The MEd in professional counseling, clinical mental health concentration is a 60 credit masters program leading to eligibility as a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), the first step towards obtaining the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in the state of New Jersey. (NOTE: A passing score on the National Certification Exam is required in order to apply for the LAC and/or LPC.) The program consists of a common core of 42 credits, 12 credits specific to mental health counseling, plus six credits of electives. Currently, in order to be an approved counselor for TRICARE (the military medical system) you must be a fully licensed counselor (LPC) who has graduated from a CACREP accredited Masters program and who has qualified to be a CCMHC. Effective January 1, 2022 a Masters degree from a CACREP accredited Masters program will be required in order to obtain any certification issued by the National Board of Certified Counselors. These certifications include National Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Clinical Mental Heath Counselor (CCMHC), Master Addictions Counseling (MAC), and National Certified School Counselor (NCSC). View Required Courses and Course Descriptions in the University Course Catalog Click here: Professional Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Concentration, MED
Additional Information In order to graduate from the program students must successfully complete a student portfolio as well as passing the comprehensive exam. In addition, mental health students wishing to apply for the Licensed Associate Counseling (LAC), the first step to the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential, must pass the National Certification Exam (NCE) (the licensing exam in the state of New Jersey). Since the Professional Counseling program is a CACREP accredited program, students may take the NCE at William Paterson University during their internship semester. The exam is typically given in April. After successfully completing 60 credits, the student portfolio, the comprehensive exam, and the NCE, students are eligible to apply for the LAC. Admissions Graduate Program Handbook Clinical Mental Health Practicum Handbook Clinical Mental Health Internship Handbook *Please be advised that admissions requirements, curriculum, and course schedules are subject to modification. There are approximately 108 matriculated students in the Professional Counseling Program (2023-2024). Of those students, approximately 44% identify as female, 10% identify as male, and 46% have not reported gender. The racial make-up of students is approximately 26% White, 15% Black/African American, 7% Hispanic, 2% American Indian or Alaska Native, 2% Multi-Racial, 2% Middle Eastern, and 46% unidentified. Approximately 37% of students reported non-Hispanic origin, while 17% reported Hispanic, Latino, Spanish origin, and 46% did not respond. Approximately 52% of students reported not having a documented disability, 2% reported a documented disability, and 46% did not respond to this question. One percent of students reported veteran status, while 53% reported not being a veteran, and 46% did not respond. No students reported active duty, though 46% did not respond. Two percent (2%) of students are international and 46% did not respond to this status. Overall, approximately 99% of matriculated students graduate from the program in the expected time frame, three years for full time students and four years for part time students. We have an approximate program completion rate of 99% along with a job placement rate of 97% for our students/graduates. In 2024 there were 13 graduates from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration and 10 graduates from the School Counseling Concentration. Out of the 23 graduates, 17 students completed the National Counselor Exam (NCE), resulting in a program pass rate of 88%, with Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration students achieving an 85% pass rate.
