Prospective students should address inquiries to the Mental Health Counseling (MHC) graduate office coordinator.

The Master in Mental Health Counseling (MHC) prepares competent, culturally aware, ethical counselors who will provide exceptional mental health services in both public and private settings to meet the needs of increasingly diverse communities.

The curriculum is designed to meet state and national  standards, so that graduates can apply to become licensed counselors throughout the U.S. The MHC program has attained national accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (OBLPCT) also recognize the MHC program as meeting the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

The MHC program provides an academic environment with small classes where faculty members support students’ personal and professional growth. Students develop a deep understanding of the personhood of the counselor as an important foundation for the counseling relationship and attain a broad theoretical and empirical understanding of counseling approaches.

Students grow in counseling skills throughout their studies, beginning experiential training in the first term with close supervision and guidance. Students learn to think and act ethically, demonstrating professional accountability and acumen for the welfare of clients, agencies, communities, and the mental health counseling profession. They develop strong professional identities as mental health counselors.

Admission Process

The deadline for applications for the next academic year is February 15. Students are required to submit two separate applications:

1. an SOU application for admission using the policies described in the Graduate Studies section, along with a $50 application fee; and
2. a Master in Mental Health Counseling application, which may be acquired online at the program web site www.sou.edu/psychology/mhc or by contacting the MHC Graduate Office Coordinator Lori Courtney at 541-552-6947 or mhc@sou.edu.