Plan Description
The Department of Educational and Clinical Studies offers a 60 credit Master of Science (M.S.) – Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The master’s program is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the accrediting body of the American Counseling Association. Graduates of the M.S. program are eligible to sit for the National Counselor Examination in order to qualify for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential.
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, a 60-credit hour course of study, is designed to train professional counselors for work in a variety of community and mental health settings. Community mental health counselors work in local, state, and federal agencies, as well as private for-profit and non-profit agencies.
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S. degree offers a unique arena for the development of counseling theory and in depth research in issues impacting community and mental health, as well as continuing the development of professional counselors to meet the diverse needs of Southern Nevada, the region, and the nation.
Faculty members in the Department of Counselor Education endeavor to promote excellence in counselor education and counseling research. Our graduate counseling programs prepare students to:
- Serve as professional counselors, advocates, and leaders who maximize opportunities for individuals, groups, and communities with a particular emphasis on helping underserved and oppressed client populations;
- Address developmental, academic, career, mental health, socio-cultural, and wellness needs of clients seeking counseling;
- Help individuals, groups and communities strive to find meaning, involvement, worth, and dignity in their lives;
- Engage in action research and program evaluations to further the knowledge base and best practice initiatives of the counseling profession; and
- Advocate with local, state, and national organizations to promote client and societal wellbeing.
For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degree Directory.
Plan Admission Requirements
Application deadlines
Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.
The master degree program requires that an application for admission be submitted to the Graduate College and the Department of Educational and Clinical Studies as well as transcripts of all college-level work. A minimum grade point average of 2.75 for all undergraduate work and a 3.00 for the last two years of undergraduate work is required.
Applicants must provide three letters of recommendation directly to the department along with a departmental application form that includes a writing sample. Final applicants undergo an extensive/structured personal interview. Students should refer to the department website. Students are admitted once each year, with an application deadline of February 1st.
All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.
Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.
Plan Graduation Requirements
- The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements for the program.
- The student must successfully complete and pass the final comprehensive exam.