Licensed Mental Health Certification | ONLINE
Demand for licensed mental health counselors is enormous and on the rise. Now, more than ever, we need mental health workers to support the millions of children, youth, and adults whose lives have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. If you are interested in becoming licensed as a mental health counselor, Butler University offers a graduate, non-degree certificate program in mental health counseling. This program is designed to provide the content required by the State of Indiana for the License in Mental Health Counseling. Many states offer reciprocity for licensure and this program is open to students from any state. Students are encouraged to check with their own state license board to find out if this certificate program will work for them.
The LMHC program offers:
- 100% online format taught by experienced mental health professionals with asynchronous instruction and targeted personal engagement.
- Federal financial aid is available—for more information, email finaid@butler.edu or call 317-940-8200
The LMHC track is specifically designed to meet the needs of school counseling graduates who currently hold a 48-credit-hour master’s degree. The LMHC program builds on curriculum of the school counselor, but admission is not limited to school counselors. This 12-credit hour track aligns with the State of Indiana standards for the LMHC license.
- The program consists of four (3 credit) courses
- Applicants must have completed 700 hours of practicum/internship in a qualified school or mental health setting.
- Qualifying students can enroll in two courses in the fall and two more in the spring, becoming eligible to apply for the License from the State of Indiana by end of the Spring semester.
- Students are required to enroll in the Fall courses prior to the Spring courses.
- Students who only need selected courses may be eligible to apply, and should contact the program coordinator.
Applications now being accepted for fall semester.
Currently accepting applications for (Graduate non-degree seeking) for Fall. If you have questions about the admission process or your application requirements, please contact gradadmission@butler.edu.
Questions about the LMHC program can be directed to Susan Kleinman skleinma@butler.edu.
To be considered for graduate, non-degree-seeking certification admission to the LMHC-track program, all applicants must complete the items listed below:
- An application for graduate admission
- Official transcripts or copies of official transcripts from all colleges and universities where candidates:
- Earned a degree
- Completed any graduate coursework in counseling
- Completed any program prerequisite (regardless of number of credit hours)
- Completed courses for which candidates are applying for transfer credit
- A graduate GPA of 3.5 or above (if GPA between 3.0–3.5, candidate may be admitted conditionally upon approval of department).
- An interview the program coordinator. Students who have graduated from Butler’s School Counseling program within the last five years will not be required to interview.
Transcripts
Copies of official transcripts may be uploaded in the online application for application review only. Applicants who receive an offer of admission will be required at that time to submit official final transcripts issued directly from the institution(s) for verification prior to enrollment. More information is available in the application for admission.
Questions about the LMHC program can be directed to Susan Kleinman skleinma@butler.edu.
Questions about the LMHC application process can be directed to coegraduateprograms@butler.edu.
All courses are taught in the context of the College of Education’s core values with an emphasis on multicultural awareness
Foundations of Mental Health Counseling (ED 677) Fall only—Provides an introduction to the profession of mental health counseling, including the historical, philosophical, societal, economic, and political dimensions of mental health counseling. Content will cover the professional identity, roles, and responsibilities of the mental health counselor.
Diagnosis and Treatment Planning (ED 678) Fall only—Provides an analysis etiology, diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. Mental health assessment models, diagnostic classifications, and treatment modalities for case management are covered. This course meets the State of Indiana requirements for Knowledge and Skills for the Practice of Mental Health Counseling
Contextual Dimensions of Mental Health Counseling (ED 679) Spring only—Provides an analysis of community agency counseling, the role of the counselor in communities, prevention, outreach, systemic issues, advocacy and social change, and service delivery programs. This course focuses on the application of community counseling theories and program development within the community and agency setting.
Topics and Experiences in Mental Health Counseling (ED 680) Spring only—Explores topics and experiences relevant to the clinical practice of mental health counseling. Experiential opportunities include a 20 hour shadowing experience (provided safe conditions exist) in a mental health setting, clinical documentation skills, professional staffing of cases, and crisis management. Emerging topics and specialized counseling settings will be addressed.
Note: Depending on demand, the LMHC classes may add additional sections.
This program provides a pathway to the LMHC license, which is administered by the Indiana Professional License Agency (IPLA) Behavioral Health and Human Service Board. Please refer to the IPLA for details about the LMHC requirements: State of Indiana
Do I need to do an Advanced Internship?
As of July 1, 2018 the State of Indiana changed the requirements for the LMHC and now only requires 700 hours for the license. If you have completed 700 hours of practicum and internship in a school or other facility, check the definition of Mental Health Counseling in the statute to make sure your experiential time will qualify you for the license. Most school counselors’ experience in practicum and internship has qualified, but this is an individual matter between you and the Indiana License Board.
Do I have to be a graduate of a school counseling program?
No, as long as you have graduated from a 48 credit hour master’s degree program in a counseling related field, you are eligible to apply. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have taken all the courses outlined on the application for the LMHC from the State of Indiana.
Where can I learn more about the State of Indiana requirements for LMHC licensure?
It is important to read all the requirements for licensure at the State of Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
Is financial aid available for the LMHC program?
Yes, federal loans are available for this program. For more information, contact Butler Financial Aid 317-940-8200 or finaid@butler.edu.
I don’t live in Indiana, can I use these courses to earn a license in my state?
The curriculum for the License in Mental Health Counseling program at Butler University has been designed to meet the licensure requirements in the State of Indiana. The licensing board in each state is responsible for setting requirements for licensure in their state. Distance learning students with the intent of becoming licensed in any state other than Indiana should be aware of the unique requirements for that state. The contact information for each state licensing board is listed on the American Counseling Association website and the distance learning student is encouraged to contact the appropriate licensing board to determine if the Butler LMHC program meets the requirements for licensure in the state where the student is located.