Mental health counselors provide treatment to individuals, families, couples, children, and groups. They treat clients with a variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression, grief, low self-esteem, stress and suicidal impulses. They also help with mental and emotional health issues and relationship problems. In the UWS clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) program, the content and the process of learning are trauma-informed, with the recognition that a significant number of people, including students, have experienced trauma. Basic principles of trauma-informed care include safety, trustworthiness, transparency, support, mutuality, empowerment and awareness of the impact of culture.

About the clinical mental health counseling online program

The 100% online Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling program, which can be taken independently or as a specialization in our Doctor of Education (EdD) in Sport and Performance Psychology program, emphasizes a systems-based approach in which students consider the influence of families, groups, teams, and organizations on individual mental health and performance. CMHC courses utilize mental health-trained actors who portray clients as part of a unique standardized patient program prior to clinical coursework.

The clinical mental health counseling master’s program, part of the college of graduate studies, supports the mission of UWS with its focus on holistic wellness – the importance of functional improvement of the emotional, physical, social, spiritual, and intellectual components of the self. Our CMHC degree is infused with course content that emphasizes curiosity about methods of treatment that trains students to properly refer to several types of providers and utilizes scientific information to support the value of the holistic approach.

The mission of the clinical mental health counseling program at the University of Western States is to educate and prepare the next generation of professional counselors and leaders who, through commitment, excellence, and engagement, will have a meaningful and sustained impact in their communities. Such impact is accomplished by actively and diligently affirming the dignity and self-worth of all persons.

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UWS and the CMHC program honor and value the dimensions of diversity that each community member brings – both seen and unseen. These dimensions of diversity include race/ethnicity, culture, gender, gender expression and identity, age, class, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, ability, and more. Our goal is for faculty, staff, and students to represent our increasingly diverse society so that individuals feel a sense of belonging, and have equitable opportunities to advance professionally. As a program, we focus on understanding equity gaps and attending thoughtfully to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all our practices – including hiring and admissions.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate Degree

Q: What are the admissions requirements for the master’s of clinical mental health counseling program?
A: To be admitted into the UWS clinical mental health counseling programs, prospective students must have a Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent). Because this is an online program, students must also have access to a reliable computer and internet access. For further information about the UWS admissions requirements, please visit our admissions information page.

Q: Can I dual major with a Doctor of Education in Sport and Performance Psychology and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling?
A: Yes! You can work towards your EdD in Sport and Performance Psychology by specializing in your clinical mental health counseling master’s program.

Q: Is the master’s of clinical mental health counseling degree only online or is it a hybrid program?
A: University of Western States only offers an online CMHC degree in addition to ​​face-to-face internship requirements.

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