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Degree Overview

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

South University Savannah’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed for those interested in helping people in need. Our coursework is focused on experiential learning designed to help you become a compassionate professional counselor. Our program offers: comprehensive studies of theories and principles, dynamic applications in the field, training in effective assessment and treatment practices, a thorough understanding of the significance of research in the field and competence in ethical, legal, and professional standards

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed to prepare graduates to sit for licensure in their state and the opportunity to become certified as a National Certified Counselor by the National Board for Certified Counselors.

South University does not guarantee third-party certification/licensure. Outside agencies control the requirements for taking and passing certification/licensing exams and are subject to change without notice to South University.

Admission Requirements

Procedure for Admission to the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

Admissions criteria for the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are consistent with those required in other master's degree level programs at South University. As the admissions process also takes into consideration the characteristics deemed essential to becoming a clinical mental health counselor, material is also required which will enable a determination to be made of the applicant's personal integrity, maturity, interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate effectively. The criteria used in determining admission to the graduate program include:

1. Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
2. A grade point average of at least 2.7 (on an Admissions scale of 4.0) for the last 60 semester hours/90 quarter hours of coursework (including relevant graduate work), or, a bachelor's degree with an overall CGPA of 2.7, or, an earned graduate degree from an accredited institution with a CGPA of 3.0 or higher.
3. A minimum score on a South University preapproved English language proficiency test is required for all applicants whose "first" language is not English as specified in the English Language Proficiency Policy.
4. Interview with the Clinical Mental Health Counseling department chair/program director or designated faculty member.
5. Approval of the campus program admissions committee.
6. Completion of an application for admission.
7. Submission of a personal/professional statement addressing the applicant's interest in counseling, professional goals, along with a self-appraisal of academic and professional qualifications.
8. Submission (within 5*/10 weeks of class start dates) of official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended. *Effective March 22, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Montgomery campus or High Point Off Campus Instructional Site will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation. ​*Effective April 1, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Richmond and West Palm Beach campuses will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation.  *Effective May 31, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Tampa and Orlando campuses will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation. *Effective July 12, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Austin and Columbia campuses will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation. *Effective August 16, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Savannah and Virginia Beach campuses will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation.
9. Current résumé (or career summary).
10. Background Check

All required admissions documentation and criteria will be reviewed and evaluated. Applicants will be notified regarding acceptance. Applicants should review the published general graduate requirements listed in the South University catalog. Students who are citizens of countries other than the United States should also refer to the section in the South University catalog entitled International Student Admissions Policy.

Provisional Admission

Applicants with an undergraduate degree CGPA of less than a 2.70, but not lower than 2.30, for the last 60 semester hours/90 quarter hours of coursework (including relevant graduate work), or, a bachelor's degree with an overall CGPA of 2.70, but not lower than 2.3, or, an earned graduate degree from an accredited institution with a CGPA of less than 3.00, but not lower than a 2.70, will be considered for provisional admission.  Students who do not attain a 3.00 GPA in the first quarter will be dismissed. Students cannot appeal the dismissal from the university as a result of failure to meet the conditions of provisional admission.

The applicant will need to provide evidence of academic and professional potential demonstrated by career and/or personal accomplishments indicated in a personal statement of academic and professional goals, a career resume or curriculum vita, and two letters of academic and/or professional recommendations.  The Program Chair in consultation with the Campus Dean of Academic Affairs and Operations and College Dean or designee must approve exceptions. The College Dean serves as the final decision maker. Students are required to complete the provisional admissions form for entry as a provisional admission student.

