(Offered by the Department of Counseling and Integrated Programs)
This dual degree option prepares graduates to work with a range of clients in traditional mental health programs as well as mental health counselors with individuals, families, and systems that interface with the legal and criminal justice arena. Our aim is to prepare clinicians who will be able to assess, treat, consult, and apply a full array of counseling services in forensic and correctional settings, allowing for a range of dynamic career paths.
All faculty members are active in their respective areas of expertise and engage with students to promote opportunities for professional development in the field, as well as at state and national conferences.
Accreditation, Licensure, Credentials and Certification
CMHC
Adler University’s M.A. in Counseling: Specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Graduation from a CACREP-accredited program is a requirement for counselor licensure in many states.The program curriculum is designed to meet the current requirement for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in Illinois. With additional post-master’s supervised experience, graduates may apply for the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) credential in Illinois.
CMHC students are eligible to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) on campus during the last semester of the program before graduation as a part of the application process to earn the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. Upon degree completion, students can submit their NCE scores to the Illinois State Board toward the fulfillment of state Licensed Professional Counselor requirements. Graduates can apply for an advanced license, The Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) credential in Illinois, upon completing all necessary postgraduate training and supervised experiences.
Many states accept CACREP-accredited programs as preliminary education requirements for entry-level counselor licensure. Thus, graduates of both on-ground and online modalities are eligible to apply for licensure in these states.
Students are advised that licensure criteria change frequently and that some states may require courses and/or training beyond those currently required by the program. It is the responsibility of the students to find out the licensure requirements of the state where they want to reside and practice. Students need to work with their advisor to adjust their curriculum according to specific state requirements.
FMHL
Our specialized courses in forensic mental health leadership and specialized practicum experiences promote certification eligibility to pursue national certification as a Forensic Mental Health Evaluator through The National Board of Forensic Evaluators.
FMHL - CMHC Dual Degree Program Overview
- A comprehensive curriculum of both degrees, including theoretical and skills training and supervised field experiences totaling 78 credit hours.
- The Social Justice Practicum is a social responsibility immersion experience created to develop an identity in graduates as social justice advocates and agents of social change (200 hours total).
- The clinical mental health counseling field experiences include supervised practicum (a minimum of 100 hours) and internship (a minimum of 600 hours). Through our vast network of community partners, students are able to complete their practical training in a variety of settings.
- CMHC Comprehensive Examination.
Full-Time or Part-Time Learning Schedule
The class offerings are designed to meet the needs of students who desire a full-time 24-month track or a part-time three and four-year learning schedule.
Minimum Admission Requirements
Applicants to this program are required to have:
- A baccalaureate degree earned from a college or university regionally accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or an equivalent degree from an international college or university.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and graduate coursework.
- Exceptions may be made for applicants who demonstrate improved academic performance or academic ability in other ways.
- Applicants must be accepted into both programs.
- Approved applicants of the dual degree program will be invited for personal interviews with each program’s faculty as the final step in the application process.
Graduation Requirements
Students of dual degree programs must fulfill the graduation requirements for both programs to attain both degrees. However, students attain a degree upon completing the respective requirements.
CMHC Graduation Requirements:
- Satisfactory completion of all the CMHC required courses and seminars.
- Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship.
- Satisfactory completion of Social Justice Practicum I & II (on-campus/ground modality) or Social Justice Practicum I, II, III, and IV (online modality).
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and no more than two grades or six credit hours of C
- Passage of the CMHC Comprehensive Examination.
- Submission of completed graduation application and full payment of all outstanding tuition and fees.
- Faculty approval for graduation and recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the conferral of the Master of Arts in Counseling: Specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
FMHL Graduation Requirements:
- Satisfactory completion of all required courses and seminars.
- Satisfactory completion of Social Justice Practicum I and II.
- Completion of program capstone project.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and no more than two grades or six credit hours of C.
- Submission of completed graduation application and full payment of all outstanding tuition and fees.
- Faculty approval for graduation and recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the conferral of the Master of Arts in Forensic Mental Health Leadership.
Professional Practice and Field Training
- Both CMHC and FMHL programs require students to complete the Social Justice Practicum, which will be recognized by both programs.
- CMHC requires students’ completion of counseling practicum (a minimum of 100 hours) and internship (a minimum of 600 hours).
For details of program-specific field training experiences, refer to the individual program information in this catalog.
