Clinical Mental Health Emphasis

Put your MA in Counseling to Work in a Clinical Setting

Listening. Asking. Understanding. Strategizing. People with mental and emotional disorders require a different kind of healthcare – and your skills are greatly needed. 

With an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, your MA in Counseling from PAU prepares you for a career focused on recovery-oriented treatment. You’ll work with individuals or families, or with specific populations such as children or the elderly. 

As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), you will also be directly responsible for ensuring client safety, following standards of care that meet all legal, ethical and moral guidelines.

How the Program Works

The MA Counseling program with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP accredited) prepares you to pursue credentialing as a  Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, or Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor.

In addition to coursework, one of the key requirements is clinical practicum/internship training, where you will gain direct experience in the role of a professional counselor. You'll complete a minimum of 700 hours of counseling-related experience over a 9- to 12-month period. This training includes a minimum of 280 hours of direct counseling experience.

PAU works with agencies and practitioners across the region, country, and around the world to ensure you get culturally relevant mental health care training at the highest standards. Common types of placements include community and county mental health agencies, school-based mental health centers, and non-profit counseling centers.

Palo Alto University works with agencies and practitioners in a student's locale so they obtain a high standard of culturally relevant mental health care training.