May 13, 2025

2013-2014 Argosy University Academic Catalog—Graduate Programs | Volume 4, Issue 2

2013-2014 Argosy University Academic Catalog—Graduate Programs | Volume 4, Issue 2 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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

Program Overview

The Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program at Argosy University, Atlanta is a 60 credit-hour program designed to provide students with a solid foundation for the practice of professional counseling. The program’s curriculum is designed to integrate theoretical and conceptual foundations of professional counseling with training in appropriate client intervention and advocacy skills. The program is designed to emphasize the development of attitudes, knowledge, and skills that are essential for professional counselors who are committed to the ethical provision of quality services. Students completing this program meet the academic requirements toward licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in Georgia.

Classes for new students conveniently begin several times a year, allowing students to enter the program throughout the year. New classes start each fall, spring, and summer semester. Contact the Admissions Department for details concerning entrance times.

Mission Statement

The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program is designed to prepare students to practice as ethical and effective community counselors. Students graduate with a demonstrated knowledge of community-based counseling within a socially and culturally diverse society. The curriculum is designed to integrate counseling and advocacy skills, theoretical foundations of community counseling, and clinical field experience (practicum and internship) into a set of professional competencies. Courses within the Clinical Mental Health Counseling curriculum fulfill the academic and clinical instruction requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia and certification by the National Board of Certified Counselors.

Eligibility for Licensure

Graduates of the MA in Clincal Mental Health Counseling degree program may wish to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia. Master’s-level licensure varies from state to state. It is the student’s responsibility to determine the requirements for professional licensure in the state they wish to practice. Students interested in pursuing licensure in states other than Georgia should contact their state’s department of professional regulation for information. The American Counseling Association frequently publishes information on professional issues of importance to professional counselors, including licensure, on their Internet Web site: www.counseling.org.

Program Formats

Argosy University, Atlanta offers two primary program formats for students: Weekend/Blended Format and Evening/Blended Format. Occasional courses are also offered in an Evening Format.

Weekend/Blended Format

Students take one course at a time (each lasting 7.5 weeks) and meet on-campus for two intensive weekends with the instructor. Throughout the 7.5 week session, students also interact with classmates and the instructor weekly through the Internet using a Web site-based learning platform.

Evening Format

Students take one course at a time (each lasting 7.5 weeks) and meet on-campus one evening each week. Throughout the session, students also interact with classmates and the instructor weekly through the Internet using a Web site based learning platform.

Enrollment Requirements

Students in the program should be enrolled in two 3-credit hour classes per semester. Students may enroll in the practicum/ internship alone. Students should confirm minimum enrollment requirements for financial aid and international student status with the appropriate Student Services representative.

Additional Requirements for Academic Progress

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0). Academic dismissal will occur in the following situations:

A student fails to raise a GPA that is under 3.0 to a 3.0 or higher within two semesters
A student achieves a GPA below 3.0 at the end of the first four courses
A student receives two grades lower than a “B-” within the first four courses
A student receives three grades lower than a “B-” at any time throughout the program
Students who earn a grade below a “B-” in any course are required to retake the course.
A student fails to successfully pass the Comprehensive Exam after a third attempt.

Students must complete this program within five years after matriculation. 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. In order to remain on track for degree completion within the maximum time frame allotted, students are expected to complete credit hours according to the suggested incremental maximum time frame table below:

Suggested Incremental Timeframe 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

* The suggested incremental maximum time frame requirements are not a replacement for the specific program sequencing and enrollment requirements, which may be stricter than the incremental maximum time frame requirements.

Attendance Policy

Any excessive amount of class time missed will negatively impact the student’s grade:

Weekend/Blended Students: More than 3 hours missed will result in automatic loss of one full letter grade. More than 6 hours missed will result in automatic failure.
Evening/Blended Students: More than 4 hours missed will result in automatic loss of one full letter grade. More than 6 hours missed will result in automatic failure.
Evening Students: More than 6 hours missed will result in automatic loss of one full letter grade. More than 8 hours missed will result in automatic failure.

Students should notify the instructor concerning any anticipated absences. If an excessive amount of class time is missed due to an emergency situation, the student will likely be advised to withdraw from the course.

Graduation Requirements

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 courses
- 6 credit hours of elective courses
- 9 credit hours of practicum/internship (completed over 10 months)
Successful completion of the Comprehensive EXamination

Initial Four Courses Requirement

The first four courses of the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program must be satisfactorily completed before a student is allowed to take additional courses in the program:

PC 6000 Counseling Theory (3)
PC 6003 Abnormal Psychology (3)
PC 6104 Counseling Skills I (3)
PC 6106 Foundations of Mental Health Counseling (3)

All four courses must be successfully completed in order for a student to continue in the program. After successful completion, each student’s academic record will be reviewed. Students who earn a GPA of 3.0 or above (on a scale of 4.0) and have satisfactory faculty evaluations will be considered for continuation in the program.

Any of the four courses in which a grade below “B-” is received must be repeated. Any student who receives two grades below “B-” in the first four courses (including grades received on courses retaken) will be automatically dismissed from the program. Students who achieve a GPA below 3.0 at the end of their first four courses will be dismissed from the program.

Program Requirements

Students enrolled in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program are required to successfully complete 60 semester credit hours as follows: core course requirements, 45 credit hours; elective course requirements, 6 credit hours; practicum and internship requirements, 9 credit hours.

Core Course Requirements—Students Are Required to Take the Following

Core Course Requirements—45 Credit Hours

Elective Requirements—Students Choose Two Courses from the Following

Elective Requirements—6 Credit Hours

Practicum and Internship Requirements—Students Are Required to Take the Following

Practicum and Internship Requirements—9 Credit Hours

Note

*Students enroll in PC 6415 Counseling Internship for three credit hours for two consecutive semesters.

Practicum and Internship Requirements

The practicum and internship are an essential part of the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program. The sequence consists of a 10-month long supervised field training experience within a mental health setting. 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 are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of on-site experience (of which at least 40 hours are direct client contact) during the practicum and a minimum of 600 hours of on-site experience (of which at least 240 are direct client contact) during the internship.
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. In addition, students must take and successfully pass the Comprehensive Exam prior to the start of the practicum.

All students enrolled in a practicum/internship are concurrently enrolled in a seminar that is led by a program faculty member. The seminar meets throughout the placement and allows the student to reflect on various training experiences while acquiring additional skills and attitudes.

Detailed guidelines on the practicum and internship sequence are included in the current Practicum/Internship Student Handbook available from the Counseling Department.

Clinical Evaluation Conference Requirements

The Clinical Evaluation Conference (CEC) normally takes place during the final term of internship seminar. The CEC evaluates the growth and development of clinical competency in accordance with the standards of Argosy University, Atlanta, and ensures acquisition of the appropriate skill levels for subsequent supervised clinical practice. The CEC assesses competency in assessment, case formulation, treatment planning and implementation and writing skills.

Course/Credit Transfer

A maximum of four courses — 12 credit hours — may be transferred into the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program. Students wishing to transfer course credit from another graduate program must submit the required Course Waiver Form and supporting documentation to Student Services. The request must then be approved by a designated program representative. Required courses that may not be transferred into the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program at Argosy University, Atlanta are listed below:

Non-Transferrable Courses

Recommended Course Sequence for the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Program

Students upon admission to the program are provided a program of study. The sequence outlines the courses the student is to take in the program and when these courses are to be taken by the student. The sequence generally shows a pattern of 6 semester hours of course work each semester. Students are expected to follow the sequence and if they must divert from the sequence pattern, are highly encouraged to speak with their faculty advisor first. Admissions representatives will discuss sequencing with prospective students.