Program Overview

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program is a master's degree program that prepares students to work as professional counselors in various settings, including community agencies, hospitals, and private practice. The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through March 31, 2030.

Program Overview

The program requires a minimum of 60 credits and includes coursework, practicum, and internship experiences. Students who complete the program will be eligible to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE).

Admission Requirements

• Completed online application
• Resume
• Personal statement/goals
• Non-refundable application fee
• 3 recommendations from people who know the applicant's academic record and potential for graduate study
• Official transcripts of all post-secondary education
• Official statement of English Proficiency (TOEFL) for international students
• Applicants are expected to have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher

Delivery Method

• On-Campus
• Online
• Hybrid

Entrance Exam

• None

Interview Required

• Yes

Application Deadlines

• Fall: December 1
• Summer 1: December 1
• Summer 2: December 1

Degrees

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MEd)

Faculty

Professors

• Marc Anderson Grimmett
• Sylvia Nassar
• Jose' A Picart
• Siu-Man Ting

Assistant Professors

• Alex Becnel
• Rawn Boulden
• Rolanda Mitchell
• Brean'a Monet Parker
• Maja Stojanovic

Teaching Professor

• Angela Smith

Teaching Assistant Professors

• Cristina Braga
• Nicole Childs
• Briana Gaines
• Terri Tilford
• Briana Gaines
• Shatoi Scott

Associate Professor

• David Ayers

Practice/Research/Teaching Professor

• Makena Stewart

Courses

• ECD 510: Orientation to Professional Counseling, Identity, and Ethics (3 credit hours)
  • This course examines the purpose of counseling, the historical context for counseling, the basic principles of major counseling theories, and the practice of counseling in various professional settings.
  • Prerequisite: 6 credits in ED or PSY
  • Typically offered in Spring and Summer
• ECD 524: Career Counseling and Development (3 credit hours)
  • Knowledge and skills needed to provide professional career counseling to individuals and design, implement, and evaluate career development programs for particular groups.
  • Prerequisite: 6 credits in ED or PSY
  • Typically offered in Spring and Summer
• ECD 525: Multicultural Counseling (3 credit hours)
  • Theory and practice of counseling culturally diverse clients.
  • Prerequisite: Six hrs. in ED or PSY, Corequisite: ECD 530
  • Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
• ECD 530: Theories and Tech of Counseling (4 credit hours)
  • Theory, philosophy, roles, professional ethics, and techniques of counseling.
  • Prerequisite: 6 credits in ED or PSY
  • Typically offered in Fall and Spring
• ECD 536: Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling (4 credit hours)
  • Issues, functions, and scope of work being done in various clinical mental health programs.
  • Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
  • Typically offered in Fall and Spring
• ECD 539: Group Counseling (3 credit hours)
  • Theory and practice of group counseling.
  • Prerequisite: ECD 530 and one of the following: ECD 510, 534, 535, or 536
  • Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
• ECD 540/WGS 540: Gender Issues In Counseling (3 credit hours)
  • Exploration of gender as primary identity and social construct.
  • Prerequisite: Graduate standing or Six hrs. in ED or PSY
  • Typically offered in Summer only
• ECD 541: Substance Abuse and Counseling (3 credit hours)
  • Counseling as it relates to working with clients with substance abuse disorders.
  • Prerequisite: 6 hours of Graduate Coursework
  • Typically offered in Fall only
• ECD 542: Research in Counseling (3 credit hours)
  • Introduction to research methods and program evaluations in the field of counseling.
  • Prerequisite: 6 hours of ECD Graduate Courses
  • Typically offered in Fall and Summer
• ECD 545: Counseling Couples and Families (3 credit hours)
  • Counseling as it relates to working with couples and families.
  • Prerequisite: 6 hours of ECD Graduate Courses
  • Typically offered in Spring and Summer
• ECD 546: Crisis Interventions in Counseling (3 credit hours)
  • Overview of crisis intervention and theoretical models.
  • Prerequisite: 6 hours of ECD Graduate Courses
  • Typically offered in Fall and Summer
• ECD 561: Psychodiagnosis and Assessment in Counseling (3 credit hours)
  • Exploration of meaning and importance of assessment in the counseling process.
  • Prerequisite: Graduate Students Only
  • Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
• ECD 562: Techniques in Counseling (4 credit hours)
  • Mastery of counseling skills, review of relevant theories, and preparation for Practicum.
  • Prerequisite: ECD 530
  • Typically offered in Fall only
• ECD 575/EDP 575: Multicultural Lifespan Development (3 credit hours)
  • Theories, principles, and issues of psychological development throughout the lifespan.
  • Prerequisite: Six Hours of Graduate Study
  • Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
• ECD 642: Practicum In Counseling (3 credit hours)
  • Student participation in individual and group counseling and consultation experiences under supervision.
  • Prerequisite: Completion of all ECD, PSY, and STAT courses with exception of ECD 539 Group Counseling that may be taken concurrently.
  • Typically offered in Spring only
• ECD 653: Internship In Clinical Mental Health Counseling (6-12 credit hours)
  • A 600-hour internship for community agency counselors in an agency counseling setting under supervision of qualified professionals.
  • Prerequisite: ECD 642
  • Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Student Financial Support

At NC State, the goal is to assure that no student who can benefit from an NC State education is denied that opportunity due to finances. Graduate students may apply for Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, and for Federal Work-Study employment. Qualified graduate students pursuing master's or doctoral degrees may also apply for fellowships, assistantships, and other awards offered through individual colleges and the Graduate School.