Master of Arts in Counseling – Licensure

Practicum

You will have the opportunity to start practicing theories and skills from the very beginning of your program. In the second year, students enter the practicum class (CN512) and put their skills to work, gaining experience under the guidance of a clinical supervisor. Students will complete 100 clock hours of counseling, including: 40 hours of direct client service, 1 hour weekly of individual supervision and 1.5 hours weekly of group supervision. Through these interactions, students learn to integrate classroom learning into practical counseling settings.

Internship

Upon completion of the practicum, students enter the internship sequence of coursework (CN561-CN563). The internship is designed to reflect the work experience of a Licensed Professional Counselor and to let students participate in and observe all aspects of the counselor’s work. This may include time with clients, staff meetings and training, community relations and record-keeping. The internship spans at least two terms for a total of 600 hours: 240 direct client hours and 360 indirect.

Licensure – Preparing For Your Practice

Individuals who earn a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling may apply to the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists to become licensed professional counselors (LPC). This licensure process includes submitting graduate transcripts and documentation of clinical experience, passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE), or the National Clinical Mental Health Exam (NCMHE) and continuing clinical supervision for a total of 2,400 hours, the equivalent of approximately two years of full-time counseling work experience. (Up to 400 of these hours can come from your internship during your master’s program.)

The licensure process is handled entirely by the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists. Corban’s M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, while maintaining an interest in its graduates and desiring to be supportive of students working toward an LPC, has no other involvement in the licensure process other than to release documentation of clinical hours earned to the board. At any time during a student’s progress in the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Corban University, any information from the Board will be made available to students, and every effort will be made to assist students in making inquiries to the Board. Specific questions should be directed to the licensure Board.

For more information, students may visit the Board’s web site. Students interested in pursuing licensure should contact the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, 3218 Pringle Road SE #160, Salem, OR 97302, (503) 378-5499.

Students interested in professional licensure in a state other than Oregon should consult the appropriate board responsible for licensure in that state.

NWCCU ACCREDITATION

Corban University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and completed a Year-Seven Comprehensive (Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness (EIE)) in 2022 for continued accreditation. The comprehensive self-study was followed by an onsite evaluation in October 2022. In February 2023, Corban received reaffirmation of its accreditation for 7 years. Corban University’s last Mid-Cycle Evaluation was fall 2018, and its Policies, Regulations and Financial Review (PRFR) was completed in fall 2021. As of our most recent evaluation, Corban University is compliant with the Standards, Policies, and Eligibility Requirements of the NWCCU.