Department of Counseling
491B Pawley Hall (map)
(248) 370-4179 • Fax (248) 370-4141
http://www.oakland.edu/counseling/

Coordinator:
James T. Hansen
450E Pawley Hall
(248) 370-3071
jthansen@oakland.edu

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program is for individuals who wish to work in professional counseling roles with children, youth, adults, and families in community settings. The program can accommodate both full-time and part-time students.

Accreditation

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is an accredited program determined by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and prepares students for Michigan counseling licensure.

Admission Terms and Application Deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received by Oakland University Graduate School by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

April 1 for fall semester
October 1 for winter semester
International applicants

Application Requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines:

Graduate application requirements
Additional department application requirements
- Supplemental application form
- Recommendation for Graduate Admission form
  Two recommendation forms must be from faculty members of the undergraduate major department or professionals in the field who can evaluate the scholarly achievement and potential of the applicant. These recommendations form an important part of the admission credentials.
- Grade-point average of 3.0 in all undergraduate coursework is ordinarily considered the minimum standard for admission.
- All applicants must submit two essays as part of the application requirements:
Essay one: Applicants explain reasons for entering the counseling program and employment goals. Applicants should describe experiences and accomplishments in working with children, youth and/or adults. Additionally, applicants must describe their strengths and areas for growth from their perspective as well as the perspective of others.
Essay two: Applicants are asked to recall constructive feedback from past instructors and supervisors and describe a time when they were given constructive feedback and how they responded to it. The Counselor Competency Statement must be used as a guide and is available on the link (https://www.oakland.edu/counseling/).
The essay’s will be evaluated based on a) clarity of goals, b) whether or not the applicant’s goals are congruent with our program, c) experience and accomplishments, d) awareness of strengths and areas for growth, e) ability to receive and accept feedback, and f) writing skills.
- Requirements for recommendations
  Recommendations are important to the application procedure. The two required references must be from professionals, professors, or employers who can attest to the applicant’s academic potential, readiness for graduate study, and interpersonal skills. All letters of recommendation will be rated on a case-by-case basis.
- Following a review of the above requirements, select students will be invited to an interview.
Admission Review and Assessment
Admission to graduate school at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Oakland University Graduate School, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.
Admission to the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program is selective; meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the program. In addition to graduate admission general requirements, applicants must also satisfy the admission requirements established by the academic program.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 60 graduate-level credits in an approved program of study.
Course Requirements (60 credits)
a. Core Requirements (24 credits)
Required Courses:
b. Research and Clinical Requirements (20 credits)
Required courses:
- course Career Development Theory and Practice (4 credits)
- course Research in Counseling (4 credits)
- course Group Counseling (4 credits)
- course Diagnosis and Case Conceptualization (4 credits)
- course Addictions in Counseling (4 credits)
c. Electives (4 credits)
Elective course offerings change each semester. Students must review the department web site for elective offerings for the current semester (http://www.oakland.edu/counseling).
Note: A proposal for independent research in an area of special interest may be submitted for approval as an elective using course. The student must first obtain a written commitment from an interested faculty member to sponsor this work.
d. Capstone Courses (12 credits)
- course Mental Health Counseling (4 credits)
- course Internship in Counseling (4 credits) *
- course Counseling Practicum (4 credits)
  * Internship is done at an approved mental health site.
Satisfactory academic progress
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.
Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details.
Good Academic Standing
All graduate students are expected to remain in good Academic Standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. In order to remain in good standing, a student must achieve a minimum GPA of at least B in every class and make satisfactory progress toward the degree.
Good academic standing is a requirement for:
- Holding a Graduate Assistantship
- Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
- Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
- Going on a leave of absence
- Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.
Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.

Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.
Department requirements: In order to remain in good standing a student must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and make satisfactory progress toward the degree. With one grade under B, a student is on academic probation, and their status will be reviewed by the faculty. No grade below C can be applied toward a degree and two grades below B or one below C will automatically lead to an evaluation of progress and possible dismissal.
Related Program Information
Plan of Study
Upon admission to the counseling program, students are assigned faculty advisers. All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser before the completion of course and submitted by the student to Oakland University Graduate School. (See the Graduate Student Responsibility section of this catalog.)
Note: Credit granted for successful completion of a course toward an undergraduate degree program may not be repeated for a graduate degree. If a substitution is approved, the minimum number of program-approved graduate credits will be required. A Petition of Exception - OU Course Waiver/ Substitution requesting the substitution must be approved.
Student Advising
A sample program plan for the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program is available on the department website (http://www.oakland.edu/counseling). It is expected that students will maintain contact with their adviser throughout their program. Open advising is also available. Students should contact the Department of Counseling for open advising hours.
Code of Ethics
Along with scholarship preparation, high levels of ethical conduct are considered essential for those who are involved in counseling adults and children. Students are expected to comply with the current Code of Ethics of the American Counseling Association. Violations will be brought before the faculty and could result in dismissal from the program.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

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