What is the Utsa Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Plan?
Admission Requirements:

Undergraduate Degree
GRE scores
Letters of Recommendation
Personal Statement

Curriculum:

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Courses
Counseling Electives
Research Courses
Internship/Practicum Courses

Courses Offered:

Counseling Theories
Assessment Techniques
Crisis Intervention and Trauma Counseling
Cultural Diversity in Counseling

Internship/Practicum:

Placement
Supervision
Training

Career Opportunities:

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Clinical Director
Psychotherapist
School Counselor

Benefits of the Utsa Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program:

Small Class Sizes
One-on-One Attention
Hands-On Training
Flexible Scheduling

Continuing Education:

Maintaining LPC License
Professional Development
Advanced Counseling Techniques

Accreditation:

CACREP
Regional Accreditation
Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors

Financial Aid and Scholarships:

Grants/Fellowships
Student Loans
UTSA Scholarships
External Scholarships

What is the Utsa Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Plan?

The Utsa Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Plan is a graduate program designed to prepare students for a career in counseling. The program is based on the belief that mental health is an essential aspect of overall well-being and that counseling can help individuals improve their mental health. The program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to become licensed professional counselors and work in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, and private practices.

Admission Requirements:

Undergraduate Degree

The Utsa Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Plan requires applicants to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. The degree must be in psychology, counseling, social work, or a related field. Applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree in a related field may be required to take additional courses before beginning the program.

GRE scores

Applicants are required to submit GRE scores as part of the application process. The GRE is a standardized test that measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. The scores are used to evaluate the applicant's academic potential and readiness for graduate-level coursework.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to their academic and professional abilities. Letters should come from professors, employers, or other professionals who can speak to the applicant's potential to succeed in a graduate counseling program.

Personal Statement

Applicants are required to submit a personal statement outlining their goals and objectives for pursuing a graduate degree in counseling. The statement should also highlight the applicant's relevant experience and qualifications.

Curriculum:

The Utsa Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Plan consists of a total of 60 credit hours. The program is designed to be completed in two years of full-time study.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Courses

The program includes core courses in clinical mental health counseling, which cover topics such as counseling theories, assessment techniques, crisis intervention, and trauma counseling.

Counseling Electives

Students are required to complete a number of counseling electives, which allow them to explore areas of interest and specialize their training. Electives may include courses in addiction counseling, family therapy, or group counseling, among others.

Research Courses

Students are required to take courses in research methods and statistics, which provide them with the skills necessary to design and conduct research studies in the field of counseling.

Internship/Practicum Courses

Students are required to complete a total of 700 hours of supervised internship/practicum experience. This hands-on training allows students to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the classroom to real-world situations.

Courses Offered:

The Utsa Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Plan offers a variety of courses designed to prepare students for a career in counseling. Some of the courses offered include:

Counseling Theories

This course provides an overview of the major theories of counseling and psychotherapy, including psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and existential approaches.

Assessment Techniques

This course covers the various assessment tools and techniques used in counseling, including standardized tests, clinical interviews, and behavioral observations.

Crisis Intervention and Trauma Counseling

This course focuses on the skills and techniques necessary to work with individuals who have experienced traumatic events or crises. Topics covered may include suicide prevention, grief counseling, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Cultural Diversity in Counseling

This course explores the ways in which culture and diversity impact the counseling relationship. Students will learn about cultural competence and how to work effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds.

Internship/Practicum:

Placement

Students are placed in a counseling setting, such as a mental health clinic or school, where they can apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting. The placement is chosen based on the student's interests and career goals.

Supervision

Students receive supervision from a licensed counselor who provides feedback and guidance on their work with clients.

Training

Students receive training in the specific counseling setting where they are placed. This may include training on specific counseling techniques or interventions.

Career Opportunities:

The Utsa Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Plan prepares students for a variety of career opportunities in the field of counseling. Some of the potential careers include:

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Graduates of the program are eligible to become licensed professional counselors, which allows them to work independently as counselors in a variety of settings.

Clinical Director

Graduates may also pursue careers as clinical directors, overseeing the operations of mental health clinics or other counseling organizations.

Psychotherapist

Graduates may choose to work as psychotherapists, providing individual or group counseling to clients with mental health concerns.

School Counselor

Graduates may also pursue careers as school counselors, working with students in elementary, middle, or high schools to provide academic and personal counseling.

Benefits of the Utsa Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program:

The Utsa Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Plan offers a number of benefits to students, including:

Small Class Sizes

The program is designed to maintain small class sizes, which allows for more personalized attention from faculty members.

One-on-One Attention

Students receive individual attention from faculty members, who serve as mentors and advisors throughout the program.

Hands-On Training

The program includes a significant amount of hands-on training, allowing students to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings.

Flexible Scheduling

The program offers flexible scheduling options, including evening and weekend courses, to accommodate the needs of working students.

Continuing Education:

Graduates of the Utsa Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Plan are required to maintain their LPC license through continuing education. This may include attending workshops or conferences, completing additional coursework, or engaging in professional development activities.

Maintaining LPC License

LPCs are required to complete a certain number of continuing education hours each year to maintain their license.

Professional Development

Graduates may choose to engage in additional professional development activities to enhance their skills and knowledge in the field of counseling.

Advanced Counseling Techniques

Graduates may also choose to pursue advanced training in specific counseling techniques or interventions.

Accreditation:

The Utsa Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Plan is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), which ensures that the program meets national standards for education and training in counseling. The program is also regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and approved by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.

Financial Aid and Scholarships:

The Utsa Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Plan offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship opportunities to students, including:

Grants/Fellowships

Students may be eligible for grants or fellowships based on financial need or academic merit.

Student Loans

Students may also be eligible for student loans, which can help cover the cost of tuition and other expenses.

UTSA Scholarships

The University of Texas at San Antonio offers a variety of scholarships to graduate students, including those in the Utsa Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Plan.

External Scholarships

Students may also be eligible for external scholarships from professional organizations or other sources.

Utsa Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Plan