Program Overview

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Lipscomb University is designed to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to become licensed professional counselors. The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and meets the academic requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation in Tennessee.

Program Overview

The program is a 61-hour curriculum that includes core courses, practicum courses, and elective courses. The core courses cover topics such as theories of counseling and personality, introduction to clinical mental health counseling, psychopathology and adaptive behavior, and research methods and statistics. The practicum courses provide students with hands-on experience in counseling settings, and the elective courses allow students to specialize in areas such as play therapy or addiction counseling.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the program, students must have a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA, submit official transcripts, and provide two letters of recommendation. Students must also submit a resume, a 45-60 second video answering a question about their interests, and a maximum of 3 pages, double-spaced essay highlighting their strengths and potential areas of growth related to the HERD dispositions.

Program Statistics

The program has a 100% job placement rate and a 100% licensure or certification examination pass rate. The program also has a 95.4% completion rate, and 32 students graduated from the program in the past year.

Specializations

The program offers specializations in play therapy and addiction counseling. The play therapy specialization requires students to take three graduate-level courses, including introduction to play therapy, advanced play therapy, and internship in play therapy. The addiction counseling specialization requires students to take specialized coursework and practicum/internship in substance use addiction at a local residential addictions facility.

Tuition and Aid

The program tuition is currently $962 per credit hour, and additional fees include $375 for an iPad, $150 for experiential learning cloud, and $100 per semester technology fee. Graduate assistantships are available, and students may also apply for federal student loans or private loans.

Faculty

The program faculty includes experienced counselors and educators who are dedicated to providing students with a high-quality education and hands-on experience in counseling settings. The faculty includes Dr. DeAndrea Witherspoon Nash, Dr. Kasie Lee, Dr. Damian McClintock, Dr. Andrea Mills, Dr. Jake Morris, and Dr. Melanie Morris.

Career Paths

Graduates of the program can pursue careers as clinical mental health counselors, play therapists, or alcohol and drug addiction counselors. They can work in a variety of settings, including private practice, community mental health centers, hospitals, and schools.

Related Programs

Lipscomb University also offers related programs in marriage and family therapy, psychology, and counseling. These programs provide students with a strong foundation in counseling and psychology and prepare them for careers in these fields.