Degrees and Certifications

The program leading to a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) is designed for those who wish to gain the academic preparation and skills to work in clinical mental health counseling centers, substance abuse treatment facilities, private practice, or other professional counseling settings.

Sixty (60) credit hours are required for completion of the M.S. degree in CMHC. During the program, students actively engage in hands-on experience and complete a total of 700 clock hours of clinical work with real-life clients or patients. Clientele may include individuals and families from all walks of life, each with their unique needs, values, and beliefs.

Students receive the academic preparation necessary to sit for the National Counselor Examination and become licensed professional counselors (LPC) in the state of Tennessee.

The program leading to a Master of Science degree in School Counseling is designed to prepare graduates to work as professional counselors in elementary and secondary schools.

This is a fifty (50) credit hour program that emphasizes meeting typical emotional needs interfering with student academic progress.

During the program, students actively engage in hands-on experience and complete a total of 700 clock hours of clinical work in public school settings. In addition to assisting children and adolescents with their counseling needs, they work with diverse teachers, families, and community providers.

Following recently established CACREP accreditation requirements, the school counseling program at Southern is expected to transition to a sixty (60) credit hour program by the year 2023. Graduates are prepared to take the Praxis II exam in Professional School Counseling and, upon passing, they become certified school counselors in the state of Tennessee.

If you are interested in working as a professional school counselor outside the state of Tennessee, you may obtain additional information from the program faculty about how to become licensed in other parts of the U.S. 

The program leading to a Master of Science degree in Professional Counseling with dual emphasis in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling is designed for students who wish to broaden their opportunities as counseling professionals.

Students gain the knowledge and hands-on training to positively impact the lives of children and their families in school settings. Students also become prepared to provide counseling services to individuals and groups in mental health clinics or other environments. This unique program is CACREP-accredited.

Compared to the M.S. program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, it takes only one additional semester for students to graduate with the dual emphasis degree. It opens new career avenues by making graduates eligible to pursue separate licenses in both clinical mental health counseling and school counseling.

The post-Master’s certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling includes a minimum of 21 semester hours of courses and field practice which meet part of the requirement for taking the state licensure (LPC) exam.

Candidates must have a previously-earned Master’s in Counseling, preferably from a CACREP-accredited program. Additional semester hours may be required for candidates who need to remove deficiencies or who have particular interests.

The post-Master’s certificate in School Counseling includes a minimum of 18 semester hours of courses and field practice. Candidates must have a previously earned Master’s in Counseling, preferably from a CACREP-accredited program. Additional semester hours may be required of candidates who need to remove deficiencies or who have particular interests

According to State of Tennessee certification requirements, school counseling candidates without prior teaching experience will need to participate in an additional orientation experience, including observation of, participation in, and analysis of classroom teaching in a school setting as part of their academic training.

Candidates who wish to meet the requirements for School Counselor certification in Tennessee must complete all required coursework and pass the designated PRAXIS II exam.