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THE DEPARTMENT OF COUNSELOR EDUCATION

Mental Health Counseling
Application Process

Mental Health Counseling (M.Ed.)-The Master of Education degree in Counselor Education with a specialization in Mental Health Counseling is designed to prepare graduates to assess, diagnose and treat clients with mental disorders as well as those with problems in living. Graduates will have completed all the academic requirements to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida. The emphasis of this Master's degree program is on developing skills in counseling individuals, families and groups, using the best theoretical and research-based practices. The goals are to help clients to become stabilized and to achieve as optimal functioning as possible.

Preparing for Your New Career
The 60 hour Master's degree program provides a solid foundation in counseling theories and techniques with specialty courses in issues in mental health counseling practice, psychopathology, substance abuse counseling, and human sexuality counseling. During the practicum, advanced practicum and internship that total 1000 hours, students are assigned to mental health agencies where they specialize in areas of interest to them. They provide individual counseling, family counseling and lead groups. Students also are provided with the opportunity to counsel a variety of clients in our in-house community counseling center under direct faculty clinical supervision

Where are MHCs Employed?
FAU graduates in Mental Health Counseling work in a variety of agencies, including community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, university counseling centers, domestic violence agencies, adolescent run-away agencies, sexual assault treatment centers for adults and for children. substance abuse treatment centers, marriage and family counseling centers, eating disorders agencies, women's centers, elder centers, hospice, employee assistance programs, career counseling centers and private practice. To become licensed in Florida, graduates must counsel under an approved supervisor for two years and take the state licensing exam. Many of our graduates later become administrators in their agencies, some develop their own private practices and some pursue doctoral work in counseling or psychology.

Suggested Course Sequence for a Full Time Student
 

Courses to be taken first
Processes in Counseling (MHS 5005)
Counseling Theories and Techniques (MHS 6401)
Life Span Development (MHS 6482)

Courses to be taken prior to practicum
Psychopathology in Counseling (MHS 6070)
Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues in Counseling (MHS 6700)
Family Counseling (MHS 6430)
Appraisal and Evaluation in Counseling (MHS 6220)
Issues in Mental Health Counseling Practice (MHS 6701)
Educational Research Methods (EDF 6481)

Courses to complete program
Group Counseling (MHS 6510)
Practicum in Counseling (MHS 6800)
Substance Abuse Counseling (MHS 6450)
Advanced Practicum in Counseling (MHS 6801)
Counseling and Human Sexuality (MHS 6470)
Career Development (MHS 6340)

One(1) Approved Elective
Counseling Special Needs Populations (MHS 5428)
Educational Statistics (STA6113)
Internship- Mental Health Counseling (MHS 6830)**
Internship- Mental Health Counseling (MHS 6830)**
** Internship may be taken in one semester for 6 credits (600 clock hours of field placement) OR over two semesters for 3 credits each semester (300 clock hours of field placement per semester).

 

All courses are 3 credit hours, with the exception of the Internship which is 6 credit hours.

Note: A maximum of eighteen credit hours of course work taken in The Department of Counselor Education, at Florida Atlantic University prior to admission may be approved toward program requirements.

FAU Campuses: Boca Raton/Davie/Dania Beach/Fort Lauderdale/Jupiter/Treasure Coast