Master of Arts in

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Help Others Discover Lasting Change

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by life’s challenges? If you have, you know the power of a compassionate guide. Skilled, faith-based counselors are called to help others navigate the wilderness of overwhelming circumstances. As faith-based counselors reach out at every level: mental, emotional and spiritual, they are uniquely positioned to lead others to lasting transformation through the healing power of Christ.

In addition to the Seminary’s mission statement, the mission statement of the CMHC program is as follows:  “The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is offered from within a Christian worldview and strives to develop exceptional counselors with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide compassionate care to people from diverse backgrounds.

Our Program is CACREP Accredited

Our CACREP-accredited curriculum prepares you to practice certified counseling at the professional level. With an 89.6% NCE pass rate and flexible field experiences, you will receive the training you need to excel as a counselor. Our program consists of one full cohort day each week, allowing you to have an immersive day of study and connection while freeing up your schedule. 

Typical careers include:

  • Community Mental Health
  • College Counseling
  • Trauma
  • Addiction
  • Private Practice
  • Hospitals
  • Schools

Our CACREP-accredited curriculum prepares you to practice certified counseling at the professional level. With an 89.6% NCE pass rate and flexible field experiences, you will receive the training you need to excel as a counselor. Our program consists of one full cohort day each week, allowing you to have an immersive day of study and connection while freeing up your schedule.

Typical careers include:

  • Community Mental Health
  • College Counseling
  • Trauma
  • Addiction
  • Private Practice
  • Hospitals
  • Schools

 

What to Expect

Through our program, you will develop exceptional skills to provide compassionate care to people from diverse backgrounds. You will learn time-tested and modern-day techniques from a Christian worldview. Together with your peers, you can develop the confidence and experience you need to work in the position of your choice. We are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and approved by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT).

Coursework

64 Credit Hours

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MACMHC) program is offered from within a Christian worldview and strives to develop exceptional professional counselors with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide compassionate care to, and advocate for, people from diverse backgrounds. This program provides the academic and experiential background needed to equip students to effectively practice as professional counselors. In addition, the degree satisfies Ohio educational requirements set by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Graduates from this program typically enter a wide variety of professional vocations and post-graduate programs. These include but are not limited to private practice, community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment programs, military settings and correctional agencies, and church-based and parachurch counseling centers.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program’s assessment system includes broad Degree Learning Outcomes (DLOs) in three areas; Knowledge, Professional Skills, and Personal Attributes. Each of these more general degree learning outcomes is composed of a number of more specific degree learning outcomes as indicated below. (Degree learning outcomes are attained through “student learning objectives” (SLOs) which are specified in course syllabi.):

DLO-I. Knowledge Objectives: By the conclusion of their program, students will be able to distinguish the clinical information needed by professional counselors (“Knowledge Objective” or “KO”). More specifically, the student will be able to:
KO1. Articulate the history, professional roles, organizational structures, ethics, standards and credentialing of professional counseling;
KO2. Explain the importance of social and cultural diversity, including the cultural context of relationships, issues, and trends in a multicultural society;
KO3. Describe human growth and development and the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels, and in multicultural contexts;
KO4. Discuss career development and related life factors;
KO5. Describe the helping relationship and counseling process in a multicultural society;
KO6. Define group work, including group purpose, development, dynamics, theories, methods and skills, and other group approaches in a multicultural society;
KO7. Interpret assessments, including individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation in a multicultural society;
KO8. Review research methods, statistical analysis, needs assessment, and program evaluation; and
KO9. Identify the role that personal faith or belief systems play in the counseling process.

DLO-II. Professional Skills Objectives:
By the conclusion of their program, students will demonstrate ability in professional counseling skills (“Professional Skills Objective” or “PSO”). More specifically, the student will be able to:
PSO1. Demonstrate adherence to ethical and legal standards of the professional counseling;
PSO2. Demonstrate effective treatment planning and intervention in counseling;
PSO3. Demonstrate recognition of personal limitations as a professional counselor and the need to seek supervision or refer clients when appropriate;
PSO4. Demonstrate effective service provision to clients in a multicultural society;
PSO5. Demonstrate skill in interviewing, assessment, diagnosis, and case management for working with individuals, couples, and families; and
PSO6. Demonstrate application of research findings in professional counseling.

