Master of Arts In Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Learn to work in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health and emotional problems and how to promote mental health and wellness. Upon completion of the program, you will be prepared to work in a variety of settings, including counseling/substance abuse centers, schools, hospitals, and social service agencies.

Provide Professional Help for Life's Challenges

As a mental health counselor, you’ll help individuals, groups, and families overcome challenges by providing them emotional and psychological support and assist them in improving their well-being.

As part of our innovative M.A. program in clinical mental health counseling, you'll study theories and skills related to mental health, substance use, and trauma interventions and learn how to apply them to connect with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.

Our 60-credit program is designed to meet the program requirements to be a Connecticut Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). You will gain extensive fieldwork experience through counseling practicum opportunities and internships that match your interests and professional goals while developing the skills and knowledge to enhance and enrich individuals, families, groups and communities.

As part of our program, you can also supplement your education with the unique opportunity to pursue a concentration in forensic mental health or community development.

  • The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Program at the University of New Haven prepares students to be effective and competent counselors in a dynamic profession. A central foundation of the CMHC Program mission is to prepare counselors to work in an increasingly diverse society and a broad range of practice settings. This includes an emphasis on developing the skills, knowledge, and awareness necessary to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and requires an understanding and integration of principles of advocacy and social justice. Furthermore, the program emphasizes the integration of ethical and legal principles as well as the development of professional leadership skills. Steeped in the University of New Haven mission and tradition, the CMHC program motivates and transforms students to embrace the value of high-impact, collaborative, and discovery-based learning.

    1. Dispositions
      From admission through exit CMHC students will demonstrate the attitudes, characteristics, and behaviors defined by the program as characteristic of exemplar counseling professionals.
    2. Ethical Practice
      CMHC Students will demonstrate the capacity to practice counseling from a strong foundational understanding of ethical and legal issues, intentionally integrating counseling ethical practices into day-to-day professional activities.
    3. Social & Cultural Diversity
      In keeping with the American Counseling Association multicultural competencies, CMHC students will develop self-awareness, knowledge, and skills to prepare them to be contemporary, relevant, and culturally informed practitioners in clinical settings.
    4. Human Growth & Development
      CMHC students will demonstrate knowledge of lifespan development, systemic and environmental factors that affect human development, functioning, and behavior and the capacity to integrate knowledge of developmental theory into practice.
    5. Career Development
      CMHC students will demonstrate competence in understanding the world of work and the relationship between mental health and life roles such as work, school, and home.
    6. Counseling & Helping Relationships
      CMHC students will gain an understanding of the theories and research related to helping relationships and will develop the skills to apply their knowledge in professional, therapeutic relationships.
    7. Group Counseling & Group Work
      CMHC students will demonstrate knowledge of group process dynamics, group counseling, and group work, including group theories, stages of group, leadership styles, and therapeutic factors.
    8. Assessment & Testing
      CMHC students will demonstrate a broad understanding of validity and reliability of assessments, the selection and use of assessment tools, client assessment and diagnosis, trauma assessment, and the assessment of self-inflicted harm and danger to others.
    9. Research & Program Evaluation
      CMHC students will demonstrate the capacity to select, analyze, and apply research to inform practice, including evidence-based practices and theory-based interventions appropriate to their designated setting and personal theoretical orientation.
    10. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
      CMHC students will demonstrate an understanding of foundational knowledge (such as psychological testing), contextual factors (such as trauma, co-occurring disorders, poverty, and culture), and the demonstration of competence in clinical mental health fieldwork.

Envision Your Future

The information below is designed to show the many possible careers you could pursue with your major. The research is provided by Encoura, the leading research and advisory firm focused exclusively on higher education. It includes median national salaries and industry growth projections over the next decade. Click here to view the full report.

$70K

Director of Public Safety Programs

8% Growth 2021-2030

$70K

Disaster Prep Specialist

8% Growth 2021-2030

$71K

EMS System Coordinator

8% Growth 2021-2030

Selected Courses and Programs
  • ËÄÉ«AV of New Haven offers a wide variety of in-depth courses that create a transformational educational experience for our students. To view the complete list of courses you'll take while pursuing a M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, check out the Academic Catalog:

    Concentrations:

  • Earn your degree from the convenience of home with our new 100% online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.

Methods of instruction

Diverse methods of instruction utilized in the program include, but are not limited to, classroom lectures, didactic instruction, role-playing and simulation, supervised practicum and internships, group class discussions and case studies, experiential learning activities, research and literature review, supervision and feedback, and professional development workshops.

Minimum degree requirements

Applicants to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent).


CACREP Accreditation Status:
Charger Advantage

Get an inside look at what differentiates the University of New Haven and how your experiences as a student will prepare you for success.

Learn from professors who are dedicated to your success.

Our faculty are leaders and innovators in their fields, bringing both deep professional experience and academic rigor to the classroom.

Nationally Recognized Center for Career Development

All University of New Haven students have access to the many resources available through the University’s Career Development Center, which has been named one of the best in the nation by The Princeton Review.

From career assessments, networking, and job shadowing to on-campus interviews and salary negotiation, the Career Development Center provides the skills and connections to identify a meaningful career and an opportunity to pursue your passion.

Learn More
Upcoming Events
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Buzz

Enjoy the latest issue of the CMHC Buzz, the official newsletter of the University's master's degree program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

CMHC Buzz - Spring 2022 (PDF)



Annual Report

View the University of New Haven CMHC Annual Report for the academic year 2022-2023.

CMHC Annual Report


Next Steps
  • An advanced degree from the University of New Haven will help you take your career to the next level. Each program offers convenient scheduling, personalized attention, and state-of-the-art facilities.

    The following are required when applying for the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling:

    • Official university transcripts and proof of bachelor’s degree completion. An explanation of your university grading system must also be provided along with your transcripts.
    • A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 is strongly recommended.
    • Two letters of recommendation from your professors or employers
    • A Statement of Purpose is required.
    • A résumé is required.

    Admission is highly competitive and application reviews are conducted once a year for fall semester admission. The application deadline is February 1st.

    Selected applicants will be interviewed by department faculty to assess academic readiness, professional maturity, interpersonal skills, and alignment with counseling profession values. Diversity and commitment to serving diverse populations are prioritized in admissions. Program faculty then select who will matriculate into the program.

    View Graduate Application Requirements
  • ËÄÉ«AV of New Haven Graduate School is an excellent value with reasonable tuition. Of course, you will still have bills to pay and the Financial Aid office can help.

    Learn More

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Licensure and Certification Information

Please note that we are currently working through the states’ requirements and will update this information as we make the determinations. Please click the link below to find state-specific contact information for Licensed Professional Counselor Regulatory Departments and Boards.

Click the link below for contact information on State licensure boards.

Licensure Information

Click here for more information on Licensure & Professional Certification Disclosures.