2024-2025 Rowan University Academic Catalog
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
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 Return to: College of Science & Mathematics
The focus of the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is on preparing students to become mental health counselors who are involved in the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of mental health problems. Many of our students apply for licensure as Licensed Associate Counselors (LAC), and then as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) in New Jersey and other states. With the master’s degree completion, some students choose to seek research positions or pursue doctoral degrees. As such, students will receive a comprehensive background in counseling theories, empirical research findings, counseling skills, and treatment approaches necessary for the effective delivery of services in a variety of mental health settings. The program places a particular emphasis upon delivering strong skills in differential diagnosis, conceptualization, and the use of evidence-based practices, with strong studies in ethics and multicultural issues.
As part of their program, students are required to complete at least 600 hours of supervised practice in a mental health setting and complete the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE). The master’s program consists of 60 credit hours of graduate work, which is the educational requirement for the LAC/LPC. Students may also become involved in faculty labs, on a volunteer basis. This is valuable in gaining research experience and in further connecting with faculty.
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Required Courses: 60 s.h.
Note:
Currently, the Thesis Track is unavailable. However, there are limited opportunities for students to be involved in a research lab. Contact the program coordinator for additional details.
Total Required Credits for the Program: 60 s.h.
Foundation Courses
Students must have successfully completed at least 12 credits of undergraduate-level Psychology courses at an accredited institution, including one course in Abnormal Psychology, one course in Statistics, and one course in Research Methods.
Graduation/Exit, Benchmark, and/or Thesis Requirements
- All students are required to take the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) during their second year in the program (or the equivalent for students who are part-time). Benchmarks: Successful completion of all benchmarks is required for continuation in and graduation from the program. Details regarding benchmarks’ timing and assessments will be shared with the student throughout the program by the Program Coordinator.
Benchmarks: Successful completion of all benchmarks is required for continuation in and graduation from the program. Details regarding benchmarks’ timing and assessments will be shared with the student throughout the program by the Program Coordinator.
Benchmark I:
- Timing: Occurs before, or at, the conclusion of each semester
- Requirements: Candidates must meet all of the requirements of the profession in terms of professional demeanor, client and faculty interaction, and ethical behavior, as determined by the Program Coordinator, Thesis Advisors (where indicated), Faculty Members and both on- and off-site Practicum Supervisors. The adherence to professional standards is including, but not limited to, abiding by the NBCC Code of Ethics and NJ Professional Counselor Committee Laws and Regulations. In addition, students must exhibit psychological and professional readiness for counselors-in-training.
- Options: If a student does not successfully pass the benchmark, the student may be provided a remediation plan for professional behavior by the Program Coordinator, or may be dismissed from the program.
Benchmark II:
- Timing: Occurs after the completion of 28 prescribed credits (Year I-including Summer)
- Requirements: Candidates must successfully complete all Year I courses (including Summer) and secure a practicum location. In addition, students in the Thesis Track must also formulate a suitable thesis topic (with approval of their Thesis Advisors) by the end of the Summer term of their first year. Students need to discuss details with their Thesis Advisors and the Program Coordinator. As noted above, Thesis Track is currently unavailable.
- Options: If a student does not successfully pass the benchmark, the student may be invited to re-take any necessary coursework, dependent upon review of overall academic achievement and personal and professional conduct. The student may be advised on the possibility of extensions regarding timing of thesis formulation and practicum placement, dependent upon overall progress and movement toward these goals.
Benchmark III:
- Timing: Occurs after the completion of 60 prescribed credits (Year II)
- Requirements: Candidates in the Thesis Track must successfully defend their Master’s Theses (including Master’s Thesis II course). Candidates in the Advanced Clinical Track must successfully complete the additional coursework (6 credits of Advanced Clinical Seminar). Candidates in both tracks must complete 600 hours of practicum experience with satisfactory supervisory evaluations.
- Options: If a student does not successfully pass the benchmark, the student may be invited (at the Program Coordinator and Practicum Coordinator’s discretion) to re-take any necessary coursework (including Practicum), and/or resubmit the Master’s Thesis and defense. If remedial efforts are still unsuccessful, the student may be dismissed from the program.
Minimum Required Grades and Cumulative GPA
The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a Category 2 program.
For details regarding satisfactory academic progress and graduation requirements, please visit Academic Program Policy Categories
Program Coordinator/Advisor Contact Information
cmhc@rowan.edu
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Return to: College of Science & Mathematics
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