Professional Counseling
Specialize in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Comprehensive program for aspiring counselors. Accredited by CACREP.
Professional Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration, Ed.S.
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration in the Specialist in Education in Professional Counseling degree program is offered through the College of Education at MTSU. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration is a 61-hour degree program designed to train students to work with children, adolescents, and/or adults in mental health settings. Students who complete the concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling will have met the educational requirements for licensure as professional counselors with mental health service provider (MHSP) designation.
The mission of the Professional Counseling program is to help students develop essential knowledge, skills, and dispositions to function successfully as professional counselors working in mental health agencies, private practice, or elementary, middle, and high schools. Professional Counseling Faculty strive to attract a diverse group of students who have an allegiance to social justice and to advocacy for equal opportunity for all members of society, and who will make a strong commitment to their own academic achievement, professional development, and personal self-awareness and growth across the lifespan. Professional Counseling faculty train highly skilled counselors to assist individuals with social, emotional and/or academic challenges. Information pertaining to diversity and trauma is emphasized and infused throughout the curriculum. Learning by doing provides students with valuable experience and that builds their confidence as aspiring counselors. Students majoring in Professional Counseling are provided with this opportunity at the MTSU Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CCPS) and through internship experiences at mental health agencies and schools. CCPS is a high-tech training facility where students provide counseling services to MTSU students, faculty, and staff as well as residents of the Murfreesboro community under the supervision of faculty during their practicum experience. Included in the off-campus facility are three individual/family counseling rooms, a child therapy room, and two classrooms. The counseling offices and child therapy room are equipped with a state-of-the-art audio/video recording system. All sessions are recorded for supervision purposes. Following the practicum experience, students complete in-depth internship training in agencies and schools in preparation for their roles as professional counselors. Most graduates of the Professional Counseling program obtain jobs in Murfreesboro and the middle Tennessee area. Clinical mental health counseling graduates are employed by mental health agencies as counselors and eventually complete the requirements for licensure as professional counselors (LPCs). Employment prospects are very good given the strong reputation of the program. MTSU's Professional Counseling program offers two concentrations — Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. Both concentrations are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
News Briefs
Program makes possible pursuit of life work
"I believe my purpose in life is to help others heal, which I am able to do on a daily basis with the women I serve at The Next Door, an addiction treatment center," says LanJericha Finch, an outpatient therapist and 2012 Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate. Finch says she not only learned a great deal of information but was shaped by pivotal experiences. For example, her Multicultural Counseling class helped her understand people as diverse, multifaceted beings who need individualized care. Her Group Counseling class gave her he opportunity to connect and be vulnerable with my peers in an authentic way, allowing me to see the true power of group counseling." Finally, hands-on experiences "afforded me the opportunity to grow as a clinician." She is honored that clients trust her and allow her to guide them o a life of purpose and fulfillment. My degree from the MTSU Professional Counseling program has allowed me to do my life's work, and for that I will always be grateful."
Grad attributes success as a school counselor to MTSU
I am currently a professional school counselor for a Middle School in Rutherford County. My population is 8th grade specific, but I service all students in 6th-8th grade. Being a 2023 graduate, I am very thankful for my experience in the Professional Counseling Program at MTSU. Aside from the high-quality education I received I was also able to grow a strong network with my classmates who now I use as referrals within the community! MTSU’s program was more than school for me, it helped me rediscover who I am at my core and strengthen my compassion, empathy, and understanding. Each class in the program essentially builds off another one which in my opinion helps connect the intricate pieces of counseling while offering hands on experiences and real-world opportunities. MTSU’s program has great professors who are in the field themselves. This attribute alone speaks volumes regarding counseling, a profession that requires you to be a life-long learner. The professional I am today can be directly credited to this phenomenal program that pushes students to do the internal work, strive for academic excellence, personal growth, and be change agents to their working population whether it is school counseling or clinical mental health counseling.
Shauntia Cook
02/02/2024
News Briefs
Program makes possible pursuit of life work
"I believe my purpose in life is to help others heal, which I am able to do on a daily basis with the women I serve at The Next Door, an addiction treatment center," says LanJericha Finch, an outpatient therapist and 2012 Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate. Finch says she not only learned a great deal of information but was shaped by pivotal experiences. For example, her Multicultural Counseling class helped her understand people as diverse, multifaceted beings who need individualized care. Her Group Counseling class gave her he opportunity to connect and be vulnerable with my peers in an authentic way, allowing me to see the true power of group counseling." Finally, hands-on experiences "afforded me the opportunity to grow as a clinician." She is honored that clients trust her and allow her to guide them o a life of purpose and fulfillment. My degree from the MTSU Professional Counseling program has allowed me to do my life's work, and for that I will always be grateful."
