Graduate/Professional Program Overview
Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling
Overview
The Indiana University master's degree in mental health counseling at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) is a 60-credit-hour program that prepares you for a career as a licensed mental health provider. You will learn to assist individuals, groups, and families in maximizing their human potential and managing life challenges and transitions.
As a graduate of our program, you will gain the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to provide expert service guided by the values of ethical practice and respect for all people. The curriculum is consistent with accreditation guidelines and meets the criteria for preparing you for licensure as a mental health counselor in the state of Indiana.
Courses are sequenced so that you can complete the degree on a full- or part-time basis. In addition to course work, you will complete the following field experiences:
- 100-hour practicum
- 600-hour internship
- 300-hour advanced internship
Careers and employment
Demand for graduates of mental health counseling programs is expected to be strong. IUPUC is preparing the region’s next generation of professionals with the knowledge, skills, and values to deliver effective and ethical counseling services. As a graduate, you may seek employment in community or social service agencies, mental health clinics, hospitals, group homes, correctional facilities, substance abuse treatment centers, domestic violence shelters, women’s centers, or rehabilitation programs for those who are incarcerated. You may also work with clients in private clinics, hospitals, or rehabilitation facilities. You will have met the education requirements for state licensure in mental health counseling.
Program objectives
Our goal is to educate students with professional identities as well-trained, fully-licensed mental health counselors who are active participants in their profession. As a student in this program, you can expect to:
- Develop a broad background in foundational fields such as personality theory, development, interpersonal relationships, psychopathology, and psychopharmacology.
- Gain expertise in clinical assessment, treatment, coordination, collaboration, referral, and prevention related to behavioral health issues in individuals, groups, and families.
- Engage in research to understand and critique the research literature and to employ and evaluate evidence-based practices.
- Complete coursework and field experience, integrate theory and practice, and link assessment to treatment within the context of various theoretical perspectives.
- Understand the role of mental health counseling within the contexts of the community, individual and cultural/ethnic diversity, and relevant ethical and legal issues.
What to expect
Pursuing the Indiana University Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling degree at IUPUC requires motivation and dedication. The program is academically challenging and requires full engagement in class discussions, hands-on activities, and field experiences in small, interactive classes. Your classmates represent diverse educational, professional, and life experiences.
At IUPUC, you will work closely with expert mental health counseling faculty and professionals in your field experiences. You will be encouraged to work collaboratively with your fellow classmates, the start of professional networking, as a pathway to increased learning opportunities and develop skills in collegial professional practice.
