Mental Health Counseling Courses and Learning Objectives

The Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling program prepares graduates with the attitudes, knowledge and skills to pursue credentialing as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in many states. Students learn a variety of interventions and wellness approaches through an all-encompassing curriculum that provides foundational knowledge in cognitive behavioral therapy and a specific focus on community mental health. Graduates work in various positions including private practice or leadership positions with many pursuing doctoral degrees. 

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student Learning Objectives

1. Demonstrate knowledge and skills to provide appropriate intake, assessment, and treatment planning to individuals impacted by trauma, crisis, addiction, and life transitional experiences.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and practices regarding a systematic approach to creating and maintaining collaborative service plans and advocacy needs in response to diverse community, wellness and mental health issues, and crises.

Degree Requirements

PCOM's Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling degree requirements include 60 credits of coursework that includes two elective (6 credits) courses. As dictated by the state, all counseling students must complete a 100-hour practicum during the fall semester, followed by a 600-hour internship spanning the spring and summer semesters. PCOM students must also take and pass comprehensive exams which attend to various learning styles (multiple choice exam, case conceptualization paper, and a skills demonstration video). Lastly, students must also engage in an advocacy project that takes up to 10 hours over the course of their last year at PCOM and report on their advocacy project through a poster presentation.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Courses

The MS in Mental Health Counseling program offers courses in multiple formats. In-person courses are held two evenings a week on the Philadelphia campus. Several core courses use a flipped classroom approach in which students watch recorded lectures and complete online readings outside of class before attending campus sessions for interactive, hands-on activities.  The program also includes a few completely online asynchronous courses. This flexible course delivery is designed to optimize student engagement and learning outcomes.

The information listed below is from the current course catalog. Terms, sequences, courses and credit hours are subject to change at any time without notice. Please note, PCOM is transitioning to a trimester academic calendar beginning in Summer 2025. For more information, visit the academic calendar page.