Clinical Mental Health Counseling
preparing competent and ethically grounded counselors
About the Program
Holistic, Developmental, Ethical Counseling Education
The M.S in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program at the University of St. Thomas is grounded in the university’s Catholic intellectual tradition, emphasizing the dignity of the human person, ethical responsibility, and service to others. Our program prepares competent and ethically grounded counselors who are equipped to serve diverse communities with skill and integrity.
Our approach to counselor education is holistic and developmental, integrating clinical knowledge, skill-building, and professional identity through a highly experiential learning model. Students are encouraged to engage deeply in both personal and professional growth, cultivating self-awareness and clinical competence essential for effective counseling practice.
Our Curriculum
What Sets Us Apart
As the only Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited CMHC program located in Houston proper, we are uniquely positioned to provide students with rigorous academic training alongside meaningful, real-world clinical experiences in one of the most diverse metropolitan areas in the country.
Our 60-hour program is designed to balance depth with efficiency. Students can complete the degree in an accelerated 2.5-year format, allowing them to enter the field sooner while meeting national standards and all academic and clinical requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC Associate).
Other Reasons to study with UST CMHC?
- In-Person, day program courses are offered Mondays and Wednesdays, allowing flexibility for work and clinical training
- 70+ established partnerships for practicum and internship placements
- Early and ample opportunities to engage in real-world counseling settings throughout training
- Last year, our students had a 100% passing rate on the National Counselor Exam (NCE)
Cacrep Accredited
Set Yourself Up for Success
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the University of St. Thomas is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the premier accrediting body for counselor education programs. CACREP accreditation ensures that the program meets rigorous national standards in curriculum, faculty qualifications, clinical training, and student outcomes.
Graduation from a CACREP-accredited program supports eligibility for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas and many other states. Students are encouraged to review individual state requirements for licensure.
In accordance with CACREP standards, the program publishes an Annual Student Outcomes Report, which includes data on program completion rates, licensure examination performance, and job placement outcomes. This report can be found here:
Rooted in Mission
Program Highlights
- Mentor-and-Ambassador Program: Students have the opportunity to participate in the Mentor & Ambassador Program, where second-year students provide peer mentorship to incoming students while representing the program at university and community events. Participants are given a valuable seat at the table, contributing to program development, supporting its continued growth, and engaging in the student selection process through group interviews. Incoming students also benefit from this initiative through one-on-one mentorship, cohort engagement activities, and panel discussions hosted by mentors to support student success in both academic and practicum experiences.
- Rotating Electives: In addition to core coursework, the CMHC program offers rotating elective courses that allow students to tailor their training to their interests. Elective offerings may include areas such as trauma, pre-adolescent counseling, play therapy, sports psychology, and a thesis option for students interested in research and advanced study.
- Real-World Impact: Students have the chance to apply their studies in real-world scenarios throughout the program through our Clinical Training Center and internship placements with our 70+ community partners.
Build Your Skills
Clinical Training Center
Students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program benefit from a highly experiential and practice-oriented learning environment. A central component of this experience is the Clinical Training Center (CTC), led by the Clinical Training Director and Clinical Coordinator.
The CTC serves a dual purpose. First, it provides a structured training environment where students can develop and refine their clinical skills with built-in supervision and support. Second, it serves the greater community by offering counseling services and mental health resources, reflecting the University of St. Thomas’s mission as a Catholic institution committed to service, dignity, and the well-being of others.
In addition to the CTC, students engage in hands-on coursework, collaborative learning experiences, and real-world clinical placements through our extensive network of community partnerships.