Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Bowling Green State University (2024)

Student ID:__________________________Student Name:_______________________Advisor Name:_______________________Catalog: 2024-2025 Graduate CatalogProgram: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A.This is for planning purposes only, please check with your advisor with questions about your degree progress

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling curriculum is designed to meet the needs of students wishing to pursue counseling careers in public and private mental health agencies, the criminal justice system, substance abuse programs, religious settings, or colleges. The coursework satisfies the academic requirements of the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. Candidates are prepared to sit for the state licensure examination qualifying individuals to be a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Master’s degree, students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are expected to be able to:

  • Distinguish betweencounseling theories
  • Integrate theory and practice for individual and group counseling settings
  • Examine practices surrounding multiculturalism, diversity, inclusion, and equity
  • Develop a professional counselor identity with a foundation in the integration of evidenced based practice and applicable ethical codes
  • Evaluate their self-awareness and self-development through reflective practice of counseling skills

Admission Requirements

The Fall priority deadline is March 1, 2022. Applications will be accepted until April 15th.

All applications will be reviewed for the following criteria:

  • your aptitude for graduate study
  • your potential success in forming effective counseling relationships
  • your aptitude for working with diverse populations
  • the relevance of your career goals to the counseling profession

Three Letters of Recommendation:Your letters of recommendation should be from persons familiar with your work and/or academic habits (e.g., supervisors, professors, employers) and address the above criteria.

Writing Sample:Respond to the following questions. The combined length of all answers should not exceed five (5) typed, double-spaced, APA style pages.

  • Why are you seeking a graduate degree in clinical mental health or school counseling?
  • What experiences have you had that you believe will prepare you for a career in counseling?
  • Besides a graduate degree and a job, what do you hope to gain from your experience as a graduate student?
  • What factors do you believe constitute a culturally competent and sensitive counseling professional and how does that pertain to you? Also, comment on any experience you may have had working with diverse populations.
  • What type of population do you believe you would feel most comfortable counseling?
  • Who, if anyone, influenced your decision to pursue graduate work in counseling?

Application Requirements

Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements

International Application Information

Degree Requirements

Curriculum Requirements

Required Courses (51 credits)

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCoreCOUN 6640 - Crisis CounselingCOUN 6680 - Mental and Emotional DisordersCOUN 6710 - Assessment and Testing in CounselingCOUN 6740 - Career and Life Planning ApproachesCOUN 6750 - Theories of CounselingCOUN 6760 - Counseling the Culturally DiverseCOUN 6770 - Skills and Techniques of CounselingCOUN 6780 - Legal and Ethical Issues in CounselingCOUN 6790 - Group Counseling Models and ProceduresCOUN 6805 - Alcohol and Drug Abuse TreatmentCOUN 6815 - DSM Diagnosis and Treatment Implications for CounselorsCOUN 6855 - Advanced AssessmentCOUN 6885 - Seminar/Practicum in CounselingCOUN 6890 - Internship in CounselingEDFI 6420 - Research in EducationEDFI 6700 - Human Development and Learning Across the Lifespan for Helping Professionals

Electives (3-9 credits)

Plan I students complete 3-6 credits of electives dependent upon number of COUN 6990 credits completed. Plan II students complete 9 credits of electives.

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore

Select from:

COUN 6690 - Professional Orientation to School CounselingCOUN 6700 - Implementing School Counseling ProgramsCOUN 6720 - Brief CounselingCOUN 6730 - Child and Adolescent CounselingCOUN 6820 - Special Topics in CounselingCOUN 6825 - Human Sexuality in CounselingCOUN 6835 - Play TherapyCOUN 6845 - Marriage, Family and Couples CounselingCOUN 6860 - Independent Study in Counseling orCOUN 6870 - Independent Study in Counseling

Other Requirements

  • Minimum course grade of “B-” or above for any Practicum or Internship pre-requisites.
  • Overall evaluation of “acceptable” ratings on Professional Disposition Forms (conducted at various points throughout the program)
  • Field experience through Practicum (1 semester, 100 site clock hours) and Internship (minimum 2 semesters, 600 site clock hours)
  • Adhere to State of Ohio laws governing licensed school counselors.
  • Adhere to American Counseling Association and the American School Counseling Association ethical standards for professional counselors.

Culminating Experience (0-6 credits)

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore

Plan I:

COUN 6990 - Thesis Research

Plan II:

Portfolio

Minimum Total Credits (60 credits)

Additional Requirements

  • Minimum of 3 credits of 6990 required for Plan I master’s students. Maximum of 6 credits may be applied toward degree requirements.
  • Minimum 3.0 graduate cumulative grade point average
  • Minimum of 18 credits must be at the 6000-level or higher
  • Minimum of 24 credits must be earned at BGSU
  • All requirements must be completed within six years from the end of the earliest course used to fulfill degree requirements.
Notes:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Bowling Green State University (2024)

FAQs

Is the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination hard? ›

You may fail the NCMHCE. In fact, statistically, failing is likely (40-45 percent of people do). Or you may pass. You might not even define scores on a test like this as an effective evaluative tool to measure success.

