- Graduate Program Home PageMA in Clinical Mental Health CounselingMA in Community CounselingJoint Law/MA in Clinical Mental Health CounselingJoint Law/MA in PsychologyGraduate Course DescriptionsGraduate Student HandbookGraduate Catalog - Counseling and PsychologyBA/MA Early Entry OptionProspective StudentsCounseling Related Links
- JOINT LAW/MA IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
The JD/MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) is intended for law students who are interested in becoming licensed mental health counselors in the State of Indiana or other states offering the licensure option. This program combines the 90-credit JD with a 60-credit MA CMHC. Because each degree recognizes coursework completed for the other, the total credits amount to 132-138. This program serves students having a variety of goals related to the growing integration of law and psychology, including: - legal practice with a focus in mental health and social service (e.g., legal expert for Mental Health Centers);
- mental health and social service administration where understanding of the law and ability to interact with legal systems is required (e.g., director of a social service agency);
- government employment dealing with regulatory procedures and laws that impact mental health and social service agencies, professionals, and clients;
- legal work for national, regional, or state mental health organizations and associations;
- understanding of issues pertinent to the practice and enhancement of mediation using standard counseling techniques;
- positions that, for whatever reason, require credibility within the mental health professions.
Program Requirements
Law school students are encouraged to begin coursework in psychology 2-3 semesters prior to beginning studies in the law program. The JD and MA degrees need not be awarded simultaneously; rather they are presented when the requirements for each degree are fulfilled. Students in the MA CMHC degree program should plan a minimum of 1-2 additional semesters beyond the third year of law school.Curriculum
JD/MA CMHC (in addition to meeting the JD requirements:) Core Requirements 39 creditsCOUN 545 Community & Health Counseling 3 crCOUN 570 Assessment in Counseling: Testing & Appraisal 3 crCOUN 620 Human Development: Biological & Learned Bases of Behavior 3 crCOUN 625 Social & Cultural Bases of Behavior 3 crCOUN 635 Introduction to Psychopathology 3 crCOUN 642 Advanced Psychopathology 3 crCOUN 660 Helping Relationships: Counseling Theories 3 crCOUN 662 Helping Relationships: Counseling Processes 3 crCOUN 664 Career Counseling: Appraisal & Intervention 3 crCOUN 668 Group Counseling 3 crCOUN 693 Foundations of Professional & Ethical Issues in Counseling 3 crCOUN 694 Counseling Proseminar (4 semesters) 0 cr PSY 602 Research Methods in Psychology 3 cr PSY 700 Law & Psychology: Integrative Project 3 cr Experiential Training
12 creditsOne practicum, one internship, and one advanced internship must be completed. Select law clinics and externships may substitute for the counseling practicum with the approval of the Psychology Department. Electives 9 credits
Law: select six credits from the following: LAW 245
Pretrial Law
3 crLAW 485
Family Law 2 crLAW 486
Law & Health Care Process
3 crLAW 487
Elder Law 3 crLAW 488
Select Topics in Elder Law 2 crLAW 495 B
Children & the Law
3 crLAW 495K
Alternative Dispute
3 crLAW 662
Legal Clinic 2-3 crPsychology/Counseling: 3 credits from the list of approved courses (see electives for the MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling curriculum in the Graduate Catalog)More information on the program can be found in the Graduate Catalog and Student Handbook.
Click on the "Prospective Students" link to learn more about applying for a degree program.
If you have any questions you may email the Director of Counseling and Psychology Graduate Programs, Dr. Jim Nelson.