Program Course Requirements

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program: 91 Credits, 10 quarter program

Curriculum for South University, Atlanta Off-Campus Instructional Site; South University, Columbia; South University, Richmond; South University, Savannah and South University, Virginia Beach campuses only

Quarter 1: 9 Credits

• CNS6002 Counseling Theory 4.5 credit hours
• CNS6313 Professional Orientation and Ethics 4.5 credit hours
• CNS7900 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours

Quarter 2: 8.5 Credits

• CNS6018 Psychopathology 4.5 credit hours
• CNS6161 Counseling Techniques 4 credit hours
• CNS7901 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours

Quarter 3: 9 Credits

• CNS6050 Lifespan Development 4.5 credit hours
• CNS6051 Diagnostics of Psychopathology and Treatment 4.5 credit hours
• CNS7902 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours
• CNS8100 Preliminary Clinical Evaluation 0 credit hours

Quarter 4: 9 Credits

• CNS6509 Group Dynamics 4.5 credit hours
• CNS6565 Multicultural Foundations 4.5 credit hours
• CNS7903 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours

Quarter 5: 8.5 Credits

• CNS6425 Clinical Mental Health Counseling 4 credit hours
• CNS6535 Clinical Mental Health Appraisal I 4.5 credit hours
• CNS7904 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours

Quarter 6: 5.5 Credits

• CNS6529 Research and Statistical Evaluation 4.5 credit hours
• CNS7010 Practicum IA (100 clinical hours) 1 credit hour
• CNS7905 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours
• CNS8101 Preliminary Didactic Evaluation 0 credit hours

Quarter 7: 9.5 Credits

• CNS6602 Lifestyle and Career Development 4.5 credit hours
• CNS6850 Psychopharmacology 4 credit hours
• CNS7011 Practicum IB (100 clinical hours) 1 credit hour
• CNS7906 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours
• CNS8201 Clinical Evaluation 0 credit hours

Quarter 8: 8 Credits

• CNS7510 Internship IA (200 clinical hours) 4 credit hours
• CNS7907 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours
• CNS7950 Child/Adolescent Psychopathology and Treatment 4 credit hours
• CNS8202 Didactic Evaluation 0 credit hours

Quarter 9: 12 Credits

• CNS6901 Diagnosis and Treatment of Addictive Disorders 4 credit hours
• CNS7610 Internship IIA (200 clinical hours) 4 credit hours
• CNS7908 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours
• CNS7970 Clinical Mental Health Appraisal and Treatment II 4 credit hours

Quarter 10: 12 Credits

• CNS6709 Couples, Marital, and Family Dynamics 4 credit hours
• CNS6775 Counseling Administration, Advocacy, and Policy 4 credit hours
• CNS7611 Internship IIB (200 clinical hours) 4 credit hours
• CNS7909 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours

Notes:

*Students wishing to move to North Carolina will be able take additional .5 seminar courses to fulfill the State of North Carolina requirements. Students taking these additional courses must following the Coursework Taken Outside a Student's Degree Program policy found in the Academic Affairs Section of the Academic Catalog.

• CNS6006 Counseling Theory Seminar 0.5 credit hour
• CNS6056 Lifespan Development Seminar 0.5 credit hour
• CNS6317 Professional and Ethical Issues Seminar 0.5 credit hour
• CNS6504 Group Dynamics Seminar 0.5 credit hour
• CNS6532 Research and Evaluation Seminar 0.5 credit hour
• CNS6538 Clinical Mental Health Appraisal Seminar 0.5 credit hour
• CNS6568 Multicultural Foundations Seminar 0.5 credit hour
• CNS6605 Lifestyle and Career Development Seminar 0.5 credit hour

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program: 91 Credits, 8 quarter program

Curriculum for South University, Columbia; South University, Richmond; South University, Savannah and South University, Virginia Beach campuses only

Quarter 1: 13.5 Credits

• CNS6002 Counseling Theory 4.5 credit hours
• CNS6050 Lifespan Development 4.5 credit hours
• CNS6313 Professional Orientation and Ethics 4.5 credit hours
• CNS7900 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours

Quarter 2: 13 Credits

• CNS6018 Psychopathology 4.5 credit hours
• CNS6161 Counseling Techniques 4 credit hours
• CNS6565 Multicultural Foundations 4.5 credit hours
• CNS7901 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours

Quarter 3: 13 Credits

• CNS6051 Diagnostics of Psychopathology and Treatment 4.5 credit hours
• CNS6425 Clinical Mental Health Counseling 4 credit hours
• CNS6535 Clinical Mental Health Appraisal I 4.5 credit hours
• CNS7902 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours
• CNS8100 Preliminary Clinical Evaluation 0 credit hours

