The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) M.A. program offers students the chance to specialize in a specific area of counseling through the Military and Veterans Behavioral Health (MVBH) emphasis. Accredited by CACREP, CMHC provides a robust foundation in counseling, and with the MVBH focus, students gain the expertise to meet the demand for professionals who understand the complexities of military culture and mental health needs.
This specialized track dives into the distinct challenges faced by military personnel, veterans, and their families, equipping students with the knowledge to navigate issues ranging from trauma to reintegration. Graduates leave with the practical skills to address these concerns effectively in a variety of professional settings, from military institutions to government and private sector roles.
With this emphasis, students develop the ability to support those who have served or are currently serving in the military, as well as their families. The program covers the unique behavioral and social issues affecting this community, while also training students to approach these concerns with cultural competence and sensitivity.
With a national workforce shortage and growing demand for professionals skilled in military cultural competence, Adler University’s program plays a crucial role in addressing this need while supporting the well-being of military service members, veterans, and their families. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in various sectors, including federal, state, and local agencies, as well as academia and private practice. Potential career opportunities include:
Graduates of CMHC are eligible to take part in the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential, after successful passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and completion of required experiences. Graduates are eligible to apply for the following credentials*:
* Many states accept CACREP-accredited programs as preliminary education requirements for entry-level counselor licensure, thus graduates of both on-ground and online modalities are eligible for the application of licensure in these states. Students are advised that licensure criteria change frequently and that some states may require courses and/or training beyond those currently required by the program. It is the responsibility of the students to find out the licensure requirements of the state where they want to reside and practice. Students requiring additional course work may explore the possibility of aligning their choice of elective to meet an additional course requirement in their state.
All students admitted to the CMHC program are eligible to pursue this emphasis. After starting the program, those who choose to add it must submit a request to the Office of the Registrar. Once processed, they may register for emphasis courses.
A total of six credits are required to complete the emphasis. Students must take the required course, MAMP-505, and select one additional course from the options below.
MAMP-505: War, Trauma, Grief, Death, and Loss (3 cr.)
This course introduces the students to the concepts, goals, strategies, ideologies, and psychological theories associated with terrorism and operations other than war (e.g. disaster relief, peace keeping and enforcement). Emphasis will be placed on terrorist motives and on how terrorist actions have affected the course of history and current national and global policies.
This course provides an overview of psychological and sociological dimensions of the warrior culture. In doing so the student will learn to assess research and develop a literature review on a specific area of military culture.
This course will specifically examine the social service and behavioral health systems that are responsible for providing psychiatric, mental health, substance abuse, and family care for those who are serving, or have served, and their families. This course will also promote an understanding of promising, best, and evidence-based practices in suicide prevention, mental health, and substance use treatment.
From the impact of virtual intimacies to supporting families with difficult therapy histories, Adler University students, faculty, and alums shared their expertise and made their mark at the 2025 International Family Therapy Association Congress in Aberdeen, Scotland.
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“This award highlights the innovation and scholarly contributions of our faculty, whose work advances knowledge for educators and mental health practitioners,” said Cheryl R. Richardson, Ph.D., associate vice president of Faculty Affairs.
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The conference, taking place May 29–June 1, 2025 in Portland, Oregon, brings together professionals in education, psychology, psychiatry, counseling, social work, and community leadership to connect, learn, and explore new ideas through the lens of Adlerian Psychology.
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