Graduate Studies in Counseling

Mission Statement: Preparing skilled, knowledgeable, and competent helpers for the professional field of clinical mental health counseling.

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed to meet the needs of college graduates who desire training in counseling-psychotherapy and wish to provide such services to individuals, couples, groups, and families. Freed-Hardeman University's M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program integrates elements of the core mental health professions with principles of the Christian faith to produce graduates ready for the clinical practice of clinical mental health counseling.

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires that students satisfactorily complete 61 semester hours of course work and pass a comprehensive exam. Included in the 61 hours are a practicum and an internship, in which students complete counseling and counseling-related activities. These experiences take place in appropriate counseling settings under the supervision of well-trained counselor supervisors. For further information, please contact our Office of Graduate Admissions office at 1-800-FHU-FHU1, ext. 6101 or 731-989-6101.

A master's degree in clinical mental health counseling (with additional graduate work and licensure where required) may lead to employment in a variety of settings, such as community agencies, children and family services agencies, churches, counseling clinics, business-employee assistance programs, and private practice. Further study at the doctoral level may prepare students for faculty positions at various schools, colleges, and universities.

Program Mission

The M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) is designed to meet the needs of college graduates who desire training in counseling-psychotherapy and wish to provide such services to individuals, couples, groups, and families. FHU interdisciplinary M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program integrates elements of the core mental health professions with principles of the Christian faith to produce graduates ready for the clinical practice of professional mental health counseling.

Program of Study

A copy of a syllabus for one of the courses in this program can be requested from our office at grad-counseling@fhu.edu

INTEGRATED EDUCATION WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH

As one of Tennessee's oldest universities, Freed-Hardeman University has maintained a tradition of offering quality education in ways that fit into the lives of students. The integrated residential and web-conferencing graduate program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed to make learning accessible, applicable, and relevant to the classroom today and practice tomorrow. The program is designed to meet the needs of college graduates who desire training in clinical mental health counseling/psychotherapy and wish to provide such services to individuals, couples, groups, and families. Freed-Hardeman University's M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program integrates elements of the core mental health professions with principles of the Christian faith to produce graduates ready for the clinical practice of professional mental health counseling.

• The program consists of 61 hours of integrated residential and/or web-conferencing.

• Approximately one-third of the courses are skills-based classes which are offered only in the classroom to enhance the development of clinical ability.

• Freed-Hardeman University graduate counseling program has classes available at the Henderson and Memphis campuses and via web-conferencing.

• Flexible scheduling with classes offered on nights and weekends with a combination of traditional classroom instruction and web-conferenced courses.

• Some classes are available as hybrid courses which blend traditional and online components to provide both classroom interaction and flexibility in scheduling.

• Courses are offered by full-time and part-time faculty who are experts in their respective fields.

• The program is designed to meet the State of Tennessee Department of Health licensure requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors/Mental Health Services Provider and is also designed to meet the requirements for the National Board of Certified Counselors.

Program Objectives

The following are the overall objectives of the FHU CMHC program.

1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the counseling field, process of counseling, and methods of helping others.

2. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply the licensure and credentialing process to become professional helpers in the area of clinical mental health counseling.

3. Students will uphold a professional counseling identity with a focus on clinical mental health counseling.

4. Students will competently establish working relationships that are centered on sensitivity, multicultural awareness, and acceptance of others.

5. Students will adhere to ethical and professional performance.

6. Graduates will successfully obtain employment in the counseling field, obtain licensure and/or certification in the profession, and/or being accepted into doctoral programs in behavioral science.

Admission Requirements

1. Submit an application for admission.

2. Must have completed an appropriate baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

3. Must submit all official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from previously attended institutions.

4. Must have the equivalent of 12 semester hours in Behavioral Science (Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Anthropology, Family Studies) at the undergraduate level with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

5. A score of 290 or above on the GRE (combined verbal and quantitative scores), (OR) a score of 380 or above on the MAT.

