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Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)
Fully Accredited
Marywood University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSHE). / ADDRESS / 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104. | Phone: (267) 284-5000
The Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Counsel for Accrediting Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
- Undergraduate Core Curriculum
- Curricular and Co-Curricular Guides
- Academic History
- Student Outcomes Data
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the graduate program in school and clinical mental health counseling is to train master’s-level students to be ethical and caring decision-makers who attend to the varied developmental needs of individuals in Pre K-12 educational and clinical mental health settings. Housed in a comprehensive regional institution steeped in the Catholic tradition, the Marywood counseling program, its faculty and curricular experiences, inspire and transform students to learn, lead and serve in a diverse and changing world. Within this context, the education of the whole person is paramount. The standards-based curriculum is rigorous; faculty expectations are high; and students are challenged to understand and apply the ethical dimensions of personal and professional life and to examine their own attitudes, values and beliefs. Bearing this in mind, while endeavoring to synthesize and integrate the general education and the professional preparation of its prospective counselors, the Counseling Program faculty adopts the following program objectives:
COUNSELING PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
- To exhibit ethical professional behavior, skills, and dispositions consistent with the ACA and its affiliate standards in order to assume the role of professional counselors in school and clinical mental health settings.
- To acquire sufficient knowledge and skills to effectively provide individual, group, and outreach to meet the various concerns of diverse populations in clinical mental health and school settings.
- To exhibit professional leadership and advocacy skills necessary to serve as effective agents of change and advance the cause of diverse and underrepresented groups. Likewise, to develop a mastery of consultation skills and the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary collaborations.
- To acquire a comprehensive knowledge base of research principles and assessment in order to be consumers and producers of quality research. Further, to integrate current empirical information to reform and refine all aspects of the professional counselor.
- To demonstrate the capacity for self-reflection, self-evaluation, and integration of feedback.
Improve Lives with an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counselors help people manage and overcome mental and emotional disorders and problems with their family and relationships. They listen to clients and ask questions to help the clients understand their problems and develop strategies to improve their lives.
This advanced degree in counseling prepares counselors for careers in settings such as mental health, child welfare and family counseling agencies; institutions for the aging; employment and personnel offices; parishes; college counseling centers and fields dealing with chemical dependency and other addictions. Students will earn the required educational credits to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania. Because the program is CACREP-accredited, training in this program is recognized nationally (though specific laws and licensing regulations vary in each state).
- Work with children, families, elderly, adults
- Work in agencies, offices, parishes, colleges, addiction centers
- Prepare for LPC licensure in PA
- CACREP-accredited program
- Student Research
Through the strong community created by the university, I got to know and build connections with many of my fellow students and professors which helped me to confirm that this was right where I was supposed to be. When transferring, I knew that getting involved was something I was looking forward to, which led me to working in the lab as a lab assistant. Through taking advantage of the many opportunities that Marywood has provided, I feel as though I am ready and well equipped to move on to the next chapter of my life.
Emily Haley '22 Read All Testimonials
Outcomes & Opportunities
Top Employers
- Mental Health Office
- Clinical/ Doctor's Office
- School Districts
- Universities
Top Career Paths
- Behavioral Therapist
- Grief Counselor
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Family Counselor
Dig Deeper Into the Program Details
If you have any questions about this program, we're here to help.
DEADLINE: February 1 (early admission), July 1, and October 1. Program cycle starts in Summer Term. **CMHC students are expected to start in May, but may begin 'out of sequence' in other semesters.
Graduate Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- “B” average during undergraduate study or demonstrated potential for graduate work
- Completed application
- Essay
- Official, sealed transcripts
- Two or three letters of recommendation
Submit an essay outlining professional and personal qualities that you believe will make you a successful school or mental health counselor. Applicants should be specific. Please review the follow resources prior to submitting the essay:
American Counseling Association
American Mental Health Counselors Association
American School Counselors Association
Pennsylvania Counselors Association
Pennsylvania School Counselors Association
The Psychology Department is located in the McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies.
McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies
1201 University AvenueMap & Directions
The McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, located on the corner of University and North Washington Avenues, contains classrooms and related clinical/professional space for Communication Sciences and Disorders, Psychology and Counseling, Education, and Business students. Market Marywood is also located here.
Learn More | Take a Virtual Tour
Psychological Services Center
Map & Directions
The Psychological Services Center (PSC), located in Room 1009 in the McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, is a clinic and training facility. It serves the community as an outpatient mental health clinic that provides services to individuals across the life spectrum from young children to older adults. The entry of the PSC is privately located on the north side of the McGowan Center on Marywood's campus. The PSC is composed of several individual, couple, family, and group therapy rooms, as well as a reception area and waiting room.
Learn More
Scholarships
Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's scholarship programs are designed to encourage and support outstanding students who work hard, demonstrate a strong will to succeed, and have financial need. Our scholarships provide financial assistance and academic support to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students.
Tuition
View Tuition RatesMarywood University faculty are prepared to provide students with the best learning experience possible.
- Assistant Professor of Practice
- mjschaffer@marywood.edu
- 570-348-6211 x2241
- Department Chair
- Associate Professor of Practice
- sbadner@marywood.edu
- 570-348-6211 x2250
- Director of Clinical Training (Psy.D.)
- Professor
- jrutter4@marywood.edu
- 570-348-6211 x6281
- Assistant Director of Clinical Training (Psy.D.)
- Assistant Professor of Practice
- lmpopple@marywood.edu
- 570-348-6211 x6038
- Counseling Program Coordinator
- Professor
- janey@marywood.edu
- 570-348-6211 x2494
- Undergraduate Psychology Program Coordinator
- Associate Professor
- lcmorton@marywood.edu
- 570-348-6211 x2248
- Counseling Program Fieldwork Coordinator
- Professor
- jlmuse-burke@marywood.edu
- 570-348-6211 x2367
80+ opportunities for you to find the right fit with 50+ undergraduate degrees and 30+ graduate and certificate courses.
From #DayOne, Marywood is here for you each step of the way.
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Graduate Student Events
Fully Accredited
Marywood University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSHE). / ADDRESS / 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104. | Phone: (267) 284-5000
The Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Counsel for Accrediting Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
- Undergraduate Core Curriculum
- Curricular and Co-Curricular Guides
- Academic History
- Student Outcomes Data
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the graduate program in school and clinical mental health counseling is to train master’s-level students to be ethical and caring decision-makers who attend to the varied developmental needs of individuals in Pre K-12 educational and clinical mental health settings. Housed in a comprehensive regional institution steeped in the Catholic tradition, the Marywood counseling program, its faculty and curricular experiences, inspire and transform students to learn, lead and serve in a diverse and changing world. Within this context, the education of the whole person is paramount. The standards-based curriculum is rigorous; faculty expectations are high; and students are challenged to understand and apply the ethical dimensions of personal and professional life and to examine their own attitudes, values and beliefs. Bearing this in mind, while endeavoring to synthesize and integrate the general education and the professional preparation of its prospective counselors, the Counseling Program faculty adopts the following program objectives:
COUNSELING PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
- To exhibit ethical professional behavior, skills, and dispositions consistent with the ACA and its affiliate standards in order to assume the role of professional counselors in school and clinical mental health settings.
- To acquire sufficient knowledge and skills to effectively provide individual, group, and outreach to meet the various concerns of diverse populations in clinical mental health and school settings.
- To exhibit professional leadership and advocacy skills necessary to serve as effective agents of change and advance the cause of diverse and underrepresented groups. Likewise, to develop a mastery of consultation skills and the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary collaborations.
- To acquire a comprehensive knowledge base of research principles and assessment in order to be consumers and producers of quality research. Further, to integrate current empirical information to reform and refine all aspects of the professional counselor.
- To demonstrate the capacity for self-reflection, self-evaluation, and integration of feedback.