The Counseling program offers a Master of Science degree in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In addition to the master’s degree, a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) is offered for those who wish to take specialized courses beyond the master’s and/or complete licensure requirements. Students who apply to one program and wish to transfer to another must apply to change programs.
Upon entry into a program, students plan an individualized plan of studies with their advisor in which graduate transfer credit of no more than 6 credits may be included. While students can take courses at their own pace, all of the counseling degree programs require a minimum of two years to complete. There is a set sequence of courses for each concentration and some courses have prerequisites. Courses are offered once a year, typically in the evening or on weekends. In addition, there is a seven year time limit for completion of all degree requirements.
Typically students take 2-4 courses each term. Many students have full or part-time employment. Although it is possible to take all course work in the late afternoon, evening, or on weekends, some additional time during the day may be required to meet course expectations. This is especially true for internship placement.
Admission requirements
The University has a rolling admissions policy. To be fully admitted applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 but will consider students with lower GPA’s for highly qualified applicants. Applicants are expected to have earned a “B” or better in at least 9 credits of psychology coursework (graduate or undergraduate) such as personality theories, abnormal psychology, or clinical psychology. They must also successfully complete the supplemental application portfolio which includes personal references, a writing assignment, and an official transcript.
Candidates in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration must demonstrate sustained experience in the field of Counseling. A personal interview is also required.
Applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university but do not meet one or more of the above criteria may be admitted provisionally. Those without the recommended background in Psychology may be required to take additional psychology-related coursework as part of their degree program.
Program prerequisites
Bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited university or recognized international institution
- Undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 but they will consider students with lower GPA’s for highly qualified applicants.
- Nine (9) credits in undergraduate psychology coursework with a grade of “B” or higher.
- Applicants need a minimum of three (3) undergraduate credits in psychology, preferably abnormal psychology, human development, and research methods.
- Minimum of 6-9 months of field experience working in social service agencies, mental health professions, or substance use intervention sites.
Professional licensure
Students interested in licensure should consult the state in which they wish to practice for specific requirements. The State of Connecticut requires a 60 credit master’s degree. Specific areas of coursework are also required. In addition, candidates for licensure must complete supervised clinical experiences and obtain a qualifying score on a standardized examination. Students who wish to pursue licensure should select the Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration.
Certificate of Advanced Study
For individuals who hold a master’s degree in Counseling or a closely related field but lack one or more of the requirements for licensure as a professional counselor, the Counseling program offers a specialized program of study leading to a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The requirements of this program are individualized to the needs and goals of each student and consist of 30 credits.
Practicum
The practicum is designed to allow students to develop their counseling skills in a closely supervised setting. The course instructor, student’s advisor, and site supervisor determine appropriate practicum activities. Activities could include observing/shadowing, attending staff meetings, tutoring, advising, interviewing professional staff members, studying materials and procedure manuals, and other support functions.
Internship
Following the practicum and pre-requisite courses, students will pursue an internship. The goal of the internship is to further develop and refine the skills established during practicum. You are eligible for the internship component of your program after completing the required coursework and approval from faculty. The internship is the heart of the master’s degree training program in Counseling at the University of Bridgeport (UB). It provides a venue within which students receive the guidance necessary for development as an entry-level counselor. Program faculties provide didactic and experiential training, which serves as the foundation for the development of skills necessary for independent work in clinical settings. The internship operationalizes this training and, in the person of the clinical supervisor, personifies the profession with which the intern ideally identifies. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to the type of internship site that you choose and you should discuss this closely with your advisor. Successful internship training can only occur when program faculty and site supervisors form a close collaborative relationship with the mission of providing quality training and the development of the intern as a whole person. Internships are not guaranteed and approval to attend internship is dependent upon students’ performance both interpersonally and academically. Internships must be completed over two semesters, typically over the course of a full academic year, starting in the fall and ending in the spring.
Learning outcomes
Graduates in Clinical Mental Health Counseling will:
- Evidence understanding of the role of a counselor; including ethical practice, counselor behaviors, and professional associations
- As measured by: Internship, Participation in professional associations, C570, C568
- Demonstrate knowledge, awareness, and skills requisite for counseling persons from different cultural contexts and of different levels of ability
- As measured by: C512,C545, Internship, CPCE
- Apply counseling theories, techniques, and intervention to practice; in individual and group settings
- As measured by: C505, C570, Internship, C512, C540
- Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical use of appraisal instruments
- As measured by: C582, CPCE
- Demonstrate an ability to diagnose mental health status
- As measured by: C515, Internship
- Demonstrate an ability to review counseling research and integrate its contribution to specific areas of knowledge
- As measured by: C535, CPCE
- Demonstrate knowledge of, and skills in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- As measured by: Cumulative Exam
