Skip to Main Content

College of Social and Behavioral Health:
MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling

Mental health professionals are already committed to improving the mental and emotional health of others. This program allows students to gain the confidence, qualifications, and critical thinking skills needed to help clients cope with daily life and overcome their greatest challenges. Students can also strengthen their focus on helping clients develop their strengths and find their own solutions to issues.

Accreditation

Walden University’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) as a mental health counseling program under the 2016 standards. CACREP is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and a requirement for licensure in many states.

Walden University’s MS in School Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) as a mental health counseling program under the 2016 standards. CACREP is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and a requirement for licensure in many states.

Notes on Licensure

MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Walden University Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program is designed to prepare graduates to practice as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in many states. However, the requirements for licensure as a LPC or LMHC varies greatly from state to state. Each state board that is responsible for regulating the practice of professional or mental health counseling has its own academic requirements and issues its own license to practice as a LPC or LMHC in that state.

Walden CMHC graduates may apply for licensure as a professional counselor, such as the LPC or LMHC, in most states. However, each state issues its own credential for an individual to be permitted to practice as a licensed professional or mental health counselor in that state. While Walden enrollment specialists can provide general information relating to the state-by-state educational requirements for mental health or professional counseling licensure or certification, it remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization, or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of its coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, certification, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential. Licensure eligibility determinations are ultimately determined by the appropriate state board that issues the credential to practice.

Prospective students enrolling in licensure-leading programs are advised that relocation to another state may impact the student’s ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification, or other credential in another state. Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.

MS in School Counseling

The Walden University Master of Science (MS) in School Counseling program is designed to prepare graduates to practice as a licensed school counselor in many states. However, the requirements for licensure as a school counselor vary greatly from state to state. Each state board that is responsible for regulating the practice of school counseling has its own academic requirements and issues its own license to practice as a school counselor in that state.

The Walden MS in School Counseling program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which may also be a requirement to become a licensed or certified school counselor in some states.

Walden MS in School Counseling graduates may apply for licensure as a school counselor in most states, as the MS in School Counseling program is approved in both Minnesota and Ohio. Graduates in some states will be eligible for licensure based on completion of a state-approved program, where they can apply directly to their state educator board (“direct apply”). Other states have a separate application and process for someone completing an out-of-state approved preparation program (“license-in-hand pathway”), where in order for a graduate to be eligible for licensure or certification, he or she must first obtain a license in an approved state (Minnesota or Ohio) prior to applying for licensure in his or her state of residence.

Prospective students must research their state licensure requirements to determine (1) if they are required to complete a state-approved licensure program to be eligible to apply directly to their state board, (2) if they need to obtain a license from the state where the program has been approved (Minnesota or Ohio) prior to applying in the state they reside, and (3) any additional requirements the student will need to complete prior to their state granting the license. Students residing in Minnesota and Ohio are eligible to apply directly to their state board, as Walden’s MS in School Counseling is approved by both state boards. Additionally, some states require school counselors to hold an existing teaching license or certificate, and/or obtain teaching experience, in order to be eligible for a school counseling certificate or license.

Each state issues its own credential for an individual to be permitted to practice as a licensed school counselor in that state. While Walden enrollment specialists can provide general information relating to the state-by-state educational requirements for school counseling licensure or certification, it remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization, or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of its coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, certification, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential. Licensure eligibility determinations are ultimately determined by the appropriate state board that issues the credential to practice.

Prospective students enrolling in licensure-leading programs are advised that relocation to another state may impact the student’s ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification, or other credential in another state. Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.

Learning Outcomes

The following Learning Outcomes are common to all MS in counseling programs. The competent and confident counseling professional will:

  1. Synthesize counseling knowledge into evidence-based plans for promoting wellness. (Knowledge)
  2. Construct professional relationships with diverse populations to promote social change. (Skills)
  3. Develop professional counselor behaviors in various settings to foster growth and wellness. (Dispositions)
  4. Develop a professional counselor identity relevant to specific practice areas. (Knowledge)
  5. Evaluate unique client needs within practice areas. (Skills)
  6. Evaluate community needs in relation to professional settings and populations. (Skills)

