Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)

Improve Lives,
Including Yours

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Format
Online or Hybrid
Time to Completion
Approx. 2-3 years
Cost per Credit
$713
Credit Hours Required
60
(includes 600-hour internship)

Counseling Degrees for Passionate Students

Are you passionate about helping others? Do you value a master’s program that meets Pennsylvania Department of Education licensure or certification requirements and is broad in scope to help you be attractive to the largest number of employers? A Master of Science degree from LVC in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is the perfect choice for the next step in your career.

Make a Difference in Mental Health Starting Today

Turn Your Passion for People into a Rewarding Career

The need for well-trained individuals to work in mental health is more important now than ever before. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals who sought mental health treatment increased more than 19% from 2020 to 2021. There are many reasons for this, including:

Two office workers solving a problem

Lebanon Valley College’s master’s program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed specifically for:

  • Motivated, caring individuals interested in helping others for a career in clinical child psychology, addiction counseling, trauma-informed counseling, marriage and family counseling, and other forms of therapy.
  • Adults who are interested in being attractive to the largest number of employers through the college’s distinctive, broad curricular approach.
  • Growing professionals who desire personal attention and mentoring from faculty.

A Program Committed to High Standards

LVC’s Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is aligned with CACREP, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Our programs meet high standards of quality, and our graduates are prepared to practice as professional counselors upon graduation.

The curriculum for both programs is comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics, including:

  • Theories of counseling
  • Assessment and diagnosis
  • Interventions
  • Ethics and professional practice

Take four select courses in the program to earn a Trauma Informed Counseling Certificate.

Receive Hands-On Advising and Mentoring from Caring, Expert Faculty

If counseling is your calling, our faculty members are eager to help you affirm and achieve your goals through individualized, personal attention. As a student in our program, you will connect with faculty members with expertise in:

Two coworkers talking
  • Addiction counseling
  • Clinical supervision and training
  • Couples and family therapy
  • Grief counseling
  • Psychopathology

Courses you’ll take

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is offered in a hybrid format and require 60 credit hours. CMHC is also offered online and includes a 600-hour internship. LVC’s faculty mentors are with you every step of the way.

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Required Courses

Core I: Behavioral Foundations

  • PSY 601 Professional Standards and Ethics
  • PSY 620 Human Growth and Development
  • PSY 621 Social and Cultural Diversity
  • PSY 622 Diagnosis and Treatment Planning for Counselors
  • PSY 701 Orientation to Counseling Processes
  • PSY 750 Assessment and Evaluation
  • PSY 751 Research Methods and Statistics

Core II: Counseling Essentials

  • PSY 711 Group Dynamics
  • PSY 712 Career Counseling and Development
  • PSY 720 Helping Relationships and Counseling Theories/Techniques
  • PSY 721 Advanced Counseling Techniques Theories/Techniques
  • PSY 730 Cognitive Behavior Therapy
  • PSY 732 Addiction Counseling
  • PSY 733 Trauma Counseling

Counseling Electives (Three Courses Total)

  • PSY 731 Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PSY 801 Stress Management
  • PSY 802 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • PSY 803 Social Problems and Counseling
  • PSY 804 Crisis Intervention and Prevention
  • PSY 805 Advanced Career Counseling Techniques
  • PSY 806 Family Counseling
  • PSY 807 Child and Adolescent Counseling
  • PSY 811 Grief Counseling
  • PSY 814 Military and Police Counseling
  • PSY 816 Creative Arts in Counseling

Clinical Engagement

  • PSY 870 Clinical Practicum
  • PSY 900 Clinical Internship I
  • PSY 901 Clinical Internship II

Discover Which Degree is Right for You

Build an Impactful Career

A Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling gives you the tools you need to make an impactful difference in the lives of others.

Career Possibilities

  • Marriage and Family Therapist
  • Case Manger

Salaries you could earn

$59,160
Marriage and Family Therapist
$48,280
Case Manger
Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2020

Advance Your Career Today

A Program as Flexible as Life Demands

Enjoy the flexibility of our step-in/step-out program so you can enroll in courses based on your personal and professional commitments. Both counseling programs may be taken either full or part-time with courses taught in a hybrid format to give you plenty of options based on life’s circumstances.

A Degree Valued in Pennsylvania

LVC’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling meets the State of Pennsylvania licensure requirements and is CACREP-aligned.

Be Attractive to the Largest Number of Employers

Become prepared for a career in hospitals, private practice, or social service organizations through our distinctive, broad curricular approach. Get on the path to become a licensed professional counselor and receive opportunities to develop your clinical identity.

Go Further and Do More

We learned new content in the program through independent work, such as discussion posts, assignments and quizzes, as well as collaborative projects working with our peers.

Sarah Bruchey ’20 and ’M21
Counselor
Maryland Treatment Centers, Inc.