The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) offers comprehensive clinical mental health training programs that prepare students for careers in mental health counseling and clinical psychology. With a strong emphasis on evidence-based practices, cultural competence, and hands-on clinical experience, these programs address the significant need for qualified mental health professionals in Mississippi and beyond. According to statistics provided by USM, approximately 71.7% of children and 59.3% of adults with mental illnesses in Mississippi do not receive treatment, ranking 44th and 50th in the United States respectively. USM's programs play a crucial role in training professionals who can help bridge this treatment gap.
MS in Counseling with Clinical Mental Health Concentration
USM's Master of Science (MS) in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health is a nationally accredited program through CACREP. This program transforms compassion into meaningful careers by providing students with training in the dynamic aspects of the mental health system. The curriculum challenges students' critical thinking, reflectivity, and reflexivity while exploring the interconnections between mind and body health.
The program emphasizes the development of diagnostic and ethical decision-making skills, preparing graduates to advocate for community resources, multiculturalism, trauma-informed care, and social justice. Students engage with classmates, receive support from experienced faculty, and develop their professional identity through rewarding field placement experiences.
A distinctive feature of this program is its extensive community partnerships. USM has established relationships with hundreds of community partners across the region, including 80 agency sites and more than 60 area schools. These partnerships ensure that field placement experiences align with students' professional and personal interests, allowing them to work and learn alongside licensed experts while providing services to a diverse range of clients.
The program structure includes field study that provides on-site clinical experience essential for success in direct client care. During practicum, students refine their skills and develop their therapeutic style. The studies culminate with an intensive on-site internship where students collaborate with licensed practitioners to demonstrate the skills, concepts, and theories they've learned.
Admission to the MS in Counseling program follows specific deadlines, with final applications due by February 15 for fall term start and October 1 for spring term start. The program is designed to prepare graduates for careers in various mental health settings, equipped with the knowledge and practical experience needed to make a difference in their communities.
PhD in Clinical Psychology Program
USM's Clinical Psychology PhD program follows a scientist-practitioner model, providing evidence-based, generalist research and clinical training with concentrations in clinical child and adult psychology. This program prepares graduates for diverse career paths including academia, research, mental health care delivery, or practice in public and private settings.
The program emphasizes cognitive and behavioral orientations while training students in evidence-based approaches to assessment and therapy of clinical problems across the lifespan. Students develop profession-wide competencies relevant to entry-level practice of health service psychology, as well as knowledge and skills necessary for advancing psychological science through research activities.
A notable feature of the program is its small cohorts, which allow for individualized, quality training opportunities. Full-time students receive support through graduate assistantships that include a monthly stipend and tuition waiver, with responsibilities in teaching, research, and/or clinical work.
Students complete a one-year full-time APA-accredited predoctoral internship, which is a crucial component of their professional development. Prior to this, doctoral students work with clinical professionals and diverse client populations at external practicum placements in various settings including community outpatient clinics, hospitals, private practices, Veteran's Administration settings, and the criminal justice system. These externships are located in the greater Hattiesburg area, as well as in Jackson, Biloxi, and New Orleans, providing broad exposure to different practice environments.
The program is committed to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment where individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives can train and thrive. It supports social justice causes and fosters a sense of belonging for students and faculty while serving communities with the highest level of care, consistent with the American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct.
The Center for Behavioral Health Training Clinic
The Center for Behavioral Health (CBH) at USM serves as a key training clinic within the School of Psychology. It plays a vital role in providing low-cost mental health services in southern Mississippi while offering students hands-on clinical experience under the supervision of licensed professionals.
The CBH operates with a mission to increase access to quality mental health care by providing affordable, evidence-based services to children, adolescents, adults, and USM college students in South Mississippi. It also trains competent and ethical psychologists and mental health counselors in evidence-based best practices and contributes to the advancement of cutting-edge research.
All graduate student clinicians at the CBH are supervised by licensed psychologists, ensuring high-quality care while providing valuable learning experiences. The center offers evidence-based assessment and psychotherapy on a sliding scale, making services accessible to those who might otherwise be unable to afford them. Additionally, the CBH provides telehealth services to children and adults residing across Mississippi, allowing students to work with clients in rural areas where mental health resources are largely unavailable.
The CBH demonstrates a commitment to culturally-sensitive care for all community members. Consistent with this principle, the center does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic status, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
To further support access to care, the Clinical Psychology Graduate Student Organization (CPGSO) created the Client Assistance, Retention, and Enrichment (CARE) fund. This fund helps provide services for those experiencing extreme financial hardship and other extenuating circumstances. CARE recipients can receive help for a wide range of psychological disorders, including autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity, oppositional defiant disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Curriculum Structure and Key Components
Both the MS in Counseling and PhD in Clinical Psychology programs at USM feature carefully designed curricula that balance theoretical knowledge with practical skills development. The Counseling Psychology MS program offers small class sizes to allow for more individualized training opportunities. Classes are taught by experts in each discipline, and core courses are taken with other graduate students in the School, including those in Clinical Psychology, School Psychology, and the Experimental Psychology program.
The curriculum integrates discipline-specific training in counseling interventions, ethics, multicultural issues, diagnosis, and assessment. Students are paired with a Faculty Mentor after admission to the program, who works alongside the Training Director to formally and informally advise each student. Faculty mentors provide support through research team/lab meetings and focused meetings that help students articulate career/educational goals, succeed as graduate students, and address challenges that may arise during training.
Clinical training in the Counseling Psychology MS program begins in the first semester through pre-practicum experiences embedded into courses. In the second year, master's students are placed with external agencies that provide behavioral health services and employ licensed mental health practitioners.
