Professional Issues and Ethics Credits: 1
CHRD 602 - Research and Evaluation in Counseling and Human Development Credits: 3
CHRD 610 - Developmental Issues in Counseling Credits: 3
CHRD 661 - Theories of Counseling Credits: 3
CHRD 701 - Professional Issues and Ethics II Credits: 1
CHRD 713 - Administration and Management of Mental Health Organizations Credits: 3
CHRD 723 - Counseling the Family Credits: 3
CHRD 731 - Multicultural Counseling and Human Relations Credits: 3
CHRD 736 - Appraisal of the Individual Credits: 3
CHRD 755 - Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Credits: 4
CHRD 766 - Group Counseling Credits: 3
CHRD 785 - Pre-Practicum Credits: 3
CHRD 786 - Counseling Practicum Credits: 3-5
CHRD 794 - Internship Credits: 2-6 (9 credits required)
PHA 647 - Pharmacological Issues in Mental Health Counseling Credits: 3

Electives

Credits: 9

CHRD 798 - Thesis Credits: 1-6 (Option A - Thesis)
CHRD 788 - Research Problems in Counseling and Guidance Credits: 1-3 (Option B - Research/Design Paper)
Additional Coursework (Option C - Coursework Only)

Total Required Credits: 60 (Option A, B, & C)

Additional Program Requirements

All Master of Science students are required to purchase and carry professional liability insurance throughout the duration of the program. M.Ed. students will be required to purchase and carry professional liability insurance if enrolled in clinical courses.
Clinical course registration is completed by the department.
Students enrolled in the M.S. CHRD program need to complete a practicum and an approved internship. These experiences allow students to learn by doing, with active, sound supervision. The practicum and internship experiences carry clock and credit hour completion expectations. For example, for every 3 credits of internship, students are required to complete 20 hours per week of on-site experience. In addition, regular work expectations outside the classroom exist for every credit hour enrolled. Thus, students enrolled in 3 credits of internship or practicum experience will be considered part-time. Students enrolled in 4 credits of internship or 3 credits of practicum plus other courses to total 4 semester credits will be considered full-time.

Additional Admission Requirements

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Department requirement of 525 paper-based, 71 Internet-based
IELTS: 5.5

Formal Application Process

In addition to applying for Graduate School, applicants must also apply to the CHRD program by April 1 for fall admission or by October 1 for spring admission. Admission is competitive; late applications will not be considered. Students have one calendar year from the time of acceptance to begin taking courses otherwise formal re-application to the CHRD program is required.

The CHRD department requires all applicants to submit the documents below by the appropriate admission deadline:

CHRD Disclosure Statement
Resume
A typed, one-page goal statement discussing your aspirations to the counseling field
Two completed CHRD Recommendation Forms (do not use the Graduate School reference forms).

Based on the rating score of the applicant’s file, the applicant will either be invited to the group screening interview top continue the admissions process or denied admission.

Criminal Background Check Requirement

Applicants who successfully complete the interview will be required to successfully complete and pay for a criminal background check before an official offer of admission is secured.

General Requirements

Graduate students should consult with their advisor before registering for graduate coursework.

For additional information refer to the Master’s Degree Requirements .