For this degree, graduates will also be prepared to site for the National Counselor Examination (NCE). Although not yet accredited through CACREP, the structure and content of the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MD) is aligned with the CACREP 2016 standards.
1. Professional Counselor Identity & Ethics: The graduate student will intentionally develop a professional identity that emphasizes personal and professional congruency; relies on ethical decision-making; and applies theories, models, and skills of counseling informed by comprehensive knowledge of curricular domains and current research.
2. Multicultural & Social Justice Competence: The graduate student will demonstrate the ability to recognize multicultural and pluralistic characteristics within and among diverse groups nationally and internationally; identify the impact of heritage, attitudes, beliefs, understandings, and acculturative experiences on an individual’s view of others; and respond to the effects of power and privilege on counselors and clients.
3. Spiritual & Religious Competence: The graduate student will demonstrate the capacity to recognize the contributions of spirituality, religion, and ethnic worldview to shaping diverse expressions of Christian faith and psychosocial functioning; translate faith into professional practice through the application of Christian Integration research and models; and develop culturally competent strategies for mental health advocacy in Christian faith communities.
4. Clinical Mental Health Counseling: The graduate student intern will demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to entry-level clinical mental health practice including etiology, assessment, case conceptualization, diagnostic process, and techniques and interventions for treatment while consistently demonstrating evidence of professional counseling dispositions and behaviors; professional oral and written communication; record keeping; and task completion.
Curriculum Structure and Degree Requirements
| Curricular Structure |
Credits |
| Biblical and Theological Courses |
3 |
| Tier One - Core Professional Courses |
15 |
| Tier Two - Professional Courses |
18 |
| Tier Three - Advanced Courses |
15 |
| Professional Practice Courses |
9 |
| Program Total |
60 |
Biblical and Theological Foundations Course (3 credits)
This chart outlines how prior college-level credits in Bible and theology, as represented on a transcript, apply to the Biblical and Theological Foundations course requirement.
| 15 or less credits of Bible and theology |
BTC 503 Foundations for Integration |
| 16-29 credits of Bible and theology |
BTC 504 Perspectives on Integration |
| 30 or more credits of Bible and theology |
Requirement satisfied |
If students have satisfied the Bible and theology requirement, they must take a CPS elective to meet the 60 credits required for this program and for licensure.
Tier 1 Courses (15 credits)
| GPC 501 | Orientation to Professional Counseling Identity, Function & Ethics | 3 |
| GPC 510 | Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| GPC 515 | Counseling Theory and Techniques | 3 |
| GPC 530 | Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| GPC 583 | Multicultural Foundations of Counseling | 3 |
Tier Two Courses (18 credits)
| GPC 505 | Research and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| GPC 508 | Counseling Skills in Helping Relationships | 3 |
| GPC 525 | Assessment Techniques in Counseling | 3 |
| GPC 531 | Psychopathology & Counseling | 3 |
| GPC 541 | Group Counseling Leadership Skills | 3 |
| GPC 588 | Career and Lifestyle Development | 3 |
Tier Three Courses (15 credits)
| GPC 545 | Marriage & Family Counseling | 3 |
| GPC 555 | Advanced Techniques of Counseling | 3 |
| GPC 565 | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| GPC 572 | Counseling Addictions | 3 |
| GPC 585 | Trauma-Informed Counseling | 3 |
Professional Practice Courses (9 credits)
Practicum and Internships
The Practicum and Internship courses are a critical and integral component in the training of a well-equipped counselor. These courses provide students with the opportunity to utilize their classroom learning in counseling situations under the supervision of professional counselors.
Professional Counseling Practicum (GPC 601)
• May be taken after completing a minimum of 33 graduate credits (Tier 1 & Tier 2 courses) with a minimum GPA of 3.0, completion of the candidacy process.
• Minimum of 200 hours of field experience is required to complete the practicum:
o 80 hours of direct client contact
o 20 combined hours of individual and group supervision
o 100 hours of administration (ie. Research, writing, training, admin tasks)
• Students are required to participate in a blended classroom component. Each student will be required to record four (4) 50-60 minute therapy sessions and schedule a one-hour appointment with the professor for each VCS to review the recordings.
Professional Counseling Internship I (GPC 602)
• May be taken after completing a minimum of 36 graduate credits (Tier 1 & 2 courses) with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and successfully completing GPC 601 Practicum.
• Minimum of 300 hours of field experience is required to complete the internship:
o 130 hours of direct client contact
o 20 combined hours of individual and group supervision
o 150 hours of administration (ie. Research, writing, training, admin tasks)
• Students are required to participate in a blended classroom component. Each student will be required to record four (4) 50-60 minute therapy sessions and schedule a one-hour appointment with the professor for each VCS to review the recordings.
Professional Counseling Internship II (GPC 603)
•May be taken after completing a minimum of 39 graduate credits (Tier 1 & 2 courses) with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and successfully completing GPC 601 Practicum and GPC 602 Internship I.
• Minimum of 300 hours of field experience is required to complete the internship:
o 130 hours of direct client contact
o 20 combined hours of individual and group supervision
o 150 hours of administration (ie. Research, writing, training, admin tasks)
• Students are required to participate in a blended classroom component. Each student will be required to record four (4) 50-60 minute therapy sessions and schedule a one-hour appointment with the professor for each VCS to review the recordings.
Admissions, Retention, and Graduation
Admission Requirements
Admission into a master's degree program is consistent with the general admissions policy and practice of LBC | Capital. Admission criteria is located in the Admissions Information section of the catalog. This program has the following additional admissions requirements.
- Transcript of an accredited bachelor's degree. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Graduate transcripts needed if seeking transfer credit approval.
- Six (6) credits hours of undergraduate psychology-related courses.
