Programs of Study
Richmont Graduate University's School of Counseling offers the following degree programs:
•Master of Science in Mental Health Care and Christian Integration
•Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
All students in the School of Counseling complete coursework in Biblical studies, practical theology, and the integration of Christian faith and mental health counseling. Students are involved in laboratory experiences, practicum, and internship training from the beginning of their graduate education experience. The goal of these experiences is to provide Biblical and scientific data from which the student can build a model of counseling.
Richmont seeks to equip students with knowledge and skills to enhance their ability to provide clinical mental health counseling, and to address a variety of personal and interpersonal issues. The M.A. curriculum is designed to offer coursework deemed crucial for the academic requirements of licensure as a professional counselor (LPC). This facet of the curriculum (clinical mental health counseling focus) is fashioned to develop a broad range of understanding of human behavior and personality, clinical intervention strategies, and standards of professional therapeutic practice.
Richmont seeks to attract academically-minded students who have a heartfelt desire to integrate mental health counseling and Christian faith. Typical graduates of the M.A. program will pursue licensure as clinical mental health counselors, and be employed in community mental health settings, agency settings, private practice settings, or church- or faith-based settings. Richmont alumni live and work throughout the United States, with some practicing in international settings.
Master of Science in Mental Health Care and Christian Integration
The Master of Science in Mental Health Care and Christian Integration (MS) degree was created to serve individuals who already possess a clinical degree and desire to integrate their faith in their practice as clinicians, or for pastors who want more training in applied counseling but without the clinical sequence of the CMHC program.
All Richmont students complete coursework in biblical studies, practical theology, and the integration of applied psychology and practical theology. Through the pursuit of the MS degree, the integration component may be taken in. Although this degree is not designed to lead to licensure as a counselor, M.S. graduates may pursue further study in counseling elsewhere or use this training to supplement training received at another institution.The M.S. degree requires 31 hours of coursework and is designed to be completed in one year.
This degree is not designed to lead to licensure as a counselor or marriage and family therapist, although M.S. graduates may pursue further study in counseling elsewhere or use this training to supplement training received at another institution.
Students also have the option to take courses as Graduate Certificates:
• Certificate in Mental Health Care
• Certificate in Christian Integration
The Integration and Pastoral Care certificates are not available to students pursuing the Richmont Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree.
Additional information is available in the Richmont Graduate University Graduate Catalog.
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The MACMHC curriculum is designed to offer course work deemed crucial for the academic requirements of licensure as a professional counselor. The curriculum (clinical mental health counseling focus) is fashioned to develop a broad range of understanding of human behavior and personality, therapeutic change strategies, and standards of professional counseling practice. Richmont seeks to attract academically minded students who have a heartfelt desire to integrate professional counseling, applied psychology and Christian faith. The Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is conferred by the Richmont Graduate University for satisfactory completion of the requirements as specified in the Richmont Graduate Catalog. Required course list, course descriptions, and recommended course sequence is provided in the Graduate Catalog.
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Mission Statement
The mission of the Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Richmont Graduate University is to integrate Christ-centered education with clinical excellence to develop ethical, compassionate, and culturally competent counselors.
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Objectives
Objective 1: Students will demonstrate knowledge of theoretical and empirical foundations of clinical mental health counseling.
Objective 2: Students will develop skills of interpersonal therapeutic processes, clinical assessment, and treatment interventions.
Objective 3: Students will develop a practical understanding of counseling ethics, law, and professional standards and act in accordance with ethical codes.
Objective 4: Students will integrate Christian spiritual formation and critical theological reflection as these pertain to the counseling profession.
Objective 5: Students will demonstrate multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary for working with diverse populations.
Graduate Certificates
In order to pursue and earn certificate in the following areas, students must be currently enrolled in a licensure-eligible Master’s degree program or have already earned a licensure-eligible Master’s degree from an accredited institution. Students may take certificate coursework, but the certificate will not be awarded without having a licensure-eligible Master’s degree conferred.
The following certificates are available as part of all degree programs in the School of Counseling:
• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Addictions Counseling
• Child and Adolescent Counseling
• Christian Sex Therapy
• Spiritual Formation in Counseling
• Trauma Counseling
Students pursuing certificates must take a minimum number of courses to complete one certificate, and prerequisite courses may be required. Students should consult the Graduate Catalog for a list of specific courses and course descriptions for each certificate.
Thesis Option
Students who hope to pursue additional graduate training (such as a doctoral degree) or desire focused research on a topic of interest are encouraged to select the thesis option. A detailed description of the thesis program is available through the Director of Research and the Records Office. The Thesis Manual, which contains the specific requirements and procedures for completing this option, is available at the Student Resources page or by contacting the Director of Research. Additional information is provided in the Graduate Catalog.
Program Sequencing
The Master of Arts degree programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is sequenced on a two, three, and four-year cycle. Students may choose to attend full-time and complete the degree in two years or to complete the degree in three or four years. Additional information on program sequencing is provided in the Graduate Catalog.
Clinical Training
Students in the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling complete clinical sequence courses and a clinical practicum and internship. Clinical courses include Helping Relationships, Applied Practicum & Treatment Planning Lab, Practicum, Internship I, and Internship II. Students receive assistance in locating an internship site. All details regarding Clinical Training courses and internship can be found in the Clinical Training Manual. Students have the responsibility to be familiar with and to follow the policies and guidelines outlined in the manual.
Licensure After Graduation
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree is designed to meet the standards for accreditation under the Council of Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). With a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree, students should have the necessary academic requirements to be licensed as a professional counselor in most states. During the admissions process, you will be informed if Richmont is unable to meet the requirements at the time of enrollment.
State Licensure Board contact information may be obtained at: https://nbcc.org/directory
Students should take particular note of the following areas when reviewing state requirements:
• Required hours for specific academic coursework
• Required Practicum and Internship hours, qualifying activities, and supervisor qualifications
• Academic institution accreditation requirements
• Accreditation requirements for online learning programs
Richmont maintains information on whether the CMHC degree requirements meet current state licensure requirements in the United States on the university website: https://www.richmont.edu/academics/school-of-counseling/licensure/