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Master of Education in Counseling, Concentration in Clinical Mental Health

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Learn to provide individual, group, family, and community counseling from a multicultural and social justice perspective.

This 60-credit program prepares students for rewarding careers in community, state, federal, and private counseling agencies; employee assistance programs; higher education; or private practice. It assists graduates in meeting the course work requirement for the Virginia Licensed Professional Counselor credential.

CACREP Accredited

Where This Degree Will Take You

  • Students explore diverse practice areas, such as couple and family counseling, group counseling, trauma and crisis counseling, and substance abuse counseling.
  • Course work encourages students to incorporate multiculturalism, social justice, advocacy, leadership, and internationalism in their counseling practice.
  • Graduates are prepared for the National Clinical Mental Health Counselors Examination.
  • Students focus on areas of interest in electives, including mindfulness, eating disorders, and creative counseling practices.
  • This degree contains the required course work outlined by the Virginia Board of Counseling for Licensed Professional Counselor licensure.

Program Format

  • 60 credits, with part-time and full-time options available
  • All courses held at Mason’s Fairfax Campus
  • Includes 3 credits of practicum and 6 credits of internship (700 hours total)
  • New students begin classes in May and August

Example Practice Settings

  • Higher education: career/student services
  • Community agencies: substance abuse, eating disorders, couple and family clinics, in-patient treatment, out-patient treatment
  • Private practice

Licensure Disclosure

George Mason University will verify completion of the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) state-approved preparation program at the graduate or undergraduate level. Such verification does not guarantee the issuance of a Virginia Collegiate Professional, Postgraduate Professional, or Pupil Personnel license from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is solely the student's responsibility to comply with all requirements for licensure by the Commonwealth. Under Virginia law, a social security number is required for licensure.

This program has been identified by George Mason University as one that may lead to a career requiring professional licensure/certification. Federal regulations require George Mason to disclose information as to whether this program meets/does not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in your state, or whether such a determination has not been made. Please consult our Licensure Disclosure Tool for the disclosure statement specific to your desired state/program combination.

Accreditation Status

Information regarding the accreditation of George Mason University can be found on the Provost's webpage at https://provost.gmu.edu/administration/academic-affairs/accreditation.