Clinical Mental Health Counseling - M.S.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master of Science degree program at Johnson & Wales University is designed to prepare graduates to serve the community as clinical mental health counselors after 18 months of full-time study. The primary goal of the program is to prepare master's-level clinicians with the counseling skills that integrate theoretical foundations of professional counseling into positive client interaction and intervention skills. The program emphasizes the development of attitudes, knowledge and skills essential in the formation of professional counselors who are committed to the ethical provision of quality services. In addition to the coursework required, students experience practicum and internship experiences under supervision of clinical professionals.

Upon completion of this program, graduates are expected to:

• Demonstrate professional proficiency and exhibit familiarity with professional orientation and ethical practices as advocated by the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics.
• Illustrate the importance of multicultural issues in the counseling profession when working with diverse clients.
• Provide illustrations of human growth and developmental theories framed in the principles of assessment and appraisal.
• Demonstrate planning and implementation of career development practices and theoretical perspectives.
• Show command of counseling theories and how to conceptualize cases from a wellness perspective.
• Exhibit knowledge of group dynamics, group leadership, group development and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of group types.
• Implement basic and advanced assessment techniques in the framework of helping relationships.
• Demonstrate the role of research in advancing the counseling profession.
• Articulate and demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to identify and treat behaviors and situations and apply counseling theories, models and approaches to individuals and groups who face a variety of mental health disorders.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Master of Science 

Students who do not complete the 600-hour internship in the prescribed two semesters will schedule for CSLG6980 Clinical Supervision Advising - Post Internship. This continuation requires a Clinical Supervision Advisement Fee each fall, spring and summer semester until the 600 hours have been accumulated.

Prior to being considered for admission into the on-ground JWU graduate program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, the following must be submitted:

1. A completed application for admission
2. Official or certified transcripts from all institutions attended, including bachelor's and master's degree conferral (if applicable). When a graduate program application is submitted prior to completing requirements for the bachelor's degree, Admissions will consider the application and, if admissible, will offer an acceptance pending submission of final transcript verifying bachelor's degree conferral. Without such verification, students will not be allowed to register for the current semester or continue enrollment, and will be in jeopardy of losing their academic status with the university.
3. Statement of Purpose: An essay responding to each of the provided question prompts related to counseling graduate-level academic study. The M.S. Counseling Statement of Purpose form with prompts is provided in the admissions portal after submission of the application. 
4. Two letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to attest to the applicant's potential for success at the graduate level of study. A formal written letter is required from each individual recommending the student, these are requested through submission of the application.
5. A current résumé or CV

The letters of recommendation are requested through submission of the application and Statement of Purpose can be completed within the admissions portal after the app is submitted. These may also be emailed.