Bridge Program

Program Overview

The UNO Counseling Bridge Program is designed for masters-level school counseling professionals and other mental health practitioners who hold a master's degree in a mental health-related field. This program allows them to complete the necessary clinical coursework to apply for licensure as a Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP) in the State of Nebraska. The program offers flexibility with 18+ credit hours to meet the individual needs of students.

Program of Study

To successfully complete the program, students must take the following courses:

COUN 8920 - DSM and Treatment Planning (3 Credit Hours)
- Prerequisite: Must be taken before COUN 8250
- Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer (Online)
COUN 8400 - Advanced Techniques (3 Credit Hours)
- Prerequisite: Must be taken before COUN 8250
- Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer (In Person or Remote - Synchronous once a week)
COUN 8040 - Ethics in Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
- Co-requisite: Can be taken before or concurrently with COUN 8250
- Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer (Online)
COUN 8516 - Treatment Issues in Substance Abuse (3 Credit Hours)
- Co-requisite: Can be taken before or concurrently with COUN 8250
- Offered: Every Semester (Online)
COUN 8250 - Counseling Internship (6 Credit Hours)
- Requirements: ~300 Direct; 400 Indirect hours
- Offered: Every Semester (Remote Class, Synchronous once a week)

*Note: Students must coordinate with the Counseling Department’s Internship Coordinator and attend any required orientation before enrolling in COUN 8250. The hours of clinical practice in COUN 8250 must total 300 direct and 400 indirect hours and must be completed under the supervision of an approved licensed clinical provider.

Licensure Requirements

To be eligible for provisional licensure, students must meet the following criteria:

Graduate degree in a behavioral health field
Completion of 60 graduate credit hours
Completion of courses in the required areas as determined by the State of Nebraska
700-hour internship under supervision of an LMHP/LIMHP (300 Direct hours)
Fulfillment of clinical work requirements by the end of COUN 8250

Provisional licensure is determined by the State of Nebraska, not by the department, and meeting the above requirements does not guarantee licensure. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they meet all state requirements.

How to Apply

To be considered for the UNO Counseling Bridge Program, applicants must:

Apply as an unclassified student at UNO:
- Visit UNO Admissions
- Select "Graduate Student"
- Create an account
- Select "Unclassified" for the program
- Provide your SSN to create an NUID number (important for former UNO students to avoid duplicate NUIDs)
- Submit all required materials
- Pay the application fee
Interview Process:
- After applying, you will be invited to attend an interview to learn more about the program and for the department to assess your fit.
- Your transcripts will be reviewed to ensure the program is appropriate for you.
Post-Application:
- After the interview and transcript review, the graduate school and the Counseling department will communicate with you regarding the admission decision and next steps
- Accepted students will work with an advisor to develop a plan of study and will be provided more information on the available classes.

For questions about applying, contact the graduate office at gradschool@unomaha.edu or 402.554.2341.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your professional journey! For further details, contact Dr. Christine Chasek at christinechasek@unomaha.edu or Instructor Becca Moore at rebeccamoore@unomaha.edu.

Bridge Program Plan of Study

Bridge Program Worksheet

BHECN Orientation