Graduate Program
Master of Science, Clinical Mental Health Counseling 

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program (CMHC) is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The CMHC Program is a 60 credit hour program which meets the educational requirements for licensure in the state of Florida as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). The program is practitioner-oriented in the sense that students are required to complete a demanding field experience requirement of 1,000 supervised hours before graduation. The counseling curriculum offers a unique blend of courses to provide the skills and knowledge necessary for becoming a competent counseling professional. Solid academic performance and experiential mastery are required.

Mission

The mission of the UNF Master's Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is to provide comprehensive training for individuals who wish to counsel diverse populations in a variety of mental health settings. This program provides students with an intellectually stimulating and supportive environment which encompasses academic rigor and promotes excellence, ethical and professional integrity, and effective interpersonal communication and therapeutic skills. Curricular experiences include opportunities to explore the life-span, social, and cultural foundations of behavior; practice psychotherapeutic and diagnostic skills; and complete extensive field experiences in order to apply knowledge and skills in professional settings.

The program prepares mental health counselors to fulfill the following roles: provide direct counseling services to individuals, groups, and families; assist clients in making responsible decisions and in developing skills of self determination; provide resources, referrals, and information to assist clients in coping with societal, economic, and other barriers; serve as models and mentors to clients as they pursue optimum levels of mental health; advocate for clients’ rights through participation in community, state, and national organizational efforts; and, become leaders in community agencies in efforts to facilitate delivery of optimum mental health services.

The CMHC curriculum is focused on preparing counseling professionals for employment in various settings including:

• community mental health centers
• psychiatric hospitals
• residential treatment facilities
• outpatient mental health clinics
• rehabilitation agencies
• social service agencies
• employee assistance programs
• alcohol and drug abuse treatment centers
• correctional institutions
• adolescent crisis centers
• college counseling centers
• private practice 

Program of Study