Clinical Mental Health Counseling

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 will develop the understanding and skills for working with people who are experiencing such issues/conditions as: anxiety, depression, trauma, autism spectrum disorders, eating disorders, relational conflict, grief/loss, etc.

You will learn a variety of theoretical approaches to promote therapeutic change. Our stimulating curriculum includes 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. 

Pursue Your Bigger Goals

Our M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree prepares you to make an impact in the mental health field. After earning your degree in 2.5 years, many career pathways and work in various settings are possible, including:

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

Request Information M.S. Application Visit Us

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, private practice, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, careers counseling centers and many additional settings.

Degree

Master's

School

School of Education

Academic Department

Counselor Education and School Psychology

Duration

2.5 years

Required Credit Hours

60

Modality

In-Person

Graduate Perspective

Natalie Pegg with graduate award in hand smiling on stage next to School of Education Dean Generett.

With my degree, I hope to give back to my community by helping others through mental health counseling...to be a source of support & advocacy for those who may not have the tools or voice to speak up for themselves. Mental health is deeply personal, yet...misunderstood or overlooked, my goal is to change that.

Natalie Pegg | Clinical Mental Health Counselor, New Directions Mental Health M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling '25 | B.S. Biology '20 | B.A. Psychology '20

 

Prepare Here, Impact Anywhere

15%Tuition Award

You may be eligible to receive a 15% tuition award for taking six credits per semester.

CACREPAccreditation

Our program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP programs have rigorous curriculum & provide comprehensive fieldwork supervision. Graduates of CACREP-accredited programs have greater portability for licensure and certification. Some states require graduation from a CACREP-accredited program to obtain Licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC).

Visit CACREP

LPCLicensure

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).

100%Job Placement Rate

Our alumni have a 100% job placement rate.

100%Exam Pass Rate

Our graduates have a 100% pass rate on the LPC exam.

 

Great Value, Great Education

In 2.5 years, our 60-credit program gives you the flexibility, skills and experience so you can pursue your bigger goals.

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.
You have the option to complete the program on a full-time, half-time or part-time basis, if desired.
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.
You have the opportunity to experience a variety of mental health agencies for fieldwork. Our students have held internships at agencies such as:
As a graduate of this program, you will be amongst more than 1,500 graduates who serve as leaders in the mental health profession.

 

Curriculum

Discover course descriptions in the University Catalog. Select this year's Graduate Catalog and navigate to course descriptions section.

View the Course Catalog
The M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires 60 semester hours. Graduates of the program fulfill the academic requirements for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania. This program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). In accordance with CACREP requirements, the program includes a 3-credit, 100-hour practicum and a total of 6 credits, 600 hours of internship
  • GCNE 549 Multicultural Issues and Strategies in Counseling (3 credits)
  • GCNE 564 Introduction to Clinical Counseling and Ethical Practices (3 credits)
  • GCNE 556 Counseling and Consulting Theory (3 credits)
  • GCNE 567 Community-based Interventions (3 credits)
  • GCNE 557 Group Counseling - Theory and Techniques (3 credits)
  • GCNE 572 Child and Adolescent Counseling (3 credits)
  • GCNE 700 Group Counseling Lab (0 credits)
  • GCNE 562 Lifespan Development and Counseling (3 credits)
  • GCNE 565 Therapeutic Techniques in Individual Counseling (3 credits)
  • GCNE 569 Crisis, Trauma and Disaster Counseling (3 credits)
  • GCNE 651 Introduction to Addiction Counseling (3 credits)
  • GCNE 652 Career Development and Counseling (3 credits)
  • GCNE 654 Introduction to Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling (3 credits)
  • GCNE 656 Psychotherapeutic Aspects of Human Sexuality (3 credits)
  • GCNE 661 Community Mental Health Counseling Practicum (3 credits)
  • GCNE 672 Fieldwork Orientation (0 credits)
  • GCNE 673 Diagnosis and Treatment Planning (3 credits)
  • GCNE 703 Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship I (3 credits)
  • GCNE 704 Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship II (3 credits)
  • GREV 701 Research Methods and Design (3 credits)
  • GPSY 512 Psychological Testing (3 credits)
  • One elective course to be approved by faculty advisor (3 credits)

M.S.Ed. in School Counseling Program Credits: 60 Credit Hours

 

Application Process

M.S. Application

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

  • Application
  • 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
    Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended, sent directly from the institution. We are unable to accept transcripts sent directly from applicants.

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 2026 Applications

Fall 2026 applications are open.

The application deadline is February 1.

Qualified applicants will be notified starting in the late Fall 2025 for Spring 2026 interviews.

Financing Your Graduate Education

A Duquesne University education is an investment in your future. This investment will prepare you to reach the height of your career and provide a meaningful return on your investment. Financial assistance in the form of aid, assistantships, scholarships and tuition awards are available to help you reach your bigger goals.

Early Start Program - Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S.

Our M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program offers an early start option for School of Education undergraduate students. During your undergraduate studies, you have the opportunity to take up to five courses in this master's-level program at the undergraduate tuition rate.

We welcome you to connect with us to learn more. We will guide you through the application process. 

If you are a School of Education student, reach out to your student success coach who will help to connect you to the right School of Education staff and program director to explore options and requirements specific to your academic and career goals.

Learn more about our early start programs. To get started, call (412) 396-6093.

Clinical Mental Health Graduate Statistics

Statistics 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Number of Graduates 22 22 22 29 25
Completion Rate  88% 85% 83% 76% 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.

Our Faculty Experts

Jered Kolbert, Ph.D.

Jered Kolbert, Ph.D.

Program Director | Professor

Michael Sickels, Ph.D.

Michael Sickels, Ph.D.

Clinical Facilitator | Clinical Assistant Professor

David Delmonico, Ph.D.

David Delmonico, Ph.D.

Professor

Matthew Joseph, Ph.D.

Matthew Joseph, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

ZiYoung Kang, Ph.D.

ZiYoung Kang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Kathryn Linich, Ph.D.

Kathryn Linich, Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor

Learning Outcomes

M.S. Clinical Mental Health Program Counseling Mission Statement
To prepare mental health clinicians who provide mental health services that incorporate a focus on wellness, holism, and development in accordance with a culturally sustaining and ecological-systems framework.
  1. Use a culturally sustaining and ecological-systems framework in conceptualizing client’s/student’s presenting issues and needs.
  2. Understand and follow legal and ethical standards.
  3. Understand and demonstrate use of counseling theories in conceptualizing and providing individual and group counseling and consultation to clients/students and their important others.
  4. Effectively use active listening skills in forming professional helping relationships with clients/students and their important others.

Mission Statement

Tree framed Canevin Hall along Academic Walk with Administration Building in background

Counselor Education

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.

Accreditation

Our counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

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

It's Time for Bigger Goals

 
Three graduate students conversing on campus with books and laptop and ring monument in background

Graduate Admissions

Learn about our admission requirements and the application process. Make an impact as a teacher, administrator, school psychologist, counselor and educator with our graduate programs and certificates.

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Graduate Education Programs

Make an impact as a teacher, administrator school psychologist, counselor, and educator with our graduate programs and certificates.

Explore Your Options

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Counseling

Susan Burich

Assistant to the Program Director

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