Milligan’s master’s program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MSC) will prepare you to use a combination of mental health and human development principles, methods, and techniques to help people achieve mental, emotional, social, and career development and adjustment. You will be able to work in a variety of settings, such as private, institutional, community, Christian, military, or nonprofit, providing counseling to individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations.
Emotional and Mental Health
Counselors help people cope with emotional and mental problems stemming from marital and family issues, antisocial behavior, occupational stress, interpersonal relations, and bereavement. Professional counselors help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems, improve communication and coping skills, strengthen self-esteem, and promote behavior change and optimal mental health.
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program (MSC) at Milligan University is accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) (1001 North Fairfax St, Suite 510, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703.535.5990).
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60-hour program) is offered for candidates who want to complete the educational requirements to become Licensed Professional Counselors. Within this track, students can choose to pursue a general concentration or an addictions counseling concentration. Both concentrations provide the graduate-level coursework required to be licensed eligible. Those completing the addictions counseling concentration are also eligible to pursue licensure as an alcohol and drug abuse counselor at the graduate-level in TN (LADAC II).
The curriculum consists of 42 credit hours of required coursework in human behavior and development, evidence-based practice, effective counseling strategies, ethical practice, and other core knowledge areas; 9 credit hours of clinical experience (practicum and internships); and 9 elective hours from selected topics such as crisis intervention, substance abuse counseling, child and adolescent counseling, child sexual abuse, end of life issues, and physiological psychology and psychopharmacology. Because Milligan is a Christian university, part of the required coursework includes an ongoing discussion and examination of the theoretical and practical aspects of the integration of faith and learning.
- 11 students enrolled in CMHC (general & AC); 10 completed program to date (6 general CMHC; 4 AC CMHC). 91% completion rate.
- 4 students enrolled in SC; 2 completed program to date- 2 scheduled to complete in Dec.
- 100% completion rate of those who have taken NCE, and 100% pass rate of Praxis II exam.
- 11 graduates obtained licensure (including temporary licensure) in TN as a professional counselor in 2023-2024.
- 100% employment rate of those seeking employment in the Counseling field (CMHC & SC).
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of mental health counselors is expected to grow by 24% between 2008 and 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Medial annual wages of mental health counselors in 2014 are $40,580. Industries employing the largest numbers of mental health counselors include local government, other health practitioners, outpatient care centers, individual and family services, and residential mental health and substance abuse facilities.
After completing the Master of Science in Counseling degree and completing a minimum of two years (at least 10 hours a week) of supervised professional experience, graduates are eligible to sit for licensure in Tennessee as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Reciprocity agreements may allow Tennessee licensure to apply in other states. Graduates are also eligible to sit for licensure in Kentucky, North Carolina, and Virginia. A determination of eligibility has not been made for other states. Students should check specific state requirements before applying to the program.
Read more about Licensed Professional Counselors »