The PhD program emphasizes evidence-based approaches to assessment and therapy of clinical problems across the lifespan. Students develop a range of profession-wide competencies relevant to entry-level practice of health service psychology, as well as knowledge advancement through research activities.
Both programs share a commitment to evidence-based practices supported by scientific research. They prepare students to work with diverse populations and address a wide range of mental health concerns using the most current therapeutic approaches validated by research.
Field Experiences and Clinical Training
Field experiences form a cornerstone of clinical mental health training at USM. The university's extensive network of community partnerships provides students with diverse opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings.
For MS in Counseling students, field placement experiences match them with organizations that align with their professional and personal interests. Students work and learn alongside licensed experts, providing services for a diverse range of clients. These experiences provide the on-site clinical experience needed to succeed in direct client care. During practicum, students refine their skills and develop their therapeutic style, culminating in an intensive on-site internship where they demonstrate the skills, concepts, and theories they've learned.
PhD in Clinical Psychology students gain experience through external practicum placements in various settings including community outpatient clinics, hospitals, private practices, Veteran's Administration settings, and the criminal justice system. These placements are located in the greater Hattiesburg area, as well as in Jackson, Biloxi, and New Orleans, providing broad exposure to different practice environments and populations.
The Center for Behavioral Health serves as a primary training site where students gain experience providing evidence-based assessment and psychotherapy under the supervision of licensed psychologists. The center's commitment to providing culturally-sensitive care ensures that students develop competence in working with diverse populations.
These field experiences provide students with the opportunity to work with clients across the lifespan and with a variety of mental health concerns, including autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity, oppositional defiant disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. This practical experience, combined with rigorous supervision, prepares students to become competent and ethical mental health professionals.
Evidence-Based Approaches and Specializations
USM's clinical mental health training programs emphasize evidence-based approaches to assessment and treatment. The curriculum is designed to train students in therapeutic approaches supported by scientific research, ensuring that they are prepared to provide effective interventions to their clients.
The PhD in Clinical Psychology program specifically emphasizes cognitive and behavioral orientations while maintaining a generalist approach that allows students to develop competence across various theoretical frameworks. Students are trained in evidence-based assessment and therapy of clinical problems across the lifespan, preparing them to work with clients of all ages.
Both programs prepare students to address a wide range of mental health concerns. The Center for Behavioral Health, in particular, offers services for various psychological disorders including autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity, oppositional defiant disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
The training includes focus on trauma-informed care, with the MS in Counseling program specifically preparing students to work with trauma survivors and incorporate trauma-informed approaches into their practice. This training emphasizes understanding the impact of trauma on individuals and developing interventions that promote safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.
Students also receive training in diagnosis and assessment, learning to use standardized measures and clinical interviews to inform treatment planning. They develop skills in case conceptualization and treatment planning, using evidence-based approaches tailored to individual client needs.
Cultural Competence and Social Justice Focus
A defining characteristic of USM's clinical mental health training programs is their commitment to cultural competence and social justice. The MS in Counseling program explicitly prepares students to advocate for multiculturalism and social justice in their professional practice.
The curriculum emphasizes multicultural issues, helping students develop the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds. Students learn to recognize and address cultural factors that influence mental health and help-seeking behaviors, and to adapt their therapeutic approaches to respect clients' cultural values and beliefs.
The Center for Behavioral Health demonstrates this commitment through its policy of providing culturally-sensitive care for all community members. The center does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics and strives to create an inclusive environment where all individuals feel respected and valued.
The PhD in Clinical Psychology program is committed to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment where individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives can train and thrive. The program actively supports social justice causes and fosters a sense of belonging for students and faculty while serving communities with the highest level of care.
This focus on cultural competence and social justice extends to the field placement experiences, where students work with diverse populations in various community settings. These experiences help students develop the cultural humility and awareness needed to provide effective mental health services to an increasingly diverse society.
Career Preparation and Outcomes
USM's clinical mental health training programs are designed to prepare graduates for successful careers in various settings. The MS in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health prepares graduates for careers as mental health counselors in community agencies, hospitals, schools, and private practice settings.
The PhD in Clinical Psychology program prepares graduates for even more diverse career paths, including academia, research, mental health care delivery, or practice in public and private settings. Students interested in research-focused careers are particularly encouraged to apply, given the program's emphasis on the scientist-practitioner model.
Both programs provide students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to pursue licensure as mental health professionals. The rigorous training, combined with extensive supervised experience, ensures that graduates are well-prepared to meet the challenges of professional practice.
Graduates of these programs are equipped to make meaningful contributions to the mental health field, addressing the significant need for qualified professionals in Mississippi and beyond. As previously noted, USM's programs play an essential role in training the next generation of clinicians who will provide compassionate, evidence-based care to those in need.
Conclusion
USM's clinical mental health training programs offer comprehensive education that balances theoretical knowledge with practical experience. Through evidence-based curricula, extensive field placements, and a commitment to cultural competence and social justice, these programs prepare students to become skilled and ethical mental health professionals.
The MS in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health and the PhD in Clinical Psychology program provide pathways for students at different stages of their professional development, from those seeking entry-level positions as mental health counselors to those pursuing careers as licensed psychologists, researchers, or educators.
The Center for Behavioral Health serves as a vital training ground where students gain hands-on experience providing affordable, evidence-based services to the community. This clinical training, combined with rigorous academic coursework, ensures that graduates are well-prepared to meet the diverse mental health needs of individuals across the lifespan.
As the demand for qualified mental health professionals continues to grow, particularly in underserved areas like southern Mississippi, USM's programs play an essential role in training the next generation of clinicians who will provide compassionate, evidence-based care to those in need.