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Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Post-Master’s Certificate (Online)
Degree
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Post-Master’s Certificate
Department
At a Glance
This 15-credit post-master’s certificate offers the coursework to help you expand your expertise and prepare for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor. The curriculum is structured to offer advanced training in areas such as ethical and legal issues in counseling, psychopathology and psychopharmacology, case conceptualization and treatment planning, addiction counseling, and trauma and crisis counseling — ensuring you’ll be fully equipped to handle the complexities of clinical practice.
Department Chair: Sandy Gibson, gibsonc@tcnj.edu
Duration
- full time: in as few as 3 months
- part time: you design
Availability
- online*
Licensure
- obtain required credits to become a clinical mental health counselor
5
- courses
15
- credits
$714
- per credit*
Who should pursue this program?
This program is particularly ideal for:
- MA in counseling graduates who want to obtain licensure: Have you completed a 48-credit master’s degree in counseling and want to reach the 60 credits required for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor? This program bridges the credit gap by offering the essential coursework and training to prepare you for the multifaceted demands of clinical practice.
- Current school counselors interested in potentially higher salaries: In many school districts — including several in New Jersey — school counselors can see a significant salary increase when earning an MA degree followed by an additional 15 (MA+15) or 30 (MA+30) graduate credits. Since retirement pensions are often calculated based on salary during your final years of service, these salary boosts can be especially advantageous for counselors preparing for retirement.
Engaged Faculty
What sets our faculty apart? It’s their academic prowess and active engagement as practicing counselors. Our faculty members are immersed in the current landscape of mental health counseling, bringing firsthand experience and a practical perspective to the classroom.
Careers
The clinical mental health field is experiencing an unprecedented surge in job opportunities, reflecting the increasing recognition of mental health as an integral component of overall well-being. Employment in the field is expected to grow by 18% between 2022 and 2032, according to the latest national data. Our programs will prepare you for success, positioning you to confidently enter the workforce and command a salary that reflects your expertise and dedication.
Department/School
This program is offered by the Department of Online Counselor Education in the School of Graduate, Global, and Online Education at TCNJ. Learn more about our vision and mission and view course descriptions. An annual report will be posted in May 2025.
Program Outcomes
You will develop knowledge and skills in the following areas:
- the ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies as well as the applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling across service-delivery modalities and specialized practice areas
- the diagnostic process and the variety of mental health disorders identified in the DSM, as well as the effects and indications of commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications
- case conceptualization and treatment planning using a variety of models and approaches, allowing you to assess a client, identify an appropriate theoretical approach and related techniques, and develop an intervention plan
- regulatory processes, continuum of care, harm reduction, and service delivery in addiction counseling
- strategies for crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, community-based support, and disaster mental health.
Online Delivery
Although our program is online, every course has a 90-minute synchronous component each week. We recognize that life can impede class attendance from time to time, and there are some asynchronous options for occasional absences.
This online program leverages cutting-edge technology to enhance the learning experience and to provide essential skills for your future counseling practice. Through interactive virtual classrooms, multimedia resources, and real-time collaboration tools, you’ll be a part of a dynamic and engaging online environment that mirrors the richness of in-person instruction. Participate in simulated counseling sessions; access diverse case studies; and engage in immersive, experiential learning.
In addition, we’ve standardized the online classroom experience to ensure a seamless transition from course to course, even for those who might be new to online education.
Admission Requirements
Our application process is simple and efficient; GRE scores aren’t required, and with rolling admissions and monthly interviews, you can begin in the next available cohort. You need to complete the following:
- Copy of resume
- Official transcripts
You can also use code “GROWTCNJ” to waive the $75 application fee.
