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Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling 

Clinical mental health counselors counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, emphasizing prevention. Additionally, they help individuals deal with many mental health issues, such as addictions and substance abuse, family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.

Graduates prepare for licensure in Iowa as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and licensure in other states with appropriate consultation and adjustment to the curriculum.

Grand View University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is committed to building an inclusive, supportive place for you to do the best and most rewarding work of your career. Each new student is an opportunity to bring a different perspective, and we are always eager to diversify our program and the counseling profession. We strongly encourage candidates of all different backgrounds and identities to apply.

For the 2021-22 school year, Grand View's Clinical Mental Health program achieved a 100% licensure exam pass rate!

Mission Statement

The Grand View University Masters of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program aims to develop ethically sound, research-informed, developmentally competent, and culturally aware licensed mental health professionals (sometimes referred to as LMHC’s). Graduates will be prepared for lifelong learning and employment to diagnose and treat mental health disorders in various public and private practice settings.  

Instructional Methods

    Graduate study has often kept non-traditional students away due to barriers such as finances or life circumstances (e.g., disability). This is why this program is perfect for an individual who needs flexibility. Our online, eight-week courses allow students to work around their schedules. Each week, students will be expected to review the course materials, participate in learning activities and complete required assignments. All online classes are led by faculty who are licensed practitioners, leaders, and researchers in the field of counseling and whose work is prominent in the field.

    While this program meets primarily online, there will be times when students need to come to campus. The program requires that all students attend a 4.5-day on-campus Residency.

Admission and Program Requirements

Admission Requirements

Application to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Admissions decisions for complete files will begin in January, but will continue on a rolling basis. Any applications completed after the program is full will be placed on a waitlist until there is an opening in the class.

  • A baccalaureate degree or a degree completion plan that meets the requirements of the program.
  • Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2/75 or greater (based on all hours attempted), or a GPA of 2.75 or higher in the last 60 hours of undergraduate studies.
  • Complete the application for admission.

Submit the following:

  • Personal Statement and Essay for following prompts:

    The following essays should be typed and double-spaced.

    Part I: Autobiographical Essay (750 words or less)

    Describe your motivation and commitment to the counseling program at Grand View University. Include specific assets that you would bring to the University and the profession, as well as areas in which you would most like to grow academically and professionally. Identify your short and long term goals as a professional counselor.

    Part II: Personal Reflection Essay (500 words or less)

    The Professional Code of Ethics requires that counselors do not condone or engage in discrimination against individuals based on age, disability, ethnicity, race, religion, spirituality, gender, socio-economic, etc. Furthermore, counselors are aware of—and avoid imposing—their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. With these ethical expectations in mind, how will you begin the process of reflecting on and addressing any personal attitudes, beliefs, assumptions, or feelings that may prevent you from working with a client who has a different identity or a social status than your own?
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation (either academic or professional).
  • Professional Resume.
  • Transcript from Baccalaureate granting institution.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The following requirements will be met after acceptance but prior to the start of classes:

  • American Counseling Association (ACA) Student Membership and Professional Liability Coverage (students will be instructed on how to purchase easily and affordably before starting their clinical coursework).
  • A non-refundable enrollment deposit of $125.00 will be required following acceptance to hold a student’s position in the class and will be applied to the first semester charges after the first week of the term when enrollment has been verified.

  • Instructional Methods

      Graduate study has often kept non-traditional students away due to barriers such as finances or life circumstances (e.g., disability). This is why this program is perfect for an individual who needs flexibility. Our online, eight-week courses allow students to work around their schedules. Each week, students will be expected to review the course materials, participate in learning activities and complete required assignments. All online classes are led by faculty who are licensed practitioners, leaders, and researchers in the field of counseling and whose work is prominent in the field.

      While this program meets primarily online, there will be times when students need to come to campus. The program requires that all students attend a 4.5-day on-campus Residency.

Course Requirements

Requirements (60 credits)

Professional Counseling Orientation 3 credits
Multiculturalism in Counseling 3 credits
Human Growth & Development 3 credits
Career Counseling 3 credits
Applied Microskills 3 credits
Group Counseling** 3 credits
Assessment and Appraisal 3 credits
Diagnosis & Treatment Planning 3 credits
Research Design and Evaluation 3 credits
Psychopathology 3 credits
Counseling Theories 3 credits
Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy* 3 credits
Professional Ethics 3 credits
Theory and Treatment of Substance Abuse 3 credits
Crisis Intervention 3 credits
Introduction to Play Therapy* 3 credits
Psychopharmacology 3 credits
Counseling Children and Adolescents* 3 credits
Counseling Practicum 3 credits
 Internship I 3 credits
 Internship II 3 credits
 Clinical Supervision* 3 credits

*Elective: Students must complete 2 of the 3 elective courses in order to fulfill the 60 credit hour program requirement.

**This course houses the residency component of the program (4.5 days)

Student Testimonials

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"I'm being fully engaged with materials I care deeply about and getting attentive guidance from professors who want me to succeed.

I've been able to complete my degree from home amidst the pandemic, and the staff has done an excellent job creating a program that works just as well online as it would have in person. 

The program's done wonders in boosting my confidence and readiness for working as a helping professional full-time."

- Olivia Sullivan

null"I was able to gain valuable knowledge conducting research with a faculty supervisor. Before then, the thought of research seemed daunting, but meeting with a faculty supervisor and going through a research course, my skills and confidence grew."

- Kelvin Gilkey

Why Grand View?

  • No GRE required.
  • Can transfer up to 12 credit hours of equivalent graduate work from regionally accredited schools (B or better)
  • 60 credit hour program.
  • Spring and Fall cohorts.
  • Sit for licensing exams early and meets the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards
  • Flexible online coursework
  • Internships and practicums can be completed in a student's geographical area.
  • The program meets CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) educational requirements.

Career Opportunities

Explore these possible career options.

This program will...

  • Deliver a high-quality education that meets the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science Examiners licensing requirements by enhancing knowledge of counseling and counseling concepts.
  • Provide practicum and internship experiences that prepare students to become professional counselors to meet the demands of their clients and apply their knowledge and skills in an unpredictable society.
  • Provide education to train counselors to uphold ethical standards in their practice and community
  • Develop mental health practitioners who will become lifelong learners by providing a curriculum that educates about the research process, proper use of assessment, and the importance of continuous objective re-evaluation.

Did You Know? 

  • Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience mental illness in a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH, 2022).
  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021), the career outlook for mental health counselors is 22% job growth from 2020 to 2030.
  • With the increasing demand for treatment, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2016) reports a shortage of more than 26,000 mental health counselors by 2025.
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