Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health degree requires a minimum of 56 semester hours of graduate credit. No credit will be given for courses taken more than six years prior to the date on which the degree is to be conferred.

There are certain conditions that must be met to transfer regular graduate credit to Mercer's graduate program. The institution must be accredited and the student must be admitted to the institution's regular graduate program. Graduate work taken at other institutions must be part of a planned program leading to a degree equivalent to the Master of Science degree at Mercer. The work must be appropriate for the student's planned program. The maximum amount of transferred credit is 12 semester hours. Only courses in which the student earned a "B" or better will be considered for transfer credit. Courses taken for another degree previously earned may not be applied to the M.S.

Examinations

As part of preparing the student for licensure in the State of Georgia, the licensing examination (National Counselor Examination-NCE) is offered twice each year in April and October. Students in the Clinical Mental Health Program are strongly urged to take this exam and are prepared for the test during COUN 630/633-Counseling Seminar.

Degree Requirements-60 Semester Hours

Area I: Professional Studies (17 semester hours)

Required Courses:

COUN 602-Introduction to CMH Counseling - 3 credit hours

COUN 613-Cultural Perspectives in Counseling - 3 credit hours

COUN 614-Life Span Development - 3 credit hours

COUN 618-Ethics and Professional Issues - 3 credit hours

COUN 621-Research and Program Evaluation - 3 credit hours

COUN 630- Counseling Seminar - 1 credit hour

COUN 635-Orientation to Professional Practice - 1 credit hour

Area II: Content and Related Studies (28 semester hours)

Required Courses:

COUN 601-Career and Vocational Guidance - 3 credit hours

COUN 604-Psychopathology - 3 credit hours

COUN 605-Group Techniques and Procedure - 4 credit hours

COUN 606-Psychological Helping Skills I - 3 credit hours

COUN 608 Psych Aspects of Substance Abuse - 3 credit hours

COUN 612-Counseling Theory - 3 credit hours

COUN 615-Psychological Helping Skills II - 3 credit hours

COUN 617-Individual Analysis and Testing - 3 credit hours

COUN 641-Systems Theory - 3 credit hours

Area III: Clinical Practice (9 semester hours)

Required Courses:

COUN 609-Practicum - 3 credit hours

COUN 610-Internship I - 3 credit hours

COUN 610-Internship II - 3 credit hours

Area IV: Electives (6 semester hours)

Choose 2 courses from the following or others with adviser recommendation:

COUN 603-Directed Independent Study - 1-3 credit hours

COUN 607-Gender Issues in Counseling - 3 credit hours

COUN 624-Advanced Addictions Treatment - 3 credit hours

COUN 611-Special Topic (e.g., play therapy, cognitive behavior, faith-based counseling, crisis intervention, & etc.) - 3 credit hours

COUN 616-Psychological Helping Skills III - 3 credit hours

COUN 631-Intro to School Counseling - 3 credit hours

COUN 632-Leadership & Administration in School Counseling - 3 credit hours

COUN 623-Play Therapy - 3 credit hours

Other: 3 credit hours

Internship:

Prerequisites

COUN 602-Introduction to Clinical Mental Health

COUN 604-Psychopathology

COUN 605-Group techniques and Procedures

COUN 606-Psychological Helping Skills I

COUN 608-Psychological Aspects of Substance Abuse

COUN 612-Counsleing Theories

COUN 613-Cultural Perspectives in Counseling

COUN 614-Lifespan Development

COUN 618-Ethics and Professional Issues

COUN 635-Orientation to Clinical Practice