Degree Requirements

  • 111 total quarter credits for General Program (121-126 credits with optional specialization)
  • Foundation course (1 credits)
  • Core courses (95 credits)
  • Field experience (15–21 credits; Practicum: 100 hours CMHC; Internship: 600 hours CMHC and 600 hours School Counseling)
  • Optional specialization courses (10-15 credits)
  • Professional Development Plan, licensure plan 
  • 2 Pre-Practicum Labs (6 weeks online with 4 days of face-to-face or virtual synchronous sessions)
  • Group Lab (9 weeks online with 14 hours of live synchronous group)

Curriculum

Foundation Course (1 credits)

Core Courses (95 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

OR

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Specialization Courses (10-15 credits)

These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.

Pre-Practicum Labs

Each pre-practicum includes online course content integrated with a 4-day, face-to-face residential requirement.

  • 3 weeks online
  • 4 days face-to-face (see the Pre-Practicum Calendar)
  • 2 weeks online

Field Experience (15–21 credits)

Course Sequence

Students undertake courses in the following sequence.

Quarter Course Credits
Quarter 1

COUN 6001 - Professional Dispositions and New Student Orientation

1 credit

COUN 6100 - Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling

5 credits
Quarter 2

COUN 6111 - Introduction to School Counseling

5 credits

COUN 6722 - Theories of Counseling

5 credits
Quarter 3

COUN 6316 - Techniques in Counseling

5 credits

COUN 6306 - Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling

5 credits
Eligible to take Pre-Practicum 1 – DDLB 611L (Must be completed before COUN 6250 or COUN 6320)
Quarter 4

DDLB 611L- Clinical Mental Health PrePracticum 1

0 credits
COUN 6723 - Multicultural Counseling  5 credits

COUN 6360 - Assessment in Counseling and Education

5 credits
Quarter 5

COUN 6215 - Lifespan Development

5 credits

COUN 6720 - Diagnosis and Assessment

5 credits
Must complete Pre-Practicum 1 before moving forward
Quarter 6

COUN 6250 - Group Process and Dynamics

OR

COUN 6320 - Group Counseling and Guidance in the Schools

5 credits

GRPL 6100 - Counseling Group Lab

0 credits
COUN 6317 - Child and Adolescent Counseling 5 credits
Eligible to take Pre-Practicum 2 – DDLB 621L (Must be completed before COUN 6626)
Quarter 7

DDLB 621L - Clinical Mental Health PrePracticum 2

0 credits

COUN 6726 - Couples and Family Counseling

5 credits
 COUN 6753 - Career Counseling 5 credits
Quarter 8 COUN 6311 – Leadership, Advocacy, and Consultation in the Schools 5 credits

COUN 6336 - Crisis, Trauma, and Disaster Response

5 credits
Quarter 9

COUN 6730 - Counseling Addictive Disorders

5 credits

COUN 6743 - Psychopharmacology

5 credits
Must complete Pre-Practicum 2 before moving forward
Quarter 10

COUN 6626 – Research Methodology and Program Evaluation

5 credits

COUN 6785 – Social Change in Action: Prevention, Consultation, and Advocacy

5 credits
Quarter 11

COUN 6671 - Counseling Practicum

3–5 credits
Quarter 12

COUN 6682 - Counseling Internship I

3–5 credits
Quarter 13

COUN 6682 - Counseling Internship II

3–5 credits
Quarter 14 COUN 6500 - School Counseling Internship I  3 credits
Quarter 15 COUN 6501 - School Counseling Internship II  3 credits
Optional specialization courses may be taken in quarters along with internships (Quarters 12, 13, 14, and 15 ). 10 credits

Telehealth Counseling, Private Practice, and Supervision

Expand your options with our Telehealth Counseling, Private Practice, and Supervision program specialization. Master telehealth counseling skills to serve more clients and learn the basics of setting up an independent practice. You’ll also prepare for a clinical supervision designation that elevates your credibility in the eyes of clients and supervisees. The Supervision course in this specialization fulfills the “Required Specialized Training” component of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Approved Clinical Supervisor designation. Please see the NBCC site for additional requirements. 

 Specialization Courses (15 credits)

  • Students may take this a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this a non-degree course.