6. An essay of personal goals and how FHU will contribute to those goals (300-500 words).

7. An interview with the Counseling Admissions Committee.

Exit Requirements

1. Successful completion of all required coursework with a 3.00 GPA and other requirements for the M.S. degree.

2. Successful completion of a practicum and an internship.

3. Completion of all courses within a six-year period.

4. Successful completion of the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE).

The Master of Science in School Counseling is designed to meet the needs of college graduates who desire training in counseling and wish to provide counseling services to students in a school setting. Freed-Hardeman University's M.S. in School Counseling program integrates elements of the counseling and education professions with principles of the Christian faith to produce graduates ready for careers in professional school counseling. Successful completion of the program leads to Tennessee licensure as a school counselor for K-12 schools.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESS

Program of Study

FORMAT OF COURSES

As one of Tennessee's oldest universities, Freed-Hardeman University has maintained a tradition of offering quality education in ways that fit into the lives of students. The integrated residential and web-conferencing graduate program in School Counseling is designed to make learning accessible, applicable, and relevant to the classroom today and practice tomorrow. The program is designed to meet the needs of college graduates who desire training in school counseling and wish to provide such services to students in a school setting.

• The program consists of 61 hours of integrated residential and/or web-conferencing.

• Approximately one-third of the courses are skills-based classes which are offered only in the classroom to enhance the development of counseling ability.

• Freed-Hardeman University graduate counseling program has classes available at the Henderson and Memphis campuses and via web-conferencing.

• Flexible scheduling with classes offered on nights and weekends with a combination of traditional classroom instruction and web-conferenced courses.

• Some classes are available as hybrid courses which blend traditional and online components to provide both classroom interaction and flexibility in scheduling.

• Courses are offered by full-time and part-time faculty who are experts in their respective fields.

• Successful completion of the program leads to Tennessee licensure as a school counselor for K-12 schools.

EXIT REQUIREMENTS

Counseling licensure programs

The Graduate Studies in Counseling within the Behavioral Sciences department offers two non-degree licensure programs in school counseling and three different graduate certificates in counseling.

The non-degree licensure programs in school counseling are designed for individuals who are seeking licensure in school counseling who already hold a master's degree in counseling  or social work (Licensure in School Counseling Program C).

Freed-Hardeman University's Doctor of Behavioral Health degree program prepares current and future healthcare providers for a transforming medical care marketplace. It is designed to produce graduates who have advanced clinical and executive leadership skills as well as business insight.

The 60-credit hour doctoral degree is offered through traditional and web-conferencing modalities and may be taken on either a part-time or full-time basis. The curriculum includes courses that provide live chat with instructors and other students, clinical rotations, real-time streaming video consultations with experts in the field and a capstone research project focused on the student’s professional career or work setting. The program is geared specifically to students who prefer an alternative to research-focused doctoral programs.

The D.B.H., one of Tennessee's first professional doctorates in behavioral health, prepares post-master's, licensed clinicians to offer advanced-integrated care in a variety of behavioral health settings. The executive leadership component will enable graduates to maximize earning potential by filling organizational and market demands.

Program of Study

Admissions Requirements

Requirements:

1. An earned master’s degree (a minimum of 48 semester hours) in a health-related field of study (clinical mental health counseling, alcohol and drug counseling, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, clinical pastoral counseling, psychiatric nursing, or psychology, etc.) from a regionally accredited college/university.

2. Current state licensure as a practitioner in a mental-health discipline or health-related discipline.

3. Two years of post-licensure clinical experience.

Path to Admission
Consistent with other graduate programs offered at FHU, applicants for admission into the Doctor of Behavioral Health (D.B.H.) program must submit and comply with the following for consideration and acceptance:

1. Complete the online application.

2. Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions

3. Provide a copy of current unencumbered license in the state in which the practice will occur.

4. Submit three completed electronic recommendation forms: one from an employer or supervisor, one from a church leader or leader in another service organization and one from a professional colleague.

5. Write and present an essay providing a professional statement of past clinical and/or work experiences, scholarly activities and community service and goals in obtaining this professional doctorate.

6. Interview in person with the current doctoral admissions committee. After the initial review of the application, applicants may be contacted for a formal interview. If the interview results in a positive evaluation, the applicant will continue to be considered for acceptance.

7. Demonstrate good spiritual, mental and emotional health/stability consistent with the demands of the D.B.H. program and FHU's heritage of Christian values.

8. Present a current resume or curriculum vitae.

9. Present a picture of Driver's License or other government-issued Photo ID.
   
   

Note: Applicants are required to be computer literate and have a computer, printer and Internet service provider with high-speed broadband Internet access. If accepted, each D.B.H. student will be required to comply with Freed-Hardeman University's Academic Computing Standards for Students.

