Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling

During the half-day admissions interview at Regis’ Northwest Denver or Thornton Campus, prospective students participate in highly interactive group discussions and written reflective assignments designed to further assess each student's readiness for the program. 

No. No exceptions are made to assigned interview dates.

Rarely. In general, all candidates are required to interview in person on campus. The only exception to this rule is if an applicant lives outside of the US and is unable to travel due to visa regulations.

You have six years from the date you sign your degree plan to complete your degree. A 60-credit hour program generally takes students approximately three years to complete.

Classes are primarily held on the Thornton Campus.  Some coursework is periodically offered at the Northwest Denver campus or Denver Tech Center Campus based upon student and faculty needs.

Courses are offered in the following formats:

• Term courses: These are seven weeks long and you come to class once a week from 5:30pm-10:00pm
• Semester courses: These are 14 weeks long and you come to class once a week from 6:00pm-9:00pm
• Intensive format: These are four days per month and you come to class Friday and/or Saturday from 9:00am-5:00pm

Practicum consists of two concurrent courses for a total of 6 credits, MCPY 692 combined with MCPY 693. Students are involved in three components of practicum: 

1. Clinical lab work & group supervision at the Thornton Center for Counseling and Family Therapy.  This class meets 6 hours each week to include both the clinical lab work AND supervision.
2. Participating in individual, triadic, and group supervision with a MAC Faculty Supervisor.
3. Facilitating or co-facilitating group(s) counseling at an approved community counseling agency. The group practicum experience also includes attending supervision and training at the off-campus site.

You will be registered for an internship at the request of the Clinical Administrative Coordinator by the Registrar’s office for one class (MCPY 698 A, B, or C) which includes:

• Approximately 15-20 hours per week at an approved clinical internship site
• Regis Group Supervision - This class meets for 3 hours every other week during clinic hours with a Regis faculty and 6-10 Regis student interns.

Students must accrue a minimum of 800 clinical hours in order to complete the clinical component of the MAC program. 

Yes, many students do work while taking classes. Outside of the clinical component of the program, courses are taught in the evening or weekend format allowing for flexibility depending on a your lifestyle and commitments.  Once you enter practicum and internships, flexibility in employment is very important as you will likely see clients during the day/working hours.

The State of Colorado Licensure Board for Professional Counselors requires an additional 2,000 hours of experience under the supervision of a board approved supervisor. To become an LPC in Colorado you must also pass the state licensure exam for professional counselors. The licensure board issues a counseling license to applicants upon completion of all requirements.

Regis University does not issue licenses, rather the Regis MAC program meets the academic requirements for licensure. Regis University will issue the student a master’s degree in Counseling with a specialization in Community Counseling upon completion of all degree requirements.

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) outlines in great detail the requirements for licensure in Colorado. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Colorado, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before beginning the academic program. For more information on licensure in Colorado and other states, please review the Licensure Disclosures page which has links to all the various regulatory agencies.

The Master of Arts in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and is approved by the International Registry of Counselor Education Programs (IRCEP).

Regis University is proud of our alumni and what they accomplish after graduation. View the program outcomes for the MA in Counseling degree and the comprehensive annual review report for 2021.

Department of Counseling CMHC Mission Statement

Through the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit, students seeking degree programs in the Department of Counseling will gain an understanding of their values and an ethical willingness to effect personal and cultural transformation.

The Department of Counseling provides clinical mental health training and supervision to future Professional Counselors. Learning experiences are informed by Jesuit educational values and traditions. Students engage in personal reflection and critical thinking while developing a discerning mind and heart, dedicated to the service of others in need.

Graduates are prepared to live as reflective, inquisitive, creative, and service-oriented leaders. They are ready to make a positive impact with an emphasis on social justice and advocacy in a changing society.

Master of Arts in Counseling CMHC Program Objectives and Learning Outcomes

1. Students will understand and apply a comprehensive knowledge of individual and family developmental theories (CACREP 2016 Standard 2.F.3.)
2. Students will demonstrate appropriate ethical and legal foundations of the profession into their clinical decision-making and clinical services provided (CACREP 2016 Standard 2.F.1.i )
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to practice counseling using multicultural and pluralistic characteristics (CACREP 2016 Standard 2.F.2.a)
4. Students will understand and apply a working knowledge of the theories and models of career development in counseling (CACREP Standard 2.F.4.a)
5. Students will demonstrate the clinical ability to use essential interviewing, counseling and case conceptualization skills with a range of clients (CACREP 2016 Standard 2.F.5.g)
6. Students will understand and apply appropriate knowledge of therapeutic factors in effective group therapy (CACREP 2016 Standard 2.F.6.c)
7. Students will demonstrate the ability to assess, treat, and report trauma, abuse, suicidal and/or homicidal ideation at the individual and systemic level (CACREP 2016 Standards 2.F.7.c)
8. Students will demonstrate skills and practices of assessment that provide appropriate research and evaluation processes to deliver effective clinical mental health services for diverse client populations. (CACREP Clinical Mental Health Standard J.)