Quarter 4: 10 Credits

• CNS6509 Group Dynamics 4.5 credit hours
• CNS6529 Research and Statistical Evaluation 4.5 credit hours
• CNS7010 Practicum IA (100 clinical hours) 1 credit hour
• CNS7903 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours
• CNS8101 Preliminary Didactic Evaluation 0 credit hours

Quarter 5: 9.5 Credits

• CNS6602 Lifestyle and Career Development 4.5 credit hours
• CNS6901 Diagnosis and Treatment of Addictive Disorders 4 credit hours
• CNS7011 Practicum IB (100 clinical hours) 1 credit hour
• CNS7904 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours
• CNS8201 Clinical Evaluation 0 credit hours

Quarter 6: 8 Credits

• CNS7510 Internship IA (200 clinical hours) 4 credit hours
• CNS7905 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours
• CNS7950 Child/Adolescent Psychopathology and Treatment 4 credit hours
• CNS8202 Didactic Evaluation 0 credit hours

Quarter 7: 12 Credits

• CNS6850 Psychopharmacology 4 credit hours
• CNS7610 Internship IIA (200 clinical hours) 4 credit hours
• CNS7906 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours
• CNS7970 Clinical Mental Health Appraisal and Treatment II 4 credit hours

Quarter 8: 12 Credits

• CNS6709 Couples, Marital, and Family Dynamics 4 credit hours
• CNS6775 Counseling Administration, Advocacy, and Policy 4 credit hours
• CNS7611 Internship IIB (200 clinical hours) 4 credit hours
• CNS7907 Clinical and Professional Development Seminar 0 credit hours

Note(s):

*Students wishing to move to North Carolina will be able take additional .5 seminar courses to fulfill the State of North Carolina requirements. Students taking these additional courses must following the Coursework Taken Outside a Student's Degree Program policy found in the Academic Affairs Section of the Academic Catalog.

• CNS6006 Counseling Theory Seminar 0.5 credit hour
• CNS6056 Lifespan Development Seminar 0.5 credit hour
• CNS6317 Professional and Ethical Issues Seminar 0.5 credit hour
• CNS6504 Group Dynamics Seminar 0.5 credit hour
• CNS6532 Research and Evaluation Seminar 0.5 credit hour
• CNS6538 Clinical Mental Health Appraisal Seminar 0.5 credit hour
• CNS6568 Multicultural Foundations Seminar 0.5 credit hour
• CNS6605 Lifestyle and Career Development Seminar 0.5 credit hour

Mission, Goals & Outcomes

Mission & Goals

The mission of the South University Master of Arts degree program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is to prepare students to meet the local and regional need for qualified counselors. The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counselling is designed to provide advanced and broad training for South University graduate students regarding theories, principles, and dynamic applications in the field. Students develop the skills necessary to engage in effective assessment and treatment practices, achieve competence for ethical, legal, and professional issues, and understand the significance and utility of research to the field. Faculty members are dedicated to maintaining high teaching standards, developing intellectual curiosity, advancing critical thinking, and engaging in service to the University, community, and profession.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to -

1. Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice:  Demonstrate knowledge and application of all aspects of professional functioning, to include ethical standards, legal implications, advocacy and social justice, counselor roles, and professional credentialing.

2. Social and Cultural Diversity: Demonstrate the ability to apply multicultural research and core theory to issues and relationships in the context of culturally competent counseling.

3. Human Growth and Development Through the Lifespan: Apply research and core theory to the needs of diverse individuals across the lifespan, to include atypical personality and neurological development, addictive disorders, family and social relationships, and crisis response.

4. Lifestyle and Career Development: Demonstrate implementation of research and  core theory related to the processes of decision-making in career development and planning in the context of the psychology of work.

5. Counseling and the Helping Relationship: Demonstrate knowledge and skill application of the major theories of change, consultation practices, diagnostic impressions, and evidence-based interventions to a diverse clientele for the delivery of effective and ethical treatment.

