MSCMHC Academic Coursework

The MSCMHC program at Sonoran University is a cohort-based, online distance education program that follows a prescribed track. All academic credit is computed in quarter hours (see Credit Equivalence below). All students are guided by the curriculum as outlined in their prescribed program of study. Students are pre-registered for all courses. Students may not deviate from their prescribed program of study. Sonoran University reserves the right to make curriculum changes that are applicable to all students, if necessary.

Course Format and Credit Requirements

The MSCMHC program is 90-quarter hours consisting of 56 didactic credits (672 didactic contact hours), 15.5 didactic lab credits (186 didactic lab contact hours), and 18.5 clinical credits (222 clinical contact hours). The format of the program is 100% online.

Full-time enrollment is defined as being enrolled for a minimum of 4 credits. Part-time enrollment is defined as being enrolled for a minimum of 2 credits but less than 4 credits.

Credit Equivalence

Courses are reported in quarter credit hours according to the following values:

Didactic             1 credit = 12 contact hours per quarter

Laboratory        1 credit = 12 contact hours per quarter

Clinical              1 credit = 12 contact hours per quarter

Program Length and Completion Timeframe

The MSCMHC program is designed to be completed in two and a half academic years, or ten academic quarters. Students are expected to complete the MSCMHC program within 20 academic quarters, not to exceed five years from initial date of matriculation, including any and all leaves of absence and periods of withdrawal.

If a student stays on track with the program, taking all courses as they are offered in sequence, students can expect to graduate within 10 consecutive quarters, or two and a half calendar years.

Course Sequence and Prerequisites

It is expected that all students will remain in good standing throughout the program and that students will take courses in the sequence provided by the program. Students must successfully complete all courses in the first four quarters (foundational courses) of the program before enrolling in courses identified in the fifth through tenth quarter. If a student is in their final two courses of the foundational courses, they may only register for two courses offered in the fifth quarter.

Once a student has successfully completed all foundational courses, they must complete the courses listed in the course sequence for quarter five and six of the program prior to enrolling in Pre-Practicum in Counseling I. Students must complete Pre-Practicum in Counseling I & II and all Q7 courses prior to registering for Counseling Practicum I.