Master of Science, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Program Information

• Program 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.
• CMHC Work Roles

  The program prepares clinical 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 delivery of optimum mental health services
• CMHC Work Settings
  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 Objectives
  • Career Development: Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills related to:
    • Career Abilities, Interests, and Values
    • Clients with Disabilities or Diverse Needs
    • Role of Work
     
  • Group Counseling & Group Work: Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills related to:
    • Therapeutic Factors in Group Counseling
    • Stages of Group Counseling
    • Role of Group Counseling
     
  • Counseling & Helping Relationships: Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills related to:
    • Foundational Counseling Skills
    • Case Conceptualization Skills
    • Proper Case Documentation
     
  • Human Growth & Development: Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills related to:
    • Domains of Development
    • Role of Systems
    • Trauma-Informed Care
     
  • Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethics: Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills related to:
    • Ethical Decision Making
    • Counselor Identity
    • Advocacy
     
  • Research & Program Evaluation: Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills related to:
    • Consuming Research
    • Research Methods
    • Organizational Needs Assessments
     
  • Social & Cultural Diversity: Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills related to:
    • Cultural Competency
    • Advocacy and Social Justice
    • Role of Client Identity
     
  • Assessment & Testing: Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills related to:
    • Role of Assessment
    • Test Scoring Procedures
    • Intake Interviews
     
• Program Video

Admissions

• University Requirements
  A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or its equivalent from a foreign institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study. No specific degree or other pre-requisites are required.
• Program Requirements
  • Official transcripts from all attended institutions
  • Competitive GRE General test scores (300 and above on the combined verbal and quantitative scales, taken within the past 5 years - Institutional Code: 5490).
    • GRE is waived for all Fall 2021 applicants
    • If you have completed a masters or higher degree from an accredited institution, the GRE may not be required. Please email the program director (r.zeglin@unf.edu) to request a GRE waiver.
  • Letter of intent describing
    • Reasons for seeking admission to the CMHC program
    • Short and long-term educational, research, and professional goals
  • Three recommendations, preferably with at least one from a current or former faculty member. Recommenders are required to complete a rating form that is provided through the online application system and they may also submit a letter if they choose.
  • Resume
  • A personal interview will be required for the top competitive candidates. Applicants will be contacted by the CMHC program if selected to participate in the interview process.
• Express Application Requirements

  UNF undergraduates in Psychology, Sociology, and Public Health may be eligible to apply through the Express Application process. The Express Application waives the GRE, application fee, and one letter of recommendation. Questions should be directed to the graduate Program Director (r.zeglin@unf.edu). Express Applications will need to include:

  • Resume
  • Letter of intent describing:
    • Reasons for seeking admission to the CMHC program
    • Short and long-term educational, research, and professional goals
     
  • Two letters of recommendation, preferably with at least one from a current or former faculty member
• Admissions Timeline

  Although many factors can affect the admission timeline, the UNF CMHC admissions process typically follows the below timeline:

  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

   

• Apply Now

  Application Deadline March 1  

  
  
  •   Traditional Application: Applicants interested in applying through the traditional application process should apply via the UNF Graduate School Application Website.
  
  
  • Express Application  (eligible UNF undergraduates in Psychology, Sociology, and Public Health only):  Applicants interested in applying through the Express Application process should complete the following steps:
    • Check eligibility and submit application via the UNF+ Pathways to Success Website
    • Submit additional required documents into the CMHC Express Application File Upload Portal before the application deadline.

Curriculum

• Notes about Curriculum
  • Refer to the UNF graduate catalog for prerequisites to individual courses.
  • Unless a course is identified as repeatable for credit, you may receive credit for a course only once. However, your GPA will reflect all repeated courses.
  • Program Director approval is required prior to registering for course work at another institution.
  • With Program Director approval, graduate level course work may be transferred from another regionally accredited institution.
  • All students in the Brooks College of Health programs will be held accountable to the most recent Code of Ethics, Guides for Professional Conduct and/or Position Statements as developed by their respective disciplines. Refer to your program handbook.
  • It is mandatory to follow the program course sequence. You must contact the Program Director for any changes in course sequence to be considered.
  • To qualify for the Thesis option student must:
    • Have satisfactorily passed MHS6876 Clinical Research and Outcome Evaluation with a grade of B or better. 
    • Have a GPA of 3.3 or higher in their first 2 semesters of the program, and 
    • Identify and receive written approval from their Thesis Advisor, Second Reader, and Program Director.
  • 20 courses (60 credit hours) are needed for graduation 
  • 17 required courses (51 credit hours)
  • A minimum of 3 elective courses (9 credit hours)
  • Changes to course sequence may occur at any time in order to adhere to program, department, college, or university requirements
• Major Requirements (51 credits)

  MHS6430 Intro to Family Counseling (3 Credits)

