The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program (CMHC) at Concordia University Chicago prepares graduates with the professional knowledge, skills and practices necessary to address a wide variety of complex issues and empower diverse populations to promote optimal wellness and growth. Graduate students receive a high-quality education emphasizing Christian beliefs through integrity, competency and leadership skills. The program also recognizes, values and instills the development of techniques, conduct and self-reflection imperative to effectiveness as professionals within a diverse community and world.
The CMHC program prepares candidates as qualified entry-level counselors able to practice in a variety of contexts. These settings may include community agencies, residential settings, social service agencies, hospitals, religious organizations and private practice. Candidates from the program exhibit high standards of professionalism while integrating theory, technique and ethics into every aspect of their careers. The program requirements reflect current educational components of the Licensed Professional Counselor examination in the state of Illinois. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree also holds special and unique accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed to enable students to:
- Articulate and assume the professional and ethical role of a counselor.
- Discuss and demonstrate techniques of cross-cultural counseling and advocate on behalf of multicultural populations.
- Describe the role that human growth and development plays in counseling interventions and modify these interventions as appropriate.
- Explain theories of career development and implement career interventions.
- Define and utilize counseling skills and advanced counseling interventions.
- Articulate theories of group counseling and utilize leadership skills in facilitating various types of groups.
- Identify and utilize various types of counseling assessments.
- Describe and conduct methods of research and program evaluation.
General Graduate Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Concordia University Chicago graduate programs as published in the Concordia University Chicago academic catalog.
New students are accepted into graduate degree-seeking, certificate, endorsement and/or post-graduate programs for online and on-campus study in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Previously admitted students seeking to change programs may do so at the beginning of a semester (only) by submitting a Change-of-Program quick app. Applicants must be in good academic standing according to Concordia University Chicago’s satisfactory academic progress standards at the time of requesting a program change.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
Documented evidence of 12 semester hours of prior coursework in sociology or psychology or related field with a grade of “C” or higher and departmental approval.
Please note: Students are admitted to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program for the Fall and Spring terms only. Students are not admitted for the Summer session.
Completion of 60 semester hours, including successful completion of the capstone experience, and the clinical experiences practicum (100 clinical hours) and internship (600 clinical hours total).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CMHC-6000 | Introduction to the Counseling Profession | 3 |
| CMHC-6010 | Counseling Theory and Practice | 3 |
| CMHC-6015 | Counseling Intervention and Techniques | 3 |
| CMHC-6020 | Career Counseling and Education | 3 |
| CMHC-6025 | Assessment Techniques | 3 |
| CMHC-6030 | Research in Counseling | 3 |
| CMHC-6035 | Counseling and Human Development | 3 |
| CMHC-6040 | Applied Diagnosis for Counselors | 3 |
| CMHC-6055 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| CMHC-6310 | Clinical Mental Health Counseling Profession | 3 |
| CMHC-6330 | Transforming Crisis into Wellness and Prevention | 3 |
| CMHC-6340 | Clinical Group Counseling | 3 |
| CMHC-6355 | Cognitive Behavior Theory and Therapy | 3 |
| CMHC-6420 | Substance/Alcohol Use and Treatment | 3 |
| CMHC-6550 | Family Systems Theory and Therapy | 3 |
| CMHC-6610 | Advanced Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| Elective | ||
| CMHC-6060 | Child and Adolescent Counseling | 3 |
| or select one 3-credit 6000-level course from CMHC or another graduate specialty in consultation with your Graduate Program Specialist (GPS) | ||
| Clinical Experience | ||
| CMHC-6930 | Practicum: Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CMHC-6935 | Internship I: Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CMHC-6940 | Internship II: Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Capstone Experience
Capstone is a comprehensive multiple-choice exam taken during the practicum semester.
Graduation Requirements
- Have on file an application as a degree-seeking graduate student.
- Have on file one official transcript from EACH college/university attended of all previous coursework taken.
- Complete, for the degree being sought:
- the credit hours and levels as designated,
- within the specified time limit,
- with grades of C- or higher,
- with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Students completing multiple advanced programs or degrees at CUC must have a 3.0 GPA in each academic program in addition to a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- If transfer credit is approved to be applied: have on file an approved “Graduate Transfer Credit Approval” form(s) or evaluation(s).
- Have on file the Intent to Graduate/Complete form with the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline.
- Have on file, if applicable, necessary copies of a project, thesis or dissertation.
- Take and pass the final examination or terminal requirements in the program during or after the final course.
- Approval of the faculty.
- All administrative obligations to CUC must be cleared in order to prompt the release of CUC transcripts and diploma(s).
Every attempt has been made to include information to aid the student with information about his/her program, degree and graduation/completion requirements. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to complete all steps and meet all deadlines relevant to graduation requirements.