Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program (CMHC) is a 60-credit hour program that meets the educational requirements for licensure in the state of Florida as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). This program is practitioner-oriented in the sense that students are required to complete 1,000 hours of field-based experience 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.
Highlights
Fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Campus-based (some non-clinical courses have online options)Cohort model (courses are sequenced and offered once a year)
Two-year, full-time program (no part-time option);
NEW - Continuing Education Workshops
NEW - Mental Health Sexology Graduate Certificate
NEW - Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling (AAT-C) Graduate Certificate
Application Deadlines
Fall Term . . . . . . . . March 1
Admission Requirements
For admission requirements and information on how to apply, please visit
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
- Become leaders in community agencies in efforts to facilitate the 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
- Treatment centers
- Correctional institutions
- Crisis centers
- College counseling centers
- Private practice
Program Information
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Mission
Mission
Our mission is to train excellent clinical mental health counselors who are culturally competent, community-engaged, ethical, and service-driven. To reach this goal, we provide individualized mentorship, intentional support, and diverse transformative learning opportunities to train clinicians as scholar-practitioners, fierce advocates, and thoughtful leaders in the mental health field.
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Program Objectives
- We will recruit and train diverse counselors-in-training to serve the growing diversity of the Northeast Florida community and beyond
- Our graduates will possess a clear professional identity rooted in community-engaged mental health leadership and advocacy
- Our graduates will consistently utilize current evidence-based practices in their conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of clients
- Our graduates will embody the highest ethical and cultural competency standards of counseling practice
- Information Sessions
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Admission Timeline
Although many factors can affect the admission timeline, the UNF CMHC admissions process typically follows the below timeline. We offer Fall Semester admission only.
Early September: Applications Begin for Following Year
March 1: Applications Due
Early March: UNF Graduate School Refers Completed Applications to UNF CMHC Program
Mid-March: UNF CMHC Program Reviews All Applications
Late March/Early April: Invitations for Interviews are Sent to Selected Applicants
Mid/Late April: Program Interviews (full-day interview)
Late April/Early May: Admission Decisions Made and Communicated
Early/Mid August: New Student Orientation
Mid/Late August: Fall Semester Begins
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Program Outcomes Report
Data Point
2019-2020
2020-2021
2021-2022
2022-2023
No. of program graduates
23
24
23
24
Students who graduated in the expected 2-year time period
96%
22/23
92%
22/24
91%
21/23
100%
24/24
Graduates who passed the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE)
61%*
#6 in FL;
US average is 51%
79%*
#2 in FL;
US average is 50%
79%*
#2 in FL;
US average is 46%
None available yet
Graduates who are currently employed in Mental Health Counseling positions
89%**
86%**
86%**
100%
* This number represents all NCMHCE test-takers from UNF, not just those graduating from the CMHC program, so it may include test-takers from other program unaffiliated with the CMHC program
** Some of our graduates seek further education (e.g. doctoral degrees) rather than seek mental health counseling positions
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Annual Report 2021
The annual report is available for download. -
Program Faculty
Meet the Public Health Faculty -
Tuition and Fees
*Fee Cost First Year Background Check
$95.20
CPCE Testing
$75
Second Year Background Re-Check
$35.20
Time2Track
$155.
Student Professional Liability Insurance
$105.
* In addition to tuition and fees
Course Sequences
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Year 1
Fall Semester (12 Credits) Course Title Day/Time MHS 6700 Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Counseling M
12:00-2:45
MHS 6941 Clinical Counseling Skills M
3:00-5:45
MHS 6404 Theories in Clinical Mental Health Counseling W
12:00-2:45
MHS 6486 Human Development Across the Lifespan W
3:00-5:45
Spring Semester (12 Credits) Course Title Day/Time MHS 6876 Clinical Research & Outcomes in Mental Health Counseling M
12:00-2:45
MHS 6428 Counseling Diverse Populations M
3:00-5:45
MHS 6205 Clinical Assessment & Diagnosis W
12:00-2:45
MHS 6510 Group Counseling W
3:00-5:45
Summer Semester (9 Credits) Course Title Day/Time MHS 6405 Advanced Counseling Summer A
M/W
12:40-4:10
MHS 6401 Counseling in Community Settings Summer C
Online
MHS 6305 Career Counseling Summer B
M/W
12:40-4:10
Comprehensive Exam
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Year 2
Fall Semester (9 Credits) Course Title Day/Time MHS 6430 Introduction to Family Counseling T
12:00-2:45
MHS 6450 Addictions Counseling T
3:00-5:45
MHS 6800 Practicum* T
6:00-8:45
Clinical Case Exam
Spring Semester (9 Credits) Course Title Day/Time MHS 6470 Sexual Issues in Counseling Online
ELECTIVE** ELECTIVE** T
12:00-2:45
MHS 6830 Internship* T
3:00-5:45
Summer Semester (9 Credits) Course Title Day/Time ELECTIVE** ELECTIVE** Summer A
T/R
12:40-4:10
ELECTIVE** ELECTIVE** Summer B T/R
12:40-4:10
MHS 6830 Internship* Summer C
T
4:20-7:50
Graduation
*Practicum and Internship require approximately 20 hours per week to be completed at a community partner site in addition to class once a week
**Students have the option of enrolling in one of the CMHC program electives, an independent study, thesis-related courses, or other graduate-level courses congruent with the counseling profession and as approved by the Program Director
- Course Information
Contact the Program Director
Dr. Tes Tuason
Program Director
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
