Program Overview

You have a passion for helping those who are hurting. You want to help those who are searching for answers, find them. So learn how to touch lives in meaningful ways that only a trained counselor can. We’ll help you achieve your goal to help those in need.
Look at therapy through the lens of an individual's psyche. Learn to walk with clients as they navigate life's challenges. And with specializations in play therapy, addictions or integrative behavioral health, you'll be fully prepared to enter whichever field of counseling matches your interests.
Our small class sizes mean you'll get the personalized guidance you need to advance. With curriculum built around licensure expectations and a 100 percent pass rate, you'll be prepared to excel. Study in the first faith-based, CACREP accredited program in Tennessee to arrive at the intersection of caring and competent.
Program statistics:
- Number of graduates in the past year: 28
- Completion Rate: 93%
- Licensure or certification examination pass rate: 100%
- Job placement rate: 80%
Admissions Requirements
Please submit:
- Lipscomb University's online application
- A 500-700 word essay that explains more about you and why you're applying to this program
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from all schools attended
- GRE scores (waived if you already hold a master's degree, optional if you have a 3.0 or above undergraduate GPA)
- Interview
Deadline for Fall 2021 will be March 15, 2021. Interview Day will be Friday, April 9, 2021.
Courses
Core Courses (46 Hours):
- COUN 5103 - Theories of Counseling and Personality
- COUN 5113 - Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- COUN 5203 - Introduction to Psychopathology and Adaptive Behavior
- COUN 5303 - Lifespan Development
- COUN 5603 - Research Methods and Statistics
- COUN 5703 - Ethics and Professional Issues in Counseling
- COUN 5803 - Integration of Psychology and Christianity Seminar
- COUN 5903 - Introduction to Counseling Skills
- COUN 6053 - Multicultural Issues in Counseling
- COUN 6103 - Group Dynamics and Group Counseling
- COUN 6253 - Career Counseling
- COUN 6303 - Substance Abuse Counseling
- COUN 6603 - Trauma and Advanced Psychopathology
- COUN 6653 - Assessment Techniques
- COUN 6703 - Effective Counseling and Treatment Planning
- COUN 6951 - Capstone Seminar in Counseling
Practicum Courses (9 Hours)
- COUN 6803 - Practicum
- COUN 6903 - Internship I or COUN 6963 - Internship I in Play Therapy
- COUN 6913 - Internship II or COUN 6973 - Internship II in Play Therapy
Elective Courses (select 6 Hours/2 courses):
- COUN 6003 - Grief and Crisis Counseling
- COUN 6153 - Marriage and Family Counseling
- COUN 6A23 - Introduction to Play Therapy
- COUN 6223 - Advanced Play Therapy & Expressive Arts
- COUN 6363 - Assessment, Diagnosis & Treatment Planning for Substance Use Disorders
- COUN 6373 - Prevention, Intervention & Counseling for Substance Use Disorders
- COUN 6403 - Psychopharmacology
- COUN 6453 - Gerontology
- COUN 6503 - Human Sexuality
- COUN 675V - Psychological/Counseling Topics
- PSG 6933 - Thesis I
- PSG 6943 - Thesis II
-
Electives from other Lipscomb graduate programs may be substituted upon approval by the Graduate Director.
Required course sequence for a first year full-time student in M.S. in CMHC
First Semester:
Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Introduction to Psychopathology and Adaptive Behavior
Theories of Counseling and Personality
Second Semester:
Introduction to Counseling Skills
Trauma & Advanced Psychopathology
Ethics & Professional Issues in Counseling
Third Semester:
Multicultural Issues in Counseling
Effective Counseling & Treatment Planning
Substance Abuse Counseling or Foundations of Substance Use Disorders Treatment*
Specializations
Addiction Counseling Specialization - Students must apply and are admitted specifically into this specialization for a January start only. Students in this specialization complete the standard clinical mental health counseling coursework with the addition of specialized coursework and practicum/internship in substance use addiction at a local residential addictions facility. Specifically, students take the following specialized courses:
- COUN 5213 Foundations of Substance Use Disorders Treatment (*replaces COUN 6303)
- COUN 6363 Assessment, Diagnosis & Treatment Planning for Substance Use Disorders (as Elective One)
- COUN 6373 Prevention, Intervention & Counseling for Substance Use Disorders (as Elective Two).
The M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Addiction Counseling Specialization is designed to meet the academic requirements for Tennessee licensure as Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation (LPC-MHSP) and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC).
Play Therapy Specialization - Students interested in this specialization complete specialized coursework and one internship in play therapy. Students admitted in either fall or spring semesters may choose this specialization. Specifically, students take the following courses:
- COUN 6A23 Introduction to Play Therapy (as Elective One)
- COUN 6223 Advanced Play Therapy & Expressive Arts (as Elective Two)
- COUN 6963 Internship I in Play Therapy or COUN 6973 Internship II in Play Therapy (as a part of the clinical year sequence).
The M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Play Therapy Specialization is designed to meet the academic requirements for Tennessee licensure as Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation (LPC-MHSP) and to meet partial requirements for credentialing as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT; check out Association for Play Therapy for more details regarding credential. http://www.a4pt.org/).
Tuition & Aid
Program tuition is currently $962* per credit hour.
*Note: The graduate tuition rates may increase annually, effective each summer semester.