Program Certificate in Mental Health Counseling Online

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This online certificate program is designed to prepare students who hold a 48-hour master's in counseling degree for the Texas state Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC) licensure exam.

Apply by: 3/18/24
Start class: 4/8/24

Program Overview

Take a glimpse of LU’s Program Certificate in Mental Health Counseling

This 18-hour bridge program for mental health counseling is designed for master's-level graduates with a 48-hour degree in counseling who want to pursue licensure as a professional counselor (LPC). This post-graduate certificate provides the supplementary knowledge and experience needed to meet the 60-credit-hour academic requirement for licensure in Texas. Coursework in your master’s degree should include:

  • Normal growth and development
  • Abnormal behavior
  • Counseling theories
  • Counseling techniques/skills
  • Appraisal or assessment
  • Lifestyle and career development
  • Social, cultural, and family issues
  • Foundations of professional orientation/ethics
  • Research
  • 300-hour Practicum/Internship

The Certificate in Mental Health Counseling provides the coursework for licensure in:

  • Psychopathology/Psychopharmacology
  • Advanced counselor ethics
  • Addictions counseling
  • Foundations of professional counseling
  • Marriage, couple and family counseling
  • Abnormal human behavior

Lamar University does not evaluate credentials for licensing. As such, candidates must contact the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors at https://www.bhec.texas.gov/texas-state-board-of-examiners-of-professional-counselors/index.html for transcript evaluation.

In this program, you will gain:

  • Knowledge of the history and philosophy of the counseling profession and its specialty areas
  • Understanding of professional counseling ethics, legal issues and responsibilities as members of interdisciplinary community outreach and emergency management response teams
  • Knowledge of advocacy processes needed to address institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity and success for clients
  • The ability to identify etiologies, diagnoses and treatment plans
  • Interpret and apply legal and ethical concerns regarding diagnosis, treatment, and pharmacological integration with other professionals
  • Knowledge of the history and philosophy of the counseling profession and its specialty areas
  • Understanding of professional counseling ethics, legal issues and responsibilities as members of interdisciplinary community outreach and emergency management response teams
  • Knowledge of advocacy processes needed to address institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity and success for clients
  • The ability to identify etiologies, diagnoses and treatment plans
  • Interpret and apply legal and ethical concerns regarding diagnosis, treatment, and pharmacological integration with other professionals

Total Tuition $6,148*
Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 18

*Price includes distance learning fee.

Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 866-223-7675

Call 866-223-7675

Tuition

Pay for your online program by the course

The following is the tuition breakdown for students pursuing the Program Certificate in Mental Health Counseling online. Our tuition is affordable and can be paid by the course.

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $6,148*
Per Credit Hour $342

Calendar

Important dates for this online certificate program

Our Program Certificate in Mental Health Counseling online program features multiple start dates to accommodate your busy schedule. Find the start date that works best for you and apply before the application deadline associated with it.

5 week coursesProgram Start DateApplication DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Spring II2/29/242/8/242/22/244/3/24
Spring III4/8/243/18/244/1/245/9/24
Summer I5/30/245/9/245/23/246/28/24
Summer II7/1/246/10/246/24/248/1/24
Fall 18/22/248/1/248/15/249/18/24
Fall 29/30/249/9/249/20/2410/30/24
Fall 311/4/2410/14/2410/28/2412/5/24

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 3/18/24
Class Starts 4/8/24

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?

Admissions

Discover the qualifications for the Certificate in Mental Health Counseling online program

The Program Certificate in Mental Health Counseling online program has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.

Admission Requirements:

  • Online Application
  • Master's Degree
  • 3.0 Graduate GPA

University Admission Requirements

  • Online Application & Fee: University requirements will be assessed by the online application through ApplyTexas.org. There is a one-time application fee of $25.
  • Master's degree: Master's Degree in Counseling. Conferred master’s degree GPAs will be used for admission purposes.
  • Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended*
  • U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident

The Department of Counseling Admission Requirements

The Department of Counseling requires the following for admission to the department programs. Instructions for the department application and reference will be e-mailed to you after your ApplyTexas application is processed. Instructions for submitting additional documents will be e-mailed separately if accepted to the program.

  • 3.0 graduate GPA
  • Two letters of recommendation submitted via the online application.

View information regarding licensure outside the state of Texas.

Send all required documents to:

Lamar University Online Admissions
PO Box 10017
Beaumont, TX 77710

OR

Submit electronically to [email protected]

*All applicants must submit official, sealed transcripts from each institution attended to the Admissions Office. All degrees must be from a regionally accredited institution. Lamar University Office of Admissions will no longer require community college transcripts for graduate applicants. Official transcripts from all other institutions will be required. However, if a department or program wishes to review a community college transcript for decision purposes, the department or program may directly request the applicant to submit the official community college transcript(s) to the Office of Admissions for processing.

We reserve the right to review individual applicant qualifications for admission. Final determinations for admission are based upon a number of criteria. We reserve the right to refuse student entrance or terminate a student after admission to a program if, in the judgment of the faculty, the student demonstrates unacceptable professional fitness to practice in their particular field of study with children, youth, and/or adults.

Now that you have completed the Apply Texas application, click here for FAQ’s and next steps in the admissions process.


Courses

Learn more about our Certificate in Mental Health Counseling online classes

Students are required to complete 18 hours of coursework in the Program Certificate in Mental Health Counseling online program.

Duration: 5 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course prepares mental health professionals in the basic diagnostic systems, research and explanations of psychopathology and basic working knowledge for integrating psychopharmacology for effective coordinating of services in an integrated health mode.
Duration: 5 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses application of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling and human service settings. Emphasis is placed on national and current state board rules, records management, strategies for personal and professional self-evolution, implications for practice, and client and professional advocacy.
Duration: 5 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theories of individual counseling with an emphasis on techniques and applications. Level 1 course required prior to CNDV 5310 & 5312.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An intensive exploration of the dynamics of interpersonal relationships, including family and social issues. A critical analysis of various techniques and approaches will be established. Development of personal counseling skills will be of major concern. Prerequisites: CNDV 5322, CNDV 5311. Course is available in 5 or 15 weeks depending on the program.
Duration: 5 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of various symptom categories in psychopathology. The course will include an analysis of the diagnostic categories as well as the research concerning etiology and treatment. Prerequisites: Approval of instructor or 12 semester hours of CNDV coursework.
Duration: 5 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides counselors and other human service workers with an overview and etiology of the addictive process. Students will develop conceptual knowledge, practical skills, and assessment strategies including the use of wraparound assessment and intervention services within a behavioral health setting. Pre-requisites: Admission to the Lamar Counseling Program.

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