6. Group Dynamics and Group Work: Apply culturally appropriate group skills, techniques, and theory-based interventions in the context of group counseling dynamics while exploring effective facilitation styles.

7. Assessment and Appraisal: Analyze historical and current testing and assessment methods for implementing ethical and accurate appraisal of diverse clients by individual or group methods.

8. Research and Program Evaluation: Apply needs assessment, program evaluation, and research methods to ethical and effective practice and to add to the body of literature in the counseling profession.

Courses are taught according to the matriculation sequences provided by each campus and at the discretion of the school. Courses must be attempted in the curriculum sequence as defined by each campus. Curriculum content and sequence are subject to change with notification.

Core Faculty

Savannah Campus Core Faculty

Clayton Martin, PHD, NCC, LPC, CPCS
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Clinical Coordinator/ Assistant Professor

Dr. Martin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia and a National Certified Counselor. Dr. Martin came to South University after working for two years at Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania, as both Assistant Professor of Counseling and Program Coordinator for Alvernia's Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. Dr. Martin earned a PhD in Counselor and Education from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, a Masters in Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Counseling from Barry University in Miami Shores, FL, and a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Dr. Martin has published articles in numerous refereed counseling and psychotherapy journals, including the Journal of Systemic Therapies, the Journal of Humanistic Counseling, VISTAS, and Counseling & Values. Dr. Martin has also co-authored chapters for counseling textbooks produced by the American Psychological Association and the National Career Development Association. Dr. Martin is also a frequent presenter at the ACA Annual Conferences and conducted a Pre-Conference Learning for ACA Honolulu in 2014. Dr. Martin's research interests include Ethical Issues in Counseling, postmodern approaches to psychotherapy and career counseling, and alternative conceptualizations of psychopathology for the counseling profession. Prior to becoming a counselor, Dr. Martin enjoyed a ten-year career as an actor and playwright in the city of Atlanta.

Felicia Moutry, PhD, LPC
Clinical Mental Health Counseling / Assistant Professor

Dr. Felicia Moutry is an Assistant Professor within the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at South University. Dr. Moutry is a Licensed Professional Counselor for the State of GA. She has experience working as a counselor educator, mental health therapist, and school counselor. Aside from her extensive teaching experience, she has participated in various national and local counseling associations. Her specialty areas include working with adults, adolescents, and the LGBTQIA+ population. She is passionate about helping students achieve their academic goals and gain the knowledge and skills for long term success in the field of clinical mental health counseling.

ADJUNCT INSTRUCTION

Dana Taylor, EdD, LPC, NCC, CPCS, BC-TMH

Dr. Dana L. Taylor is a practicing psychotherapist, licensed professional counselor, national certified counselor, certified professional counselor supervisor, board certified telemental health counselor, mediator, and member of the National Center for Crisis Management in collaboration with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Elijah Agency, LLC, developed in 1993. The agency provides a variety of professional services: mental health counseling; corporate training, professional development, executive consulting, mediation, educational workshops, and interpreting for the deaf. Dr. Taylor has worked extensively in higher education for over 35 years holding positions as a tenured faculty member, university administrator, Assistant Athletic Director of Academic Affairs, and Chief Academic Officer. In addition, she has been an American Sign Language interpreter for the deaf for 40 years and has interpreted in all sectors, including government, educational, corporate, medical, legal, and the entertainment industry. She has interpreted for notable individuals such as President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Ted Turner, Ellen DeGeneres, Pastor Cleflo Dollar, Whoopi Goldberg, Executive Producer and Director, Lee Daniels, actor, Samuel L. Jackson, Governor Rockefeller, and many others. Dr. Taylor earned a Doctor of Education in Pastoral Community Counseling and has completed post graduate courses in Behavior Analysis. She holds a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology and a Master of Science in Education, specializing in School Psychology. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Education with a concentration in Early Childhood. In addition, Dr. Taylor completed a Professional-in-Residence at the Betty Ford Center in Palm Desert, California.

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Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

The Master of Arts (MA), Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program at South University is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, 1001 North Fairfax Street, Suite 510, Alexandria, VA 22314, phone (703) 535-5990.)

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