A series of catastrophic events over the past several years, including hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic, has created an urgent need to advance mental health in Puerto Rico. Cambridge College at Bay Path University in Puerto Rico's location provides graduate-level professional training for mental health counseling licensure.
Modality
Program Overview for the MEd in Mental Health Counseling
The Master of Education (MEd) in Mental Health Counseling provides graduate-level professional training for mental health counseling licensure and includes a solid commitment to an evolving multicultural society. The course work, field practicum, and internship conform to the regulations and licensure requirements of the Professional Counselor program in Puerto Rico.
Classes are offered on-campus and remotely.
Program Highlights for Mental Health Counseling Degree in Puerto Rico
Through its Puerto Rico campus, Cambridge College at Bay Path University gives you flexible course options to balance work and family demands as you progress toward your graduation goals.
- Hands-on experience: Cambridge College's MEd in Mental Health Counseling includes more field experience than many other master's programs in social work.
- Flexible course options: In a program designed for adult learners, students take flexible, hybrid classes, including nights and weekends, as well as online options.
- No GRE or Miller Analogies Test. Start your Mental Health Counseling degree quickly, thanks to Cambridge College at Bay Path University’s no-hassle application and admissions process. Apply without taking the GRE or Miller Analogies Test.
- Set your own graduation timeline: You can graduate in two years by attending full-time or you can choose to go at your own pace.
- Faculty with deep clinical experience: Mental health counseling faculty at Cambridge College at Bay Path University in Puerto Rico bring years of clinical mental health counseling experience and keen talents for educating adult students.
- Connect with fellow students: Cambridge College at Bay Path University welcomes MEd students with diverse perspectives on serving various populations seeking counseling services.
- Study close to home or work: For on-campus classes, it's an easy walk from public transportation or student parking.
- More value for your tuition dollars: Compared to similar counseling or social work master’s degrees, Cambridge College at Bay Path University offers lower tuition to graduate students. Our commitment to affordable education allows more students like you to achieve academic and career goals.
Master's in Mental Health Counseling Program Learning Outcomes
The Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Cambridge College at Bay Path University in Puerto Rico prepares you to become competent in the counseling skills required for employment with existing mental health services providers or private practice. You'll learn and be equipped to apply:
- Principles and best practices of counseling
- Various psychotherapeutic techniques for working with individuals, couples, families,and groups
- Group counseling
- Consultation with organizations and communities
- Study of human development, dysfunctional behavior and mental illness
- Assessments, diagnoses and treatments within the scope of a counselor’s practice
- Referrals from community resources
- Prevention strategies and treatment plans for substance abuse, domestic violence and the spectrum of mental illnesses
- Psycho-educational techniques aimed at preventing mental health disorders
- Research design and methodology
Professional Counselor Program in Puerto Rico
The MEd degree will prepare you to pass the Professional Counselor licensure exam in Puerto Rico, issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Health. The program also offers personalized support toward obtaining your license.
"Cambridge College prepared me with a quality and affordable education for real-world practice. The faculty is knowledgeable, caring, and supportive - and fosters a family-like environment for students to model. As an alumnus, I encourage everyone to consider this institution as an option."
Mental Health Counseling Tuition Information
*See curriculum sheet for a breakdown of credits and credit ranges.
Mental Health Counseling Program Concentrations
Focus on your mental health counseling master’s degree more by adding a graduate program specialization. Cambridge College at Bay Path University in Puerto Rico offers these in-demand degree concentration options:
Examples of Mental Health Counseling Courses
Mental Health Counseling classes required in the MEd program include the following:
- Rogerian Person-Centered Therapy: Basic Counseling Skills
- Human Development Across the Lifespan
- Personality and Counseling Theory
- Perspectives in Cross-Cultural Counseling
- Group Dynamics/Group Counseling & Human Systems
- Research Design and Evaluation
Curriculum for Specialization in Addictions Counseling, MEd
Curriculum for Specialization in Mental Health Counseling, MEd
Mental Health Counseling Graduate Degree Careers and Salary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in a variety of mental health counseling careers will grow 18 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average predicted growth for all occupations.*
Earning your Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and then passing the Professional Counselor exam in Puerto Rico allows you to work in a variety of clinical settings as a licensed mental health counselor.
Whether aiming to advance at your current job, secure a higher-level job elsewhere or open your own private practice, this graduate program in Mental Health Counseling opens the doors to many professional opportunities. Graduating with a master’s degree can also boost your earning potential.
The mean annual income for mental health counselors in Puerto Rico is $24,010 in May 2022, with the salaries for the highest 10 percent at $35,520 or higher.**
18%
Projected U.S. employment growth in a variety of mental health counseling careers from 2022-2032*
$24,010
Annual mean wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors in Puerto Rico**
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm#tab-1 (visited Nov. 15, 2023).
**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Puerto Rico, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_pr.htm (visited Nov. 15, 2023).
Jobs in Mental Health Counseling in Puerto Rico
Mental health counseling is a growing and versatile career field in Puerto Rico, with a strong concentration of jobs with these types of employers:
- Individual and family services (private practice or nonprofit)
- Outpatient mental health care centers
- Residential centers for people seeking services for developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, and substance abuse
- Private practice, as a solo entrepreneur, or as part of an existing health practice
- Local governmental agencies and services, including schools, community centers, veterans’ affairs, and more
Mental health counseling job titles or roles include the following:
- School counselor or guidance counselor
- Mental health counselor
- School adjustment counselor
- Substance abuse counselor
- Therapist
Faculty Spotlight
Carlos J. Cañuelas
EdD
Senior Instructor
Dr. Carlos Javier Cañuelas Pereira is the director of the Student Center for Counseling and Psychology (CECSi) of the Medical Sciences Campus (RCM) of the University of Puerto Rico. Since 2008 has been teaching at Cambridge College Puerto Rico. He is a graduate of the Río Piedras Campus of the UPR both for his bachelor's degree in psychology and for his master's and doctoral degrees in Orientation and Counseling. He has more than 20 years of experience as a counseling professional mainly...
Maria S. Mangual
EdD, MHMD, LPC
SEC Coordinator Div Counseling CCPR and Senior Instructor
The professional relationship at Cambridge College of Maria S. Mangual started about 19 years ago. She was assigned to teach in the Master of Education in Health because Counseling was not an offering in CCPR. When the College decided to start Counseling she asked to be changed to that faculty. Since then, she has been a professor at CCPR. At the same time, she worked as a school counselor in Humacao, PR. for eleven years. The experience gained in those years allowed me to start a private...
Jorge E. Rivera
PsyD, MEd, BA
Adjunct Professor
Jorge Rivera is a professor passionate about teaching his courses. He is a Clinical Psychologist and a Licensed Professional Counselor. He has worked in different counseling scenarios and diverse populations from Community College and the Interamerican School of Law in Puerto Rico. Also, he has worked in medical integration in Springfield and is a readjustment counselor who provides services for combat veterans in Springfield, MA. Dr. Rivera is on the community advisory board for Spark for...