Master of Arts Degree in Counselor Education with the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration
The Master of Arts Degree in Counselor Education with the Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration prepares students for exciting careers in therapeutic programs involving the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of mental and emotional disorders. Graduates can be licensed as Professional Counselors, Professional Clinical Counselors, or Chemical Dependency Counselors in Ohio, and work in a wide variety of community agencies, government mental health services, hospitals and clinics, or private practices providing individual and group counseling, case management, professional consultation, and supervision. Clinical Mental Health Counselors provide treatment for clients with mental and emotional disorders, substance abuse, family and marital difficulties, career development, and rehabilitation needs. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration is fully accredited as a Clinical Counseling program by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the national accrediting body, located at 1001 North Fairfax Street, Suite 510, Alexandria, VA 22314, Telephone Number: 703-535-5990. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration is also approved by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist (OCSWMFT) Board to provide training toward the PC and PCC licenses. Concentration coursework also meets requirements for licensure in Michigan and most other states. (View the Master's Student Handbook)
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
According to the U.S. Government Occupational Outlook Handbook, prospects for employment for Clinical Mental Health Counselors will grow over the next five years. Virtually all graduates of the UT Clinical Mental Health Counseling program seeking employment gain employment, often in the agency in which they complete their internship. Clinical Mental Health Counselors earn between $23,000 and $55,000 depending upon experience and credentials.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The Counselor Education Program takes pride in the individual attention its faculty devote to students. A faculty advisor guides each student through the program. Students have individual supervisors for all practica and internship experiences. The program is designed for students who are working full time and raising families. All classes meet once per week in the late afternoon or early evening and many classes can be taken in the summer. The Counselor Education Program is committed to recruiting and preparing Ohio licensed professional counselors representative of the diversity in Toledo and the nation.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree. Preference is given to students with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or better. Applicants apply directly to the College of Graduate Studies by submitting a Graduate School Admissions Form, transcript, and three letters of recommendation. In addition, applicants must submit a 2-3 page paper explaining why they want to become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and describing their personal suitability to becoming a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Applicant interviews are conducted during the Fall and Spring Semesters. Students can take up to 9 hours before being admitted to the program by applying for non-degree seeking status. Students can find the application for non-degree seeking students on the College of Graduate Studies web site. Potential applicants may also wish to refer to our Tips for Applicants page. People interested in exploring admission to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program should contact Dr. Leslie Neyland-Brown, Admissions Coordinator, at leslie.neyland@utoledo.edu. The deadlines for submitting applications for admission to the program are September 15, January 15, and May 15.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The following links take you to important information about the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, its curriculum, policies, and procedures. There is also a statement and application about endorsement as a CMHC. These documents are for individuals who wish to complete the educational requirements for a CMHC, but who have a degree in School Counseling or a mental health degree that is less the 60 credit hours required by the OCSWMFT Licensure Board.
A QUALITY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The University of Toledo is located in Toledo, Ohio, USA, on a suburban campus that is six miles west of the downtown area. With an enrollment of nearly 20,000 students, UToledo offers more than 140 academic programs and associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees granted through diverse colleges. Students come from all 50 states and 98 countries. People of all races, cultures, and backgrounds make up our mix of full- and part-time students.
The Counselor Education Program accommodates working students with families by offering classes in the late afternoons and evenings.
This CACREP accredited program leads to licensure as a Professional Counselor (PC) and Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC), and satisfies the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.
Requirements for licensure and/or advanced practice certification/endorsement eligibility vary from state to state. Please reference the Professional Licensure Information page for state details. For students who wish to practice in a state other than Ohio, please contact Dr. Leslie Neyland-Brown, Admissions Coordinator or contact him to discuss requirements in that state.