  MHS6486 Human Dev Across Lifespan (3 Credits)

  MHS6404 Theories in Clinical MHC (3 Credits)

  MHS6700 Legal, Prof, Eth in Counseling (3 Credits)

  MHS6941 Clinical Counseling Skills (3 Credits)

  MHS6876 Clinical Research Evaluation (3 Credits)

  MHS6405 Advanced Counseling (3 Credits)

  MHS6428 Counseling Diverse Populations (3 Credits)

  MHS6510 Group Counseling (3 Credits)

  MHS6205 Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis (3 Credits)

  MHS6305 Career Counseling (3 Credits)

  MHS6800 Practicum: Mental Health Counseling (3 Credits)

  MHS6401 CMHC in Community Settings (3 Credits)

  MHS6450 Addictions Counseling (3 Credits)

  MHS6470 Sexual Issue in Counseling (3 Credits)

  MHS6830 Internship in Mental Health Counseling (6 Credits)

• Electives or Thesis (9 credits)

  Students have 4 options on how they would like to complete their 9 credits of elective coursework:

  1. CMHC Electives
  2. Thesis
  3. Certificate Programs
  4. Non-CMHC Electives

   

  1) CMHC ELECTIVES (select 3 courses)

  MHS6402 Overview of Brief Counseling (3 credits)

  MHS6431 Advanced Seminar in Family Counseling(3 credits)

  MHS6436 Counseling Military Families (3 credits)

  MHS6500 Advanced Practice in Group Counseling (3 credits)

  MHS6610 Clinical Supervision in Counseling (3 credits)

  MHS6916 Conceptual/Research Independent Study in CMHC (3 credits)

  MHS6930 ST: Special Topics in Counseling (3 credits)

  MHS6423 Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents (3 credits)

  MHS6444 Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling: Theory and Practice (3 credits)

  MHS6448 Grief and Loss in Counseling (3 credits)

  HSC6601 Animal Assisted Interventions and Therapies in Healthcare (3 credits)

   

  2) THESIS

  MHS6970 Thesis A (3-6 credits)

  MHS6971 Thesis B (3-6 credits)

  *Even though each individual thesis course could be taken for 6 credits, the total credit hours for both courses cannot exceed 9 credits.

   

  3) CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

  Mental Health Sexology Certificate

  Animal Assisted Therapy Certificate

   

  4) NON-CMHC ELECTIVES

  In coordination with the student's advisor, the Program Director can approve a student to take graduate-level courses outside of the CMHC program. Any such approval is on a case-by-case basis and should clearly support the student's counseling training.

   

Course Sequence

• 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 6846	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 A M/W 4:20-7:50
  MHS 6305	Career Counseling	Summer B M/W 12:40-4:10
  Comprehensive Exam

• Year 2

  Fall Semester (9 Credits)  

  Course	Title	Day/Time
  MHS 6430	Introduction to Family Counseling	R 12:00-2:45
  MHS 6450	Addictions Counseling	R 3:00-5:45
  MHS 6800	Practicum*	R  6:00-8:45
  Clinical Case Exam

  
  Spring Semester (9 Credits)   

  Course	Title	Day/Time
  MHS 6470	Sexual Issues in Counseling	R 12:00-2:45
  ELECTIVE**	ELECTIVE**	R 3:00-5:45
  MHS 6830	Internship*	R  6:00-8:45

  
  

  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 R 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
  • Course Descriptions
  • Course Search

Program Faculty

• Dr. Lena Salpietro

  Lena Salpietro, PhD, LPC (OH), NCC joined the UNF faculty in 2020 as an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. Dr. Salpietro earned her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Toledo and BA in Psychology from Ohio University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Ohio, is completing the licensure process in Florida, and is a National Certified Counselor. Her clinical experiences include community mental health agencies, college counseling centers, and private practices. Dr. Salpietro has extensive experience working with survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking as well as expertise in treating adolescents, college-aged adults, and adults living with depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, low self-esteem, and life changes. She is passionate about working with individuals who identify as LGBTGEQIAP+, multicultural populations, individuals of varying ability and disability statuses, and individuals who live with chronic illness/pain. Dr. Salpietro’s research interests include best practices in/standardization of gatekeeping and remediation in Counselor Education and LGBTGEQIAP+ health, wellness, and counseling experiences. She has presented locally, regionally, and nationally and is published journals such as the Journal of Counseling and Development and Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling. Dr. Salpietro has been awarded several grants to fund her research from the Association for Counselor Education (ACES) and the North Central Association for Counselor Education (NCACES). 

