M.A. Forensic Mental Health Counseling Licensure Information

The M.A. Forensic Mental Health Counseling program is designed to prepare students to obtain licensure in the United States to provide clinical counseling services in forensic settings or with forensic-related populations. Licensure requirements vary by U.S. state. The University and the Psychology Department make every effort to provide clarity on the Forensic Mental Health Counseling curriculum and the degree to which it meets each state's current licensure requirements. Students should consult the licensure requirements in their state of intended employment for the most current and accurate information as licensure requirements change frequently. 

Completion of the M.A. Forensic Mental Health Counseling program does not guarantee employment or eligibility for a license or credential. While the University curricular requirements for the Forensic Mental Health Counseling program and corresponding state requirements are detailed below to our best knowledge, some states may have new or additional requirements including, but not limited to, criminal background checks, additional coursework, and further clinical experience, that may impact your ability to gain employment or licensure. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of licensure can I pursue following completion of the M.A. Forensic Mental Health Counseling program?

The most common credentials include the LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor), LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor), LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor), or LCMHC (Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor) designation. Each state is different and you should consult the licensure requirements in your state of intended employment to determine the license or credential available. These licenses are designed for those who wish to become independent mental health clinicians. In some cases, M.A. Forensic Mental Health Counseling students may choose to go on to further study in (most commonly) a PsyD program and earn a doctoral level license as a psychologist. 

Why do I need a license?

If you wish to provide independent counseling or therapy, you must have a clinical license. Licensing ensures that those providing clinical therapy services have undergone significant academic and professional training and met specific requirements to do so. A clinical license is very often a necessity for insurance billing purposes once you are employed as a clinician. 

What do I need to do to obtain a license as a master's level clinician?

An independent clinical license can be pursued after completing a license-eligible master's degree program. For most states, a license-eligible master's degree includes 60 credits of graduate-level coursework including significant field hours. Generally, the field hours are the largest difference between a traditional master's degree program and a license-eligible master's degree program. 

In most cases, students must complete the following to be eligible for licensure:

  1. License-eligible master's degree program (commonly 60 credits) including significant practicum and internship hours supervised by faculty.
  2. Post-graduate supervised work experience working under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or mental health counselor, or someone otherwise deemed by statute to serve as a supervisor. Most states typically require the equivalent of two or three years of full-time supervised experience. 
  3. Successful completion of required board exam for your intended state of employment. While the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination of the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) is often used, each state may have different requirements. 

Is obtaining a CACREP-accredited master's degree necessary to obtain licensure?

No. As of 2021, no U.S. states require a CACREP-accredited master's degree for licensure. In 22 states, students with a CACREP-accredited degree may be able to bypass the course verification process when applying for licensure. Otherwise, in all states students can provide course syllabi from master's level coursework for state licensing boards to verify that course content meets the requirements for state licensure. Roger Williams University is regionally-accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Regional accreditation is regarded as the highest standard of institutional accreditation for colleges and universities in the United States. CACREP provides an optional accreditation for counseling programs; only some of the Forensic Mental Health Counseling programs in the United States have chosen to pursue the accreditation. 

Can I only practice with forensic-related populations after completing the program?

No. Our students are prepared for the same licensure options as a general clinical student. The primary difference with the M.A. in Forensic Mental Health Counseling at RWU is that it has a series of courses specifically relating to working with forensic populations and your field placement will be working with forensic-related populations. The core mental health counseling coursework meets the same licensure requirements as general clinical programs.