Mental Health Counseling Specialization
Students specializing in Mental Health Counseling tailor their training through practica and internship experiences. Upon completion of the program students obtain supervised clinical work and employment in a wide variety of settings: community mental health centers, substance abuse treatment centers, employee/student assistant programs, hospitals, residential treatment centers, and group practices.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Mental Health Counseling program is to provide for the education and training of counseling professionals who will work to alleviate distress and dysfunction and improve the lives of clients in the community. To this end we will offer degree programs, provide university and community services, and conduct research on issues collaboratively to design and provide a broad and practical training program. Graduates of the mental health program will possess a broad knowledge base and skill-set in mental health counseling and will be prepared to become accomplished professionals in the field.
Program of Study
The Mental Health Counseling track provides a graduate with the coursework needed to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the State of Iowa. The track consists of 51 credit hours. Students typically take 6 hours each semester and complete the degree in 2 to 2.5 years.
Required Courses
To download a list of the recommended sequence and pre-requisites, click here.
COUN 200: Introduction to Counseling
COUN 201: Educational Research
COUN 215: Theoretical Foundations of Individual and Family Counseling
COUN 220: Career Development and Occupational Information
COUN 221: Methods of Counseling
COUN 224: Assessment of Individual and Family
COUN 225: Human Development and Life Issues
COUN 228: Psychopathology and Psychiatric Disabilities
COUN 236: Group Procedures
COUN 240: Theoretical Foundations of Family Counseling
COUN 245: Theoretical Foundations of Individual and Family Diversity
COUN 260: Counseling Practicum
COUN 270: Advanced Practicum
COUN 291: Internship
COUN 298: Ethics for Counselors
Licensure Requirements
Licensure requirements for the Mental Health Counselors in the State of Iowa can be found at the following website: http://www.iowaworkforce.com/lmi/publications/licocc/ and then click on Mental Health Counselor.
Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics for Mental Health Counseling is found in the Code of Iowa, chapter 154D; Iowa Administrative Code, Chapters 30-34.
The American Counseling Association Code of Ethics: http://www.counsesling.org/site/Page/Server/pagemane=resources
Program Contacts
Dr. Wade Leuwerke
wade.leuwerke@drake.edu
515-271-3943
212F School of Education
3206 University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311