Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S.
All courses are required by the program since it is required by CACREP and for licensure eligibility as a Mental Health Counselor in New York State.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MHC-500 | Foundations of Counseling and Consultation | 3 |
| MHC-505 | Counseling Theories & Practice | 3 |
| MHC-510 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| MHC-515 | Assessment & Appraisal | 3 |
| MHC-520 | Substance Abuse Counseling | 3 |
| MHC-525 | Research and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| MHC-530 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| MHC-535 | Child and Adolescent Counseling | 3 |
| MHC-540 | Professional Ethics in Counseling | 3 |
| MHC-541 | NYS Mandated Reporter Training | 0 |
| MHC-545 | Cultural and Social Diversity | 3 |
| MHC-550 | Crisis, Trauma and Loss Counseling | 3 |
| MHC-555 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| MHC-560 | Supervision Theory and Practice | 3 |
| MHC-565 | Couples and Family Counseling | 3 |
| MHC-570 | Integrative Behavioral Healthcare Practice and Counseling | 3 |
| MHC-575 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| MHC-600 | Advanced Counseling Skills | 3 |
| MHC-610 | Practicum | 3 |
| MHC-620 | Internship I | 3 |
| MHC-630 | Internship II | 3 |
| MHC-640 | Capstone: Advocacy Project | 0 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Good Academic Standing
A student’s academic standing is determined by the cumulative quality point average (G.P.A.). Graduate students are expected to maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above. A student who has less than a 3.0 cumulative G.P.A. at any time is placed on academic probation for one semester. At the end of the probation semester, the student’s file is reviewed by the program. If the student’s cumulative G.P.A. is a minimum of 3.0, the student is automatically removed from probation. If a student does not achieve the 3.0 G.P.A., the program will either dismiss the student from the program immediately or continue the student on probation for one more semester. If a minimum of 3.0 is not achieved, dismissal is automatic.
Grades Below B Policy
All grades of B or higher are applicable to the program. Grades of B- or lower are not applicable to the program, and those courses must be retaken for a B or higher grade. Students may not receive more than two grades of B- or lower during the entire two-year program in order to remain in the program.
Provisional Admission
Applicants who do not meet the above criteria but have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 and show promise, will be reviewed on an individual basis by the admissions committee and may be admitted provisionally. While on provisional status, students must meet all academic requirements of the program and must either receive grades of B or better or earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 in the first four courses in the program. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program.
Academic Probation
Students who receive two grades of B- or below in the program will be notified in writing that they have been placed on academic probation. Academic probation will then apply to the next semester of their enrollment, including summer semesters. Students who have been placed on academic probation must successfully complete all coursework with grades of B or higher in the next semester of their enrollment in order to be removed from academic probation. Students who have been placed on academic probation, and receive a grade of B- or below for any course taken in the next semester of their enrollment, are at risk for dismissal from the program. Students who are taking coursework and are carrying an I (Incomplete) grade from any previous graduate coursework and who have a grade of B- or below submitted to replace any I grade will immediately be placed on academic probation for the current semester of their enrollment.
A student who maintains a minimum of a 3.0 average but receives more than two grades of B- or lower will be reviewed by the program before they may continue in the program, based on the program's decision. An appeal to any of the above may be made by following the grievance procedures found in the D’Youville University calendar and resource guide.
Appeals
To appeal a decision rendered by the program that has academic consequences, you must follow the appeal procedures which are available in the CDSR Policy Handbook.
All student applicants will apply to the CMHC program (hybrid and distance learning) via a central online application process. The application requests demographic information, and undergraduate transcripts to review for 1) minimum undergraduate GPA admission requirement of 3.0, and 2) to address readiness and appropriateness for graduate studies in clinical mental health counseling, via Professional Intent Questions.
The process begins with an admission staff reviewer collecting all required application documents. Applications are then forwarded to a CMHC faculty member to review for program readiness and appropriateness, which is completed through their review of five (5) Professional Intent Questions embedded in the application. The questions are:
1. Describe how your professional career goals align with the focus of D’Youville University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program.
2. Reflect on the current state of the mental health counseling profession. Where do you see it now, in the future, and how will you contribute to it as a licensed clinician?
3. Explain how you envision yourself being successful in a rigorous two-year graduate program? Specifically, address areas of support in your life, how you approach time management, and how you navigate a work-life balance.
4. At D’Youville University we are committed to analyzing and addressing the ways in which social and economic inequalities impact our community, the larger community, and our profession. Please talk about your experiences with addressing inequalities as it relates to the counseling field or some other aspect of your work. If you have not had direct experience in this area, please tell us about your aspirations.
5. Identify two (2) professional references sharing their 1) name, 2) your professional relationship, 3) how long have you known the person, 4) why you have selected them as a reference, 5) contact phone number, and 6) email address. They may be contacted as part of the application process.
Once the CMHC faculty member has completed the review, a determination of accept/decline is forwarded to the admissions reviewer who notifies the student.