Clinical Mental Health Counseling—Master of Arts

Counseling

The majority of the program is offered in-person in Kalamazoo; however, there are a few courses that are offered online or in a hybrid format. A limited number of courses may be offered in Grand Rapids at WMU's downtown center.

You love helping others realize their full potential and are ready to reach your own. With a Master of Arts degree in counselor education—clinical mental health counseling from Western Michigan University, your career advancement is in your own hands.

Upon completing the program at WMU, you will have completed the academic requirements for the LLPC in Michigan. Graduates must apply for the limited license and complete other requirements such as a criminal background check. The limited license professional counselor (LLPC) credential from the state of Michigan allows graduates to start practicing under supervision in a variety of fields.

Why clinical mental health counseling at Western Michigan University?

  • The clinical mental health counseling program offered by the Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology at WMU allows you to specialize and makes you marketable in a variety of fields.
  • The program incorporates coursework in research methods, group dynamics, tests and measurement, counseling theory and techniques, professional issues and ethics, multicultural counseling, lifespan development, career development, psychopathology, causes of substance abuse, recovery oriented systems of care and foundations of clinical mental health counseling.
  • This master's degree goes beyond other programs by giving you knowledge to be successful across disciplines.
  • Program is offered in both Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids to provide flexibility for students.
  • The clinical mental health counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and related Educational Programs as a community counseling program. Not only will your experience as a graduate student be valued by employers, your degree will be well recognized and highly commended.

Who should apply?

Anyone with a strong undergraduate academic career (3.0 or higher cumulative GPA) in psychology or a related field is encouraged to apply.

Accreditation 

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Additional information

Graduates in this program will be prepared to work in a variety of professional counseling settings. The program meets the educational requirements for licensed professional settings including substance abuse, career counseling, multicultural affairs, and a variety of other traditional counseling settings.

Employment of mental health counselors is expected to grow by 36 percent from 2010 to 2020.US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Questions?