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This CACREP-accredited program is designed to prepare you for positions as a mental health counselor in institutional, community, and private practice settings. You'll receive academic preparation and clinical training intended to instill high standards for professional practice. Develop the ability to apply varied approaches, wellness theory, and research to mental health assessment and treatment.

Outcome goals and graduates' proficiency levels

These results show recent Capella graduates' proficiency levels in the expected learning outcomes for this program. Faculty make this assessment in the capstone course—the final course in which Capella students demonstrate what they’ve learned.

2017-2018 Demonstration of Program Outcomes

Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling

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    0% Non-Performance Does not summarize mental health counseling theories and research.
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    4% Basic Summarizes mental health counseling theories and research but does not apply them to contemporary clinical practice settings.
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    19% Proficient Applies mental health counseling theories and research to contemporary clinical practice settings.
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    77% Distinguished Analyzes rationalizations for application of mental health counseling theories and research to contemporary clinical practice settings, and takes into account variables such as population, private or public sectors, and clinical best practices.

Apply mental health counseling theories and research to contemporary clinical practice.

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    1% Non-Performance Does not describe ways to deliver culturally and ethnicity sensitive counseling and therapy services to clients in practical settings.
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    4% Basic Describes ways to deliver culturally and ethnicity sensitive counseling and therapy services to clients in practical settings.
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    26% Proficient Delivers culturally and ethnicity sensitive counseling and therapy services to clients in practical settings.
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    69% Distinguished Delivers to clients in practical settings culturally and ethnicity sensitive counseling and therapy services that are grounded in codes of ethics from credible associations, and makes explicit how cultural biases interfere with the clinical process.

Deliver culturally and ethnicity sensitive counseling and therapy services to clients in practical settings.

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    0% Non-Performance Does not reflect critical thinking and writing in the mental health counseling discipline or professional practice.
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    7% Basic Thinks and writes somewhat critically in the mental health counseling discipline or professional practice, in other words, project lacks key concepts or seminal research to the mental health counseling discipline.
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    23% Proficient Thinks and writes critically in the mental health counseling discipline or professional practice.
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    70% Distinguished Thinks and writes critically in the mental health counseling discipline or professional practice, and adheres to the standards of care as evidenced by the research, licensure, and certification standards.

Think and write critically in the mental health counseling discipline or professional practice.

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    0% Non-Performance Does not summarize the ACA Code of Ethics for professional behavior and practice.
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    1% Basic Summarizes the ACA Code of Ethics for professional behavior and practice.
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    17% Proficient Applies the ACA Code of Ethics to professional behavior and practice.
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    83% Distinguished Applies the ACA Code of Ethics to professional behavior and practice, and integrates ethical decision-making and knowledge of standards of care and professional conduct.

Apply the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics to professional behavior and practice.

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    0% Non-Performance Does not communicate professionally and emphathetically with others in most professional interactions.
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    2% Basic Communicates professionally and emphathetically with others in most professional interactions.
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    22% Proficient Communicates professionally and emphathetically with others in all professional interactions.
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    76% Distinguished Communicates professionally and empathetically with others in all professional interactions, demonstrates scholarly writing (APA), utilizes clinical and professional terminology, and ensures project model reflects objectivity and clinical best practices.

Communicate with sensitivity, understanding, and respect in all professional interactions.

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    0% Non-Performance Does not summarize theories, practices, and professional standards related to the mental health counseling discipline.
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    3% Basic Summarizes theories, practices, and professional standards but does not apply them to the mental health counseling discipline.
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    25% Proficient Applies theories, practices, and professional standards to the mental health counseling discipline.
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    72% Distinguished Analyzes theories, practices, and professional standards of mental health counseling, considers approaches for serving populations in various settings, and encourages client self-development and sound treatment planning, assessment, and interventions.

Align clinical practice and professional development with state and national standards for mental health counselors.

Capella Learning and Career Outcomes - MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Outcomes
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Outcome Demonstrations
Source: Aggregated faculty judgments of learner demonstration of program outcomes from Q2 2017 — Q1 2018 capstone courses.

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Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization

  • General Mental Health Counseling

Quality and Professional Relevance

  • Capella University's PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MS in School Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through March 31, 2028.
  • The 2019 Counseling Education Unit Annual Report is available.
  • Our faculty is made up of scholar-practitioners who are active within their professions and bring real-world experience to the courseroom.
  • All members of Capella's counseling faculty hold doctoral degrees from accredited institutions.
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduates have a 31% pass rate on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam.1
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduates have a 78% pass rate on the National Counseling Exam.2
  • 444 learners graduated from the Mental Health Counseling program between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.
  • The current completion rate for learners from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program who enrolled in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, and graduated within 24 quarters, is 48%.3
  • Of respondents who reported obtaining new or advanced positions, 88% of Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduates surveyed reported job placement within 180 days of graduation.4

Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, endorsement, certification, authorization, other professional credentials, or salary advancement. State regulations and professional credential standards vary. It is each learner's responsibility to understand and comply with the requirements for his or her state and professional associations.

