Master of Science in Counselor Education: Mental Health Counseling Track

Program Leader: Dr. Maureen C. Kenny
E-mail: kennym@fiu.edu
Phone: 305-348-3506
Department: Educational and Psychological Studies

Brief Description of the Program:

The Master of Science in Counselor Education: Mental Health Counseling Track is designed to educate and prepare individuals interested in functioning as counselors and practitioners in community mental health settings, institutions, hospitals, schools and private practice. Nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP), the program meets all requirements as outlined by the Florida Department of Medical Quality Assurance for licensure as a mental health counselor. This program emphasizes the blending of research and theory with practical applied experience. It also emphasizes and reflects the urban and multicultural nature of our community, as well as general trends within specified counseling fields.

The early part of the program is largely generic in nature and is concerned with the development of knowledge and skills in the areas of individual and group counseling, consultation, preventive mental health, education-vocational development, client appraisal, systems intervention, and program organization and evaluation. The latter part of the program is more differentiated towards the practice of mental health counseling. Independent study courses are available to allow students to pursue specialized interests and needs.

The prospective student should be advised that a substantial amount of time is spent in fieldwork to meet practicum and internship requirements. The practicum requirement is the equivalent of 25 hours per week spent in a field placement during one academic semester (for a total of 400 hours). The internship is the equivalent of a full-time position (five days per week) for the period of one academic semester (for a total of 600 hours). Since many of the field experience sites provide evening and weekend programs, in addition to those offered during business hours, students may be able to maintain part-time employment.

Admission Requirements:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum GPA of 3.2 or better on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 credits of upper-division undergraduate coursework;
2. Three letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from a person familiar with the applicant’s undergraduate work and able to comment knowledgeably on his or her ability to perform graduate-level work;
3. A personal statement of 1,000 words or less explaining any personal and professional goals you plan to achieve with the accomplishment of the degree. Please list any recognitions of achievement that you have received (e.g. licenses, publications, awards). Provide any additional information that you would like considered in the evaluation of the application;
4. A résumé describing at least the past five years of employment history and significant community, professional, or college extracurricular activities;
5. A personal interview scheduled by the department of Educational and Psychological Studies.

Program Requirements:

1. Total credits: 61 (based upon a student whose undergraduate degree is in psychology or a related field)
1. Counseling Core credits: 28
2. Measurement and Research credits: 6
3. Mental Health Specialization credits: 15
4. Clinical Studies credits: 12

There are prerequisite courses for any individual who does not have an undergraduate major in psychology or a related field. These prerequisites are mandatory for admission to the graduate program in Mental Health Counseling. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum grade of "C” and courses taken must result in a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better. The prerequisite courses total 9 credit hours and are as follows:

Program of Study:

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