Grad attributes success as a school counselor to MTSU
I am currently a professional school counselor for a Middle School in Rutherford County. My population is 8th grade specific, but I service all students in 6th-8th grade. Being a 2023 graduate, I am very thankful for my experience in the Professional Counseling Program at MTSU. Aside from the high-quality education I received I was also able to grow a strong network with my classmates who now I use as referrals within the community! MTSU’s program was more than school for me, it helped me rediscover who I am at my core and strengthen my compassion, empathy, and understanding. Each class in the program essentially builds off another one which in my opinion helps connect the intricate pieces of counseling while offering hands on experiences and real-world opportunities. MTSU’s program has great professors who are in the field themselves. This attribute alone speaks volumes regarding counseling, a profession that requires you to be a life-long learner. The professional I am today can be directly credited to this phenomenal program that pushes students to do the internal work, strive for academic excellence, personal growth, and be change agents to their working population whether it is school counseling or clinical mental health counseling.
Shauntia Cook
02/02/2024
Professional Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration, Ed.S.
Most graduates of the Professional Counseling program obtain jobs in Murfreesboro and the middle Tennessee area. Clinical mental health counseling graduates are employed by mental health agencies as counselors and eventually complete the requirements for licensure as professional counselors (LPCs). School counseling graduates are employed by school districts in which they provide services to students, school personnel, and parents in elementary, middle, and high school settings. Employment prospects are very good given the strong reputation of the program.
The following is a partial list of entities where MTSU Professional Counseling graduates have found employment:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Employers
- Branches Counseling Center
- Cedar Grove Residential Treatment Center
- Centerstone
- Cumberland Heights
- JourneyPure
- Integrative Life Center
- Mental Health Cooperative
- MTSU Counseling Services
- Murfreesboro Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center
- Nashville Center for Trauma and Psychotherapy
- Rutherford County Recovery Court
- The Next Door
- Volunteer Behavioral Health Care System
- Youth Villages
School Counseling Employers
- Bedford County Schools
- Cannon County Schools
- Coffee County Schools
- Franklin County Schools
- Franklin Special School District
- Knox County Schools
- Maury County Schools
- Metro Nashville Public Schools
- Murfreesboro City Schools
- Rutherford County Schools
- Sumner County Schools
- Warren County Schools
- Williamson County Schools
- Wilson County Schools
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake .
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
MTSU Center for Counseling and Psychological Services
Learning by doing gives participants valuable experience and confidence. Students majoring in Professional Counseling are provided with this opportunity at the MTSU Center for Counseling and Psychological Services. This is a high-tech training facility where students provide counseling services to MTSU students, faculty, and staff as well as residents of the Murfreesboro community under the supervision of faculty. Included in the off-campus facility are three individual/family counseling rooms, a child therapy room, and two classrooms. The counseling offices and child therapy room are equipped with a state-of-the-art audio/video recording system. All sessions are recorded for supervision purposes.
Application and Admission Information
- Supplemental Application (Dynamic Form)
- Vita/Resume (PDF)
- Application Process for Graduate Assistantships
- Online Application
- Online Application (International Students)
Professional Licensure Disclosure
MTSU discloses that the Education Specialist (EDS) in Professional Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Admission to the program does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certification. Successful program completion meets the educational requirements for licensure as a professional counselor with mental health service provider (LPC-MHSP) designation in Tennessee.
The EDS Professional Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling disclosure provided on MTSU’s professional licensure disclosure website indicates the states and territories where MTSU has determined, through reasonable and good faith effort, that the program does or does not meet the educational requirements for other US states and territories. Licensing authorities for each state set and enforce their own requirements and standards, which are subject to change. Current and prospective students not located in Tennessee or who plan to seek licensure or certification outside the state of Tennessee should contact the appropriate state licensing agency or board and discuss their plans with an advisor and the MTSU Office of Teacher Licensure before enrolling in the program to ensure they have the most up-to-date information and guidance regarding licensure requirements.
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