The Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed to prepare students to function as licensed clinical mental health counselors. Students may choose to complete concentrations in Addictions Treatment, Marriage and Family Therapy, Eating Disorders, Play Therapy, or Wellness Leadership. The program provides the educational requirements outlined by the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice as requisite to attaining clinical mental health counseling licensure. Program requirements, policies, and resources are all available in the student handbook that all students review during the Professional Orientation and Ethics course. It may also be requested from the program coordinator listed above. Students should note that there are significant post-degree requirements to undertake prior to being licensed. The clinical mental health counseling program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Internship
Students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program must successfully complete a 600-hour mental health counseling internship in a mental health setting. Students can choose to remain in one setting or can split their time between two settings. A mental health provider licensed under the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice must provide individual supervision at the internship site on a weekly basis. Students interning out of state need to be supervised by mental health providers licensed in the state in which they are practicing. In addition to their field experience, students are required to attend a weekly University based internship seminar. Typically, the internship requirement is met over two academic terms and carries six credits. Students must complete their internship experience within two calendar years.
PSU was recently awarded a $1.9 million Federal Behavioral Health and Workforce Education Training program grant.
Curriculum & Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Counselor Education Component | ||
| CO 5010 | Professional Orientation and Ethics | 3 |
| CO 5020 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| CO 5040 | Diversity and Advocacy in Helping Relationships | 3 |
| CO 5050 | Advanced Human Development | 3 |
| CO 5070 | Research Design in the Helping Professions | 3 |
| CO 5230 | Career Counseling and Development | 3 |
| CO 5260 | Counseling Theories and Personality | 3 |
| CO 5430 | Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
| CO 5460 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5100 | Practicum | 3 |
| Clinical Mental Health Specialization Component | ||
| CO 5130 | Psychopharmacology and the Biological Basis of Mental Health | 3 |
| CO 5600 | Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5670 | Working with Children and Families | 3 |
| CO 5710 | Crisis and Trauma Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5720 | Addictions & Related Disorders | 3 |
| CO 5770 | Psychopathology: Disorders of Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood | 3 |
| CO 5790 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| CO 5880 | Seminar and Internship in Mental Health Counseling | 6-9 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Optional Concentrations in this Major
Addictions Treatment
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Counselor Education Component | ||
| CO 5010 | Professional Orientation and Ethics | 3 |
| CO 5020 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| CO 5040 | Diversity and Advocacy in Helping Relationships | 3 |
| CO 5050 | Advanced Human Development | 3 |
| CO 5070 | Research Design in the Helping Professions | 3 |
| CO 5230 | Career Counseling and Development | 3 |
| CO 5260 | Counseling Theories and Personality | 3 |
| CO 5430 | Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
| CO 5460 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5100 | Practicum | 3 |
| Clinical Mental Health Specialization Component | ||
| CO 5130 | Psychopharmacology and the Biological Basis of Mental Health | 3 |
| CO 5600 | Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5670 | Working with Children and Families | 3 |
| CO 5710 | Crisis and Trauma Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5720 | Addictions & Related Disorders | 3 |
| CO 5770 | Psychopathology: Disorders of Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood | 3 |
| CO 5790 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| CO 5880 | Seminar and Internship in Mental Health Counseling | 6-9 |
| Addictions Treatment Component | ||
| CO 5730 | Addictions Treatment Modalities | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60-63 | |
Marriage and Family Therapy
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Counselor Education Component | ||
| CO 5010 | Professional Orientation and Ethics | 3 |
| CO 5020 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| CO 5040 | Diversity and Advocacy in Helping Relationships | 3 |
| CO 5050 | Advanced Human Development | 3 |
| CO 5070 | Research Design in the Helping Professions | 3 |
| CO 5230 | Career Counseling and Development | 3 |
| CO 5260 | Counseling Theories and Personality | 3 |
| CO 5430 | Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
| CO 5460 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5100 | Practicum | 3 |
| Clinical Mental Health Specialization Component | ||
| CO 5130 | Psychopharmacology and the Biological Basis of Mental Health | 3 |
| CO 5600 | Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5670 | Working with Children and Families | 3 |
| CO 5710 | Crisis and Trauma Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5720 | Addictions & Related Disorders | 3 |
| CO 5770 | Psychopathology: Disorders of Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood | 3 |
| CO 5790 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| CO 5880 | Seminar and Internship in Mental Health Counseling | 6-9 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy Component | ||
