Counseling Specializations

Our Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization interweaves neuro-informed, trauma-sensitive practices throughout its curriculum. Learn psychopathology, psychopharmacology, assessment and treatment planning, addiction and dual diagnosis from a culturally sensitive perspective.

Our faculty have expertise in counseling older adults, integrated behavioral health, Adlerian play therapy, multicultural counseling, co-occurring mental health and substance use, and specialized evidence-based trauma treatments.

With a combination of core courses, required specialization courses, and elective courses, students specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling can pursue a general focus, a children and adolescents focus, or a gerontological counseling distinction.

Courses & Curriculum

Total credit hours = 60

In addition to the core courses, students pursuing the Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization take the following required courses:

• COUN 6805 Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Foundations and Systems
• COUN 6405 Advanced Psychopathology and Treatment
• COUN 6605 Counseling Practices for Addictions and Co-Occurring Disorders
• COUN 6291 Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Students also take a minimum of 3 elective courses, with the freedom to choose electives based on their desired counseling focus.

General Focus Elective Options

• COUN 6254 Counseling Children and Adolescents
• COUN 6286 Counseling Older Adults
• COUN 6505 Dynamics of Family, Couples and Human Sexuality
• COUN 6503 Wellness, Self-Care, and Brain-Based Strategies

Children and Adolescents Focus Elective Options

• COUN 6254 Counseling Children and Adolescents
• COUN 6210 Developing Comprehensive School Counseling Programs
• COUN Leadership, Consultation, and Collaboration in School
• COUN Foundations and Contemporary Issues in School Counseling

Gerontological Counseling Distinction

In addition to completing three additional courses (two required courses and one elective), the gerontological counseling distinction entails project-based learning and professional development. Please see the gerontological counseling distinction page for full details.

Career Opportunities

In addition to strong foundational counseling knowledge and skills, students are trained to work with adults, children and adolescents, older adults, families, and couples, and are prepared to work alongside educators, mental health clinicians, and other collaborators. Examples of career goals our alumni have achieved include working as:

• Clinical mental health counselors/therapists
• Family therapists
• School-based counselors/therapists
• Crisis counselors
• University counseling center counselors/therapists
• Substance use counselors
• Mental health community educators/outreach coordinators
• Employee assistance program counselors/therapists
• Rehabilitation counselors

Our Dual Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling specialization stands out for its unique structure, which leads to two specializations within one degree. Students build a strong counseling foundation by specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. And they gain instruction and training that the long-established UNI School Counseling specialization is known for, enabling them to address the developmental and emotional needs of children and adolescents in K-12 schools. Graduates of the dual specialization will be prepared to implement a comprehensive, systematic, data-informed, developmentally appropriate program as described in the American School Counselor Association National Model®. 

Our faculty are involved in research, practice, and professional service across all levels of K-12 education. Faculty have expertise in multicultural school counseling, collaborative practices in K-12 schools, and academic, career, and social-emotional growth.

Education degrees, certificates, and teaching experience are not required for admission. Those without a teacher’s license must take SPIE 3150 Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners in Classrooms to meet state requirements for school counselor licensure.

Courses and Curriculum

Total credit hours = 69

In addition to the core courses, students pursuing the Dual Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling specialization take the following required courses:

• COUN 6805 Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Foundations and Systems
• COUN 6405 Advanced Psychopathology and Treatment
• COUN 6605 Counseling Practices for Addictions and Co-Occurring Disorders
• COUN 6291 Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• COUN 6254 Counseling Children and Adolescents
• COUN 6210 Developing Comprehensive School Counseling Programs
• COUN Leadership, Consultation, and Collaboration in School
• COUN Foundations and Contemporary Issues in School Counseling
• COUN 6291 Internship in School Counseling

Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities

In addition to strong foundational counseling knowledge and skills, students are trained to develop comprehensive school counseling programs and become collaborative leaders in schools. Examples of career goals our alumni have achieved include working as:

• Professional school counselors
• Elementary school success counselors
• Student services personnel

Core Courses

All UNI Counseling Program students take the following core courses:

• COUN 6103 Professional Orientation and Ethics in Counseling
• COUN 5105 Counseling Skills
• COUN 6104 Counseling Theories
• COUN 6220 Group Counseling Skills and Processes
• COUN 6228 Assessment Techniques in Counseling
• COUN 6256 Multicultural Counseling
• COUN 6262 Intervention and Prevention in Lifespan Development
• COUN 6304 Crisis and Trauma Intervention and Management
• COUN 6225 Facilitating Career Development
• COUN 6207 Diagnosis and Psychopharmacology in Counseling
• COUN Counseling Research and Program Evaluation
• COUN 6290 Practicum

CACREP Accreditation

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has granted accreditation through March 2031 to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling specializations in the UNI College of Social & Behavioral Sciences.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Dual Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling specializations meet the academic requirements for counselor licensure in the state of Iowa. 

Students are eligible to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) during their final semester of enrollment and thereby meet the examination requirement for receiving mental health counselor licensure. Graduates obtain a temporary license (tLMHC) and complete a minimum of two years (3000 hours) of post-coursework experience as mental health counselors, including 200 hours of required supervision en route to applying for their permanent license. Visit the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing for specific rules, requirements, and guidelines for licensure applications. 

School counselors are credentialed by the Iowa Department of Education Educational Licensure Office. Visit the office’s website for information and requirements for obtaining an initial professional service license, a professional service license, and a Class G counseling license.