Master of Education - Professional Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Counseling

William Paterson University

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).