Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Mental health counselors work with individuals, families, and groups to address and treat mental and emotional disorders and to promote mental health. They are trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address issues such as depression, anxiety, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress, trauma, low self-esteem, and grief. They also help with job and career concerns, educational decisions, mental and emotional health issues, and relationship problems. In addition, they may be involved in community outreach, advocacy, and mediation activities. Some specialize in delivering mental health services for the elderly. Mental health counselors often work closely with other mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, and school counselors. Mental health counselors work in community health and social service organizations, day treatment programs, outpatient mental health clinics, hospitals, or private practice.The 60-credit M.S. in Mental Health Counseling provides students with core knowledge to be effective helpers in a variety of clinical settings. The program covers professional issues and ethics, counseling theories, human development, counseling skills, group work, assessment and career development. Building upon these core content areas, the mental health counseling program focuses specifically on the development of knowledge and skills necessary to work in a variety of clinical settings, such as: foundations of mental health counseling; research; evidence-based practice; program evaluation; psychopathology and psychopharmacology.

TranscriptsSubmit official undergraduate and/or graduate transcript with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants who have under a 3.0 GPA are required to take the GRE. For admission purposes, only the writing assessment of the GRE is evaluated. This section of the exam assesses writing and critical thinking skills which are essential attributes for the professional counselor. Applicants will be considered to have met the GRE requirement if they obtain a score of 4.5.Applicants who will have not completed their degrees prior to admission deadlines should submit a transcript without the final semester’s grades. Such applicants may be accepted pending receipt of their final degree noted transcripts. Submit one copy of official transcripts from all other institutions attended, including other graduate programs.International students should refer to the International Admissions website for transcript requirements.Letters of RecommendationSubmit two professional and/or academic letters of recommendation that address your potential for success in the profession and your ability to complete a graduate program. Letters of recommendation should be from an academic source, preferably a professor or academic official who is familiar with your academic history and achievement. If you have been out of school for several years, recommendations may come from your employer or supervisor.Personal StatementSubmit a statement of approximately 500 to 1,000 words describing your reason for pursuing graduate study at LIU, your personal and academic background, relevant experience, and your professional goals. You may submit this statement as part of the Online Application for Admission, or follow at a later date as a hard copy.Submit GRE ResultsIf applicable, submit the results of the Graduate Record Exam. Inquiries concerning this testing program and application to take the test should be addressed to the Graduate Record Examinations, Educational Testing Service at www.gre.org, or call 1-800-GRE-CALL. Ask ETS to send an official copy of your scores to the LIU Post Graduate Admissions Office. The institution code for the LIU Post is 2070.