Department of Counselor Education

Mental Health Counseling

Information and Orientation Video

Application Process

Mental Health Counseling (M.Ed.)-

The Master of Education degree in Counselor Education with a specialization in Mental Health Counseling is designed to prepare graduates to assess, diagnose and treat clients with mental disorders as well as those with problems in living. Graduates will have completed all the academic requirements to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida. The emphasis of this Master's degree program is on developing skills in counseling individuals, families and groups, using the best theoretical and research-based practices. The goals are to help clients to become stabilized and to achieve as optimal functioning as possible.

Preparing for Your New Career

The 60 hour Master's degree program provides a solid foundation in counseling theories and techniques with specialty courses in issues in mental health counseling practice, psychopathology, substance abuse counseling, and human sexuality counseling. During the practicum, advanced practicum and internship that total 1000 hours, students are assigned to mental health agencies where they specialize in areas of interest to them. They provide individual counseling, family counseling and lead groups.

Where are MHCs Employed?

FAU graduates in Mental Health Counseling work in a variety of agencies, including community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, university counseling centers, domestic violence agencies, adolescent run-away agencies, sexual assault treatment centers for adults and for children. substance abuse treatment centers, marriage and family counseling centers, eating disorders agencies, women's centers, elder centers, hospice, employee assistance programs, career counseling centers and private practice. To become licensed in Florida, graduates must counsel under an approved supervisor for two years and take the state licensing exam. Many of our graduates later become administrators in their agencies, some develop their own private practices and some pursue doctoral work in counseling or psychology.

Suggested Course Sequence for Full Time Student

Core Counseling Courses (*indicates to be taken prior to practicum)

• Life Span Development (MHS 6482)*
• Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues in Counseling (MHS 6700)*
• Appraisal and Evaluation in Counseling (MHS 6220)*
• Career Development (MHS 6340)*
• Counseling Special Needs Populations (MHS 5428)*
• Group Counseling (MHS 6510)
• Family Counseling (MHS 6430)
• Educational Research Methods (EDF 6481)*

Courses to complete the program

• Issues in Mental Health Counseling Practice (MHS 6701)
• Psychopathology in Counseling (MHS 6070)*
• Substance Abuse Counseling (MHS 6450)
• Counseling and Human Sexuality (MHS 6470)
• Educational Statistics (STA6113)
• One(1) Approved Elective

Pre-Practicum Sequence (Courses to be taken sequentially just prior to Beginning Practicum)

• Processes in Counseling (MHS 5005)*
• Counseling Theories and Techniques (MHS 6401)*

Field Experience (1000 Hours)

• Practicum in Counseling (MHS 6800)
• Advanced Practicum in Counseling (MHS 6801)
• Internship- Mental Health Counseling (MHS 6830)**
  
  ** Internship may be taken in one semester for 6 credits (600 clock hours of field placement) OR over two semesters for 3 credits each semester (300 clock hours of field placement per semester).

All courses are 3 credit hours, with the exception of the Internship which is 6 credit hours.

Note: A maximum of eighteen credit hours of course work taken in the Department of Counselor Education, at Florida Atlantic University prior to admission may be approved toward program requirements.