NEW!! Start our CMHC Program Summer 2026 or Fall 2026!! 

See Graduate Application for additional information! 

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Develop a professional counselor identity that emphasizes wellness, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ongoing professional development.
  2. Implement safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive counseling services that respect and celebrate the uniqueness of all populations.
  3. Engage with self-exploration to understand how personal values and experiences influence professional counseling.
  4. Apply policy, ethical codes, and laws throughout the ethical decision-making process to ensure best practice.
  5. Evaluate counseling specific scholarly literature to inform practice.
  6. Establish intentional and collaborative counseling relationships with clients.
  7. Create theoretical case conceptualizations that inform counseling assessment, planning, and intervention.
  8. Utilize assessment tools for diagnosis, treatment planning, counseling outcomes, and program evaluation
  9. Employ a variety of therapeutic modalities, including interventions for individuals, groups, children, adolescents, couples, and families.

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Will I be able to License in Another State?

Will Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) meet the educational requirements for the professional credential in the state or US territory you might choose to live during or after completing your UVU degree? Visit the UVU Professional Licensure website to learn more!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the program take?

The program is designed to take five semesters when enrolled full-time with satisfactory progress. 

If students do not complete their 100 clinical hours in practicum (CMHC 671R) they will need to register for, and attend this course until they complete their 100 hours, or until the end of the semester, whichever comes last.

If students do not accrue the 600 clinical hours required to graduate, they will need to continue to register for, and attend, the CMHC 6890R until they finish.

How much does the program cost?

Tuition can change from year to year. Below are costs for the academic year 2025-26.

$1,361.76 per 3 credit-hour class for in-state tuition

$27,236.00 total for the degree

A breakdown of tuition and fees can be found here.

Financial Aid and Scholarships are also available. Contact Financial Aid here

How many students does the program take?

The program will typically admit at least 50 students per year.  Cohorts start in August each year and proceed through the program together.

How are classes held?

We are a fully in-person program. Students can expect to be on campus in class 2-3 afternoons or evenings per week. Classes are held in three formats each semester:

  1. Online. There will always be at least one online course per semester.
  2. Hybrid. There will always be at least one hybrid course per semester.
  3. Face-to-face. There will always be at least one face-to-face course per semester.

The face-to-face and hybrid sections will be taught in the afternoon and/or evening to accommodate students employed and further the likelihood of successful practicum and internship placement.

Can I attend part-time?

Yes! There are part-time options available. You will be given an opportunity to discuss this with you future advisor during admissions interviews. 

Does this program require a thesis?

This program does not require a thesis.

Can I get licensed when I graduate?

Our curriculum is designed to meet DOPL requirements for application for licensure in the State of Utah. In addition,  the CMHC Master’s program  prepares students for their licensing exam (National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification). Also, the program is seeking to obtain accreditation from the Council for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) which will facilitate the transferability of licenses for students in the licensure process. In total, this program  ensures that students receive quality training which prepares them for their licensing exam and also provide students an in-house supervised practical experience with the clinical faculty.

How can I find a practicum site?

The UVU CMHC program has relationships with many local practicum sites. Students should work closely with the Director of Clinical Education to determine if one of these sites would be a good fit. Any student who wishes to work at a site that is not approved by the UVU CMHC program should seek approval from the Director of Clinical Education prior to providing services at that site.

Is the UVU CMHC program accredited

The program is currently in the process of working to receive accreditation from CACREP.

What does it mean if I graduate from a CMHC program that is not CACREP-accredited?

In terms of licensure, students who graduate from a non-accredited program will need to provide verification of coursework and clinical work when they apply for state licensure. The UVU CMHC program is designed to meet these licensure requirements in the State of Utah.  Accreditation may prove more important for students who wish to transfer their hours before they fully license after they graduate. For those students, transferring their degree from a non-accredited program may increase difficulty in the licensing process in certain states depending on their licensure requirements. After students are fully licensed in Utah, this is less of an issue.

Can I transfer into this program from another graduate program?

We do accept transfers. We can accept up to 15 credits from another program if we also offer those courses and the credit has been completed within the last 4 years. Remedial coursework may be assigned based on the program director's recommendation.

Faculty and Staff

 

When Who Course Number Title Format
Fall 1st Year Anton Tolman CMHC 6030 DSM V Diagnostics Online
Fall 1st Year Cameron John CMHC 6040 Professional Orientation Online
Spring 1st Year Brett Breton CMHC 6050 Career Counseling Online
Fall 2nd Year Russel Warne CMHC 6110 Research Methods Hybrid
Spring 2nd Year Brett Breton CMHC 6130 Multicultural Counseling In-Person
Spring 2nd Year Chris Anderson CMHC 6150 Cognitive Therapies In-Person
Spring 2nd Year Jessi Hill CMHC 6160 Human Development Online

             Dr. Carrie Merino                                                                                Dr. Russ Bailey                                                                                               Dr. Jamison Law

                      Dr. Carrie Merino, PhD                                                                                                            Dr. Russ Bailey, PhD                                                                                                                          Dr. Jamison Law, EdD

       Program Director, Associate Professor                                                                                        Associate Professor                                                                                                                            Assistant Professor

 

                                                                                                      Dr. Paige Lowe                                                                                          Ashley Hansen, M.S.

                                                                                                           Dr. Paige Lowe, PhD                                                                                                                Ashley Hansen, M.S.

                                                                                                            Assistant Professor                                                                                                           CMHC Program Manager