Jul 19, 2025

2015-2016 Argosy University Academic Catalog—Graduate Programs | Volume 6, Issue 2

2015-2016 Argosy University Academic Catalog—Graduate Programs | Volume 6, Issue 2 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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

Program Overview and Mission Statement for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program are consistent across the Argosy University system. Please refer to the introductory pages of this program section for detailed descriptions of both the program overview and the mission statement.

Programmatic Accreditation

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) has granted accreditation to the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Argosy University, Atlanta under the 2001 Standards.

Eligibility for Licensure

Graduates of the MA in Clinical 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.

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.

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

PC6410 - Counseling Practicum (3)
PC6415 - Counseling Internship (6)*
_{*Students enroll in PC6415 for three credit hours for two consecutive semesters.}

Practicum and Internship Requirements—9 Credit Hours

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.

Initial Five Courses Requirement

The first five 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:

PC6000 - Counseling Theory (3)
PC6003 - Abnormal Psychology (3)
PC6104 - Counseling Skills I (3)
PC6106 - Foundations of Mental Health Counseling (3)
PC6300 - Professional and Ethical Issues (3)

All five 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 five courses in which a grade below “B-” is received must be repeated. Any student who receives two grades below “B-” in the first five 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 five courses will be dismissed from the program.

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.

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

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 hours 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.