• Offering Campuses
• Program Overview
• Program Outcomes
• Admission Requirements
• Exceptions to the Minimum Grade Point Average
• Applications to Multiple Campuses

Offering Campuses

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Argosy University, Denver; Argosy University, Phoenix

Campus-Specific Requirements

• Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program—Argosy University, Denver
• Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program—Argosy University, Phoenix

Program Overview

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Argosy University recognizes the need to offer human services providers the extensive knowledge and range of skills necessary to serve effectively in the profession. Programs have been developed by Argosy University faculty members to enable students to pursue personal and professional goals through completion of a Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program. Courses and curricula are designed to parallel prevailing licensure and certification requirements as closely as possible. Because of variations among states, each student should check with regional authorities to confirm such requirements.

 Program Outcomes

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• Professional Identity:  Value all aspects of professional functioning, including history, roles, organizational structures, ethics, legalities, standards, and credentialing
• Social and Cultural Diversity:  Apply core theory and research of the cultural context of relationships, issues, and trends in a multicultural and diverse society to the counseling profession
• Human Growth and Development:   Interpret and apply core theory and research of the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels
• Career Development:   Apply core theory and research of career development, the psychology of work, and related factors
• Helping Relationships:  Ethically and effectively deliver a range of counseling and consultation services
• Group Work:   Understand the theoretical and experiential foundations of group purpose, development, and dynamics; will apply group counseling methods and skills
• Assessment:   Understand principles of testing and measurement, and will apply both individual and group methods of assessment and evaluation
• Research and Program Evaluation:   Understand methods and roles of research, statistical analysis, needs assessment and program evaluation
• Communication:   Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in written communication
• Interpersonal Effectiveness:   Develop and improve positive relationship skills via effective communication, respect for others, appreciation of diversity and cultural sensitivity, and awareness of their impact on others.

Admission Requirements

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• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or an appropriately certified foreign institution.
• A grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) for the last 60 hours of course work (including graduate work)
• A minimum score on an Argosy University pre-approved English language proficiency test is required for all applicants whose native language is not English or who have not graduated from an institution at which English is the language of instruction as specified in Section Five, Admission Policies, “English Language Proficiency Policy .”
• Completion of an interview with a member of the program Admissions Committee.
• All applications for admission must be submitted to the Admissions Department. An admissions representative is available to help interested applicants complete the following required documentation:Completed Application for Admission Form
• Application fee (Non-refundable, except in California and Arizona. In the state of Arizona, the application fee is refundable if the application is canceled within three business days of the applicant signing the Enrollment Agreement.)
• Personal/professional goal statement with a self-appraisal of qualifications for the profession
• Current résumé (or career summary)
• Three completed Applicant Recommendation Forms
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended

Exceptions to the Minimum Grade Point Average

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Applicants with grade point averages lower than the stated program minimums may be considered for admission with significant evidence of academic and professional potential demonstrated by the career and/or professional accomplishments indicated in the statement of academic and professional goals, the career summary, and academic or professional letters of recommendation. Exceptions must be recommended by the Admissions Committee and program chair. Exceptions must be justified, documented, signed, placed, and retained in the student’s academic file. Students admitted on an exception basis will be assigned provisional status. See “Exceptions to Admission Requirements”.

Application to Multiple Campuses

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An applicant who wants to apply to more than one campus must complete a separate application and forward a full set of application materials to each campus.

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Program—Argosy University, Denver

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Program Overview

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The Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program at Argosy University, Denver is designed to provide students with a sound foundation for the practice of professional counseling. The program introduces students to basic counseling skills that integrate individual and group theoretical foundations of professional counseling into appropriate client interaction and intervention skills. The program is designed to emphasize the development of attitudes, knowledge, and skills essential in the formation of professional counselors who are committed to the ethical provision of quality  services.

Thus, the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program at Argosy University, Denver is committed to educating and training students to enter a professional career as master’s-level counseling practitioners who can function ethically and effectively as skilled professionals with demonstrated knowledge of social and cultural diversity. This goal is achieved through a curriculum designed to integrate basic counseling skills, theoretical foundations of professional counseling, and clinical field experience into appropriate client interaction and intervention skills for utilization in a wide variety of settings with diverse client populations. Students are prepared for licensure as professional counselors in the state of Colorado and alumni serve clients throughout North America.