1Exam pass rates are based on reports  from the National Board of Certified Counselors on statistics for self-reported Capella alumni taking the NCMHCE exam in 2019. Capella is notified of exam scores by the exam proctor only if the exam takers identify Capella as a recipient of their scores. Out of 57 CMHC graduates that took the NCE exam, 17 passed.

2Exam pass rates are based on reports from the National Board of Certified Counselors on statistics for self-reported Capella alumni taking the NCE exam in Fall 2019. Capella is notified of exam scores by the exam proctor only if the exam takers identify Capella as a recipient of their scores. Out of 100 CMHC graduates who took the NCE exam, 78 passed.

3Completion rate is the percentage of those learners from 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 cohorts (learners who register for a second course in the year specified) who finished their degree within 24 quarters. Within this group, out of 1,693 Clinical Mental Health Counseling learners, 806 graduated within 24 quarters.

4Capella does not offer job placement. Data for job placement were gathered from a survey distributed to alumni who graduated from Capella's CACREP-accredited programs in 2019. There were 50 Clinical Mental Health Counseling respondents to the Alumni Survey reported obtaining new employment or advancing their position. Of those 41 reported employment or advancement within 180 days of graduation.”

Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling Degree Program Graduates

Data from graduates of the Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling degree program have been combined for these Career Outcomes results.

The graphs below show some key findings from Capella's Alumni Outcomes Survey. We use this information to help improve our courses, programs and services and to give you an idea of how alumni are using their degrees.

      Career Preparation
MS in Mental Health Counseling Graduates  

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  • %
    92%
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    92%
  • %
    92%

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Career Preparation
MS in Mental Health Counseling Graduates

 The skills and knowledge have been immediately applicable to my career: 92%

 My degree has positioned me to achieve my professional ambitions: 92%

 Capella's competency based curriculum has prepared me for the needs of my profession: 92%

Percentage of respondents who answered "strongly agree" or "agree"
Source: Responses to the Alumni Outcomes Survey one year after graduation. The data were collected during Q3 2017 - Q1 2018.

Career & Professional Accomplishments
 MS in Mental Health Counseling Graduates

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    39%
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    39%
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    41%
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    43%
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    46%

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Career and Professional Accomplishments
MS in Mental Health Counseling Graduates

 Made a significant contribution to my profession: 39%

 Successfully changed jobs and-or-careers: 39%

 Assumed leadership responsibilities: 41%

 Received a salary increase: 43%

 Received a promotion: 46%

Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography, and degree field, affect career outcomes, and Capella does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, or other career growth.

Percentage of respondents who indicated they had accomplished each item.

Source: Responses to the Alumni Outcomes Survey one year after graduation. The data were collected during Q3 2017 – Q1 2018.

Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling Degree Program Graduates

Data from graduates of the Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling degree program have been combined for these Student Experience results.

The graphs below show some key findings from Capella's Alumni Outcomes Survey. We use this information to help improve our courses, programs and services and to give you an idea of how alumni feel about Capella and what general skills and abilities they gained.

Satisfaction With Capella
MS in Mental Health Counseling Graduates

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    85%
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    97%
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    100%

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Satisfaction with Capella
MS in Mental Health Counseling Graduates

 I have or intend to recommend Capella: 85%

 I am satisfied with my Capella education: 97%

 Capella gave me the most efficient direct path to completing my degree: 100%

 

Percentage of respondents who answered affirmatively.
Source: Responses to the Alumni Outcomes Survey one year after graduation. The data were collected during Q3 2017 – Q1 2018.

Skills & Abilities
MS in Mental Health Counseling Graduates

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    100%

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    100%

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    100%

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    100%

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    100%

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    100%

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    100%

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    100%

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    100%

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  • %
    96%

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    100%

Transcript

Skills & Abilities
 MS in Mental Health Counseling Graduates

Write clearly, accurately, and professionally; use sources appropriately : 100%

Communicate thoughts and ideas in varied settings : 100%

Show ethical conduct reflecting values and beliefs of discipline : 100%

Show knowledge of field; respect contributions of other fields : 100%

Analyze theoretical issues or investigate real-world phenomena, create knowledge : 100%

Locate, evaluate and communicate information; address legal, professional, other issues : 100%

Critically examine, analyze, and evaluate thinking using intellectual standards and creativity : 100%

Critically evaluate, select, and use discipline-appropriate technology : 100%

Show appreciation for group and individual differences : 100%

Demonstrate effective leadership in diverse environments : 96%

Apply the specialized knowledge associated with professional practice area : 100%

 

Percentage of respondents who rated themselves as "proficient" or "exceptional" on ability to demonstrate the skill or ability on the job.
Source: Responses to the Alumni Outcomes Survey one year after graduation. The data were collected during Q3 2017 – Q2 2018.

Earn Your Master's Degree

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Four graduate schools. More than 40 specializations. Enroll in an online master’s degree program at Capella.

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"I cherish the time I had at Capella. The education far exceeded anything I expected.”

Miriam Napolitano-Magaw, MS

2005 Graduate

Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Specialization in Mental Health Counseling