Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Mentoring Compassionate Counselors for Our Communities
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program at Molloy University is designed to provide graduate students the professional identity, core knowledge, necessary state-of-the- art practical skills, and multi-cultural sensitivity to excel in a variety of mental health settings. Our 60-credit-hour, New York State approved, part-time, evening program can be completed in three years, and fulfills the educational requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor established by the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions.
Successful graduates of the Molloy University M.S. in CMHC will be eligible for Licensure as Mental Health Counselors in New York State upon completion of 3,000 post-Master's hours of supervised mental health counseling work and the passing of the state licensing examination. Licensed Mental Health Counselors provide short term and long term consumer friendly services for clients.
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), is the gold standard accrediting body for Counseling programs and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Accredited Programs provide the following to students:
- Recognition that the program has been evaluated and meets or exceeds national standards
- Knowledge that the graduate has met prerequisites for credentialing and is ready for entry into professional practice
- Understanding that the focus of the program will be on professional counseling, not psychology, education or other helping professions
Prepare for a career as a clinical mental health counselor with Molloy University
- A program designed for working students with all classes scheduled in the evenings.
- Dedication to the highest standards of accreditation
- Committed to social justice, diversity, and multicultural humility
- Education in numerous counseling theories and interventions
- Best practices and ethical standards embedded throughout the program
- Highly experiential coursework and hands-on practice
- Small class sizes and one-on-one mentorship throughout the program
The program can be completed in under three years with classes in Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters and requires a final comprehensive examination. Graduate coursework will include, but not be limited to, each of the following content areas:
- Professional orientation and ethics
- Human growth and development
- Counseling theory and practice
- Foundations of mental health counseling and consultation
- Assessment and appraisal of individuals, couples and families and groups
- Social and cultural foundations of counseling
- Psychopathology
- Group dynamics
- Lifestyle and career development
- Research and program evaluation
- Clinical instruction
A supervised practicum (100 clock hours) and internship (600 clock hours) in mental health counseling in a Molloy University approved mental health setting are required. A comprehensive examination, The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE), is also required for graduation.
CMHC Program Mission
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program incorporates Molloy University’s vibrant tradition of “study, spirituality, service, and community” to prepare expertly trained counselors to be highly effective in today’s ever-changing human service field. Through “transformative education,” Molloy University’s mission is to promote a “lifelong search for truth and the development of ethical leadership.” The goal of our CMHC program is to embrace the University’s mission and graduate students who have the professional identity, core knowledge, necessary state-of-the-art practical skills, and multicultural sensitivity to excel as mental health counselors in a variety of professional mental health employment settings.
As a University, Molloy places heavy emphasis on service to the community, especially to those in need. By incorporating meaningful insight from faculty, students, alumni, and community partners, the CMHC program captures the essence of this mission, and it is our intention and hope that the students we prepare for the counseling profession will dedicate much of their energies and activities to helping those in need and serving their communities.
CMHC Program Objectives
| Curriculum Standard | Program Objective | KPI | Assessment Measures | Associated Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3A. PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING ORIENTATION AND ETHICAL PRACTICE | Professional Orientation and Ethics – Demonstrate an understanding of the counseling profession, develop an identity as a counselor and demonstrate a willingness to provide counseling services within the ethical guidelines of the counseling profession. | KPI 1 - Students will demonstrate knowledge of the counseling profession, professional counselor identity, ethical responsibilities, and the scope of counseling practice. | Key Assignment: Professional Plan; CPCE Exam Scores; Student Disposition Assessments | MHC 5100, MHC 5140, MHC 5180 |
| 3B. SOCIAL AND CULTURAL IDENTITIES AND EXPERIENCES | Social and Cultural Diversity – Develop an awareness of, and an appreciation for, social and cultural influences on human behavior and recognize the impact of individual differences on the counseling process. | KPI 2 - Students will analyze how cultural identities, social contexts, systemic barriers, and individual differences influence clients' experiences and apply culturally responsive counseling practices. | Key Assignment: Cultural Immersion Project; CPCE Exam Scores; Student Disposition Assessment | MHC 5220, MHC 5140, MHC 5180 |
