Clinical Mental Health Counseling
You’re following your dreams and working hard to become a counselor. Take your studies one step further with the clinical mental health counseling program at Murray State. You’ll gain expertise in providing individual, group, marriage, couple and family counseling. We’ll help you gain a strong foundation in the field by teaching you theories, issues and skills, and you’ll get training in advanced counseling skills and supervision, diagnostic techniques and treatment planning, research, addictions and multicultural counseling. We’ll make sure you get the well-rounded knowledge you need to succeed, now and into the future.
The Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a CACREP approved, 60-hour program that is designed for students who plan to provide clinical services in agencies, private practice, and other mental health settings as a licensed professional counselor. This program of study meets all requirements as outlined by the Kentucky Board of Licensed Counselors for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA). After completing postgraduate counseling hours, as identified by the licensure board, graduates will be eligible for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in Kentucky. The degree may lead to licensure in other states depending on their requirements.
Fall Admission
Applications are reviewed for Fall Admission during the spring semester. Deadline to apply is January 15. Apply Now
Conditional Admission
Conditional admission may be granted to applicants deficient in a single area as space permits. Exceptions will be made on a case-by case basis. Students admitted conditionally must obtain a B or better grade in each of their first nine credit hours of program study to gain unconditional status.
- ADM 630: Methods of Research
- CNS 618: Social Justice and Advocacy in Counseling
- CNS 619: Foundational Counseling Technique
- CNS 624: Theories of Counseling
- CNS 625: Legal and Ethical Issues
- CNS 635: Human Development
- CNS 671: Multicultural Counseling
- CNS 676: Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
- CNS 686: Career Counseling
- CNS 692: Group Counseling
- CNS 694: Advanced Counseling and Supervision
- CNS 710: Counseling Children and Adolescents
- CNS 722: Substance Use and Addictions Counseling
- CNS 734: Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling
- CNS 752: Trauma and Crisis Counseling
- CNS 790: Practicum
- CNS 794: Internship I
- CNS 795: Internship II
- 3 credits of approved electives
- 1 of the following:
- CNS 746: Wellness and Prevention Approaches
- CNS 748: Expressive Activities Counseling
- CNS 760: Eating Disorders and Body Image Counseling
- Tentative Ed.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling Course Sequence - Murray
- Tentative Ed.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling Course Sequence - Madisonville
Note: Part-time students will work with their advisor to create a unique schedule specific to meet their needs.
Please visit the Office of the Registrar to access current Academic Bulletins for information regarding curriculum requirements and course descriptions.