The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program was designed by faculty members in the Counseling Program in accord with the licensure requirements of the State of Pennsylvania. The current coursework is based on the standards and recommendations of the following sources: the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), Ethical Standards for Community Counselors developed by ACA, NCC examination requirements, and licensure requirements for community counselors as outlined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Students are prepared for the clinical mental health counseling profession through training in courses such as counseling theory, group dynamics, counseling skills, multi-cultural counseling, consultative services and clinical counseling orientation. They will also have the opportunity to select elective courses focusing on an area of specialization, such as marriage and family counseling or drug and alcohol counseling. Students are provided with the opportunity to develop their counseling skills within the community setting through the practicum and internship experiences.

Program Requirements

A total of sixty (60) credits are required for the degree for students in the Clinical Mental Health concentration. Students may take up to six years to complete the program. Students are expected to complete the core program and comprehensive examination, as well as demonstrate proficiency in counseling skills during a one-semester Practicum and a two-semester Internship.  A thesis is not required, but may be done in lieu of six credits of elective study. Students opting to complete a Master's Thesis must also have completed and defended it prior to graduation. A twelve (12) credit post-Master’s option, that offers specialization, is available for students seeking the additional credits and supervision required for licensure.

Note: For those students beginning the program in the Fall 2013 semester, the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program will require all students to complete sixty (60) credit hours of study for the completion of the degree program.

Core Program Courses

New Opportunity: Certificate in Pastoral Ministry

Counseling Students: You have the opportunity while you are enrolled in the M.S. in Counseling to acquire a Certificate in Pastoral Ministry. This certificate program is jointly administered by the Department of Theology and Religious Studies and Campus Ministry. It advances theological and ministerial studies within our Augustinian tradition and prepares you to become a responsible Church minister, educator, and leader. The certificate program requires you to develop a concentration in Pastoral Ministry and take courses that fulfill the specific needs and professional objectives of this concentration. It is independent of the MA in Theology degree program. You may be enrolled in the Certificate program only or pursue the Certificate in combination with our MA in Theology Program.

Certificate in Pastoral Ministry is modeled after the inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary nature of our MA in Theology program. The program includes coursework in theological, ministerial, and interdisciplinary studies and a practicum in Pastoral Ministry. Courses are taught by faculty members in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies and the Department of Education and Human Services. It also combines academic studies in Theology and Pastoral Ministry with practical training in ministerial contexts.

More Information

For more information, please visit: http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/artsci/education/graduate/academics/pastoralcert.html