Clinical Mental Health Counseling Curriculum
A 60-Credit, CACREP-Aligned Counseling Curriculum
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed to meet the standards set forth by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). While the programs are not currently accredited by CACREP, all courses are fully aligned with CACREP standards, and the University is actively pursuing accreditation.
The Master of Science in Counseling degree at Elon University is awarded to candidates who successfully complete a minimum of 60 semester hours in the clinical mental health counseling program of study. The curriculum is built around a common core of courses that provide foundational knowledge in eight key areas:
- Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethical Practice
- Social & Cultural Identities and Experiences
- Lifespan Development
- Career Development
- Social and Cultural Foundations
- Counseling Practice & Relationships
- Group Counseling & Group Work
- Assessment & Diagnostic Processes
- Research & Program Evaluation
In addition to academic coursework, the program includes clinical instruction through practicum and internship experiences, allowing students to integrate classroom learning with professional counseling practice.
Students select a specialty area in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, where they complete advanced coursework and field experiences to achieve at least entry-level competence in professional counseling practice.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Courses
Year 1: On Campus (Charlotte or Elon)
Fall
Students complete 12 semester hours during the Fall semester. COU 5000 is completed during the first half of the semester and transitions to COU 5100 during the second half, while COU 5200 and COU 5300 continue throughout the semester.
- COU 5000 – Intro to Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3 sh)
- COU 5100 – Professional Identity, Legal and Ethical Issues (3 sh)
- COU 5200 – Counseling Theories and Techniques I (3 sh)
- COU 5300 – Human Development Across the Lifespan (3 sh)
Winter Term
Students complete 3 semester hours during Winter Term in an intensive hybrid course.
- COU 6300 – Crisis and Trauma Counseling (3 sh)
Spring
Students complete 13 semester hours during the Spring semester. COU 5400 is completed during the first half of the semester and transitions to COU 5500 during the second half, while COU 5600 and COU 5900 continue throughout the semester.
- COU 5400 – Multicultural Counseling for Advocacy and Equity (3 sh)
- COU 5500 – Diagnosis and Treatment Planning (3 sh)
- COU 5600 – Group Counseling: Process and Practice (4 sh)
- COU 5700 – Research and Program Evaluation (3 sh)
Summer I
Students complete 3 semester hours during Summer Term I.
- COU 6000 – Intro to Substance Use and Addictions Counseling (3 sh) *
Summer II
Students complete 6 semester hours during Summer Term II.
- COU 6100 – Addiction Assessment & Treatment Planning (3 sh) *
- COU 6200 – Addiction Counseling for Individuals, Families, & Groups (3 sh)*
Year 2: Online
Fall
Students complete 12 semester hours during the Fall semester and begin the clinical education phase of the CMHC program. COU 6500 is completed during the first half of the semester and transitions to COU 6400 during the second half, while COU 6600 and COU 7000 continue throughout the semester.
- COU 6400 – Counseling Theories and Techniques II (3 sh)
- COU 6500 – Career Counseling and Development (3 sh)
- COU 6600 – Psychological and Educational Assessment (3 sh)
- COU 7000 – Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3 sh)
During COU 7000 – Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, students begin supervised clinical practice at approved clinical education sites while participating in required faculty-led supervision through the CMHC program.
Winter Term and Spring
Students enter the final clinical phase of the program during Winter Term. COU 7100 – Clinical Mental Health Internship I begins during Winter Term and continues throughout the Spring semester.
The extended Winter/Spring internship schedule allows students to complete the required 600-hour clinical mental health counseling internship at an approved clinical site while participating in required faculty supervision and other clinical education activities. Students also complete COU 6800 – Special Topics in Addictions, Treatment, and Recovery concurrently with internship.
- COU 7100 – Clinical Mental Health Internship I (8 sh / 600 hrs)
- COU 6800 – Special Topics in Addictions, Treatment, and Recovery (3 sh) *
*Courses for the Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist Credential (LCAS/Criteria C).
**The Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist credential requires a minimum of 300 hours of internship providing addictions counseling services (180 hours direct client contact) with a minimum of 30 hours of supervision by a CCS or CSI.