Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree
Bachelor’s + Master’s Program (BS/MA)
Specializations Available: Addiction Counseling or Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling
Credits
151 Bachelor/Master
Completion Time
5 Years
Delivery Method
Traditional, On Campus at Lancaster, PA
Study Clinical Mental Health Counseling at LBC | Capital
Statistically speaking, you probably know someone or are personally affected by a mental health issue of some sort. Mental illnesses such as depression, eating disorders, anxiety disorders and more affect the daily lives of millions of people. You can respond to this need by getting the training you need to professionally care for the hurting.
Through our mental health counseling degree, students will learn about the multifactorial causes of and research-based treatments for various mental health struggles, all undergirded by a curriculum centered around biblical truth. On top of all that, students are taught by experienced, caring and licensed mental health professionals who work as counselors in a variety of professional and faith-based settings – like private practices, inpatient hospitals, public and private schools and church counseling offices.
While all of our counseling majors are expertly trained in the delivery of mental health treatment, this concentration offers students a chance to delve deeper into the hallmarks of mental health counseling, placing an added emphasis on learning how to perform and interpret intellectual, personality and psychological assessments and to deliver empirically-validated psychotherapy to specialized diagnostic populations. Effectively support clients with unique struggles.
LBC | Capital’s clinical mental health counseling degree allows our students to build their knowledge and skills through internships, assessment protocols, theory of personality development and mental health treatment, learn therapeutic interventions for a wide variety of struggles and graduate prepared to take the state licensure exam to become a licensed professional counselor.
Program Specializations
Students can choose to add a specialization to this program of either Addiction Counseling or Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling.
Course Length
16 weeks (semester)
Program Cost & Financial Aid
Admissions Process
Where LBC Students Have Interned
- Private Practice Intern
- Psychiatric Hospitals Intern
- Church Counseling Center Intern
License & Certification Information
This program includes all curricular requirements for becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania. There are additional non-curricular requirements for Pennsylvania licensure.
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Can I Transfer Credits?
Yes! Read about LBC’s transfer policy
Psychology/Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Scope
Bachelors of Science/Master of Arts (BS/MA) (151 Credits)
LBC Foundation Studies Courses 4 Credits
Bible & Theology Core Courses 30 Credits
Arts & Sciences Core Course 31 Credits
Major Courses 86 Credits
View the Academic Catalog for the complete curriculum plan, course descriptions and complete program details.
Schedule a Visit
Want to learn more about this major or the traditional undergraduate programs at Lancaster Bible College? Consider scheduling an in-person or virtual campus visit to see the campus and talk with our admissions counselors.
What makes the LBC Psychology/Clinical Mental Health Counseling program unique?
- Earn both your undergraduate and graduate degrees in five years.
- Study under professors and experienced professionals that specialize in mental health counseling.
- Learn how to become a licensed clinical mental health counselor and graduate prepared for professional certification and licensure.
- Earn your degree in clinical mental health counseling from an accredited Bible college in Pennsylvania.
What are career paths with a BS/MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree?
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling BA/MA degree prepares students for a wide range of technical and/or ministry contexts. Here is a sampling of careers and opportunities this degree affords:
- Counseling Pastor
- Family Therapist
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- Marriage Therapist
- Mental Health Counselor
- Mental Health Therapist
Program Goals – In this program, students will…
- Recognize the history, development, legislation, government policy, ethics, and professional identity development of counselors within the field of clinical mental health counseling.
- Evaluate theories, models, techniques, interventions related to clinical mental health counseling, and treatment of a broad range of mental health issues from a biblical perspective.
- Learn the application of theories and models in developing case conceptualization, etiology, treatment planning, diagnostic process, referral, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders.
- Comprehend the administration, interpretation, and application of psychological tests and assessments specific to clinical mental health counseling.
- Develop an understanding of scholarly literature and its application within Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
- Enhance clinical and administrative skills necessary to conduct competent cultural treatment at various mental health service delivery modalities within the continuum of care.
- Understand the etiology of trauma, crisis, and addictions and develop the skills to assess its impact on biological, psychological, and neurological mechanisms of mental health.
- Acquire an understanding of ethical principles and application to prospective clinical situations that reflect an open and collaborative approach to resolve legal and ethical dilemmas.
- Synthesize information and knowledge into practice through supervised counseling experiences.
- Understand the classifications, indications, and contraindications of commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications for appropriate medical referral and consultation.
Core Courses in the Psychology/Clinical Mental Health Counseling Major
THE 303, 305, 313, or 316
PSY 122 Group Psychotherapy
PSY 143 History & Systems of Psychology
PSY 228 Principles & Techniques of Psychotherapy
PSY 444 Social Psychology
PSY 415 Practicum
PSY 351 Therapy Lab
PSY Cross-Cultural Experience
PSY Electives [2]
CPS 501 Orient. To Prof. CNS Identity, Function, & Ethics
CPS 508 Skills in Helping Relationships
CPS 510 Human Growth & Development Across the Lifespan
CPS 515 Counseling Theory & Technique
CPS 583 Multicultural Foundations of CNS
CPS 505 Research & Program Evaluation
CPS 531 Psychopathology & CNS
CPS 572 Counseling Addictions
CPS 530 Professional Ethics & Legal Issues
CPS 541 Group Counseling Leadership Skills
CPS 575 CNS Children & Adolescents
CPS 601 Professional Counseling Practicum
CPS 602 Prof. Counseling Internship I
CPS 603 Prof. Counseling Internship II
CPS 525 Counseling Assessment I
CPS 588 Career & Lifestyle Development
CPS 546 Theories of Personality
CPS Electives [3]
Visit the undergraduate and graduate catalogs for the complete listing and descriptions.
