HAWAII PACIFIC UNIVERSITY PROGRAM OVERVIEW DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY MASTER OF ARTS IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master s Degree Program (CMHC-MA) is a post-baccalaureate program in Psychology that serves both students looking to become licensed as professional clinical mental health counselors and those seeking to eventually proceed into doctoral programs. The program design and training philosophy reflect the scientist-practitioner model of training in psychology. Students are provided with intensive instruction in the theoretical framework of psychology and broad training and experience in empirically-supported methods of practice. The program curriculum was developed in keeping with standards set by the Masters in Psychology Accreditation Council (MPAC) and by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and fulfills the academic requirements for Hawaii State licensure as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor, as well the academic requirements for counselor credentialing at the national level (candidates for state and national licensure must also fulfill a post-graduate clinical supervision requirement). The CMHC Master s Degree Program is a 60-credit program that can be completed in two years by being a full time student and taking classes in the summer. Internship experiences are incorporated into the curriculum and provide varied and intense hands-on mental health counseling training experiences under supervision of licensed professionals. Mission Statement The mission of the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is to prepare students for sociallyresponsible careers as professional clinical counselors. In collaborative partnership with community-based and interdisciplinary training sites, we strive to create a learning environment that is grounded in an appreciation for both psychological science and human diversity. Training is based on a scientist-practitioner model, emphasizing evidence-based practice, ethical and cultural competence, and development across the lifespan. Our shared goal is to graduate skilled, productive and compassionate counseling professionals who are committed to service and lifelong learning. Goals: Students who complete the Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling will be competent in the following areas: 1. Professionalism: Understand professional issues relevant to the practice of mental health counseling; and demonstrate the ability to apply and adhere to the legal and ethical guidelines of the counseling profession; 2. Diversity: Demonstrate knowledge of and appreciation for individual differences and the diversity of social/ cultural, biological, developmental and environmental influences on human behavior, cognition, and emotions. 3. Practice: Demonstrate knowledge, skill and multicultural competency in diagnosis, assessment, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. 4. Research: Competently interpret and evaluate professional research literature, and demonstrate both the knowledge and appropriate application of empirically-supported assessment and treatment methodologies in practice. 5. Values: Demonstrate self-awareness, social and environmental responsibility, and a commitment to service and life-long learning.
Employment Opportunities for Graduates Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a distinct profession with state and national standards for education, training, and clinical practice. Mental health counselors (MHCs) practice in a variety of settings, including community agencies, managed care organizations, hospitals, schools, substance abuse treatment centers, judicial systems, university counseling centers, private practice, and more; and provide a full range of services, including assessment and diagnosis; psychotherapy with individuals, couples, families, and groups; treatment planning and utilization review; career counseling; substance abuse treatment; psychoeducational and prevention programs; and crisis management (The American Mental Health Counselors Association, 2010). While states vary in their requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor, counselors may be licensed in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Hawai`i Senate Bill (SB2159 HD1), signed into law in 2008, indefinitely extends Hawai`i's professional licensure provisions for MHCs and also mandates health insurance coverage for services provided by MHCs. This Bill means that graduates who successfully become licensed as MHCs will now have access to more, and better-paid, job opportunities in Hawai`i, including private practice opportunities. As is true nationwide, MHCs in Hawaii currently work in an array of settings, including schools (mental health counselors in public schools in Hawaii are called School-Based Behavioral Health Specialists [SBBHs]). Employment prospects for mental health counselors are good in Hawai i and in many other areas of the United States. The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that a shortage of qualified counselors exists nationally, and expects the employment of mental health counselors to grow by 24 percent between 2008 and 2018, or much faster than the average of all occupations (BLS, 2010-2011). COURSE OF STUDY The Master s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program consists of 60 semester hours of required coursework, typically completed over two full calendar years (i.e., Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions). The course of study includes a core curriculum of 48 hours and 12 hours of elective courses. The core curriculum includes course work in theory, methods, and skills. Courses are scheduled for evenings and weekends, and/or online to accommodate working students. During the second year of study, students complete 2 semesters of internship under licensed supervisors at approved community sites designed to provide them with counseling experience in community settings. The course electives enable students to choose courses in specialty areas such as substance abuse counseling and family therapy. Students who wish to prepare for future studies at the doctoral level can also elect to prepare and defend a Master's thesis. Core Requirements (48 hrs): Psy 6000 Ethical and Professional Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3) Psy 6100 Research Methodology & Applied Statistics (4) Psy 6320 Biological Foundations of Behavior & Introduction to Psychopharmacology (3) Psy 6310 Cognitive Bases of Behavior Psy 6500 Psychological Assessment: Theory (3) Psy 6501 Psychological Assessment: Practice (1) Psy 6340 Developmental Psychology (3) Psy 6360 Psychopathology (3) Psy 6700 Therapeutic Interventions: Theory (3) 2
