Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Pennsylvania Program
Master of Arts (MA)
Credits
60
Avg. Completion Time
2-3 years (full-time)
Delivery Method
Hybrid, Lancaster
Why Study Clinical Mental Health Counseling through LBC | Capital?
Nearly 1 in 5 Americans suffer from mental health issues each year. And each year, many of those same people seek help from competent and caring professional counselors.
In our licensure-track master’s degree in mental health counseling, you will learn about the multifactorial causes of and research-based treatments for various mental health struggles. During this journey, you will be guided by a curriculum that’s centered on biblical truth using the Integrated Psychotherapy Model. Combining current industry-proven strategies with biblical principles, our experientially-diverse program allows you to move successfully from the classroom to the field.
The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program will provide training that will give entry level qualifications for opportunities in professional mental health opportunities, state licensure for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and professional certification.
Optional concentrations in Addiction Counseling and Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling are available.
Course Length
16 weeks
Residency Requirement
Hybrid model – face-to-face monthly and online
Capstone Requirement
Internships
Program Cost & Financial Aid
Transfer Agreement
May transfer in up to 18 graduate credits (6 courses) into this degree program
Program Plan
Clinical Mental Health Counseling - PA (60 Credits)
Biblical & Theological Foundational Courses 3 Credits
Professional Core Courses - Tier One 15 Credits
Professional Courses - Tier Two 18 Credits
Advanced Courses - Tier Three 12 Credits
Professional Practice Courses 9 Credits
Elective Course 3 Credits
View the Academic Catalog for the complete curriculum plan, course descriptions and complete program details.
Schedule a Time to Chat
Want to learn more about this master’s degree or LBC | Capital’s graduate school? Consider scheduling an appointment to talk virtually or in person with an Admissions Counselor who will be glad to answer all your questions about earning a graduate degree.
Program Distinctive - What makes LBC | Capital's program unique?
LBC | Capital’s Clinical Mental Health Program seeks to ensure that student will…
- Clinical training such that students are well-versed in research-based theoretical orientations and able to articulate and apply such views.
- Ample clinical experiences (in vivo and case study) such that students are able to grasp and deliver individual psychotherapy.
- A framework of learning that promotes critical thinking so that students are able to demonstrate professional evaluation of theoretical content in light of a biblical worldview.
- Robust clinical supervision for students as they practice/apply clinical skills taught in the classroom.
- Experiences in which students can transition their knowledge of scholarly publications and foundational, research-based clinical theories into future research endeavors.
Career Paths
The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling will prepare you for a wide range of service and/or ministry contexts. Here is a sampling of careers our MA alumni serve in:
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Family Based Counselor
Program Goals – In this program, students will…
- Recognize the history, legal system, ethics, and government policy related to the professional identity development of counselors within the clinical mental health field. (CACREP 2024, 5, C, 3, 6)
- Evaluate theories and models to apply in case conceptualization, etiology, treatment planning, diagnostic processes, referral, and the prevention of mental disorders to engage in effective helping relationships across the continuum of care. (CACREP 2024, 5, C, 1, 2, 4)
- Demonstrate the ability to identify effective assessment strategies to facilitate treatment planning and diagnoses. (CACREP 2024, 5, C, 4, 5)
- Develop an understanding of research methods and the use of scholarly literature to inform evidence-based practices in clinical mental health counseling. (CACREP 2024, 5, C, 5)
- Demonstrate skills necessary to conduct competent cultural assessment and treatment for diverse populations while advocating for justice. (CACREP 2024, 5, C, 8)
- Recognize and apply legal & ethical practices, behaviors, and considerations in clinical mental health counseling that reflect an informed and collaborative approach to resolving professional dilemmas, including referral and interfacing with other healthcare professionals. (CACREP 2024, 5, C, 7)
- Identify how lifespan development contributes to psychotherapeutic processes.
- Analyze group dynamics and employ strategies for facilitating group processes.
- Identify approaches for conceptualizing the relationship between career development and mental health as it pertains to self-understanding and decision-making.
- Apply a biblical worldview to all areas of counselor preparation.
