Master of Science in Clinical Counseling

The Clinical Counseling program is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP) for both clinical rehabilitation and clinical mental health counseling. Students are provided with a comprehensive education in principles of both clinical rehabilitation and clinical mental health counseling, and then  specialize in one of these two areas through their practicum, internship, and research experiences. 

The clinical counseling program is designed to prepare students to function as counselors for persons with a variety of needs, including mental health issues impacting the individual and/or family, and persons with physical or mental disabilities to address psychosocial and vocational adjustment. The program is grounded in a strengths-based philosophy of client empowerment where the counselor’s role is to assist individuals to realize their optimum level of mental health and personal wellness, including vocational adjustment and independent living. This is done through the use of a variety of therapeutic interventions, including individual, group and/or family counseling, diagnosis, case management, and the provision or coordination of evaluation, training, placement, and follow-up services. The demand for rehabilitation and clinical mental health counselors has exceeded the supply in recent years in public, private, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors.

Core graduate coursework provides the basic knowledge and skills necessary to the fields of rehabilitation and mental health counseling. This includes counseling theory, rehabilitation and mental health counseling principles and practices, ethics, individual and group counseling, assessment, diagnosis of mental disorders, evidence-based treatment of mental disorders, job placement, medical and psychosocial aspects of disability, human growth, career development, and research methods. Additionally, this program has a strong emphasis on psychiatric rehabilitation. Concurrently, fieldwork of progressively increasing complexity takes place at a variety of community-based mental health and rehabilitation sites in the Chicago area. 

Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Specialization

The Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling (CRC) track is specially designed for students interested in working with persons with disabilities, or who have specific interest in state vocational rehabilitation or private sector rehabilitation. Students in the CRC track will conduct relevant research projects related to the service of persons with disabilities, and will complete their fieldwork experiences in service to the disability community. Practicum and internship experiences include placements in the state VR system, at the VA, private sector rehabilitation facilities, rehabilitation center and hospitals, nonprofit rehabilitation organizations, and other facilities for persons with disabilities.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) track is specially designed for students interested in working with persons with mental health and/or behavioral issues. Students in the CMHC track will conduct relevant research projects related to the service of persons with mental health and/or behavior concerns, and will complete their fieldwork experiences in related settings. Practicum and internship experiences include placements in mental health and counseling centers, private practices, outpatient mental health facilities, mental health and behavioral health hospitals, substance abuse treatment facilities, nonprofit organizations, and other facilities for persons with mental health and/or behavioral concerns. 

For individuals currently working in the rehabilitation and/or mental health counseling field who are interested in pursuing a M.S. in Clinical Counseling at a slower pace, there is an option to take a reduced course load available, which is designed to meet the needs of the working professional. Courses are generally offered in the evening or via distance education, and the required fieldwork experiences (practicum and internship) are typically worked out with the student’s place of employment if it meets fieldwork site requirements. The part-time program takes approximately three years to complete.

This is a two-year, 60 credit hour program.