The M.S. degree in Mental Health Counseling prepares those who want to work with clients in a variety of settings on emotional, personal, social, educational and vocational challenges.  Ours is a small program with intense clinical training and supervision. It gives students a comprehensive understanding of professional and ethical practices, social and cultural diversity, social justice and advocacy, human growth and development, career development, assessment and research and program evaluation.

Our program requires 90 quarter hours and usually takes just over two years to complete. The program includes three practica under close faculty supervision in the department’s training clinic and a full-time seven month internship experience, during which students have the opportunity both to work with clients in community settings and to collaborate and consult with other mental health professionals.

Graduates of this program are employed in mental health agencies, family counseling centers, private practices, corporate human resource positions, correctional settings, and many others that require expertise in human development and counseling skills. The program is accredited as a clinical mental health counseling program by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) until October 2023; after that, accreditation lapses. The program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure as a counselor in Washington State and many other states, please check with specific states to ensure they accept graduates of non-CACREP programs.