Required course sequence for a first year full-time student in M.S. in CMHC
First Semester:
Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Introduction to Psychopathology and Adaptive Behavior
Theories of Counseling and Personality
Second Semester:
Introduction to Counseling Skills
Trauma & Advanced Psychopathology
Ethics & Professional Issues in Counseling
Third Semester:
Multicultural Issues in Counseling
Effective Counseling & Treatment Planning
Substance Abuse Counseling or Foundations of Substance Use Disorders Treatment*
Specializations
Addiction Specialization - Students must apply and are admitted specifically into this specialization for a January start only. Students in this specialization complete the standard clinical mental health counseling coursework with the addition of specialized coursework and practicum/internship in substance use addiction at a local residential addictions facility. Specifically, students take the following specialized courses:
COUN 5213 Foundations of Substance Use Disorders Treatment (*replaces COUN 6303)
COUN 6363 Assessment, Diagnosis & Treatment Planning for Substance Use Disorders (as Elective One)
COUN 6373 Prevention, Intervention & Counseling for Substance Use Disorders (as Elective Two).
The M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Addiction Specialization is designed to meet the academic requirements for Tennessee licensure as Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation (LPC-MHSP) and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC).
Play Therapy Specialization - Students interested in this specialization complete specialized coursework and one internship in play therapy. Students admitted in either fall or spring semesters may choose this specialization. Specifically, students take the following courses:
COUN 6A23 Introduction to Play Therapy (as Elective One)
COUN 6223 Advanced Play Therapy & Expressive Arts (as Elective Two)
COUN 6963 Internship I in Play Therapy or COUN 6973 Internship II in Play Therapy (as a part of the clinical year sequence).
The M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Play Therapy Specialization is designed to meet the academic requirements for Tennessee licensure as Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation (LPC-MHSP) and to meet partial requirements for credentialing as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT; check out Association for Play Therapy for more details regarding credential. http://www.a4pt.org/).