Whitney Akers, Ph.D., LCMHC, NCC, ACS
Director of Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, and Associate Professor
Already have a master's in Professional School Counseling from UNCP? Add the educational requirement to become a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in North Carolina!
Candidates possessing a CACREP-Accredited master's degree in Professional School Counseling from UNCP may apply for admission to the Post-Master's Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
The Post-Master's Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is not a fully online program. Half of the required courses are hybrid and require on-campus attendance at our main campus in Pembroke or our satellite campus in Wilmington at least 8 times per semester.
Please note that certificate students can receive federal financial aid or may establish a monthly payment plan through Student Accounts if desired.
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Summary of the Post-Master's Certificate Protocol and Policy
1. Only candidates with a CACREP-Accredited* master's degree in Professional School Counseling from UNCP will be considered for the Post-Master's Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
2. Students must complete the certificate within 4 years.
3. Students must earn a final grade of "A", “B”, or "Pass" in all graded coursework applied toward satisfying certificate requirements.
4. No more than two specialty classes taken at UNCP within the past seven years may be applied to the certificate curriculum. Courses taken at other colleges/universities are not eligible to transfer credit to this program. No transfer credits are accepted for CNS 6100 or CNS 6120.
5. Students are obligated to adhere to all policies established by the program, school, and university and are responsible for accessing and understanding such policies.
6. Students are responsible for purchasing all course materials including a lifetime subscription to the field placement software.
7. Students should be aware that licensure is granted by the state counseling board. It is the student's responsibility to complete all requirements mandated by licensing boards.
*The earliest date a UNCP graduate can be considered a CACREP graduate is July 14, 2011 -
Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Plan of Study
Required Specialty Course: 3 Sem. Hrs.
CNS 5450 The Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Must be completed before CNS 6100 Practicum, not concurrently.
Additional Required Specialty Courses: 12 Sem. Hrs.
CNS 5080 Gender & Sexuality Issues
CNS 5360 Diagnosis & Treatment Planning
CNS 5850 Theory & Process of Family Counseling
CNS 5900 Addictions Counseling
Field Experience Requirements: 9 Sem. Hrs.
CNS 6100 Counseling Practicum
CNS 6120 CMHC Internship I
CNS 6120 CMHC Internship II