Clinical Mental Health Counseling Northern Arizona University

Overview

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling programme at Northern Arizona University provides comprehensive training for aspiring practitioners seeking to serve diverse populations. This Master of Arts degree focuses on evidence-based approaches and highly experiential learning to ensure graduates are prepared for the complexities of modern mental health services.

Students engage in a curriculum that balances theoretical knowledge with intensive practical application. The programme is designed to meet the educational requirements for the Licensed Associate Counselor designation in Arizona, facilitating a pathway toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. Instruction is delivered by expert faculty who are leaders in the field of clinical mental health.

Why Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northern Arizona University?

This programme has maintained continuous CACREP accreditation for over twenty years, reflecting a long-standing commitment to national excellence in counselor education. Students benefit from highly experiential classroom environments, including laboratory components where mock sessions are recorded and evaluated to refine clinical skills. The university provides access to a practicum clinic, allowing students to gain supervised experience on campus.

The department maintains strong partnerships with behavioural health agencies, clinics, and hospitals, ensuring robust fieldwork opportunities. Beyond the main Flagstaff campus, the programme is also accessible at locations in Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma. This regional presence allows students to engage with diverse communities and local professional networks throughout their studies.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 32190 per year
• National fee: USD 32190 per year
• Local fee: USD 11846 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum consists of 60 units, including core coursework, a crisis-focused course, and a post-practicum internship. Modules may include:

• Counseling Processes
• Social and Cultural Diversity
• Human Growth and Development
• Career Development
• Group Work
• Assessment
• Research and Program Evaluation
• Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Crisis Intervention
• Ethics and Professional Orientation
• Psychopathology and Diagnosis
• Addictions Counseling
• Marriage and Family Counseling

Careers with Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Graduates are prepared for diverse roles within the mental health sector, working with clients across the entire lifespan. The programme boasts a 100% job placement rate for its graduates, who find employment in various professional environments. These include outpatient and inpatient behavioural health agencies, specialty clinics, and hospitals.

Many alumni eventually transition into private practice after obtaining their independent licensure. Common career paths include roles as Licensed Associate Counselors and Licensed Professional Counselors. Graduates are equipped to deliver psychotherapeutic services in individual, group, couple, and family contexts across the United States.

Accreditation