Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS/EdS)

Return to: Cannon-Clary College of Education Graduate

Professional Counseling Mission Statement:

The mission of Harding’s Professional Counseling:Clinical and School Program is to prepare counselors to provide caring, compassionate and competent counseling services in a variety of settings to a diverse population. To that end, students will be provided with current, practical, and ethical education consistent with Harding’s Christian foundations equipping them to be effective counselors capable of facilitating health change, growth and development.

Program Overview:

This entry level 68-hour Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in the Professional Counseling Program prepares candidates in advanced knowledge and skills to become leaders and practitioners in the field of professional counseling/psychotherapy. Practice is given in utilizing current counseling principles in real-world settings through practicum and internship experiences. Candidates are equipped with strategies including cognitive, affective, behavioral or systematic interventions that address wellness, personal growth, crisis and mental health including pathology. This program will provide candidates with competencies (as defined by CACREP and ACA) designed to positively impact a variety of people across the lifespan.

This program provides training in clinical counseling emphasizing advanced work in the DSM V, psychopharmacology, addictions counseling, individual and group counseling, including families. The program includes classroom and field experiences that develop competency in advanced counseling/psychotherapy practice.

This degree can lead to professional credentialing as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and prepares for professional counseling practice in a variety of settings including but not limited to school based mental health, community, clinical mental health, private practice and ministry.

Students who complete the program are eligible to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) offered by the National Board for Certified counselors (NBCC) in order to qualify for National Certified counselor status. they are also eligible to become members of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA).

Admission Requirements for the MS/EDS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling:

Admission to Harding University is determined on an individual basis with the following criteria considered: (1) academic preparation, (2) character, (3) educational interests and (4) academic potential. Effort is made to admit all students who qualify and who can benefit from the unique educational program and opportunities available at Harding irrespective of their religious faith, national origin, sex, race or color. When applying, students should be aware of the distinct mission of Harding University and be willing to commit themselves to upholding institutional values.

Applicants for the MS/Ed.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program must:

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or more, or 2.75 on the last 60 hours, attested by official transcripts(s); OR an earned master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, attested by an official transcript.
2. Successfully complete the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) with a minimum score of 380 or the Graduate record Examination (GRE) with a minimum score of 900.
3. Abide by the University Code of Conduct. Counseling students must also abide by the Graduate Policies and Procedures and the Professional Counseling Student Handbook.
4. Applicants holding a master’s degree will be evaluated individually to ensure CACREP master’s criteria is met.

Applicants for the Ed.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program must:

1. Hold a master’s degree in a counseling related field [48 credit hours]. Leveling hours may be required if master’s or credit equivalent hours total less than 48 or do not meet CACREP core requirement.
2. Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on all graduate work.
3. Successfully complete the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) with a minimum score of 396 or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with a minimum equivalent score of 900 on the verbal and quantitative sections.
4. Abide by the university Code of Conduct. Counseling students must also abide by the Graduate Policies and Procedures and the Professional Counseling Student Handbook.

No provisional admission for MS/EDS or EDS Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Application Procedure

1. An application form for admission may be obtained online at www.harding.edu/gradcounseling or by contacting the program, Box 12254, Searcy, AR  72149; or email gradcounseling@harding.edu; or phone 501-279-4500.
2. Applications must be accompanied by a $40 application fee which is not refundable and will not apply against the general registration fee if the applicant enrolls.
3. Applicants must provide satisfactory references from three individuals attesting to the applicant’s professional or academic performance, including one related to professional ability in the degree area to which the student is applying.
4. Applications must include a professional resume.

Application Review and Selection of Candidates

Each applicant will be interviewed by the program area graduate faculty. This interview will determine the candidate’s professional objectives, professional commitment, and the compatibility of the program with his or her goals and interests. The applicant must complete an impromptu writing sample at the time of the interview.

The chair of Graduate Studies or the director of each specific program may request additional information from the applicant prior to final approval for admittance to the specialist program.

Other Program Requirements:

Upon acceptance into the program, students must consult with the director or assigned advisor of their program concerning the required course of study, register for classes on line through Pipeline each term, and complete financial registration with the Business Office online.

“Leveling courses,” if required, will not be included within the semester hour requirements for the specialist degree.

Written comprehensive exams are required for all education specialist programs.

All requirements of the Professional Counseling program must be completed within eight years from the time of acceptance into the program. Course work that is taken more than eight years before graduation will not be accepted.

Transfer and International Students:

Up to 9 hours of credit for coursework from other accredited institutions of higher learning may be transferred in the institution is accredited by NCATE, TEAC, or a similar accrediting organization and the earned grade is a “B” or higher. All transfer hours are subject to the approval of the chair of graduate studies in education and must be completed before a student’s last semester.

Students who (1) speak English as a second language, and have (2) not previously completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited American college or university must meet a minimum score on a nationally recognized test of English language proficiency such as the TOEFL or IELTS. However, in lieu of these exam, professional programs in the health sciences may assess such students with an interview and/or a writing exam.

Minimum TOEFL scores acceptable for admission to the university are 550 (paper-based test), 213 (computer-based test), or 79 (Internet-based test). The minimum IELTS score is 6.0. Scores must not be older than two years prior to the date of application to the university. Please note that individual programs may have more stringent minimum requirements

Academic Standing Requirements

These requirements are common to all programs in education and are listed in the Cannon-Clary College of Education  section. Professional Counseling students should refer to their student handbook for program requirements.