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Program Overview
Prepares those interested in providing mental health counseling to a wide range of diverse clients in settings such as mental health centers, private practices, substance abuse centers, hospitals, correctional facilities, and hospice services.
Email:
education@ucdenver.eduPhone:
303-315-6300CU Denver's M.A. in Counseling with a concentration in clinical mental health prepares you to serve clients with various backgrounds in mental health centers, private practices, substance abuse centers, hospitals, correctional facilities, and hospice services. In our CACREP-accredited preparation program, which includes a practicum in our campus-based student counseling clinic, you will learn to take a systemic approach to working with clients. Our students learn how to promote mental health through clinical work and their advocacy as Licensed Professional Counselors.
This CACREP-accredited master's concentration prepares students to:
- Practice clinical mental health in a variety of settings with culturally diverse clients
- Apply culturally responsive and systemic frameworks with the clients they serve
- Become eligible to become a Licensed Professional Counselor
- Understand state licensure acts, regulations and processes.
Honors Program
Chi Sigma Iota chapter Beta Alpha Omega is the counseling academic professional honor society. You must have completed two semesters or nine credit hours with a 3.5 GPA to qualify. The purpose of this group is to promote scholarship, leadership, professionalism, and excellence in counseling in the mental health field. The group provides a forum for students in the CU Denver Counseling program to network, share common concerns, and recognize outstanding academic performance. We encourage you to get involved! Become a member by going to www.csi-net.org and clicking on membership.
Program Description
CU Denver's M.A. in Counseling with a concentration in clinical mental health prepares you to serve clients with various backgrounds in mental health centers, private practices, substance abuse centers, hospitals, correctional facilities, and hospice services. In our CACREP-accredited preparation program, which includes a practicum in our campus-based student counseling clinic, you will learn to take a systemic approach to working with clients. Our students learn how to promote mental health through clinical work and their advocacy as Licensed Professional Counselors.
This CACREP-accredited master's concentration prepares students to:
- Practice clinical mental health in a variety of settings with culturally diverse clients
- Apply culturally responsive and systemic frameworks with the clients they serve
- Become eligible to become a Licensed Professional Counselor
- Understand state licensure acts, regulations and processes.
Honors Program
Chi Sigma Iota chapter Beta Alpha Omega is the counseling academic professional honor society. You must have completed two semesters or nine credit hours with a 3.5 GPA to qualify. The purpose of this group is to promote scholarship, leadership, professionalism, and excellence in counseling in the mental health field. The group provides a forum for students in the CU Denver Counseling program to network, share common concerns, and recognize outstanding academic performance. We encourage you to get involved! Become a member by going to www.csi-net.org and clicking on membership.
Program Features
63
required credits for completion
3 to 4 Years
recommended completion time
Online and On Campus Classes
available
CACREP
accreditation
Education & Counseling Social & Behavioral Sciences
interest categories
Useful Links
Admissions Requirements
Learn about the application deadlines and requirements.
Course Catalog
The clinical mental health counseling track follows state licensure requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Student Testimonials
Looking back and reflecting on the time I have spent with the program, it cannot be emphasized enough the amount of personal growth I have experienced. Beyond the improvements that the courses, professors, and content have provided to enhance my counseling knowledge and skills, I have also grown tremendously in my understanding of who I am as a person and the way I operate in my personal relationships. From the start, this program encourages students to dissect aspects of culture, development, our environment, and how these factors will impact our work as future counselors. The professors do an excellent job of maintaining a student mentality, promoting the idea of students giving open, honest feedback. One of the unique upsides of this program is the model of going at our own pace. If a student has a big personal event, is experiencing a personal emergency, or simply needs to take a break, the program provides the opportunity to alter our pace to accommodate. I would highly recommend this program for any student looking for a program with flexibility, multiple layers of support, and for those who are not afraid to challenge themselves daily while experiencing immense growth.
Luke Freccero
Master of Arts in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health (May 2025)Alumni Success Stories
The counseling program (CMH track) at CU Denver was the best springboard to get me set up as a therapist. This is a second career for me and I went from little clinical knowledge or experience to having the adequate training to be an effective therapist. I did the program in 3 years, graduated in December 2022 and just launched my private practice. I feel comfortable working with a diverse population of clients, from evidence based modalities, and so far my practice is going well! I think this program trained me well in multiculturalism and social justice work, case conceptualization and techniques. I am so grateful to the faculty who welcomed me and supported me on this journey.
Annabelle Denmark, MA, LPCC
MA in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health
(December 2022)
Renegade Counseling
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