Exceptions to the GPA and psychology-related course requirements are considered on a case-by-case basis.
The application process for the CMHC-MD program has four phases: Initial Application Phase (IAP), Interview phase (IP), Preliminary Acceptance Phase (PAP), and Candidacy Phase (CP).
Initial Application Phase (IAP) requires submission of the following items:
- Online Application & Fee
- Autobiographical Essay addressing the applicant’s spiritual journey, spiritual disciplines, and vocational goals.
- Two professional references (completed by a supervisor, former professor, etc.)
- One spiritual reference completed by the applicant’s pastor
- Official transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended
Application Process
Interview Phase
Upon review of initial application materials, qualified applicants will be contacted by the Program to arrange an in-person/virtual interview. During the Interview Phase, each applicant meets with a Program faculty member. This extensive interview, which lasts up to two hours, is comprised of conversation, role-plays, and an on-site writing assessment. Following the interview, an admission decision is made. Applicants are notified of the results within two weeks.
Preliminary Acceptance Phase (PAP)
Applicants who succeed in the Interview Phase enter the Preliminary Acceptance Phase. This phase provides provisional acceptance to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling-MD program. During the PAP, the new MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling student must display academic fitness by earning a grade of B or higher in each of the first four courses.
In addition to academic fitness requirements, Instructors will observe and rate each student on various interpersonal and professional fitness standards. Near or upon completion of the fourth course the student will meet with their Advisor to review their PAP performance. Students falling below expectations can be dismissed from the program. An individual remediation plan tailored to the student’s growth needs may also be considered. Failure to satisfy remediation plan requirements will result in dismissal. Successful PAP students may apply to the Candidacy Phase.
Application Response
Applicants will be notified within 3 weeks of the submission of all materials by Admissions. For applicants deemed fit to continue in the process, Admissions will refer those prospective students to the Program Director for an interview. Once the prospective is interviewed, recommendations regarding admissions status will be discussed with Admissions. Finally, Admissions will notify the prospective student of their acceptance status within two weeks.
Transfer Credits
Transfer credit is awarded in accordance with the general transfer policy in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog. Transfer credits are reviewed and approved by the Program Director. This program has the following program specific transfer credit information.
| Graduate Program |
Program Credits |
# of Transfer Credits |
Min. Grade of Transfer Credits |
| Clinical Mental Health - MD (MA) |
60 credits |
18 graduate credits |
B |
The course must be relevant to the degree program that the applicant is applying for as determined by the program director. The Counseling and Social Work Department reserves the right to approve or decline the transfer credits, which will be communicated to the students during the interview process.
Program Retention
Academic progress in this program is monitored after each term. The Academic Probation policy and Academic Dismissal policy found in this catalog are applied to all LBC | Capital students. In addition this program has the following program retention requirements:
Candidacy Phase (CP)
The Candidacy Phase application requires a 3.0 grade point average (to remain in good academic standing), two assessments, background checks, and an online training to ensure the student’s socio-emotional and behavioral fitness for the profession. The assessments (MMPI-2 and 16PF) are to be taken no later than the semester following successful completion of the PAP. Test results will be interpreted collaboratively by full-time faculty. Required background checks and online training are as follows:
1. Individual State and/or County Background Check
2. FBI Identity History Summary Check
3. Child Protective Services (CPS) Background Clearance
4. Baltimore Child Abuse Center (BCAC) Online Mandated Reporter Training
Once all information is received, the student will be interviewed by a full-time faculty member. Following the Candidacy Interview, recommendations germane to findings are generated. Outcomes include but are not limited to:
* Formal approval as socio-emotionally, academically, and behaviorally fit for advancement to Candidacy.
* Provisionally fit for Candidacy IF various recommendations are followed
* Temporary hiatus from additional classes until requirements have been satisfactorily fulfilled.
* Unfit for candidacy and dismissal from the program.
Statute of Limitation: All CMHC-MD program requirements are to be completed within five years of PAP matriculation. Any petition to extend the statute of limitation due to special circumstances must be submitted to the Program Director by the student.
Graduation Requirements
The following requirements must be successfully completed in order to receive the Master of Arts degree:
- Satisfactory completion of all course work
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Fulfillment of all financial obligations
- Adherence to biblical standards and ethics in living one's lifestyle
Faculty
Program Director: Sophia Ogunlana, Ed.D., LCPC, LPC
Assistant Professor, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Director- Washington, D.C. Location
Dr. Sophia A. Ogunlana is a native Marylander who is married with two children. She holds a Bachelors in Psychology (with a concentration in Mental Health) and a minor in Religion from High Point University. As a proud alumni of Capital Bible Seminary, she holds a Masters in Christian Counseling and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Counselor Education and Supervision from Argosy University. Dr. Ogunlana completed an internship with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) where she worked with patients with a childhood onset of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptoccocal Infections (P.A.N.D.A.S.). She has presented locally and nationally (Johns Hopkins University, Bowie State University, NIMH, the Art Institute of Washington, and American Association of Behavioral and Social Sciences) on the following topics: Women and Minorities Issues, and the Role of Father Involvement, Rates of Rheumatic Fever in the Families of Patients with P.A.N.D.A.S./Sydenham’s chorea, Thriving and Surviving a Doctoral Counseling Program, and Transitioning from a Master’s to a Doctoral Counseling Program. As a co-author of the book entitled “Selecting and Surviving a Doctoral Program in Counseling,” she seeks to further research and find resources for counseling students. She holds an LPC and LCPC and has served in the Mental Health field for many years.
Education
Ed.D., Argosy University, Counseling Psychology
M.A. Capital Bible Seminary, Christian Counseling
B.S., High Point University, Psychology