| 3C. LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT | Human Growth and Development – Develop an understanding of the aspects of human growth and developmental levels, as well as an appreciation for the nature of human development and its integration within the counseling process.; Counseling Theory – Gain significant knowledge of major counseling theories in the context of individual and group counseling and apply this knowledge to the counseling process. | KPI 3 - Students will apply counseling, learning, psychosocial and developmental theories to understand clients' psychological and developmental needs and explain how various factors inform counseling approaches. | Key Assignment: Lifespan Biography/Autobiography; Key Assignment: Theory Comparison Paper; CPCE Exam Scores; Student Disposition Assessment" | MHC 5160, MHC 5120, MHC 5180, MHC 5250 |
| 3D. CAREER DEVELOPMENT | Career Development – Develop the knowledge and application of career development and vocational counseling theories and its effects on an individual. | KPI 4- Students will apply career development theories to explain career-related development and identify appropriate career counseling strategies. | Key Assignment: Career Autobiography; CPCE Exam Scores; Student Disposition Assessment" | MHC 5320 |
| 3E. COUNSELING PRACTICE AND RELATIONSHIPS | Helping Relationships – Demonstrate effective individual and group counseling techniques which facilitate client growth and demonstrate the ability to evaluate progress toward treatment goals. | KPI 5 - Students will demonstrate effective counseling skills, establish therapeutic relationships, and use appropriate interventions to support client goals and evaluate progress. | Key Assignment: Mock Counseling Session Transcription and Analysis; CPCE Exam Scores; Student Disposition Assessment | MHC 5180, MHC 5140 |
| 3F. GROUP COUNSELING AND GROUP WORK | Group Counseling – Develop both theoretical and experiential understandings of group processes, development, dynamics, group counseling theories, methods, skills, and other group approaches | KPI 6 - Students will demonstrate understanding of group development, group dynamics, therapeutic factors, and appropriate group counseling facilitation skills. | Key Assignment: Group Counseling Final Reflection; CPCE Exam Scores; Student Disposition Assessment" | MHC 5300 |
| 3G. ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC PROCESSES | Assessment – Gain knowledge and skills in assessment techniques, including psychometric properties, standardized instruments, interviewing, and applying these concepts to individuals and group.; Psycho-diagnosis and Treatment – Develop a working knowledge of psycho-diagnosis, as defined by the DSM-5-TR, its ethical application, and its effect on treatment and counseling practice. | KPI 7 - Students will select, interpret, and communicate assessment information appropriately, considering psychometric properties, client context, and ethical limitations.; KPI 8 - Students will demonstrate the ability to apply DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria ethically and accurately to clinical case material, develop appropriate diagnostic impressions, and explain how diagnostic considerations inform case conceptualization, treatment planning, and counseling practice. | Key Assignment: Assessment Report; Key Assignment: Vignette Differential Diagnosis;CPCE Exam Scores; Student Disposition Assessment | MHC 5260; MHC 5240, MHC 5250 |
| 3H. RESEARCH AND PROGRAM EVALUATION | Program Evaluation – Develop the ability to read, critique, evaluate, and contribute to professional research literature. | KPI 9 - Students will critically evaluate counseling research and use research findings to inform evidence-based practice and program evaluation. | Key Assignment: Research Proposal; CPCE Exam Scores; Student Disposition Assessment | MHC 5200 |
| 5C. CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING | Clinical Mental Health Assessment and Treatment: Develop the knowledge and clinical skills necessary to assess, diagnose, and conceptualize mental health concerns and develop evidence-informed treatment plans that address clients’ diverse needs, co-occurring disorders, crisis situations, and appropriate mental health service delivery. | KPI 10 - Students will demonstrate the knowledge and clinical skills necessary to assess, diagnose, conceptualize, and develop evidence-informed treatment plans for clients experiencing a range of mental health concerns, while considering co-occurring disorders, client diversity, crisis needs, and appropriate mental health service delivery.; KPI 11 - Students will integrate counseling knowledge, clinical skills, ethical practice, and supervision feedback to demonstrate increasing competence in supervised practice. | Key Assignment: Case Conceptualization and Treatment Plan; Key Assignment: Master's Thesis/Thesis Presentation; Student Disposition Assessments | MHC 5250, MHC 5560, MHC 5100, MHC 5120, MHC 5140, MHC 5180, MHC 5240, MHC 5160, MHC 5500, MHC 5540 |
Contact Us
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
Suite 248 30 Hempstead Avenue Rockville Centre, NY, 11570