CMHC Licensure & Disclosures

Some state counseling licensure boards have imposed restrictions on out-of-state students completing degree programs and/or clinical hours in their states. As a result, we do not offer our degree programs in every state; the exceptions are noted on the State Authorization & Disclosure webpage. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to check with their state counseling licensure board or equivalent licensing board of the state in which they intend to obtain licensure and/or certification as requirements may be subject to change.

Prospective students who intend to relocate to a different state at any point after admission to a degree program are advised to review the information below to see if Sacred Heart University offers the program in the new state. You are required to file a change of address form to notify the university should your address change.

Failure to do so may lead to an inability to obtain clinical placements within the new state. 

Prospective students are also encouraged to review Sacred Heart University’s State Authorization, Disclosures & Student Complaint website for additional information.

State Licensure

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree at Sacred Heart University is designed to prepare students to meet the educational requirements for licensure in many states.

Students have a responsibility to understand the specific educational requirements, for licensure, of the state in which they intend to apply and practice. Students should also be aware of any changes to those licensure educational requirements. If a student moves to another state, the requirements for licensure may be different from the state where they currently live. As such, students are responsible for determining the licensure requirements in the state to which they relocate. The National Board for Certified Counselors provides a directory of all state professional counselor licensure boards.

Sacred Heart University does not guarantee that completion of its Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree will result in state licensure. In addition to successfully completion of the degree, students will need to meet other requirements, prior to state licensure, which include, but are not limited to, successful completion of a national exam, post-master’s, clinical experience, and post-master’s supervision requirements. Also, students are responsible for understanding if a background check is required as a part of applying for licensure and for understanding if their own life events create any barriers to licensure.

Elective Requirements by State

Some states require specific coursework that can be completed as electives in the program. If you live and/or are planning on becoming licensed in one of the following states, you should plan to take the corresponding course(s) as electives: