M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a graduate program in the Spadoni College of Education and Social Sciences. This program will involve candidates in developing the breadth and depth of understanding, skills, and dispositions.
COUNSELING PROGRAM’S MISSION STATEMENT
The Counseling programs at Coastal Carolina University are committed to excellence in the preparation and continuing development of professionals in the counseling field. The program provides graduate candidates with research-based professional and clinical experiences necessary for effective counseling to meet the needs of a diverse, ever-evolving society across a variety of therapeutic settings and circumstances.
VISION
We will be ethical, informed, collaborative, and skilled changemakers within our communities.
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PROGRAM DELIVERY
Courses will be offered in a hybrid format. All core and program courses will require asynchronous, synchronous learning, and a two-day residency (Thursday and Friday) each semester year 1 and 2. Synchronous classes will be held for 1 hour 50 minutes between 5:30-10 PM EST on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. During year 3, a one-day field experience orientation is required for each semester enrolled. The field experience includes practicum and internship. Practicum will consist of 100 hours onsite and internship will consist of 600 hours onsite. These requirements will be completed in your local area with face-to-face supervision at a site approved by the university. You will be responsible for identifying an approved site but the program does provide an ongoing list of approved sites to help you in finding one that will meet your interests as well as the program requirements. The practicum and internship coordinator also works with students to identify and solidify an approved site and site supervisor.
PROGRAM COMPLETION TIMELINE
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program can be completed in 2.5-3 years with full-time enrollment which includes 3 courses a semester (fall, spring, summer). Students will have the option to complete their 600-hour internship experience in either one or two semesters.
PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
The counseling programs are currently seeking accreditation with The Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The Spadoni College of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and provides programs approved by the South Carolina Department of Education. CCU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
COUNSELING PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
- Candidates will be able to demonstrate a professional counseling identity founded by ethical practices.
- Candidates will be able to utilize assessments to support counseling plan development for clients.
- Candidates will be able to demonstrate evidence-based counseling practices supportive of the unique needs of clients.
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Candidates will develop professional dispositions necessary for success as professional clinical mental health counselors.
- School Counseling: Candidates will develop professional dispositions necessary for success as professional school counselors.
CANDIDATE LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Graduates will demonstrate commitment as ethical and competent clinicians with a strong professional counselor identity aligned with the American Counseling Association's ethical standards prepared to advocate on behalf of the profession and promote client equity and access while committing to personal self-care and wellness.
- Graduates will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and practices to competently complete assessments, case conceptualizations, diagnoses, treatment plans, and program development and evaluation across the lifespan.
- Graduates will demonstrate evidence-based culturally sensitive counseling, career theory application, crisis intervention, and program evaluation across the continuum of care for diverse clients in various settings.
- Graduates will exhibit self-reflection and self-awareness of socially, culturally, and spiritually appropriate skills and practices in professional counseling to competently promote social justice, and advocacy efforts, and minimize barriers for clients and the profession.
CONTACT
Graduate Programs and Career Transitions Administrator
Kaitlin Nash
Spadoni College of Education and Social Sciences
843-349-4057
knash1@coastal.edu
Counselor Education Program Director
Dr. Nicole Arcuri-Sanders