| MFT 5010 | Foundational Methods in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5020 | Current Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5030 | Foundations and Ethics in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5900 | Seminar and Internship in Marriage and Family Therapy | 1-9 |
| Total Credits | 67-78 | |
Eating Disorders
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Counselor Education Component | ||
| CO 5010 | Professional Orientation and Ethics | 3 |
| CO 5020 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| CO 5040 | Diversity and Advocacy in Helping Relationships | 3 |
| CO 5050 | Advanced Human Development | 3 |
| CO 5070 | Research Design in the Helping Professions | 3 |
| CO 5230 | Career Counseling and Development | 3 |
| CO 5260 | Counseling Theories and Personality | 3 |
| CO 5430 | Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
| CO 5460 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5100 | Practicum | 3 |
| Clinical Mental Health Specialization Component | ||
| CO 5130 | Psychopharmacology and the Biological Basis of Mental Health | 3 |
| CO 5600 | Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5670 | Working with Children and Families | 3 |
| CO 5710 | Crisis and Trauma Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5720 | Addictions & Related Disorders | 3 |
| CO 5770 | Psychopathology: Disorders of Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood | 3 |
| CO 5790 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| CO 5880 | Seminar and Internship in Mental Health Counseling | 6-9 |
| Eating Disorders Component | ||
| CO 5160 | Eating Disorders: Awareness and Prevention | 3 |
| CO 5185 | Medical Aspects and Nutrition Counseling of Eating Disorders | 3 |
| CO 5170 | Treatment Modalities for Eating Disorders | 3 |
| Total Credits | 66-69 | |
Play Therapy
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Counselor Education Component | ||
| CO 5010 | Professional Orientation and Ethics | 3 |
| CO 5020 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| CO 5040 | Diversity and Advocacy in Helping Relationships | 3 |
| CO 5050 | Advanced Human Development | 3 |
| CO 5070 | Research Design in the Helping Professions | 3 |
| CO 5230 | Career Counseling and Development | 3 |
| CO 5260 | Counseling Theories and Personality | 3 |
| CO 5430 | Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
| CO 5460 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5100 | Practicum | 3 |
| Clinical Mental Health Specialization Component | ||
| CO 5130 | Psychopharmacology and the Biological Basis of Mental Health | 3 |
| CO 5600 | Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5670 | Working with Children and Families | 3 |
| CO 5710 | Crisis and Trauma Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5720 | Addictions & Related Disorders | 3 |
| CO 5770 | Psychopathology: Disorders of Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood | 3 |
| CO 5790 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| CO 5880 | Seminar and Internship in Mental Health Counseling | 6-9 |
| Play Therapy Component | ||
| CO 5210 | Dynamic Play Therapies | 1 |
| CO 5220 | Child Centered Play Therapy | 1 |
| CO 5240 | Expressive Play Therapies | 1 |
| CO 5250 | Special Populations in Play Therapy | 1 |
| Add Four Elective Play Therapy Courses | 4 | |
CO 5200 | Adlerian Play Therapy | |
CO 5270 | Special Topics: Play Therapy | |
CO 5280 | Group Play Therapy | |
CO 5290 | Nature Based Play Therapy | |
CO 5370 | Play Therapy in School | |
CO 5380 | Family Play Therapy | |
CO 5390 | Play Therapy with Traumatized Children | |
| Total Credits | 65-68 | |
Wellness Leadership
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Counselor Education Component | ||
| CO 5010 | Professional Orientation and Ethics | 3 |
| CO 5020 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| CO 5040 | Diversity and Advocacy in Helping Relationships | 3 |
| CO 5050 | Advanced Human Development | 3 |
| CO 5070 | Research Design in the Helping Professions | 3 |
| CO 5230 | Career Counseling and Development | 3 |
| CO 5260 | Counseling Theories and Personality | 3 |
| CO 5430 | Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
| CO 5460 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5100 | Practicum | 3 |
| Clinical Mental Health Specialization Component | ||
| CO 5130 | Psychopharmacology and the Biological Basis of Mental Health | 3 |
| CO 5600 | Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5670 | Working with Children and Families | 3 |
| CO 5710 | Crisis and Trauma Counseling | 3 |
| CO 5720 | Addictions & Related Disorders | 3 |
| CO 5770 | Psychopathology: Disorders of Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood | 3 |
| CO 5790 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| CO 5880 | Seminar and Internship in Mental Health Counseling | 6-9 |
| Wellness Leadership Component | ||
| OH 5180 | Exploring Personal & Organizational Health | 3 |
| OH 5200 | Communication in Socially Responsible Organizations | 3 |
| OH 5100 | Full Spectrum Leadership | 3 |
| Total Credits | 66-69 | |
Counselor Education Objectives - Students will be able to:
- Articulate and demonstrate the professional and ethical role of a counselor.
- Discuss and demonstrate techniques of cross-cultural counseling and advocate on behalf of multicultural populations.
- Describe the role that human growth and development plays in counseling interventions and modify these interventions as appropriate.
- Explain theories of career development and implement career interventions.
- Define and utilize counseling skills and advanced counseling interventions.
- Articulate theories of group counseling and utilize leadership skills in facilitating various types of groups.
- Identify and utilize various types of counseling assessments.
- Describe and conduct methods of research and program evaluation.
- Articulate and apply foundational knowledge of clinical mental health counseling.
- Articulate and demonstrate various types of counseling, consultation, prevention, and intervention – including response to crisis and trauma and addiction.
- Discuss issues of multiculturalism, demonstrate multicultural competency skills, and advocate on behalf of multicultural populations in clinical mental health counseling settings.
- Analyze and utilize various types of clinical mental health counseling assessments.
- Critically evaluate and utilize research methods in the practice of clinical mental health counseling.
- Describe and employ principles of case conceptualization, diagnosis, and treatment planning with a variety of populations.
Admission Information
Requirements
The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires the following materials to be submitted through our online application
- Recommended 3.0 or better GPA in undergraduate coursework
- Official transcripts from any/all college level work
- Three professional recommendations
- Current Resume
- Statement of interest
- Participation in the Group Interview
- NH Residency Verification form (NH residents only)
Deadlines
Students pursuing the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program can apply for admission to any of the upcoming semesters. Here are the annual application deadlines:
- Fall semester - August 1
- Spring semester – December 1
- Summer semester – April 15
*We suggest submitting your documentation at least two weeks prior to the posted date to ensure your application is complete and can be reviewed by the deadline.
2024-25 Estimated Graduate Per Credit Tuition and Mandatory Fees
| New Hampshire Resident | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Mandatory Fees | Per Credit Total | ||
| Master’s Degrees/Certificates | $584 | $43 | $627 | |
| CAGS | $625 | $43 | $668 | |
| EDD | $681 | $43 | $724 | |
| Out-of-State Resident | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Mandatory Fees | Per Credit Total | ||
| Master’s Degrees/Certificates | $809 | $43 | $852 | |
| CAGS | $782 | $43 | $825 | |
| EDD | $866 | $43 | $909 | |
More information is available through the Student Financial Services Office.
Graduate students are eligible for financial aid in the form of student loans only. You will need to complete the FAFSA at least 30 days prior to the start of the semester you wish to begin taking classes. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid – please review our international admission requirements to learn more.
More information can be found on the Student Financial Services website.
Each year, Plymouth State offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships to admitted graduate students. Selection criteria include academic and professional achievements, commitment to graduate study, and achievement or pursuit of personal or professional goals. Visit the PSU Scholarship Opportunities webpage for additional information.
Explore Program Details
Methods of Instruction
Courses are taught primarily in person, with some hybrid (partially online) and some fully online options offered each semester. Classes commonly include lecture, small and large group discussions, role-play experiences, group projects, multimedia, guest speakers, and a variety of experiential activities.
Clinical Experiences: Practicum & Internship
Students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program must successfully complete a 100-hour Practicum and 600-hour Internship in a mental health counseling setting. Students can choose to remain in one setting or split their time between two settings, though most students prefer to stay at the same setting. A mental health provider licensed under the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice will be designated to provide individual supervision at the internship site on a weekly basis. Students interning out of state need to be supervised by mental health providers licensed in the state in which they are practicing. In addition to their field experience, students are required to attend a weekly University-based internship seminar. Typically, the practicum occurs over one semester, and the internship over two semesters. Students must complete their internship experience within two calendar years. New Hampshire state licensure law only requires 600 hours of internship, but students may choose to complete a 900 hour internship to meet the requirements of other states (such as Maine).
Licensure Requirements
Licensure as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in New Hampshire has three main requirements. The first is the completion of a 60 credit masters degree in clinical mental health counseling, ideally from a CACREP-accredited program. The second is the successful completion of the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE), which is taken after degree completion. The third and final requirement is the completion of 3000 hours of post-masters clinical work in a counseling environment, which must occur over 2-4 years, be supervised by a LCMHCE, and be pre-approved by the NH Board of Mental Health Practice. Additional rules, forms, and details can be found on the NH Board of Mental Health Practice website.
Each state has its own licensure rules, although most follow this general structure. For more information, please contact the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program coordinator, Dr. Mike Mariska.
For the 2022-2023 academic year, approximately 70 students were enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
In the 2022-2023 academic year there were 21 graduates of Plymouth State University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s degree program. Over the past several years, approximately 76% of initially enrolled students completed the program in 3-4 years.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling students take the PSU Counseling Comprehensive Exam (CCE). During the 2022-2023 academic year, 100% of all students successfully passed the exam on the first attempt.
The NH State License Exam is the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE). During the 2022-23 academic year, informal polling of students indicated an continuing 75-80% pass rate on the first attempt. Formal polling of students will be added to future surveys of alumni.
Among all program graduates, the current three-year job placement rate remains at approximately 100% of those actively seeking positions.
The linked report below is compiled on a yearly basis, and outlines the assessment data gathered for both the CMHC and School Counseling programs, an analysis of this data, an overview of current program strengths, and specific plans for change in response to this data over the next academic year:
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