Gannon University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Program Overview
The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree prepares individuals for careers in professional counseling settings such as behavioral and mental health agencies, hospitals and clinics, human service agencies, college and university counseling centers, and residential treatment facilities. The curriculum provides a blend of counselor training experiences designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to become a professional counselor. Graduates are prepared to pursue National Counselor Certification (NCC) and licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC).

QUALITY COUNTS: Gannon’s CMHC program is distinguished from other programs by:

100% pass rate on the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) and scores consistently above the national average for CACREP programs for past 8 years

Gannon Students' Performance on the National Counselor Exam (NCE)*

Gannon Average

National Average

2021-2022

112.6

103.3

2020-2021

125.2

110.35

2018-2019

113

105

100% pass rate on first attempt 3 consecutive years.

Gannon students have a 95% overall first attempt pass rate since 2005 (N=185).

Gannon students' scores on the NCE have been consistently higher than other CACREP accredited counseling programs since 2009.

Small class sizes, 1:10 faculty to student ratio

Closely monitored supervised clinical experience with opportunities in over 25 sites in the Erie area

Job placement rate has ranged from 95-100% over past 8 years

All Gannon teaching faculty have doctoral degrees in contrast to other programs with Masters level instructors

Students spend over 60 hours training in closely supervised counseling labs prior to on-site clinical experiences that total 700 CACREP required hours

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, career opportunities for professional counselors are rapidly expanding

Graduates have successfully achieved licensure in other states such as Ohio, New York, and Connecticut

View Curriculum and Course Descriptions

Gannon Students' Performance on the National Counselor Exam (NCE)*	Gannon Average	National Average
2021-2022	112.6	103.3
2020-2021	125.2	110.35
2018-2019	113	105

Student Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate understanding of the ethical, legal and professional spheres of counselor roles, responsibilities, and identity.
Demonstrate understanding of the complexities of social and cultural contexts for individuals and their implications for relationships.
Demonstrate understanding of human development across the lifespan and its significance for counseling relationships and strategies.
Demonstrate understanding of career development and the interrelationships among and between work, mental well-being, relationships, and other life roles and factors.
Demonstrate counselor characteristics, behaviors, interviewing, and counseling skills that influence the helping relationship.
Demonstrate understanding of the dynamics, strategies, and conditions associated with group work effectiveness.
Demonstrate competent use of assessment and diagnosis of mental and emotional disorders and conditions.
Demonstrate competent use of research methods, needs assessment, and program evaluation skills important to the counseling profession.
Demonstrate case conceptualization, diagnosis, and treatment planning skills that utilize developmental and multicultural knowledge and an understanding of therapeutic relationships within the context of clinical mental health counseling.
Demonstrate self-awareness and self-development through engagement in active learning and reflectivity.