Master of Science in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Concentration

On this page:

• Why Choose Clinical Mental Health Counseling?
• Careers
• Real-World Experience
• Success Stories
• Academics and Curriculum
• Admission
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Program Outcomes

Why Choose Clinical Mental Health Counseling?

You will learn theories and techniques for counseling individuals, families and groups, and administration and interpretation of psychometric assessment. The College of Health, Education, and Human Services Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through October 31, 2027. Learn more about CACREP Accreditation. Note: You will be evaluated for endorsement by department faculty for demonstrating, ethical, academic, and clinical competence in the professional orientation. 

This degree qualifies you to earn professional counseling licensure (LPC) in Ohio (https://cswmft.ohio.gov/) by taking the National Counseling Exam (NCE). Licensure and certification requirements vary from state to state, and we have not determined if this program meets educational requirements outside of Ohio.  If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding that state’s licensure or certification requirements.

CMHC Narrative Report

In 2022-23, there were 30 graduates of Wright State University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Our graduates consistently achieve high pass rates on licensing examinations. The pass rate for graduates taking the NCE examination in the 2022-23 school year was 86 percent on their first attempt and 100 percent for those who took the test a second time. Of the 30 students who graduated, 72 percent graduated from the program in the expected time period (within 3 years), and 100 percent of those program graduates responding to surveys were employed in the field within six months of graduation. 

• Year: 2022-23
• Current Students: 191
• Number of Graduates: 30
• Completion Rate: 72 percent*
• NCE Exam Pass Rate: 93 percent
• Placement: 100 percent**

*Represents the percentage of students that graduated within the 3-year expected time frame. Many students who exceed this time frame did so due to the pandemic and/or balancing full-time jobs, family responsibilities. Our program does not require students to attend full-time and many elect to be enrolled part time which will require more semesters to graduate.
**Represents the percentage of students who were employed in the field within 6 months of their graduation.

Contact Information

Josh Francis, Ph.D., LPCC-S, LICDC-CS
Associate Professor
Director, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
College of Health, Education, and Human Services
387 Millett Hall
937-775-2150
josh.francis@wright.edu

Related Links

• Graduate Student Handbook (PDF)

Careers

Mental health counselors work in a variety of settings including hospitals, prisons, private practices, mental health centers, and community health centers.  Employment opportunities for mental health counselors are projected to grow 22 percent from 2021 to 2031 (bls), much faster than average. 

Almost 83 percent of our 2019-20 graduates were employed in Ohio within a year of graduation (ODJFS Data Match, 2020). 

The College of Health, Education, and Human Services has provided a dedicated career consultant to assist you in connecting your major to a career. The career consultant focuses on staying up to date on career trends in education, kinesiology and health, leadership, and human services. Our assigned career consultant is an extension of services offered through Wright State’s Career Services.  

Real-World Experience

You will practice and build skills in both a required practicum and an internship.

Success Stories

Academics and Curriculum

View the Master of Science in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Concentration program information and degree requirements in the Academic Catalog.

Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Concentration Program of Study (PDF)

Admission

Admission Deadlines

The graduate counseling programs review and admit new students twice a year. You are eligible to begin your program the following semester after you are admitted (i.e., if you are admitted in the fall, you are eligible to begin taking classes during the spring semester, and so on.) The deadline to have all required application materials submitted to The Graduate School is as follows: 

• Spring admission (January start date) application is due August 1.
• Fall admission (August start date) application is due December 1.
• Only complete applications will be forward to the Department of Human Services office for review. Please check with the Graduate School at 937-775-2976 to determine if your application is complete. After department review, successful candidates will be invited to a required group interview (successful candidates will receive an invitation via mail). Group interview details are provided in the invitation letter. 

Admission Procedures

In addition to the University and College of Graduate Programs requirements, the Department entrance eligibility requirements include the following:

1. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required to enter the program. Applicants can be admitted conditionally if cumulative GPA is below 3.0 with department approval.
2. A minimum of three letters of recommendation.
3. A statement of educational and professional goals.
4. Candidates are invited to a group interview only after applications are completed by the deadline date (required GPA, 3 letters) and their application is reviewed and approved by the Department.
5. The group interview is 3 hours in length and an evaluation of candidate readiness. Applicants are assessed on the following criteria:
   1. Poise and affect in the interview situation
   2. Apparent commitment to field
   3. Knowledge of professional role
   4. Appropriate motivation towards role
   5. A realistic personal appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses the candidate would bring to the field
   6. Group participation and interaction
   7. Interpersonal skills
   8. Knowledge of technological competence and computer literacy
   9. Cultural sensitivity and understanding of diversity
6. Candidates accepted into the program will be notified by the College of Graduate Programs approximately two weeks after the group interview. The accepted candidates will be invited to an orientation session that will occur approximately two-three weeks after the notification of acceptance. The orientation is an opportunity to get answers to questions candidates have about their future education in HS. Note: Individuals with special needs should notify the department in advance to arrange for assistance.

Apply to Graduate School.

Frequently Asked Questions

View the content we recently presented at our Graduate Counseling Program Virtual Open House (PDF).

Program Outcomes

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

You will learn theories and techniques for counseling individuals, families and groups, and administration and interpretation of psychometric assessment. This major has all the courses required to qualify for admission to the Ohio Professional Counselor licensure exam (NCE).  

Last year, there were 33 graduates of Wright State’s clinical mental health counseling program. Our graduates consistently achieve high pass rates on licensing examinations. The pass rate for graduates taking the NCE examination in 2018-2019 was 80 percent. Of the admitted students, 80 percent graduate from the program during the expected time period.