Antioch University – Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Department of Applied Psychology at Antioch University offers an online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This program covers eight core areas including human growth and development, ethics, cultural diversity, patient assessment and testing, counseling relationships, group counseling, research and program evaluation, and career development. To ensure completion of required clinical hours, students participate in a semester long practicum and three semesters of internships to gain hands-on experience.

The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is mostly online with two, one-week campus immersions during the program. The MA degree consists of 60 credits including core courses, practicum and internships, and three elective courses in the areas of trauma, substance abuse/addiction, and military counseling.

The program is designed to be full-time and completed in three years. Students wishing to pursue a part-time program should expect to complete the degree in four to five years. Courses begin in the fall, spring, or summer.

Antioch University offers courses that are both synchronous and asynchronous. The online program utilizes both Sakai and Engage as its Learning Management Systems (LMS). Students should expect to devote approximately 9 hours per course, per week, to their studies, plus 20 hours per week at clinical sites during practicum and internship semesters.

Courses for the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling may include Group Approaches to Mental Health Counseling; Fundamentals of Therapeutic Interaction; Professional Orientation & Ethics; Counseling Theories: Models & Approaches; Human Development: Lifespan and Systems Perspectives; Issues in Addictions Recovery; Social Cultural Diversity; Career and Lifestyle Counseling; and Crisis Counseling Interventions.

The CMHC Practicum includes 100 hours with an organization. The CMHC Internships cover three semesters and 900 hours of clinicals. In addition, students choose three electives from courses such as Military Culture & Language; Counseling Approaches to Trauma, Grief, and Loss; Trauma and Resiliency: Body, Mind, and Brain; Military Deployment Cycles; and Integrative Approaches to Addictions Counseling.

Antioch University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the New England Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).