Electronic documents should be sent to gradstudies@fhu.edu. Paper documents should be mailed to:

Freed-Hardeman University
Office of Graduate Studies
158 East Main Street
Henderson, TN 38340

COUNSELING FOR CHURCH LEADERS 

(Graduate Certificate)

The College of Biblical Studies and the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Masters of Science in Counseling program offers a Graduate Certificate in Counseling for Church Leaders. Ministers, associate ministers, youth ministers, family life ministers and/or elders who have interest or duties in counseling are encouraged to enroll in this certificate program. The interdisciplinary design of the certificate is reflected in a combination of graduate Bible and counseling courses. Students will gain an understanding of basic counseling skills, using scripture in counseling and specific areas of counseling that church leaders are often called upon to perform. The certificate program will give students an opportunity to strengthen and refine their skills whether for members inside the congregation or as an outreach for those in need. Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Counseling for Church Leaders will be better prepared to meet individual and family needs of those seeking help and support within a church context. This certificate can be taken for audit or graduate credit.

Those students completing a Graduate Certificate (for credit) will be presented an official certificate when the program of study is completed.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

1. Submit an application for admission.

2. The applicant must have completed a master’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum graduate-level cumulative GPA of 3.00 OR be currently enrolled in a graduate program at Freed-Hardeman University.

3. Must submit all official transcripts from previously attended institutions.

4. An essay of personal goals and how FHU will contribute to those goals (300-500 words).

5. An interview with the Counseling Admissions Committee.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

EXIT REQUIREMENTS

1. Successful completion of identified coursework with a 3.00 GPA and other requirements met. A course grade below “C” is not applicable toward meeting certificate requirements.

2. Courses must be completed within a six-year period.

3. Recommendation by the Director of M.S. in Counseling and program faculty.

ADVANCED COUNSELING

(Graduate Certificate)

The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Counseling is offered within the Graduate Studies of Counseling overseen by the Department of Behavioral Sciences and the Director of the Master of Science in Counseling. Individuals who have a master’s degree in counseling (or a related field) can pursue this certificate to further strengthen and enhance their counseling skills. Master’s level counselors frequently desire to take coursework to meet continuing education requirements, to gain training in specific areas, and/or to meet professional credentialing requirements. The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Counseling enables them to also receive a recognized graduate certificate while pursuing these other areas of interest.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

1. Submit an application for admission.

2. Prerequisites: The applicant must have completed a master’s degree in counseling or a related field with a minimum of 3.00 GPA.

3. Personal essay specifying goals and how the FHU program will help meet those goals (300- 500 words).

4. Freedom from Conviction of Crimes Form.

5. Interview with the Counseling Admissions Committee.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Exit REQUIREMENTS

1. Successful completion of identified coursework with a 3.00 GPA and other requirements met. A course grade below “C” is not applicable toward meeting certificate requirements.

2. Courses must be completed within a six-year period.

3. Recommendation by the Director of M.S. in Counseling and program faculty.

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING 

(Graduate Certificate)

The Graduate Certificate in Professional Counseling is offered within the Graduate Studies of Counseling overseen by the Department of Behavioral Sciences and the Director of the Master of Science in Counseling. Individuals who have a master’s degree in counseling (or a related field), but who lack coursework necessary to become licensed as a professional counselor, can pursue this certificate to assist them in meeting the requirements for licensure within their respective state. The Certificate Program will give students the opportunity to strengthen and refine their skills and to obtain foundational knowledge within core counseling areas as required for state licensure.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

1. Submit an application for admission.

2. Prerequisites: The applicant must have completed a master’s degree in counseling or a related field with a minimum of 3.00 GPA.

3. Personal essay specifying goals and how the FHU program will help meet those goals (300- 500 words).

4. Freedom from Conviction of Crimes Form.

5. Interview with the Counseling Admissions Committee.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Exit REQUIREMENTS

1. Successful completion of identified coursework with a 3.00 GPA and other requirements met. A course grade below “C” is not applicable toward meeting certificate requirements.

2. Courses must be completed within a six-year period.

3. Recommendation by the Director of M.S. in Counseling and program faculty.

More useful links:

Council of Graduate Schools

Grad School Tips

The National Association of Graduate and Professional Students