Eligibility for Licensure

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Graduates of the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program are eligible to pursue licensure in Colorado as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), upon completion of educational requirements and 2,000 hours over a minimum of two years of post-masters supervised practice. For more information and application materials please contact the State of Colorado Mental Health Licensing Section at: http://www.dora.state.co.us/mentalhealth/faqs.htm#LPCfaqs or 303.894.7766.

Since licensing may change and often varies from state to state, students should verify the current requirements of the state in which they plan to become licensed.

Endorsement Policy

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Argosy University faculty will endorse students for professional placement and licensure only if they have completed all formal coursework, including all practicum/internship requirements.  Recommendations for job placement, both oral and written, will be specific to the practice of counseling.

Admissions  Notification

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Students are notified in writing of the decision made by the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee decisions are final and not subject to appeal. Applicants who have been denied admission may reapply after the passage of one year from the date of denial by submitting all documents required of a new applicant. Individuals who intend to reapply for admission are required to contact the Admissions Department prior to reapplying.

Graduation Requirements

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Students admitted into the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program are responsible for completing the program requirements in effect at the time of admission. The school retains the right to modify these requirements in accordance with the demands of the counseling profession. Coursework and degree requirements should be completed in the order recommended by the department administration. Academic advisors must approve any changes. To be eligible for graduation, students must meet the following requirements:

• Completion of 60 semester credit hours which include
  • 48 credit hours of core counseling courses
  • 9 credit hours of practicum and internship
  • 3 credit hours of elective courses
• GPA of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0)
• Successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination
• Successful completion of all practicum and internship requirements and assessments
• Completion of all requirements within five years of matriculation into the program*
• A completed Petition to Graduate form submitted to campus administration

Note

*Students who have temporarily withdrawn from Argosy University will have the maximum amount of years, plus the length of the approved leave (not to exceed one year) to complete the program.

Academic Progress Requirements

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To make satisfactory progress toward a degree, students must:

• Maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
• Complete the program requirements within the stated limits Academic dismissal will occur if a student fails to raise a low GPA to 3.0 or higher within two semesters.

Course Delivery Format

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Weekend Class Format

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In order to offer a flexible and effective learning experience for our students with multiple life responsibilities, most courses are offered in a weekend format. All courses with class meetings scheduled exclusively during weekend hours will be Web-augmented with an online component. This online component supplements the content delivered in the face-to-face campus meetings and provides weekly instructional contact. Students can expect weekly discussion questions that offer opportunities to interact with fellow students and course faculty, as well as the opportunity to engage with faculty and other students around activities meant to deepen and enhance the learning experience. In addition, faculty may use the Web-based learning environment to provide supplemental resources and reading material.

Program Starting Times

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Classes for new students conveniently begin six times a year. New classes start each fall semester session I (September), fall semester session II (October), spring semester session I (January), spring semester session II (March) and summer semester session I (May) and summer semester session II (July).

Applications are accepted at any time. Contact the Admissions Department for details concerning entrance times.

Practicum/Internship and Seminar Requirements

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The practicum/internship are an essential part of the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program. These are supervised field training experiences within a mental health services system. A required, essential component of the degree program, students are supervised by experienced clinicians who teach relevant skills, provide supervision of on-going work, and serve as role models of professional identity and behavior.

Training may not be done in a student’s place of employment, nor is any student exempt from the practicum/internship requirements. Students with extensive clinical backgrounds are encouraged to consider training sites in areas where they have an interest and do not have previous experience. Detailed guidelines and application materials are available from the program.

All students who enter the practicum/ internship application process must be in good academic standing, have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0, and have completed all the practicum prerequisite courses prior to the beginning of training with a “B-” or better.

All students enrolled in a practicum/internship are concurrently enrolled in a seminar. The seminar meets throughout the placement and allows the student to reflect on various training experiences while acquiring additional skills and attitudes. Specific seminar content and emphasis varies according to the training setting, focus of the enrolled students, and the professional expertise of the faculty member.

