The curriculum includes coursework in counseling theories and approaches, courses in specialty areas of mental health, and applied clinical experiences during Practicum and Internship. During practicum, students will complete 40 direct-client hours, under the supervision of our professional faculty. Practicum hours are completed in the Bushnell University Counseling Clinic which serves Bushnell students, as well as community members, offering students a diverse and challenging experience. Our students also have the opportunity to work directly with the Bushnell athletic programs, supporting student-athletes.

During clinical internship, students complete a total of 240 direct-client hours. We have connections with over 40 internship sites in the Lane, Benton, Douglas, Southern, and Coos County regions. The Capstone is the final component of the CMHC program, and it involves the completion of a final clinical project. Once the clinical project is completed and approved by the faculty, the student is eligible for graduation.

After graduating from our program, our graduates are highly employed, and employers report being very satisfied with our graduates’ preparation for work in the mental health field. We also have a higher-than-the-national-average national exam score, and our student survey reports students being very satisfied with their education overall!

This 60-credit hour program offers in-person and online courses and is designed to be completed in 28 months. Some of your classes will be onsite during the evening hours and some of your classes will be offered online.

In addition to class time, students have an opportunity for direct client contact at Bushnell University’s operational onsite counseling clinic.

Course Syllabi is available upon request via email at rmelton@bushnell.edu.

Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Program, candidates will be able to:

• Develop and exhibit a professional identity as a clinical mental health counselor, as evidenced by membership in relevant professional organizations, active preparation for licensure, and obtaining relevant counseling credentials
  • Memberships in ORCA and ACA are required and students should be active in both
• Verbalize a personal theoretical orientation to counseling
• Conduct a comprehensive mental health assessment including a DSM diagnostic impression
• Formulate an evidence-based treatment plan for counseling
• Deliver supervised counseling services to individuals and groups, and document a minimum of 700 clock hours (280 direct hours) of supervised clinical experience
• Model professional ethical practices and adherence to legal requirements for counselors
• Demonstrate an awareness of social, spiritual, and cultural issues impacting clients, and integrate that awareness into culturally competent counseling practice

1. How much does the program cost?

The current tuition and fees are listed here. The CMHC program is 60 credits. When making plans, prospective students should also consider expenses such as textbooks and a parking pass.

2. How long does it take to complete the program?

The CMHC program is generally completed in 28 months.

3. Can I work while doing this program?

Students in the CMHC program must make a personal choice about working while pursuing their education. In the first year of the program, students are required to come to campus just one evening each week, which does allow students to continue working if they choose. In the second year of the program, they also begin seeing clients and participate in supervision with faculty and peers twice a week. Completing clinic hours, attending supervision, and balancing a weekly class may require students to adjust their work schedule as they progress in the program.

4. Is Bushnell accredited?

Yes. The CMHC program is accredited through CACREP (The Counsel for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs).

5. What can I do with my degree after graduating?

The CMHC program is the first step toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). To become an LPC, students must complete their master’s degree, pass the National Counselor Exam (NCE), and complete 1,900 supervised direct-client hours. Graduates of our program are eligible to work in a variety of settings, including agencies, private practice, non-profits, schools, prisons, hospitals, etc. and with individuals across the lifespan.

Have other questions? Contact our admission counselor at 541-684-7201.

24 Graduates from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program in the past year.

76% Completion rate of students from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program in the last 5 years.

100% Licensure/certification exam pass rate of students graduating from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.

97% Job-placement rate of graduates from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.

2021-2022 VITAL STATISTICS SURVEY

2022 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT PLAN

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

In addition to class time, students have the opportunity for direct client contact at Bushnell’s operational onsite counseling clinic. Under the supervision of clinically experienced faculty, students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program provide low-cost, confidential counseling to adults in the community.

1. A free application for admission
2. Official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. If the applicant’s GPA is below a 3.0, they may be asked to submit a current (within 5 years of application) official test score report showing; a minimum combined score of 297 (verbal and quantitative) on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or a minimum scaled score of 400 on the Miller Analogy Test (MAT)
3. A statement of purpose of two to three pages (double-spaced) showing skills in written communication, articulating interest in counseling as a profession, and demonstrating maturity to work in a counseling setting
4. Current resume
5. Two letters of recommendation, preferably one professional and one personal, highlighting any relevant counseling experience and which speaks to the character of the applicant
6. At their own expense, applicants must obtain and pass a criminal background check
7. A personal interview with the Admissions Committee
8. A minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL (213 on the computer TOEFL) for applicants from non-English speaking countries

Hailey Headlee
Admissions Counselor, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

541-684-7348
hheadlee@bushnell.edu

Ryan Melton, Ph.D.
Dean, Psychology and Counseling

541-349-7470
rmelton@bushnell.edu

For a full course description, click here.

• Professional Orientation
• Special Topics
• Personality and Counseling Theory
• The Helping Relationship
• Ethical and Legal
• Research and Evaluation
• Group Dynamics and Theory
• Human Growth and Development
• Lifestyle and Career Development
• Counseling in a Multicultural Society
• Family Systems
• Diagnosis and Neurodiversity
• Testing and Appraisal
• Addiction Counseling
• Crisis, Trauma, and Grief Counseling
• Psychopharmacology
• Clinical Practicum
• Clinical Internship
• Capstone

Bushnell University’s Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). For an overview of the CACREP, click here.

Bushnell University’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program is approved by the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (OBLPCT).

• CAHOOTS – White Bird Clinic
• Bushnell Univeristy – Mental Health Counseling Clinic
• Family Faith And Relatonship Advocates (FARA)
• Shangri-La
• Youth Services – Lane County
• Willamette Sky Cousneling
• Umpqua Community College
• The Sage House
• Eugene Mission
• Sotuh Lane Mental Health
• The Child Center
• El Rod
• Monte Nido (Rain Rock)
• Lane Community College
• Lane County Behavioral Health
• JJ Oregon State Hospital
• Jasper Mountain
• Holly Residential Center
• Douglas County Educational Service
• COMPASS
• Cascade Behavioral Health
• Center Community Counseling
• Children’s Farm Home
• Empowerment Therapy
• Options Counselng
• PeaceHealth
• Stronger Oregon
• Sernity Lane
• Maegan Mexicotte
• G Street Integrated Health
• bethel Health Center
• Cascade Hospice
• Christians As Family Advocates (CAFA)
• Faith Hope and Healing
• Family Development Center Douglas County Relief Nursery
• The Relief Nursery
• C.H.O.I.C.E.S. (Created Healthy Options In Confronting Exploitive Sexuallity
• CFD – Recovery Program
• Jackson County Health and Human Services
• Looking Glass – (AYS)
• Postpartum Support International
• Left Coast wellness
• Parry Center for Children
• Oaskland Elementay School
• Eating Disorder center of  Eugene – Monte Nido
• North Douglas Elementary Middle School
• Direction Service
• Children’s Behavioral Health, Marion County
• Wild Wish Counseling
• Rimrock Trails Treatment Services
• Breaking Free LLC
• Benson Health Cinic
• Sweet Home School District

• PeaceHealth
• Bushnell University
• Looking Glass
• Adaptive Integrated Healthcare
• Aviva Health
• Cascade Health
• Candlelighters for Children With Cancer
• Options Counseling & Family Services
• Jasper Mountain Agency
• Various University Counseling Centers