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About Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S.E.)

Welcome to the Master of Science in Education Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program! With a degree in clinical mental health counseling, you can create positive environments and make a difference in the lives of the people you serve.

"Building Learning Communities Through Critical Reflection"

The 60-semester hour master's degree program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a generalist curriculum that prepares students for careers in therapeutic programs involving the prevention and treatment of mental and emotional disorders. Graduates can be licensed as Professional Counselors (PC) and Professional Clinical Counselors (PCC), and work in a variety of settings, including community agencies, hospitals and clinics, as well as in private practices, providing counseling and psychotherapy for clients who are struggling with mental and emotional disorders, substance abuse, family and relationship difficulties, and career development needs. The structure of this program allows students to choose to complete the degree in 2.5 or 3.5 calendar years.

The M.S.E. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is fully accredited as a community counseling program by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and is approved by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist (OSWMFT) Board to provide training toward the PC and PCC licenses. Program coursework also meets requirements for licensure in most other states.

Download our printable program brochure (pdf) >>

Program Highlights


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    What will you be learning?

    Faculty members conduct regular curriculum reviews to make class content current, relevant, and comprehensive. 

    Required courses

    • EDC 521  Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling
    • EDC 529  Career Counseling
    • EDC 531  Personality & Human Development Across the Lifespan
    • EDC 543  Theories & Techniques of Counseling
    • EDC 545  Counseling Techniques Lab
    • EDC 568  Research & Evaluation in Human Services
    • EDC 571  Biological Bases of Behavior
    • EDC 575  Counseling Diverse Populations
    • EDC 583  Theories & Techniques of Group Counseling
    • EDC 600  Culminating Seminar
    • EDC 623  Foundations in Abnormal Psychology
    • EDC 630  Evaluation of Mental & Emotional Condition
    • EDC 631  Diagnosis of Emotional & Mental Disorders
    • EDC 635  Couples & Family Counseling
    • EDC 681  Integrated Approach to Clinical Counseling
    • EDC 683  Treatment of Mental & Emotional Disorders
    • EDC 686  Addictions Counseling
    Elective courses

    • EDC 605  Professional Seminars with Clinical Implications
    • EDC 548  Counseling Children & Adolescents
    Clinical experience
    (completed in two or three semesters)

    • EDC 584  Practicum in Community Counseling
    • EDC 598  Internship in Community Counseling
    Resources

    Visit the Galleries & Resources tab to access the following:

    • Course matrices
    • Course schedules
    • Checksheets
    • Program and department handouts
    • Seminars
    • Photos from the program
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    Gain professional experience!

    The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program is structured so that course content is accompanied by appropriate field experiences. Practicum experiences are designed to provide students with opportunities to practice skills that are required in professional practice while receiving direct supervision from a professional counselor. Internship is a culminating activity that provides students with the opportunity to develop professional competency in counseling skills, including the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders while under supervision from a professional clinical counselor. 

    The practicum and internship are completed over three to four semesters in a clinical mental health agency setting, with supervision provided by an appropriately licensed clinical counselor on site as well as by faculty supervisors on campus.

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    Meet Our Faculty & Staff!

    Program Coordinator

    Scott Hall, Ph.D., PCC-S

    Clinical Coordinator

    Patricia Polanski, Ph.D., PCC-S

    Contact Information

    Department of Counselor Education & Human Services
    School of Education & Allied Professions
    University of Dayton
    300 College Park
    Chaminade 301
    Dayton, OH 45469-0530

    Phone: 937-229-3644
    Fax: 937-229-1055

    You can also reach us at our toll free number 800-259-8710, #1.

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    Get outside the classroom!

    The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program offers students more than just classroom learning. Students in the department have access to a wide variety of opportunities and activities to develop the skills they're learning in their courses, fieldwork and research.

    Graduate Assistantships

    A variety of assistantship opportunities are available for students who are enrolled in the program. Recipients receive an annual stipend and tuition credits. More than 50% of full time school psychology students received assistantship funding for the 2012-13 school year. These included a variety of positions in the department, university, and community, including the following placements: 

    • Community Wellness Services
    • Learning Teaching Center
    • Residential Coordinator
    • Teacher Education Department
    • Catholic Leadership Institute
    • SOEAP Center for Catholic Education
    • Montgomery County Learning Centers
    • Urban Teacher Academy
    • Ready Set Soar at the Miami Valley Regional Center
    • Departmental Administrative/Research Assistant positions

    Learn more about applying for Graduate Assistantships with the university >>

    Complete the Graduate Assistantship Application (pdf) >>

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    Chi Sigma Iota

    Chi Sigma Iota is the international honor society for students, professional counselors and counselor educators established at Ohio University in 1985. Our mission is to promote scholarship, research, professionalism, leadership and excellence in counseling, and to recognize high attainment in the pursuit of academic and clinical excellence in the profession of counseling. There are currently 251 chapters (including University of Dayton’s Upsilon Delta Chapter), 11,247 active members (including UD’s 133 active members), and 56,682 initiated members as of January 31, 2008. Upsilon Delta is University of Dayton’s chapter of Chi Sigma Iota.

    Learn more about the Dayton Upsilon Delta Chapter >>

    Visit the national Chi Sigma Iota website >>

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    Regional and National Organizations

    American Counseling Association
    A professional organization dedicated to the growth and development of the counseling profession and those who are served.

    American School Counselors Association
    A professional organization that supports school counselors' efforts to help students focus on academic, personal/social and career development so they achieve success in school and are prepared to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society. 

    Graduate Community Fellows
    Graduate fellows in the Fitz Center for Leadership in Community help build community partnerships to benefit the wider Dayton community while enhancing the learning experience of University of Dayton students through service. 

    Ohio Counseling Association
    A professional organization representing all licensed counselors, and those in graduate training to be counselors, in Ohio. 

    Ohio School Counselors Association
    A professional organization that represents and advocates for the interests of professional school counselors in Ohio.

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    Hear what former graduates have to say!

    This page is under construction. Please check back.

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    Apply to Clinical Mental Health Counseling!

    The application process is online, easy, and free!

    Admissions Requirements

    Download the documents below to view admissions requirements for each Counselor Education & Human Services degree program.

    Clinical Mental Health Counseling (pdf) >>

    Application Deadlines

    • Summer deadline: January 10
    • Fall deadline: April 10
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