What state pays mental health counselors the most? ›

Top 50 Highest Paying States for Mental Health Counselor Jobs in the U.S. We've identified ten states where the typical salary for a Mental Health Counselor job is above the national average. Topping the list is New Jersey, with Wisconsin and Washington close behind in second and third.

What is the hardest part of being a mental health counselor? ›

Counseling Reluctant Patients

In any event, without enough information, it can be challenging for a licensed mental health counselor to accurately address certain issues. Plus, without enough dialogue going on, it's hard to build a rapport.

What is Bowling Green State University clinical psychology ranked? ›

On the list compiled by counselingpsychology.org, BGSU is ranked second in the nation for its success in preparing students for careers in professional counseling. The website bestcounselingdegrees.net ranks BGSU 22nd on its list of the country's 50 best Ph. D.

How many people pass the NCE on the first try? ›

95% of Richmont students who took the NCE in 2023 passed on the first attempt. The national average for 2023 was 81%.

What happens if you fail NCE 3 times? ›

If you need to take the exam more than three times, you must resubmit the application. This includes sending in all of the materials required to demonstrate you meet work experience and education requirements. You must also pay the full NCE fee of $125 before being cleared to sign up for another exam date.

How much does a licensed mental health counselor make in Massachusetts? ›

The average mental health counselor salary in Massachusetts is $55,504 per year or $26.68 per hour.

What is the fastest growing field for mental health counselors? ›

OccupationsEmployment growth, projected 2022–32
Marriage and family therapists15% (Much faster than average)
Community health workers14% (Much faster than average)
Clinical and counseling psychologists11% (Much faster than average)
Psychiatric technicians and aides9% (Much faster than average)
6 more rows
Jan 9, 2024

What type of counselors make the most money? ›

The 5 Highest Paying Careers in Counseling
  1. School Counselor. If you're interested in cultivating young minds and driving students toward their full potential, school counseling is an excellent fit for you. ...
  2. Career Counselor. ...
  3. Mental Health, Marriage, and Family Counselor. ...
  4. Rehabilitation Counselor. ...
  5. Gerontological Counselor.

What degree do most mental health counselors have? ›

Therapists hold at least a master's degree, while some choose to obtain a doctorate. If a therapist chooses to advertise their practice as “psychotherapy,” then they must be licensed in the state in which they intend to practice.

What are disadvantages to be a mental health counselor? ›

Stressful work environment

Therapists who start their own practice may become concerned about attracting clients to their business, tending to billing issues, getting malpractice coverage and keeping up with the maintenance and cost of their office space. Many mental health therapists also feel emotional stress.

What is the hardest mental illness to cope with? ›

What Is the Hardest Mental Illness to Live With?
  • Schizophrenia.
  • Severe Bipolar Disorder.
  • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
  • Major Depression and Treatment-Resistant Depression.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Eating Disorders.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • So, What is the hardest mental illness to live with?
Dec 29, 2023

What majors is BGSU known for? ›

The most popular majors at Bowling Green State University include: Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Criminal Justice/Safety Studies; Psychology, General; Education, Other; Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Marketing/Marketing ...

Is BGSU a Tier 1 university? ›

BGSU ranked No. 1 in the Midwest for the third consecutive year as the public university students would choose again for their education in the rankings for the 2022 Best Colleges in the United States by The Wall Street Journal.

Is the bowling green psychology program good? ›

The BGSU Industrial-Organizational Psychology program is ranked 3rd in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

How hard is it to pass the NCE? ›

SCORING THE NCE

There are many forms of the NCE. A typical cutoff for passing is a score in the 90s. Never has the cutoff for the exam been higher than 65% out of 160, so with preparation it is a very passable exam. Scores take eight weeks to get back.

How hard is the LPCC exam? ›

The passing score cutoff for the California LPCC Law & Ethics Exam has typically been around 35 out of 50 scored items (70%). It would be unusual to have a passing score cutoff below 33 or above 37. You can improve your chances of passing by using our online California LPCC Law & Ethics Exam prep program.

What is a passing score for the NCE exam? ›

A passing score is usually between 98-105 and fluctuates with each test administration. This is determined by NBCC. Only the overall score counts, so if you bombed out in one area but excelled in another, you can make up for it!

How long does it take to study for the NCE? ›

90 days. If you are studying for the NCE longer than 90 days, you are doing it wrong--trust me. If you are diligently preparing for the exam, you are devoting roughly 10 hours a week to dedicated study time.

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