Mental Health: Rehabilitation Counseling Concentration Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies
(4 courses/12 credits)
The CAGS program offers advanced education in mental health counseling for the person who has a rehabilitation counseling or counseling-related master's degree of less than 60 credits. The intent of this certificate is to provide further education for those interested in pursuing licensing as a mental health counselor. Students interested in pursuing state licensing as a mental health counselor may apply for a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) with 12 additional credits (60 credits total). Course substitutions or additions to for the CAGS plan of study may be necessary to fulfill state licensing requirements for RI or for the requirements for other states. A CAGS certificate is issued once all academic course requirements and clinical requirements are met for licensure. This program is modeled on a national standard for mental health counseling licensure by enabling students to take classes that are evidence-based practices and approved by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) from a 48 credit CACREP-accredited program making it possible for students to be eligible for licensure in many states.
Depending on the student’s prior degree, the following courses are part of the CAGS plan of study. However, additional classes may be needed to meet academic or clinical licensure requirements in RI, MA, CT and other states,
Depending on the student’s prior degree, the following courses are part of the CAGS plan of study. However, additional classes may be needed to meet academic or clinical licensure requirements in RI, CT or MA.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
RHB-515 | Assessment and Treatment Planning | 3 |
RHB-603 | Psychopharmacology Mental Health | 3 |
RHB-608 | Advanced Internship I and Seminar: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | 3 |
RHB-609 | Advanced Internship II & Seminar: Trauma Informed Care | 3 |
Total Credits | 12 |
It is recommended that students have knowledge of the specific requirements for a licensed mental health counselor or licensed professional counselor in the state where they intend to practice. Licensing laws and regulations vary across states; therefore, specific requirements may be different. Students are responsible for knowing the requirements for licensing in the state in which they are interested in practicing. Consequently, the University is not responsible for knowing the requirements of states other than Rhode Island.
As noted above, the CAGS requires an additional 12 credits beyond a 48-credit master's degree. Six of these credits are through two advanced internship and seminars with 200 clinical hours totaling 400 hours. Two other courses comprise the additional credits:
Additional classes to expand the students counseling competencies may be taken with the approval of the Program Director.
Additional Clinical Courses for CAGS in Rehabilitation Counseling with a Mental Health Concentration to Fulfill Licensure
Often students pursuing a CAGS do not have the requisite Practicum or Internship experiences that are required to meet the licensure requirements for many states. The following clinical courses are offered to meet the clinical requirements many students need to be eligible for licensure. These classes are typically added to the CAGS, as needed, to meet all the clinical requirements for licensure. These classes emphasize acquiring one-to-one counseling skills. Skills are built in the classroom using role plays and audio tapes and are then applied in the internship setting, with supervision. Emphasis is placed on ethical practice, cultural competency and developing advanced clinical counseling skills.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
RHB-520 | Practicum I and Seminar: Motivational Interviewing | 3 |
RHB-521 | Practicum II and Seminar | 3 |
RHB-570 | Internship I and Seminar | 3 |
RHB-571 | Internship II & Seminar | 3 |
RHB-608 | Advanced Internship I and Seminar: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | 3 |
RHB-609 | Advanced Internship II & Seminar: Trauma Informed Care | 3 |