Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Concentration, M.S.

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The Master of Science in Counseling (MSC) degree provides graduates with the counseling knowledge and skills used in school, clinical mental health, and rehabilitation settings. Students study human development and behavior, individual counseling theory, group theory and dynamics, research methodology, and psychological measurement and evaluation, in addition to courses in individual concentrations-school counseling and clinical mental health counseling.

Depending on the MSC concentration, we offer face-to-face, online, hybrid, blended, or any combination of for synchronous and asynchronous course delivery. Course instruction includes a variety of teaching and learning strategies, depending on the nature of the course, such as lectures, group discussion (synchronous and asynchronous), in class exercises, supervised case review, cooperative learning, service learning, guided practice, introspection and critical thinking. In addition to coursework, each student must successfully pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE).

The counselor education program holds accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP).

Program Requirements

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration (63 credits)

The clinical mental health counseling concentration requires a total of sixty-three credit hours of coursework and is designed to allow students to learn skills specifically related to treating clients facing acute problems and developmental life issues, as well as clients interested in enriching their present life through the establishment of greater coherence and well-being. Students’ learning is accomplished through our clinical training courses and specialized electives. These specialized electives allow students to choose an area of interest in which may include: children, family systems (which may also become an area of expertise), use of the creative arts, mind-body approaches, spirituality, substance-use, or college mental health.

New students to the clinical mental health concentration will be in the program’s clinical courses in an interactive, face-to-face, real-time classroom experience on campus with some in blended, hybrid, and/or online formats. Students in this concentration must complete 1/4 (25%) of their courses in a face-to-face format to enhance their experiential, interpersonal as well as counseling skill development during their academic and field placement experiences.

Through our classes, students can expect a comprehensive array of studies which integrate the historical, philosophical, societal, cultural, economic, and political dimensions of the mental health and human service system. The roles, functions, skills, and professional identity of clinical mental health counselors are highlighted. Coursework focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders, psychological trauma, and the general principles and practices for the promotion of optimal mental health. During the final portion of their coursework, students will intern under the supervision of a licensed mental health clinician.

Graduates are prepared to apply (or sit) for the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) and the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and prepared to apply to be licensed as a clinical professional counselor (LCPC) in Maine. Students must take the CPCE prior to their practicum experience and successfully pass in order to enter their internship experience. Students must pass their NCE in order to apply for licensure after graduation. Those students interested in substance misuse treatment skills may consider earning an area of specialization in Substance Misuse Counseling as part of this concentration. An area of specialization in Family Systems is also available.

A Master of Science in Counseling with the combination of required courses can prepare graduates for one or more of these professional credentials:

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Certified Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counseling (CADC)
Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LADC)
Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)
National Certified Counselor (NCC)
Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)

*Students must work with their advisor and external governing bodies to ensure eligibility when seeking additional credentials*

Core Courses (36 credits)

Required Specialty Courses (21 credits)

Electives (6 credits)

Expertise Area in Family Systems

For those persons interested in working in the area of family systems, the counselor education program offers coursework with a focus on counseling families, and in incorporating systemic perspectives even when counseling individuals. This area of expertise is available for master’s and CAS students.

The following courses are required for this area of expertise:

HCE 650 - Basic Concepts in Couple and Family Counseling
HCE 670 - Application of Family Systems Theories
HCE 686 - Internship in Counselor Education (3 credits, 300 hours focused on family counseling that is supervised by a supervisor trained in family systems approaches)

Expertise Area in Substance Use/Misuse Counseling

For those students interested in working in the area of substance abuse, the counselor education program offers coursework which will enable students to obtain a Substance Use/Misuse Counseling expertise area within their master’s degree. This expertise certificate area is available as part of the clinical mental health counseling specialty. Students who complete this area as part of their master’s degree will be prepared to sit for the licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC) exam in Maine.

The following courses are required for the expertise area:

HCE 643 - Psychopharmacology, Substance-Related Disorders & Integrated Co-Occurring Treatment
HCE 650 - Basic Concepts in Couple and Family Counseling
HCE 686 - Internship in Counselor Education (6 credits - 600 hours in an in-patient/out-patient agency licensed as a substance use/misuse treatment facility)

Transfer Credit Policy

A graduate student in a master’s program in counseling at another university may transfer into our program a maximum of 18 credits (6 - 3 credit courses) from the other institution, under the following conditions:

The program from which the student is transferring is a CACREP - approved program from an accredited university.
The students has passed the course with a grade of B or better, and has taken the course within the past three years, a request for transfer credit may be made. Students must submit an official grade transcript including the course(s) for which transfer credit is being requested and a detailed course description or syllabus to verify course equivalency to a HCE graduate course.
The student is in good standing and comes with the recommendation of the program coordinator.
The student is admitted and matriculated in USM’s MS in Counseling.

Transfer between Specialty Areas within the USM Counselor Education Program

Transfer from one specialty to another within the counselor education program is permissible only if re-application and admission is made to the specialty of interest during the regular admissions process. Multiple specialties are permissible upon consultation with one’s advisor.
Approval for extramural credit must be completed prior to registration.