DLO-III. Personal Attributes Objectives: By the conclusion of their program, students will exhibit personal characteristics important for professional counseling and counselors (“Personal Attributes Objectives” or “PAO”). More specifically, the student will be able to:
PAO1. Explain the importance of boundaries and limitations to competency;
PAO2. Act with integrity and honesty;
PAO3. Demonstrate interpersonal strength and maturity; and
PAO4. Act professionally, as is generally recognized, within the counseling profession.

Instructional Courses - 6 hours
BSG 5510 Fundamentals of Biblical Interpretation 2 hours
CTH 5510 Fundamentals of Christian Theology 2 hours
CLC 5501 Spiritual Themes in Clinical Counseling 2 hours

Counseling Core Courses - 32 hours
CLC 5504 Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling 2 hours
CLC 5508 Counseling Techniques 3 hours
CLC 5509 Counseling Theories 3 hours
CLC 5511 Human Growth and Development 3 hours
CLC 5520 Social and Cultural Issues in Counseling 3 hours
CLC 5522 Lifestyle and Career Counseling 3 hours
CLC 5530 Group Dynamics I 1.5 hours
CLC 5531 Group Dynamics II 1.5 hours
CLC 6691 Introduction to Research Methods and Design 3 hours
CLC 6692 Assessment 3 hours
CLC 7729 Differential Diagnosis 3 hours
CLC 7770 Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 3 hours

Practicum and Internship - 6 hours
CLC 6636 Practicum in Counseling 2 hours
CLC 7796 Internship in Counseling 4 hours

Clinical Content Courses - 15 hours
CLC 7721 Crisis Counseling 3 hours
CLC 7751 Special Issues in Abnormal-Personality Disorder OR CLC 7756 Introduction to Substance Abuse 3 hours
CLC 7761 Personality Assessment 3 hours
CLC 7787 Treatment of Mood and Anxiety Disorders 3 hours
CLC 7795 Treatment Planning Principles and Practice 3 hours

Elective Courses
Advanced Clinical Content Electives 5 hours

Total Hours 64 hours

Our counseling coursework is offered live and in-person with your professor and peers in Ashland, Ohio.

Attend class live and in-person with your professor and peers at one of our campus locations.

Study with scholars who have decades of real-world ministry experience. Our faculty are called to train faithful followers for effective ministry and are personally invested in you.

Step Into Your Calling

Get the faith-based training and experience you need to become an exceptional professional counselor.

Hear from Counseling Students

Rich Hoffman

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2019 Graduate

I had no idea how much I would enjoy the curriculum and love the students and faculty. The deep personal connections I formed created a safe place to learn about myself while learning how to help others. Ashland Theological Seminary provided the right combination of academic and spiritual teaching for me to stay humble and have confidence in helping others.

Elizabeth Shold

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2007 Graduate

When I enrolled, I knew Ashland Theological Seminary would prepare me to pass my Ohio licensure test and find a job as a counselor. What I wasn’t expecting were all the other benefits: personal and professional connections, job opportunities, a deeper faith, and a transformational journey of self-discovery. Attending here wasn’t only an investment in my career, it was an investment in myself and my spiritual life.

Mindy Jonelle Wise Nielsen

MA in Clinical Counseling, 2012 Graduate

Ashland Theological Seminary gave me the opportunity to respond to God’s call in my life and exercise and enjoy the art of biblical integration.

Theological Education You Can Afford

One of your main concerns with theological education may be the costs involved. For a limited time, we’re offering a $6,000 scholarship to the first 100 new students matriculating in fall 2022. In addition, all returning students will receive 15% off the total cost of tuition for fall & spring semesters to ensure you can access the ministry preparation you need. 

Request More Information

We’re here to support you as you follow God’s call on your life. When you complete this form, we will personally reach out to discuss our Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. We’re here to support you as you discern which path of ministry at Ashland Theological Seminary is right for you.

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