Post-Master’s Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Introduction

Antioch University New England’s counseling and therapy programs intertwine rigorous academic coursework and experiential learning opportunities, giving you the comprehensive training needed to launch your career and to start creating lasting change in the world. Our graduates are prepared to work as professional counselors focused on promoting mental health, well-being and social justice for a diverse, multicultural and global community.

This certificate is offered by AU New England

Program Overview

Beyond the academic requirements for licensure, you may still need to meet additional state requirements that include passing a licensure exam and completion of post-master’s clinical supervision requirements. If you’ve earned a clinical master’s degree but haven’t completed the current educational requirements for state licensure, this program gives you the specialized academic coursework and field experiences required.

Enrollment in this certificate program begins with a review of prior graduate transcripts and professional goals outlined in the essay. As required in the essay, students must demonstrate knowledge about their state’s licensing board requirements and have an idea of the courses needed, as the CMHC program cannot offer specific advice on licensure requirements for any state due to the ever-changing licensure laws. Depending on professional, educational, and clinical backgrounds, credit requirements will vary for enrolled certificate students (e.g., certificate may be anywhere from 9-24 credits). Students will work with the Program Director to develop an individualized program plan prior to admission.

Those admitted to the Post-Master’s Certificate in CMHC are eligible to take any electives offered by the CMHC Program at AUNE. Those needing more than 24 credits are encouraged to apply to the CMHC’s 60 credit CACREP accredited master’s program.   

While this certificate may provide the academic requirements for licensure, we cannot guarantee licensure. Graduates of this certificate program may still need to meet additional state requirements that include passing a licensure exam, background checks, completion of post-master’s clinical supervision requirements, etc. Students will work with their academic advisor to best prepare for licensure eligibility.

Degree Requirements

Please contact the Program Director for a sample syllabi.

Curriculum

(9-24 credits required; the program can be tailored to individual needs)

This Post-Master’s Certificate in CMHC is open to those who already hold a master’s degree in counseling yet do not meet the current educational requirements for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor or licensed professional counselor in their state. This certificate allows counselors with specializations in other areas (e.g., school or career counseling) to gain the additional specialized academic courses currently required for professional counseling licensure. There are a few possible ways in which this certificate can meet educational needs.

For those who need core content classes only, the following courses are available (minimum of 9 credits): 

• COUN-5222 Career Counseling Development (3) 
• COUN-6062 Social/Cultural Diversity (3) 
• COUN-6902 Research & Evaluation in Counseling (3) 
• COUN-5502 Diagnosis and Treatment (3) 
• COUN-6122 Addictions Counseling (3) 
• COUN-6422 Couple and Family Counseling (3) 
• COUN-5262 Human Growth and Development (3) 
• COUN-5142 Assessment and Testing (3) 

This certificate can also assist those who received their degrees several years ago to meet current educational requirements for licensure eligibility. For anyone who graduated prior to 2013, two courses will be required, in addition to other courses in the certificate (ranging from 9-24 credits). This will ensure knowledge of the current ACA Code of Ethics (2014) and the DSM-5 (2013). Those classes include:

• COUN-6032 Professional Orientation and Ethics (3) 
• COUN-5502 Diagnosis and Treatment (3)

For those in need of clinical courses or practicum and internship hours, this certificate can be used to obtain the requirements needed; however, it is expected that all clinical courses are completed through AUNE (in addition to other courses ranging from 9-24 credits). These clinical courses include:

• COUN-5902 Foundational Counseling Skills (3) 
• COUN-6030 Group Counseling (3) 
• 1-2 Face to Face Residencies (0 credits each) 

*Residencies generally occur in May and December. Students are responsible for the residency fee, transportation, and room and board. 

• COUN-6960 CMHC Practicum (3) 
• COUN-6990 CMHC Internships (3 – 9 credits, depending on state requirements) (3 credits each)

Total Credits for the Post-Master’s Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – 9 to 24 credits

Career Outlook

This Post-master’s Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is open to those who already hold a master’s degree in counseling yet do not meet the current educational requirements for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor in their state. This certificate allows counselors with specializations in other areas (such as school or career counseling) to gain the additional specialized academic and field experiences currently required for clinical mental health counseling. This certificate also assists those who received their degrees several years ago to meet current educational requirements for licensure eligibility. While this certificate provides the academic requirements for licensure, graduates of this certificate program may still need to meet additional state requirements that include passing a licensure exam and completion of their post-master’s clinical supervision requirements.