CMHC Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

• If I am a student in another counseling program but want to transfer to your program, can I transfer credits?
  This depends on many factors and is handled on a case-by-case basis. You should contact the Program Director with questions about your particular situation.
• What is the difference between a mental health counselor, a psychologist, a clinical social worker, and a psychiatrist/psychiatric nurse practitioner?
  This is a common question. All of the helping disciplines lead to licensure. But each has a different professional identity with varying specialties, niches, and focuses. The clinical degree for clinical mental health counselors and for clinical social workers is the Master's Degree, with the Doctorate being optional. The clinical degree for psychologists is the Doctorate, including extensive research training. Psychiatrists and Psych NPs require advanced medical training.
• My undergraduate degree is in an unrelated field, can I still apply?
  Yes. We do not require any specific undergraduate degree or undergraduate coursework.
• Is your program an online program?
  No. We are an on campus program by design. There are a select few non-clinical courses that are offered online or via hybrid model.
• I did not take any undergraduate courses in psychology, can I still apply?
  Yes. We do not require any specific undergraduate degree or undergraduate coursework.
• If I already have a graduate degree, will any of the credits transfer to this program?
  No. We cannot transfer any credits that counted toward the completion of a degree. However, if you did not finish the degree, the transfer of credits is considered on a case-by-case basis. You should contact the Program Director with questions about your specific situation.
• Is the GRE required? If so, what is the minimum score?
  The GRE is no longer required as part of the application to the CMHC program
• When are admission decisions made?
  Typically in late April or early May.
• Do you accept rolling admissions?
  No. We admit students for the Fall semester only. All applications are reviewed together beginning in March.
• How many applications do you receive in a typical year?

  In 2021, we received and reviewed 181 applications.

  In 2022, we received and reviewed 183 applications

  In 2023, we received and reviewed 174 applications

• How many students are admitted to the program each year?

  We admit 24 students each year. In 2021, that was an acceptance rate of 13.25%; in 2022, that was an acceptance rate of 13.11%, and in 2023, that was an acceptance rate of 13.80%.

  The GPA range of incoming cohorts is 2.9-4.0 with an average of about 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale).

• What does CACREP accreditation mean?
  The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) sets standards for training counselors, including course content, student:faculty ratios, and internship experiences. Programs across the country can voluntarily choose to align their programs with these standards. After a thorough review process, CACREP will accredit a program as complying with their standards. Graduating from a CACREP-accredited program is a way to demonstrate to potential employers the quality of training you have received. In some states, graduating from a CACREP-accredited program also makes the licensure process easier. More information on the benefits of CACREP-accreditation, you can visit CACREP's website.
• Is a thesis required?
  No. We are a non-thesis program by design. However, in 2018, we began offering a Thesis Option. Students who wish to complete a thesis may now do so. We encourage the Thesis Option for students who are considering a doctoral degree after graduation or who have an interest in mental health program administration/leadership.
• Can I attend the program part-time?
  No. We are a full-time only program.
• Can I work while enrolled in the program?
  Yes. We do not prohibit students from working while enrolled in the program. However, we do advise students to make this decision carefully, as the coursework, training, and self-reflection it takes to become an effective counselor is rigorous.
• Can I apply to be admitted for a Spring or Summer start?
  No. We offer a Fall Semester start only. All cohorts begin in Fall semester and graduate at the end of their second summer (i.e., 6 semesters).
• Is there a requirement for an internship and clinical experience? What type of internship opportunities exist?
  Yes. Students in the program complete 100 hours of Professional Identity Development hours in their first year in the program. These are essentially volunteer hours completed in the mental health field to help support the students' professional identity development. Then, students complete 900 hours of Practicum/Internship hours during their second year in the program. These hours are completed at a community partner site, with 320 of the 900 hours being direct counseling service hours with actual clients. We have more than 30 community partner sites including private practices, community non-profits, hospitals, and schools.
• How much does the CMHC masters program cost? What if I have a bachelors degree from UNF, does the program cost less?
  Information related to program costs can be found on the University Controller's website.
• What types of financial aid are available?

  There are three main sources of financial aid. 

  • Graduate Assistantships
  • Scholarships
  • Student Loans
• What types of graduate assistantship opportunities are available?
  Typically, the CMHC program offers 3-4 graduate assistantship positions each year. Information about these positions can be found on the Brooks College of Health website.
• What is the process, after I graduate, to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor?
  Each state has different requirements; it is important to check the requirements of the state in which you will seek licensure after graduation. The UNF CMHC program meets the educational requirements for licensure as an LMHC in Florida, and may meet the educational requirements in other states (e.g., Georgia). In Florida, graduates must complete 1,500 hours of supervised clinical work, pass a licensing exam, and complete trainings on topics of importance as determined by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. More information is available on the board's website.
• I am a mental health professional applying for, reactivating, or renewing my license in Florida and need to take a few courses, can I do that?

  Yes. We allow non-degree-seeking students to take courses in our program if those courses are for licensure in Florida. The guidelines for such are:

   

  1. Per university policy, individuals may apply up to 12 credits taken as a non-degree seeking student toward any future degree earned at UNF.
  2. Non-degree seeking students are not permitted to enroll in  the  following courses:
     1. MHS 6941 Clinical Counseling Skills
     2. MHS 6510 Introduction to  Group Counseling
     3. MHS  6800 Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
     4. MHS 6830 Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling 
      
  3. For mental health professionals applying for or reactivating a license, documentation from The Florida Board  of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling identifying the specific courses you need for licensure must be provided. This should be a  letter addressed to you from the Board. For mental health professionals renewing their license, a copy of your current active license will be required.
  4. The number of non-degree-seeking students approved to enroll in courses each semester varies and is dependent on individual faculty approval and overall faculty to student ratios.
  5. Enrollment as a non-degree-seeking student occurs via to the following steps:
     1. For mental health professionals applying for or reactivating a license, consult with The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling to obtain written documentation identifying the specific courses you need for licensure. This should be a letter addressed to you from the Board. For mental health professionals renewing their license, a copy of your current active license will be required.
     2. Review the course sequence on our website to see when the required courses are offered.
     3. Apply to UNF as a non-degree seeking student through the online application on the Graduate School's website.
     4. Complete the Non-CMHC-Student Course Request
     5. Registration details will be provided after approval to enroll is granted.
• I am a student in another program on campus and would like to take CMHC courses, can I do that?
  Yes. We allow non-CMHC students to take our courses provided we have the space, as our accrediting body (CACREP) sets limits on the allowable student:faculty ratio. The specific courses that we permit non-CMHC students to take depends on the program that the student is in. Typically, our clinical courses are reserved for students in clinical training programs (e.g., Social Work, School Counseling, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner). Students wanting to enroll in our courses should complete the Non-CMHC-Student Course Request.
• I work at UNF and would like to take CMHC courses to help me in my work role, can I do that?

  Yes. We allow non-degree-seeking students (including university employees) to take our courses provided we have the space, as our accrediting body ( CACREP ) sets limits on the allowable student:faculty ratio. Typically,  non-degree-seeking students  who are not mental health clinicians  are not permitted to enroll in our clinical courses (e.g., MHS6941 Clinical Counseling Skills; MHS6205 Clinical Assessment & Diagnosis).  Enrollment as a non-degree-seeking student occurs via to the following steps:

  1. Review the course sequence on our website to see when the courses you are interested in are offered.
  2. Apply to UNF as a non-degree seeking student through the online application on the Graduate School's website.
  3. Complete the Non-CMHC-Student Course Request
  4. Registration details will be provided after approval to enroll is granted.