Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Projected Outlook
“The agency projects that employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors will grow 23 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.” *
Visit: www.bls.gov
Program Overview
USW’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling 60 hour fully online degree program is accredited by CACREP (Council on Accreditation of Counseling Related Education Programs). Our faculty is passionate and dedicated to the training of professional, competent mental health counselors who are committed to the ideals of servant leadership, diversity, and social justice.
Candidates are prepared educationally and experientially for future work in a range of settings that include social service agencies,private practice, correctional facilities, hospitals, shelters, and wellness centers, in such roles as:
Marriage and Family Counselor
Child and Teen Counselor
Rehabilitation Counselor
Substance Abuse Counselor
Outpatient Therapist
In-home Therapist
Private Practitioner
USW’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s degree program:
- can be completed in 2 1/2 years
- online with synchronous class time at regular intervals
- emphasizes individual student support in all aspects of the program
- faculty are experienced mental health clinicians
- variety of electives includes Psychopharmacology, Play Therapy, Spirituality in Counseling
Admission Criteria
Required:
- A conferred bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university
- A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, or higher, on a four-point scale in all graduate coursework
- Official academic transcript(s)
- Program Admission Application
- Program admission essay* and resume/cv
*Program admission essay is an opportunity to demonstrate why you wish to pursue a graduate degree at the University of the Southwest. The essay should be at least 500 words explaining what you hope to achieve by pursuing the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, the personal strengths that will help you succeed in a graduate program, and describe how obtaining this degree will help prepare you for your chosen career.
Degree Plan, Graduate Student Handbook, Annual Report, and State Licensure
Annual report CAS CMHC 2021-2022 10.22
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate Handbook
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Plan (60 hours)
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Course Offerings
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Objectives
Retention, Remediation and Dismissal Policy
CMCH Vital Statistics
State Licensure Requirements

Dr. Basilio Rodriguez
CV

Dr. Taylor Feldmann
CV

Dr. Samantha Mendoza
CV
Click on the application link to apply now or if you would prefer to speak directly with an enrollment counselor, call 1-833-USW-GRAD! Students are admitted every term. Applications are taken anytime. You could be starting your program within weeks!
NBCC Scholarships Information
(Click on the logo below)

Click here for more Student Success Stories
"The University of the Southwest has provided me an opportunity I did not think was possible. I was able to continue working full-time while attending classes online without the stress of being overloaded. I was challenged at how I think of myself, and others, which has made me view the world in a different perspective so that I can go out there and do my best work to help others. The CACREP accreditation is an invaluable quality that has made my future open to endless possibilities."
K.R., Fall 2021 Program Graduate
"A a former student, I can say the professors and academic advisers are up-to-date with current events and were always a great sources of motivation."
M.K., 2016 CMHC graduate
“I wanted to do my counseling program with a smaller school. USW has fulfilled my hopes and expectations of a quality education, with a smaller, more personal school.”
J.H., 2017 CMHC graduate
For more information about mental health counseling visit The American Counseling Association
Kevin N., Fall B 2017 CMHC Graduate
Click here for more Student Success Stories