Build a practical foundation of skills to prepare for a hands-on counseling career
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Build a practical foundation of skills to prepare for a hands-on counseling career
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Clinical Mental Health Counseling
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Kick off your counseling career with a master’s program that was made for you

Oklahoma City University’s online Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling delivers on all fronts. From flexible online program delivery to a comprehensive curriculum designed to meet licensure requirements, you’ll build a valuable foundation for your career as a mental health counselor.

OCU’s curriculum encourages self-reflection and professional development while also meeting core counseling competencies as indicated within the American Counseling Association guidelines. Courses use empirically supported teaching strategies to engage students with specialization topics like, research, evidence-based counseling techniques, adolescent counseling, marriage and family therapy, and others.

Leveraging Microsoft Teams technology, clinical skills labs are conducted online and are led by CACREP-certified instructors with PhDs in counselor education and supervision. Labs will be completed in small cohort groups to prepare for field placements.

Internship and practicum courses offer an exciting chance to immerse yourself in real-world experiences, all while fulfilling essential licensure requirements.

Program Details

  • 60 credit hours
  • Fully online
  • Comprehensive counseling curriculum:
    • Approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors
    • Approved by the Oklahoma State Board for Behavioral Health
    • Meets or exceeds board requirements of other states
  • Flexible and remote clinical skills labs Practicum and internship included
  • Complete in as few as:
    • 2 years with full-time enrollment
    • 3 years with blended full-time/part-time enrollment
    • 4 years with part-time enrollment
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Kick off your counseling career with a program that meets your needs.

Small classes, online flexibility, and a proven curriculum make Oklahoma City University's online M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling a clear choice for your career. Learn more by downloading a program brochure.

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Flexibility without sacrifice

At Oklahoma City University, you can earn your counseling degree on your own schedule. Online learning provides working professionals with the ultimate flexibility and ability to make career progress without giving up a source of income. You also have the option to enroll part-time, full-time, or switch up your enrollment pacing semester-to-semester as your schedule and circumstances change.

Learning online doesn’t mean a subpar experience. No matter where you’re located, you can expect the high-quality education OCU is known to deliver on-campus. Dedicated student success coordinators can help you navigate the online learning platform and helpful, experienced faculty and a close-knit online cohort will provide crucial insight and support as you prepare for licensure.

Counseling practicum and internship experiences

The practicum and internship courses, which provide an opportunity for real-world exposure to the topics and techniques students have studied in class, require varying levels of on-site engagement. Depending on your chosen fieldwork site, you may work with clients in-person or virtually. Additionally, both courses require brief, weekly check-ins to receive clinical supervision. These experiences are crucial to development as a counselor and can offer invaluable professional opportunities.

Focus on connection

Not only do OCU’s counseling courses boast an 8:1 student-faculty ratio, but its faculty are especially committed to the personal development of every student into a confident therapist with a clear vision for their professional practice. OCU’s small cohorts also help to foster a supportive environment of collaboration and strong connections among classmates, leading to flourishing networks of mental health professionals to last a lifetime.

Online Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling core curriculum

All counseling master’s students will complete 60 credit hours of counseling courses designed to meet most states’ requirements to become a licensed professional counselor, including one practicum and one internship.

COUN 5303 Biological Bases of Behavior and Health (3 credit hours)

Covered in this course is the relationship between biological factors and human behavioral functioning pertaining to physical and emotional health.

COUN 5314 Assessment I (4 credit hours)

Theoretical, developmental, and methodological bases of behavioral assessments, tests and measurements. Includes introduction to selected applications in mental health and research settings.

COUN 5563 Family/Group Interventions (3 credit hours)

Overview of the major marriage, family, or group counseling theories and interventions for use in a variety of settings.

COUN 5603 Social & Community Behavior (3 credit hours)

Study of individuals’ context of their environment and how environment affects functioning. Use of systems changes to enhance the functioning of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and/or institutions.

COUN 5703 Behavior Pathology (3 credit hours)

Theories of behavior pathology and human dysfunction, including but not limited to, biological and sociocultural theories. Classification systems of behavior and treatment planning.

COUN 5714 Evidence-Based Counseling Theories (4 credit hours)

Theory and practice of traditional individual and group theories, techniques and interventions and counseling. Emphasis on evidence-based modalities. Prerequisites: COUN 6813 Personality & Human Development and COUN 5703 Behavior Pathology. Please note: This course includes flexible, remote Skills Lab sessions.

COUN 5813 Career Development (3 credit hours)

This course will cover lifestyle and career choice and the role of work, the decision-making process, career counseling, and vocational choice.

COUN 6313 Assessment II (3 credit hours)

Skill-based class where appropriate assessment measures across domains of functioning, practice settings, and cultural groups will be covered. Extra fees may be required. Prerequisite: COUN 5314 Assessment I.

COUN 6513 Multiculturalism & Diversity (3 credit hours)

Components covered include knowledge, self-awareness, and skills in working with individuals, groups, and communities who represent various cultural and personal backgrounds and characteristics.

COUN 6713 Advanced Evidence-Based Techniques (3 credit hours)

A more detailed investigation of evidence-based theories and techniques of counseling. This course will focus on the more structured and systematic techniques for therapeutic intervention. Prerequisite: COUN 5714 Evidence-Based Counseling Theories. Please note: This course includes flexible, remote Skills Lab sessions.

COUN 6776 Practicum (6 credit hours)

Field experience and professional counseling whereby students will provide introductory counseling services in a mental health clinic, counseling center, or other human services agency. A minimum of 150 clock hours are required. Regular synchronous check-ins are required to receive clinical supervision.

COUN 6813 Personality & Human Development (3 credit hours)

Students learn and understand human development, wellness, and learned bases of behavior across the lifespan.

COUN 6903 Research Methods (3 credit hours)

Designed to introduce the student to research methods and program evaluation relevant to applied behavioral studies and counseling. Statistical components will be included.

COUN 6913 Clinical Supervision (3 credit hours)

Overview of the conceptual and research perspectives on clinical supervision including models, approaches, techniques, relationship and process issues, as well as ethical and legal considerations.

COUN 6974 Professional Identity & Ethics (4 credit hours)

Survey of ethical standards, principles, history and regarding professional activities with individuals, groups, and organizations. Examines students’ professional values and identity with preparation for a career in clinical mental health counseling.

COUN 6979 Internship (9 credit hours)

Advanced field experience in counseling whereby students will provide direct face-to-face intervention with clients under auspices of an on-site supervisor.

Your future as a mental health counselor

Copules counselor speaking to man and woman in office

What comes after graduation? Once you complete your degree you’ll have completed the academic requirements for becoming a licensed counselor (to make sure you know the exact requirements, please check the website of the state board of counseling where you plan to practice). However, to become an LPC you’ll also need to complete post-graduate “supervision” or “supervised experience” hours and pass the exam required by your state board of licensure. Some states may also require passing a jurisprudence examination or completing additional training before you officially apply for licensure.

Explore counseling through a robust curriculum at Oklahoma City University
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