Clinical Mental Health Counseling

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Our CACREP-accredited program will prepare you for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC), which is essential for employment in the mental health field and private practice.

You may complete the Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program within 2.5 years or you also have the option of completing the program on a part-time basis. You can take classes in the late afternoon and early evening. Graduates of this program are very successful in obtaining employment in mental health settings, working as out- and in-patient therapists, mobile therapists, substance abuse counselors, etc.

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Strengths of our 60-credit Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Include:

Accreditation

Accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Some states require graduation from a CACREP-accredited program to obtain Licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC)

Tuition Award

Students receive a 15% tuition award for taking six credits per semester.

Licensure and Certification

Graduates of our Clinical Mental Health Counseling program satisfy the academic requirements for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) and for National Counseling Certification (NCC).

Time to Degree

Earning your master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling can be completed within 2.5 years by taking nine to 12 credits per semester.

Full-time and Part-time options

You have the option to complete the program on a full-, half, or part-time basis, if desired.

No Prerequisites

Our program accepts students with bachelor's degrees in a variety of areas. There are no undergraduate prerequisites, other than having a bachelor's degree.

Integrated Approach

You will learn a variety of theoretical approaches to promoting therapeutic change.

Variety of Fieldwork Options

You have the opportunity to experience a variety of mental health agencies for fieldwork.

Large Alumni Base

As a graduate of this program, you will be amongst more than 1,200 graduates who serve as leaders in the mental health profession.

Skill Development

In this program, you develop the therapeutic skills and techniques to identify and work with issues such as: serious mental illness, divorce, or violence; identify risk factors and create plans to manage risk; and apply essential counseling skills to prevent and intervene ethically.

You may obtain employment in or work as:

  • Community mental health centers
  • Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers
  • Career counseling centers
  • Mobile therapists
  • Family based mental health therapists
  • Outpatient therapists
  • Behavioral specialists consultants (BSC)
  • Probation/parole officers

Our stimulating curriculum is designed to include experiential learning, self-reflection papers, case study analysis and group activities. Nearly all of our courses are taught in a traditional, rather than a distance education, format.

Counselor Education Program Objectives

The educational experiences of Duquesne's Counselor Education program:

  • Are grounded in theories of wellness, holism and development
  • Involve community engagement and are informed by an understanding of systemic context and multicultural theory
  • Focus on the core elements of an effective helping relationship
  • Emphasize self-awareness, personal development and experiential learning

 

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate Statistics

Statistics 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23
Number of Graduates 36 22 22 27 27
Completion Rate  NA 100% 88% 85% 83%
LPC Examination Pass Rate 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Job Placement Rate 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

For additional information and statistics, please see the Annual Report (.pdf)

Counselor Education Program - Mission Statement

The mission of the Duquesne University Counselor Education Program is to prepare professional counselors, educators, scholars and clinical supervisors who promote the well-being of individuals, families, organizations and communities.  This mission aligns with the University’s Spiritan mission to serve God by educating counselors who value social justice, meet high personal and professional standards; and promote moral, spiritual, intellectual, physical, social and emotional development.

Program Information

Our CACREP-accredited program will prepare you for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC), which is essential for employment in the mental health field and private practice. Graduates work in community mental health centers, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, careers counseling centers, and many additional settings.

Degree

Master's

Academic Department

Counselor Education and School Psychology

Duration

2.5 years

Required Credit Hours

60

Application Process

All Applicants

  • 3.0 GPA*
    *Applicants are customarily expected to have a 3.0 grade point average, based on a four-point scale, in their undergraduate work. However, exceptions may be granted on a limited basis, in which there is substantial additional evidence of a student's academic competency.
  • Bachelor’s Degree
    All majors welcome to apply

International Applicants 

English Proficiency Requirements
Duquesne University requires submission of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test (DET) scores for all non-native English-speaking applicants who attended a university outside of the United States.

Score Requirements
The University requires the following minimum scores* for general admission consideration:

  • TOEFL (iBT) 80
  • IELTS 6.5**
  • Duolingo English Test 105

Transcript Credit Evaluation
If your transcript(s) is from an institution located outside of the United States, you must use a transcript credential evaluation service to obtain a course-by-course report.

The official reports must be sent directly to Duquesne University from the organization you order through and will qualify as official transcripts.

You may use the following services to request official foreign credential evaluations: World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).

Visit International Admissions for additional information and requirements.

 

All Applicants

  • Online application
    Upon completing of the online application to the university, applicants will be prompted to submit their supporting materials (in bullet points below) in their applicant portal 
  • Resume/curriculum vitae
  • Graduate education essay
    • The essay is limited to 250 words
    • Prompt: Discuss your professional plans upon acquiring a master's degree in counseling
  • Two (2) Recommendations
    • Names and email addresses of recommenders are needed
    • Recommender will receive an email prompting the recommender to upload their recommendation for the applicant
    • Recommendations must be from individuals who can speak about the applicant’s academic
      professional abilities (i.e. faculty/supervisor recommendations)
    • Note: Family, friends and professional colleagues are not acceptable references
  • Official transcripts
    Submit transcripts to one of the following:

Hard Copy:
Duquesne University School of Education
Office of Graduate Admissions
214A Canevin Hall
600 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15282

Electronic:
soegradFREEDUQUESNE

 

International Applications 

  • Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo
    (please see score requirements in the previous section - "Admission Requirements, International Applicants")
  • Transcript Credit Evaluation
    • If your transcript(s) is from an institution located outside of the United States, you must use a transcript credential evaluation service to obtain a course-by-course report.
    • The official reports must be sent directly to Duquesne University from the organization you order through and will qualify as official transcripts.
    • You may use the following services to request official foreign credential evaluations: World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).

Visit International Admissions for additional information and requirements.

Fall 2024 Applications

A few seats remain open for the 2024 fall cohort. Applications will be accepted until the cohort is filled.

Qualified candidates will be notified of an interview once a completed application is received.

Submission of Application Materials
Upon completing the online application to the university, applicants will be prompted to submit their supporting materials (in above "Application Materials" section) in their applicant portal. Applicants can track the progress of their application materials in their applicant portal.

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Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

CACREP accreditation indicates that the program has a rigorous curriculum and provides comprehensive fieldwork supervision. Graduates of CACREP programs have greater portability for licensure and certification.

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Counseling

Susan Burich

Assistant to the Program Director