The 60-credit master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA-CMHC) at Hawaii Pacific University prepares students to work as mental health counselors within a variety of community, medical, educational, and private practice settings. Through rigorous academic coursework and clinical internship training, students learn to competently apply empirically-supported methods of practice, assessment, and treatment. Courses are scheduled on evenings, weekends and/or online to accommodate working students.

What is Clinical Mental Health Counseling?

Mental health counselors (MHCs):

• work with individuals, families, and groups
• diagnose, assess and treat behavioral and emotional disorders and promote mental health
• work in community agencies, hospitals, schools, judicial systems, private practice, and more
• may be licensed in all 50 states

Are there jobs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling?

Employment prospects for mental health counselors are good in Hawai’i and in many other areas of the United States. The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that a shortage of qualified counselors exists nationally, and expects the employment of mental health counselors to grow much faster than the average of all occupations between 2008 and 2018 (BLS, 2010-2011).

Why earn a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at HPU?

HPU’s MA-CMHC program serves both students looking to become licensed as professional clinical mental health counselors and those seeking to eventually proceed into doctoral programs. The program design and training philosophy reflect the scientist-practitioner model of training in psychology, emphasizing evidence-based practice and ethical and cultural competence. Our program has been developed in keeping with standards set by the Masters in Psychology Accreditation Council (MPAC) and by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and fulfills educational requirements for state licensure and for counselor credentialing at the national level.

Learn more about the MA-CMHC program at HPU at the following upcoming Webinars (click on the links to register):

January 30: MA-CMHC Online Information Session- http://hpugrad.askadmissions.net/Portal/EI/ViewDetails?gid=623577a3a754ef54574b43a86c24cd7ef58cb5