Forensic Mental Health Leadership and Counseling: Specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, (M.A./M.A)

(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 & Certification

Adler’s M.A. in Counseling: Specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program (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 CMHC program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. Students wishing to seek licensure are strongly encouraged to research the requirements to sit for licensure for each state or province in which they wish to practice.

Graduates of the program are also eligible to take part in the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential, after successful passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and completion of required experiences.

In particular, Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for the following credentials:

• The Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in the state of Illinois
• The Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) credential in Illinois, upon completing all necessary post-graduate training and supervised experiences

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 supervised field experiences totaling 78 credit hours
• The Social Justice Practicum, 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 including supervised practicum (100 hours) and internship (600 hours). Through our vast network of community partners, students are able to complete their practical training in a variety of settings.
• A 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 28 months 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 grade point average 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 program faculty of each program as the final step in the application process.

Graduation Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of all required courses and seminars
2. Satisfactory completion of Social Justice Practicum I & II
3. Satisfactory completion of CMHC counseling field training with a minimum of 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship.
4. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and no more than two grades or six credit hours of C in courses other than practicum prerequisites
5. Passing grade on the CMHC Comprehensive Examination
6. Submission of completed Graduation Application and full payment of all outstanding tuition and fees
7. 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 and the M.A. in Forensic Mental Health Leadership.

Professional Practice and Field Training

• Both CMHC and MSHP programs require students’ completion of the social justice practicum, which will be recognized by both programs.
• CMHC requires students’ completion of counseling practicum (a minimum of 100 clock hours) and internship (a minimum of 600 clock hours).
• MSHP requires students’ completion of Sport and Human Performance Externship.
• For details of program specific field training experiences, refer back to individual program information in this catalog.