Pre-professional studies at Mount St. Joseph University are courses of study prepared by expert faculty members that supplement your existing major and better prepare you for a career as a health professional.
Pre-Behavioral and Mental Health Tracks
Master’s level mental health counselors help individuals, families, and organizations to optimize healthy functioning and prevent or remediate mental, emotional, or behavioral problems. They are trained in the application of principles of normal and abnormal human development, to help consumers make the most of life, heighten joy in living, identify and deal with mental and emotional problems (or disorders), and resolve conflicts in relationships at home, in school, at work, and in the community.
| Typical Undergrad Tracks | Any major; behavioral science majors recommended |
| Education Required for Practice | Master’s degree from a clinical mental health counseling program, clinical rehabilitation counseling program, or addiction counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs “CACREP.” |
| Credit Hours | 60 Credit Hours |
| Licensure Options | OH: Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (after supervision) KY: Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (after supervision) IN: Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (after supervision) |
| State Boards |
OH: https://cswmft.ohio.gov/Counselors |
Doctoral level psychologists provide counseling, psychotherapy, assessment, and consultation services to individuals, families, groups, and organizations. They study both normal and abnormal functioning and treat individuals with mental and emotional problems. Psychologists use tests and assessments that can help diagnose a condition or tell more about the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. These tests may evaluate intellectual skills, cognitive strengths and weaknesses, vocational aptitude and preference, personality characteristics, and neuropsychological functioning. Master's level practitioners also provide counseling, psychotherapy and consultation services, but are not typically trained in assessment.
| Typical Undergrad Tracks | Most graduate psychology programs prefer or require significant undergraduate coursework in psychology, often the equivalent of a major or minor. In addition, many graduate programs prefer students with substantial research experience, beyond laboratory classwork. Having completed an undergraduate honors thesis or served as a research assistant in a research lab usually meets this requirement. Doctoral programs are more competitive than master's programs, expecting higher average GPAs and more research experience. |
| Education Required for Practice |
Counseling Psychologist: a doctoral degree (usually PhD, but also PsyD or EdD) from an APA-accredited program and additional supervised training experiences (internship) Clinical Psychologist: a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) from an APA-accredited program and additional supervised training experiences (internship and/or postdoctoral residency). Psychological Associate (Kentucky): master's degree in Psychology and additional supervised training experience. |
| Credit Hours |
Master's: 30-40 credit hours Doctoral: ranges from 60-120 credit hours, depending on the institution and depending upon if the student has already earned a master's degree in Psychology |
| Licensure Options | OH: Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Counseling Psychologist KY: Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Counseling Psychologist, Psychological Associate, Psychological Practitioner IN: Licensed Clinical Psychologist,* Licensed Counseling Psychologist* *must obtain an endorsement as a Health Service Provider in Psychology after licensure in order to practice independently in Indiana |
| State Boards |
OH: https://psychology.ohio.gov/Applicants/Psychologist IN: https://www.in.gov/pla/professions/indiana-state-psychology-board |
The practice of social work is the application of specialized knowledge of human development and behavior and social, economic, and cultural systems in directly assisting individuals, families, and groups in a clinical setting to improve or restore their capacity for social functioning, including counseling, the use of psychosocial interventions, and the use of social psychotherapy, which includes the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
| Typical Undergrad Tracks | Standard MSW program are generally open to all majors. It is very common for individuals who have an ungraduated degree in behavioral sciences (psychology, sociology, criminal justice, etc.), education, and nursing to obtain their MSW. To attend an Advanced Standing MSW program, student must have a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. By taking this route, students can save time and money by cutting the number of hours to gain an MSW in half. |
| Education Required for Practice | Unlike other behavioral health professions, students who complete theirs Bachelors in Social Work, BSW, from a Council on Social Work Education, CSWE, accredited program are eligible to apply for licensure. However, to obtain the highest recognized credential by many licensing boards and to promote optimal career growth in the clinical sector, students would need to obtain a Masters in Social Work, MSW, from a CSWE accredited program. |
| Credit Hours | Advanced Standing MSW: 30-40 credit hours These programs are specifically for students who have a bachelor's degree in Social Work from a CSWE accredited program. Standard MSW: ~60 credit hours These programs a geared toward individuals who have a bachelor's degree in another field outside of Social Work or for student who have BSW who do not meet the GPA requirement for an advanced standing program |
| Licensure Options | OH: Licensed Social Worker, LSW (BSW/MSW); Licensed Independent Social Worker, LISW (MSW) KY: Licensed Social Worker, LSW (BSW); Certified Social Worker, CSW (MSW); Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW (MSW) IN: Licensed Bachelor Social Worker, LBSW (BSW); Licensed Social Worker, LSW (MSW); Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW (MSW) |
| State Boards |
OH: https://cswmft.ohio.gov/Social-Workers |
Pre-Behavioral and Mental Health at MSJ
-Private clinics or practice
-Hospitals and physician offices
-Correctional facilities
-Government agencies and veterans services
-Schools, colleges, and universities
-Rehabilitation agencies and skilled living facilities
-Addictions*
-Biology
-Business Administration
-Criminology
-Forensic Science
-Psychology (if you are not a Psychology major)
-Socio-Psychology (if you are not a Psychology major)
-Social Work (if you are not a Social Work major)
-Sociology
-Sport Management
-Victim Studies
*Students can complete requirements to apply for a Chemical Dependency Certification (CDCA) after taking 2 courses (SWK 313 & SWK 3124) in the Addictions minor curriculum.
(pertinent to mental health, offered on campus)
-Step Up! (bystander intervention)
-Green Zone (military)
-QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer Gatekeeper (suicide prevention)
-Peer Health Educator (NASPA certified)
-Safe Zone (LGBTQ+)
News and Updates
Stay up to date with the most recent program news and events; visit the Department of Psychology and Department of Sociology and Social Work pages.
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Additional Resources
M.S.S.W., LISW-S, LICDC
Director of Field Education and Assistant Professor
Ph. D.
Professor and Psychology Chairperson
Roxana Holland
Tracy McDonough