The goals of the training seminar are:

• Development of counseling and case formulation skills
• Provision of information and consultation to supplement the experiences provided at the practicum/internship site
• Assistance developing a professional style for case presentations
• Improved ability to provide and receive feedback in an effective manner
• Discussion of ethical issues as they pertain to specific counseling cases
• Preparation for the campus-specific capstone assessments

Practicum/Internship Evaluation

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The goal of the experience is to train competent counselors capable of effective counseling and therapeutic intervention. Student evaluation during field training includes: theoretical knowledge, counseling skills, and professional attitude. A thorough review of site and seminar evaluations is conducted by the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. An overall grade of “Credit” (CR) or “No Credit” (NC) is included in the student’s academic record along with a comprehensive overview of the student’s practicum/internship experience.

Professional Conduct

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Students are expected to adhere to professional standards outlined by the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics.

Additionally, students are expected to demonstrate professional behavior:

• Interpersonal interactions with others,
• Appropriate self-awareness and self-evaluation,
• Openness to professional feedback and supervision, and
• Ability to resolve problems effectively and professionally.

Students who fail to demonstrate professional behavior may be subject to a variety of campus-specific interventions up to and including referral to the Student Professional Development Committee (SPDC) and/or Student Conduct Committee (SCC). Outcomes may include advisement, remediation, or dismissal from the program. Students will receive feedback regarding personal, academic and professional strengths, weaknesses, and performance as they progress through the program.

Writing Program

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Students are expected to be proficient in written and oral communication and to produce written work consistent with accepted standards in the field. Those who are identified by faculty as needing further development of writing skills will be required to address identified deficits.

Student Advisement

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The department assigns advisors to students enrolled in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program. The advisor is available for consultation on student professional development, academic/ training progress, and professional issues.

Students are encouraged to meet with an advisor as often as necessary to review progress through the program and to discuss performance in classes, seminars, and practicum/internship.

Comprehensive Examination Requirements

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All MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program students are required to successfully complete a Comprehensive Examination. The information tested by the exam covers the end-of-program learning outcomes required of students in the program. Students must have successfully completed all required coursework, with the exception of practicum and internship, to be eligible to take the  Comprehensive Exam. Additional information regarding registration, qualification, format, and dates of the exam can be obtained from the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program.

A student who fails the Comprehensive Exam is required to contact his/her academic advisor who will assist in developing a remediation plan. Any student who fails the Comprehensive Examination a third   time is automatically dismissed from the program.

Course/Credit Transfer

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For information about course/credit transfers, please refer to section seven, “Section Seven, Academic Policies and Procedures .”

Student-At-Large Status

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Students may take up to three courses in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program curriculum as a student-at-large (SAL). Some courses relating to the clinical skills of counseling may be restricted depending on the student’s prior education. The following seminars and clinical training courses are excluded for SALs: 

Excluded Courses

PC 6410 Counseling Practicum

PC 6416 Counseling Internship I

PC 6417 Counseling Internship II

 

Enrollment Requirements

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Students normally enroll in three 3-credit hour classes per semester to meet program requirements for initial clinical training placements.

While on practicum and internship, students may enroll in classes and the practicum/ internship seminar each semester, or they may enroll in the practicum/internship alone if they have completed all other coursework. 

Requirements for Academic Progress

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Students in the program are required to complete 60 credit hours. The suggested minimum amount of work that a student should complete each year following matriculation to successfully complete the program appears below:

Suggested Incremental Time Frame Completion Rates
End of Year One	15 credit hours
End of Year Two	30 credit hours
End of Year Three	40 credit hours
End of Year Four	50 credit hours
End of Year Five	60 credit hours

Program Requirements

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The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program requires the satisfactory completion of 60 semester credit hours distributed as follows: core counseling requirements, 48 credit hours; practicum and internship requirements, 9 credit hours; elective requirements, 3 credit hours.

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Program—Argosy University, Phoenix

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Program Overview

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The Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical  Mental Health Counseling degree program is designed to provide students with a solid foundation for the eventual practice of mental health counseling. The program introduces students to basic counseling skills that integrate individual and group theoretical foundations of professional counseling into appropriate client interaction and intervention skills. The program  is designed to emphasize the development of attitudes, knowledge, and skills essential in the formation of professional counselors who are committed to the ethical provision of quality services.

Students also have the option to enroll in a modified program that includes a concentration in Forensic Counseling.