Psy 6701 Therapeutic Interventions: Practice (1) Psy 6750 Group Interventions: Theory and Practice (3) Psy 6730 Crisis Intervention & Trauma Counseling (3) Psy 6330 Social Psychology and Cultural Diversity (3) Psy 6341 Career and Lifestyle Development (3) Psy 7100 Clinical Practice and Supervision I & II Community Internship (6) Electives (12 hrs of electives are required): Psy 7200 Thesis Research (Repeatable) (3) Psy 6410 Assessment & Treatment of Substance Abuse/Addiction (3) Psy 6720 Cognitive and Behavior Therapy (3) Psy 6740 Family & Couples Counseling: Theory & Practice (3) Psy 6760 Counseling Children and Adolescents (3) 2011 Fall & Spring Course Schedule *Note to Fall 2011 applicants: All students must take the sequence of courses listed below in order to be eligible for internship in year 2. Fall Semester 2011 Psy 6000 Ethical and Professional Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3) Psy 6100 Research Methodology & Applied Statistics (4) Psy 6500 Psychological Assessment: Theory (3) Psy 6501 Psychological Assessment: Practice (1) Spring Semester 2012 Psy 6320 Biological Foundations of Behavior & Introduction to Psychopharmacology (3) Psy 6360 Psychopathology (3) Psy 6700 Therapeutic Interventions: Theory (3) Psy 6701 Therapeutic Interventions: Practice (1) Typical sequence of courses for Summer Year 1 & Year 2 (Note: Course sequence may vary slightly) Summer Semester 2012 Psy 6340 Developmental Psychology (3) Psy 6330 Social Psychology and Cultural Diversity (3) 1 elective; e.g., Psy 6410 Assessment & Treatment of Substance Abuse/Addiction (3) Fall Semester 2012 Psy 6730 Crisis Intervention & Trauma Counseling (3) Psy 7100 Clinical Practice and Supervision I- Community Internship (3) Psy 6341 Career and Lifestyle Development (3) Spring Semester 2013 Psy 7100 Clinical Practice and Supervision II- Community Internship (3) Psy 6750 Group Interventions: Theory and Practice (3) 1 elective; e.g., Psy 6740 Family & Couples Counseling: Theory & Practice (3) Summer Semester 2013 Psy 6310 Cognitive Bases of Behavior (3) 2 electives, e.g., Psy 6760 Counseling Children and Adolescents (3) Psy 6720 Cognitive and Behavior Therapy (3) 3
Tuition For 2011/2012 academic year, the HPU graduate division tuition is $735 per credit. See http://www.hpu.edu/about_hpu/tuition_and_related_expenses.html *Financial assistance Information on financial aid available through HPU can be found on the financial aid website: http://www.hpu.edu/financialaid/graduate.html. For financial aid assistance, please contact Office of Financial Aid, 1164 Bishop Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. The office is located on the downtown HPU campus of HPU in the UB building on the 2nd Floor. E-mail: financialaid@hpu.edu. Phone: (808) 544-0253. Fax: (808) 544-0884. *Fall 2011 applicants: If you intend to seek financial aid and have not already done so, you should complete and file a FAFSA form immediately ADMISSION TO THE HPU CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING PROGRAM Admission to the program is based on academic ability and potential for success at the graduate level. Academic ability is evaluated by the applicant s past academic performance, recommendations, and performance on the GRE. Students are admitted in fall semester only, and there is an admission cap of 15 students per year. Admission requirements 1. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or an equivalent degree from another country; 2. A minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) based on a 4.0 scale. 3. A minimum of 15 credit hours of work in psychology, including at least one course in statistics and one course in research methods. *4. Verbal and Quantitative Scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). 5. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in written and verbal English. A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination is required of all foreign applicants from countries in which English is not the native language and who have not attended an American college or university for two consecutive years. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Eligible applications are reviewed by the CMHC Admissions Committee which uses multiple criteria for the assessment of applicants. Admission is selective. * Fall 2011 applicants ONLY: Because of the shortened time frame for admissions, you may have the GRE requirement waived. *SPECIAL APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR FALL 2011 APPLICANTS: Students wishing to apply to the CMHC Master s Degree Program should first review admissions requirements specified by HPU Graduate Admissions at http://www.hpu.edu/grad/admissions_info/admissions.html. You may apply to the CMHC Master s Degree Program online at https://bweb.hpu.edu/pls/hpud/bwskalog.p_disploginnon. Fall 2011 applicants are not required to submit GRE scores. In place of the essays required on the application, please complete a personal statement of professional goals and your purpose for pursuing this degree. Address the following: What personal knowledge, skills, attitudes, qualities, and life experiences do you possess that would make you a good mental health counselor? Your personal statement should be no longer than 2 pages and should be typed in 12-point font and double-spaced. 4
For more information contact: Submit completed applications to: Dr. Susan Watson GRADUATE ADMISSIONS CMHC-MA Interim Program Director 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 911 1166 Fort St. Mall, Rm 309 Honolulu, Hawai i 96813 Office: 808-566-2464 Fax: 808-544-0280 Fax: 808-544-9306 swatson@hpu.edu Application timeline for fall 2011 applicants: YOU ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION IMMEDIATELY. Because of the shortened application window, applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received; and interviews will be scheduled and admissions decisions made shortly thereafter. Enrollment is limited to 15 students. We will continue to review applications and interview candidates until those 15 slots are filled. Qualified students who apply earlier will have a distinct advantage. All interviews are done by phone so as not to penalize applicants who cannot be present for an in-person interview. Links to More Information about Mental Health Counseling: American Mental Health Counselors Association: http://www.amhca.org/about/facts.aspx Hawaii Mental Health Counselors Licensing: http://hawaii.gov/dcca/pvl/programs/mental/ Links to More Information about HPU s MA-CMHC Program MA in Clinical Mental Health - Overview Program Mission and Goals Admissions Requirements and Procedures Sample Degree Plan 5