College of the Sciences
Mental Health Counseling
Master of Science | Graduate
Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
With a degree in Mental Health Counseling, you’ll gain the practical skills and cultural awareness needed to support individuals and communities facing mental and behavioral health challenges.
This professional degree prepares and makes you eligible to begin the process of becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor working withan children, adults, or families. Coursework, including topics such as ethical issues, interventions, and patient advocacy, is combined with hands-on experience via two quarters of mental health internships.
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Department of Psychology
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What You'll Study
Academic Catalog | Psychology Department Website
Required Courses
• PSY 502 - Professional Orientation: Mental Health Counseling
• PSY 503 - Pre-Practicum in Mental Health Counseling
• PSY 536 - Crisis, Trauma, and Disaster Response
• PSY 538 - Advanced Addiction and Dependence Interventions in Counseling
• PSY 539 - Technology and Counseling
• PSY 544 - Advanced Tests and Measurements
• PSY 547 - Research and Program Evaluation
• PSY 552 - Advanced Human Growth and Development
• PSY 560 - Theories and Practice of Counseling
• PSY 561 - Group Counseling
• PSY 571 - Counseling for Relationships and Families
• PSY 573 - Career Development and Counseling
• PSY 574 - Multicultural Counseling and Assessment
• PSY 576 - Initiating Change: Prevention, Consultation, and Advocacy
• PSY 584 - Behavior Disorders and Psychopathology
• PSY 589 - Professional and Ethical Issues
• PSY 593A - Counseling Practicum I
• PSY 593B - Counseling Practicum II
• PSY 681A - Mental Health Internship I
• PSY 681B - Mental Health Internship II
• PSY 689 - Capstone in Mental Health Counseling
Total Credits: 90
Behavioral Health
Explore mental health through courses that cover counseling techniques, crisis intervention, and case management to prepare you for hands-on work in the field.
Train in the Community
Gain real experience by working with licensed professionals during your practicum, serving real clients and developing skills in behavioral health support.
Serve Diverse Populations
Prepare to support underserved and culturally diverse communities by learning how to provide inclusive, responsive care that respects everyone's lived experiences.
Career Ready
Complete the degree with the qualifications to apply for state certification as a behavioral health support specialist and begin working right away.
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Financial Aid
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Student Life
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Competency
Build the skills to support people from all walks of life.
Impact Experiences
Engage in service learning and supervised fieldwork that helps you connect what you learn in class with the real needs of your community.
Across Disciplines
Study behavioral health from multiple perspectives—psychology, sociology, and public health—so you can understand and respond to mental health challenges in a holistic way.
Why Study Psychology at Central?
Graduates of our program leave with valuable skills in critical thinking, data analysis, research, and communication. These competencies prepare you for a variety of career paths across multiple industries.
Connect with peers, enhance your learning experience, and become more engaged in the academic community with organizations like the CWU Psychology Club and the Neuroscience Club.
Our program features a broad selection of courses such as social psychology, developmental psychology, and physiological psychology. You’ll also receive thorough training in research methods and statistics, ensuring a solid academic foundation.
Careers
Behavioral Health Support Specialist
Case Manager
Community Outreach Specialist
Mental Health Technician
Crisis Intervention Worker