Provide Professional Help for Life's Challenges
As a mental health counselor, you’ll help individuals, groups, and families overcome challenges by providing them emotional and psychological support and assist them in improving their well-being.
As part of our innovative M.A. program in clinical mental health counseling, you'll study theories and skills related to mental health, substance use, and trauma interventions and learn how to apply them to connect with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.
Our 60-credit program is designed to meet the program requirements to be a Connecticut Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). You will gain extensive fieldwork experience through counseling practicum opportunities and internships that match your interests and professional goals while developing the skills and knowledge to enhance and enrich individuals, families, groups and communities.
As part of our program, you can also supplement your education with the unique opportunity to pursue a concentration in forensic mental health or community development.
Choose On-Ground or Online
This program can be completed in-person or fully online. Both programs are 60 credits. The on-ground option can be completed in 2-3 years. The online program can be completed in just three years and features 100% online coursework and 700 hours of supervised clinical training with two residencies.
- Dispositions
From admission through exit CMHC students will demonstrate the attitudes, characteristics, and behaviors defined by the program as characteristic of exemplar counseling professionals. - Ethical Practice
CMHC Students will demonstrate the capacity to practice counseling from a strong foundational understanding of ethical and legal issues, intentionally integrating counseling ethical practices into day-to-day professional activities. - Social & Cultural Diversity
In keeping with the American Counseling Association multicultural competencies, CMHC students will develop self-awareness, knowledge, and skills to prepare them to be contemporary, relevant, and culturally informed practitioners in clinical settings. - Human Growth & Development
CMHC students will demonstrate knowledge of lifespan development, systemic and environmental factors that affect human development, functioning, and behavior and the capacity to integrate knowledge of developmental theory into practice. - Career Development
CMHC students will demonstrate competence in understanding the world of work and the relationship between mental health and life roles such as work, school, and home. - Counseling & Helping Relationships
CMHC students will gain an understanding of the theories and research related to helping relationships and will develop the skills to apply their knowledge in professional, therapeutic relationships. - Group Counseling & Group Work
CMHC students will demonstrate knowledge of group process dynamics, group counseling, and group work, including group theories, stages of group, leadership styles, and therapeutic factors. - Assessment & Testing
CMHC students will demonstrate a broad understanding of validity and reliability of assessments, the selection and use of assessment tools, client assessment and diagnosis, trauma assessment, and the assessment of self-inflicted harm and danger to others. - Research & Program Evaluation
CMHC students will demonstrate the capacity to select, analyze, and apply research to inform practice, including evidence-based practices and theory-based interventions appropriate to their designated setting and personal theoretical orientation. - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
CMHC students will demonstrate an understanding of foundational knowledge (such as psychological testing), contextual factors (such as trauma, co-occurring disorders, poverty, and culture), and the demonstration of competence in clinical mental health fieldwork.
Program Quick Facts
Total Credits: 60
Length to Complete: 2-3 years
Start Dates:
- Fall: Full-time on-campus and Part-Time online
- Spring: Part-time online only
- Fall Priority: March 1
- Spring Priority: October 1
Career Opportunities with a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
$64K
Mental Health Counselor
16.8% Growth 2024-2034
$118K
Mental Health Program Manager
23.2% Growth 2024-2034
$69K
Social Worker/Case Manager/Program Coordinator
7.7% Growth 2024-2034
Courses and Learning Outcomes
The University of New Haven offers a wide variety of in-depth courses that create a transformational educational experience for our students. The information below comes directly from the latest Academic Catalog:
Concentrations available to full-time, on-campus students
Concentrations available to part-time, online students
Methods of Instruction
Diverse methods of instruction utilized in the program include, but are not limited to, classroom lectures, didactic instruction, role-playing and simulation, supervised practicum and internships, group class discussions and case studies, experiential learning activities, research and literature review, supervision and feedback, and professional development workshops.
Minimum Degree Requirements
Applicants to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent).
Annual Report
View the University of New Haven CMHC Annual Report for the academic year 2024-2025.
CMHC Annual ReportCharger Advantage
Learn from professors who are dedicated to your success.
Our faculty are leaders and innovators in their fields, bringing both deep professional experience and academic rigor to the classroom.
Upcoming Events
News
Excellence Exemplified: Faculty Members Recognized for Commitment to Teaching and Transforming Lives
The annual Faculty Excellence Awards celebrated professors across the University for their dedication to creating transformational learning opportunities for students and supporting them in and out of the classroom.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Earns National CACREP Accreditation
A successful networking mixer and national accreditation highlight a semester of progress and community-building for the University of New Haven’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program.
Nationally Recognized Center for Career Development
All University of New Haven students have access to the many resources available through the University’s Career Development Center, which has been named one of the best in the nation by The Princeton Review.
From career assessments, networking, and job shadowing to on-campus interviews and salary negotiation, the Career Development Center provides the skills and connections to identify a meaningful career and an opportunity to pursue your passion.
Learn More
An advanced degree from the University of New Haven will help you take your career
to the next level. Each program offers convenient scheduling, personalized attention,
and state-of-the-art facilities. The following are required when applying for the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Admission is highly competitive and application reviews are conducted once a year
for fall semester admission. The application deadline is March 1. Selected applicants will be interviewed by department faculty to assess academic readiness,
professional maturity, interpersonal skills, and alignment with counseling profession
values. Diversity and commitment to serving diverse populations are prioritized in
admissions. Program faculty then select who will matriculate into the program. The University of New Haven Graduate School is an excellent value with reasonable
tuition. Of course, you will still have bills to pay and the Financial Aid office
can help.
Find out more about why the University of New Haven is a great fit for you. Our admissions
team will contact you with information personalized to your interests.
A campus visit is one of the most important parts of the college selection process.
Come feel what it's like to Be a Charger!
With more than 74,000 alumni and more than 100 years of history, #ChargerNation is
the place to be. Begin Your Journey today.
Next Steps
WANT MORE INFO?
VISIT
APPLY