Forensic Counseling Concentration

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The Forensic Counseling concentration within the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program is designed to provide students with a knowledge base in forensic psychology, including theory, research and  professional practice. Students study the nature of the settings in which forensic psychology is practiced and how professionals function in such settings. They have the opportunity to become acquainted with the issues  and problems for which forensic psychology services are typically utilized. Students have the opportunity to  learn assessment methods utilized in forensic psychology and develop the intervention skills to effectively function in the forensic domain. Special attention is given to issues of diversity, cultural sensitivity, and ethical practice. The concentration can include a supervised practicum in an applied forensic setting.

Licensure Information

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Graduates of both the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program and the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Forensic Counseling degree program are eligible to pursue licensure in Arizona as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and for certification as a Nationally Certified Counselor. Upon completion of educational requirements, two years of post-master’s supervised practice is required for licensure as an independent Counselor in the state of Arizona. For more information and application materials please contact the Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners, 3443 N. Central Avenue, Suite 1700, Phoenix, AZ 85012, 602.542.1882, or www.azbbhe.us. If a student intends to obtain licensure in a state other than Arizona, the student needs to contact the licensure board associated with the state they plan to obtain licensure in order to ensure they meet that state’s requirements.

Enrollment Requirements

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Students in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program enroll in a minimum of two 3 credit-hour classes per semester, which are offered in sequence. Students complete one course at a time. Students may take courses online (if available) after completion of the first four courses on campus. Students may take courses online within the first four courses only with the approval of the program chair.

While completing a field experience, students may enroll in two classes and the practicum/internship and seminar (9 credit hours) each semester, or they may enroll in the practicum/internship and seminar only (3 credit hours per semester) if they have already completed all other coursework.

Each in-residence course meets one weekend per month for two months. However, the official starting date of each Session I in-residence course corresponds to the date of the start of the term. Pre-assignments will be made available in a blended format, and contacts by instructors will occur weekly throughout the semester.

Requirements for Academic Progress

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Students must make satisfactory progress toward their degree program by maintaining a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0. Student progress in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program is formally evaluated after the first four courses.

Students who receive a grade below a “B-“ in any course must repeat the course. Students who receive two grades below “B-” in the first four courses, including a repeat of the same course, will not be permitted to continue in the program.

Students are expected to follow the recommended course sequence as outlined in the curriculum in order to complete all coursework in two years, with a maximum time limit for completion of five years. Students who have temporarily withdrawn from Argosy University will have five years plus the length of time that they were not enrolled, not to exceed one year, to complete the program.

Students are required to complete 60 credit hours. The suggested minimum amount of work that a student must complete each year following matriculation to successfully complete the program appears below:

Suggested Incremental Time Frame Completion Rates
End of Year One	12 credit hours
End of Year Two	24 credit hours
End of Year Three	36 credit hours
End of Year Four	48 credit hours*
End of Year Five	60 credit hours

*Students in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program with concentration in Forensic Counseling will take an additional three credit hours for a total of nine credit hours during year four.

Students admitted into the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program are responsible for completing the program requirements in effect at the time of admission. The school retains the right to modify these requirements in accordance with the demands of the counseling profession. Coursework and degree requirements should be completed in the order recommended by the department administration. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the academic advisors regarding any intent to request any changes to the designated coursework.

Graduation Requirements

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To be eligible for graduation, students must meet the following requirements.

MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Program

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• Completion of 60 semester credit hours by the end of the fifth year of matriculation. The total credit hours must include:
  • 45 credit hours of core course requirements
  • 6 credit hours of elective course requirements
  • 9 credit hours (10–12 months) of practicum and internship training experience
• Successful completion of the Counselor Presentation Evaluation (CPE)
• A grade point average of at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
• A Completed Petition to Graduate Form submitted to campus administration

MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Concentration in Forensic Counseling Degree Program

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• Completion of 63 semester credit hours by the end of the fifth year of matriculation. The total credit hours must include:
  • 42 credit hours of core course requirements
  • 12 credit hours of forensic counseling concentration course requirements
  • 9 credit hours (10–12 months) of practicum and internship training experience
• Successful completion of the Counselor Presentation Evaluation (CPE)
• A grade point average of at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
• A Completed Petition to Graduate Form submitted to campus administration