Master’s in Mental Health Counseling

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Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling

Heritage University’s Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling prepares you for a rewarding career helping individuals struggling with mental illness, addiction and abuse. The program is particularly geared towards preparing graduates to work as mental health counselors in the K-12 school system. However, graduates can go on to work as mental health counselors in a wide array of fields.

Applications now accepted for the 2025-2026 cohort. Deadline is January 6, 2025.
Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a monthly basis.

About Our Program

Heritage University’s program was created with input from Educational Service District 105 and the Yakama Nation to develop a curriculum that aligns with the needs of our community. The employment outlook for mental health counselors is strong, particularly in the education arena. As K-12 school districts struggle to serve kids with complex emotional and behavioral needs, school-based mental health counselors have become integral to the education team. They play a critical role in supporting children so they can overcome barriers that get in the way of their academic success. Plus, they help elevate key markers for school success. Schools with mental health counselors show improvements across the board—better attendance rates; lower rates of suspension, expulsion, and other disciplinary actions; improved academic achievement; and improved graduation rates.

Program Learning Goals

Course offerings and curriculum align with the requirements set by the Washington State Department of Health to apply to be a licensed mental health counselor-associate.

Students understand, identify, and develop strategies for working with clients at different developmental stages, including understanding how addiction, trauma and developmental concerns impact the client and process of human growth and development.
Students understand the impact of culture, including their own, on the counseling process and are able to act within the expectations of multicultural and social justice competencies.
With respect for and healthy collaboration with other professionals, students adopt the professional identity of a counselor and practice
as such, including following and knowing the ACA Code of Ethics, state legal codes, reporting and referral processes, and the roles and functions of a professional counselor.
Students understand group counseling dynamics and are able to facilitate various types of groups using appropriate and relevant group facilitation skills to create transformational experiences in serving clients.
Students intentionally, creatively and effectively use essential counseling and interviewing skills in working with clients from various cultures and backgrounds.
Students are able to incorporate theoretical understanding into work with clients, including using techniques and interventions, conceptualization and developing a personal understanding of their own theoretical approach.
Students understand assessment process in counseling and intentionally and effectively utilize appropriate assessments for a variety of reasons across a variety of settings, particularly within community mental health and educational contexts.
Students are effective consumers of research and understand how to intentionally apply research to the counseling process.

Student Handbook for
Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling (MMHC)
2024-2025

Program Benefits

• Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor-Associate eligible program.
• Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee optional course plan.
• Complete your degree in two years (six semesters).
• Classes asynchronous online and in-person on Friday afternoons.
• Program emphasis on mental health services in K-12 schools.
• Option for a Spanish Language Service Profession certificate.

Year 1 Fall	Year 1 Spring	Year 1 Summer
Introduction to Counseling and Professional Identity (3)	Group Counseling (3)	Trauma Informed Counseling (3)
Counseling Skills (3)	Professional, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Counseling (3)	Child and Adolescent Counseling (3)
Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan (3)	Diagnosis and Assessment (3)	Counseling Theory and Techniques (3)
Family Systems (3)	Multicultural Competence in Counseling (3)

Year 2 Fall	Year 2 Spring	Year 2 Summer
Addictions (3)	College and Career Counseling (2)	Elective Choice (3)
Elective Choice (3)	Evidence Informed Practice (3)
Practicum (2) Internship I (2)	Internship II (2)

Program application requirements:

To qualify for the MA in Mental Health Counseling program, you will need to have earned a Bachelor’s degree by the time your first semester begins. We encourage students to have at least one class in Research Methods and Mental Illness prior to beginning the program, though can work with students if that is missing from their background. To apply, students will need to submit unofficial transcripts, several brief personal statements (questions below), and information for two letter of recommendation writers.

Personal statement questions:

How have your previous experiences prepared you to pursue and successfully complete graduate studies?
Please describe one example of a time where you demonstrated a commitment to fostering inclusivity in your educational and/or work settings.
If we talked to a mentor or supervisor of yours, what do you think they would say you’re good at? Why?
Please describe your knowledge of mental health challenges in rural areas and how you would hope to address those challenges as a clinician.
(optional) Is there any additional information you feel would help us understand your ability to successfully complete the MMHC?

Heritage University Graduate Application

@HU.MMHC

@heritage_mmhc

First Hand Testimonials

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