• Dr. Kassie Terrell
  Kassie Terrell, PhD, LMHC, NCC is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program and the Chapter Faculty Advisor of Chi Sigma Iota, Sigma Phi Epsilon Chapter. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and is a National Certified Counselor. She has a personal and professional commitment to social justice, advocacy, and honoring diversity and inclusion. Her areas of interest include: identifying and assessing competence in working with LGBTQIA+ clients; exploring dynamics of same-sex relationships; sexual minority identity development and understanding how sex, gender expression, sexuality, and minority stress affect mental health; pedagogy for increasing tolerance among master’s students when working with diverse populations; enhancing the infusion of cultural diversity training into counseling courses; and ethical and legal dilemmas in teaching tolerance. She is passionate about connecting with students, providing mentorship, and fostering the development of competent counselors.
• Dr. Tes Tuason
  Tes Tuason, PhD, LP is Full Professor and Clinical Director in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the University of North Florida and is a Licensed Psychologist. Dr. Tuason was born and raised in the Philippines and came to the United States for her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University at Albany, State University of New York. She did her internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Utah, University Counseling Center and Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. Her research interests have focused on three areas: a) economic inequality and poverty such as investigating poverty’s determinants, its consequences, the influence of cultural values, ways of coping, and effective ways for upward mobility, b) minority identity formation (in terms of ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status) as it relates to counseling, symptomatology, well-being and health, and c) family, child, and adolescent issues utilizing systems and cross cultural perspectives (i.e., decision-making, creativity, overseas working, parenting, differentiating from family). She has over 50 publications in flagship journals such as Journal of Counseling and Development and Journal of Counseling Psychology and over a 100 conference presentations. Her research was funded by the UNF Foundation Board twice. She received the Dean’s Leadership Council Faculty Fellowship in 2004, the Outstanding International Leadership Award in 2008, the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award in 2009, the Susan B. Anthony Award in 2011, the Outstanding Faculty Scholarship Award in 2012, and the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award in 2019. Above all, Dr. Tuason advocates for mental health and wellbeing– specifically in her private practice, in clinical and research collaborations with community agencies for evidence-based practice, and in supervising counselors in training.
• Dr. Robert J. Zeglin
  Robert Zeglin, PhD, NCC, CST, LMHC is Assistant Professor and Program Director in the UNF CMHC Program. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and a Nationally Certified Counselor. He also holds certificates in Sex Therapy and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. Dr. Zeglin has extensive experience in multiple roles in the mental health field including as supervisor, administrator, and clinician. He is a member of the American Counseling Association, Association of Counselor Education and Supervision, and Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities. He is also the Past-President of the Association of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness. Dr. Zeglin serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Counseling and Development and the Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling. He is also the founding editor of the Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness. He sits on several community committees and advocates for mental health issues in Northeast Florida and beyond.
• Affiliate Faculty
  • Dr. Richmond D Wynn, LMHC, NCC
    • Associate Professor, CMHC
    • Director, University Counseling Center
     
  • Dr. Carlene Taylor, LMHC, NCC
    • Visiting Instructor, Brooks College of Health
    • Coordinator, PERCH
     

Data Reporting

• Program Outcomes Report 2019-2020

  Data Point		Value
  Number of Program Graduates		22
  Students who Graduated in the Expected 2-year Time Period		96%
  Graduates who Passed the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE)		52%*
  Graduates who are Currently Employed in Mental Health Counseling Positions		86%**

  
   *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 seeking mental health counseling positions

• Annual Report 2018
  The annual report is available for download.

Helpful Links

• UNF Graduate School
  The UNF Graduate School is your best resource for any questions related to the application process, eligibility, or enrollment.
• UNF Controller's Office
  The UNF Controller's Office is your best resource for any questions related to tuition, costs, or taxes.
• CACREP
  The CACREP website is your best resource for any questions related to our program's accreditation or the accreditation process. You can also access the CACREP standards on their website.
• Florida Licensing Board
  The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling website is your best resource for any questions related to licensure as a licensed mental health counselor.
• PERCH Program
  The PERCH Program is a campus-wide mental health initiative organized out of the Brooks College of Health. PERCH stands for Prevention, Early Intervention, and Resiliency through Counseling and Holistic Health. This initiative places counselors-in-training in key offices across campus, overcoming barriers to access and meeting students where they live, study, and play. For more information, visit the PERCH website.

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.
• 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?

  It depends. In general, yes, the GRE is required. We do not have a specific minimum score, but generally consider a combined 300+ score to be competitive. There are two exceptions to the GRE requirements:

   

  • The applicant already has a graduate degree (contact the Program Director for information)
  • The applicant is eligible to apply through the Express Application process

   

• 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 students are admitted to the program each year?
  We admit 24 students each year.
• 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.
• 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 CMCH 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 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 seeking licensure 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 10 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. 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.
  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. 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.
     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. Email your request (include your N# assigned during the application process) along with the documentation from The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling to the CMHC Program Director.
     5. Registration details will be provided after approval to enroll is granted.