Top 75 Master’s Degrees in Mental Health Counseling

This program equips students to work in clinical rehabilitation or provide general counseling service with an emphasis on people with developmental and psychiatric disabilities. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to receive your credentials on a national level and earn these North Carolina state credentials:

The average UNC graduate earns about $70,918 each year.

SUNY college is a small school compared to many others, having only about 5,100 students in total. The student-to-faculty ratio is a whopping 23:1, so students here should be able to grasp their coursework with relatively little one-on-one guidance from their professors.

Their mental health counseling program is designed to be as versatile as possible, enabling students to practice in various settings, including independent offices, behavioral health care organizations, hospitals, and more. You can expect to earn around $63,130 after graduation.

Through this school’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, you'll receive training to practice as a general mental health counselor. You are required to take 60 credits total to complete this program and earn your licensure as a Professional Counselor in Tennessee.

This program integrates several methods of education and training, including:

Students in this school’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are trained to work in human service agencies (public and private) and private practices. It's a small, intimate setting, with an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, optimal for enhancing the quality of coursework and clinical placements.

Students complete the program once they have fulfilled 60 semester hours, a 150-hour clinical practicum, and a two-semester (600-hour) clinical internship. The average graduate earns about $72,951 yearly.

For over 25 years, this institution's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program has prepared students to enter into the following career fields:

This is a 60-hour program that will earn you your licensure for the state of Tennessee only. Upon graduation, you're likely to earn around $62,630 per year.

This is one of the most versatile programs you can enroll in. It fulfills the licensure requirements for all states except California, Hawai'i, Indiana, and Rhode Island. This program, which focuses on a cognitive behavioral approach, is designed for both inexperienced prospective mental health counselors and those who presently work in human services or have done so in the past.

Upon graduating from this master's program, the average student earns approximately $73,700 per year.

When you enroll in Cambridge's Mental Health Counseling Program, you'll have the option to enroll in one of three specialized education routes:

After you take 60 credits to complete this program, you'll be eligible to take the LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor exam) for Massachusetts. The average graduate earns about $64,590 after completing a program at Cambridge College.

This university is home to the only Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited addictions counseling program in Pennsylvania.

The overall MA in Counseling takes a bit longer than the other portions. An addictions counseling certificate requires 12 credit hours and an advanced specialty in Christian & spiritual counseling requires the same. Whichever concentration you choose, the average Waynesburg graduate earns about $69,935 annually.

This university offers a CACREP-accredited Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling Program. It requires 60 credits to complete and emphasizes behavioral healthcare for people of all kinds, especially for those with disabilities.

Here, you'll earn the licenses to operate as both a CRC and LMHC. There are two certificate options available through this program, including:

The average USF graduate earns about $66,090.

St. Mary's University offers a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program that prepares prospective counselors for professional work in:

Educators utilize several methods to prepare their students, including clinical applications and traditional classroom teaching. Through all this, the university prioritizes Marianist values during your academic career and thereafter.

Expect to earn about $73,875 after graduating from this institution.

This university is on the smaller scale, with only around 300 graduate students overall. Still, this is one of the best universities to get an MEd the following specialized educational paths:

The core courses comprise about 39 hours of your education.

Webster's Counseling program is offered by their College of Arts & Sciences and provides the following emphases:

The general MA in counseling is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, whereas the clinical mental health counseling emphasis is CACREP-accredited. All but the community counseling programs require 60 credit hours (vs 48 credit hours) and graduates earn about $74,600 per year.

At James Madison University, you could earn either an MA or EdS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This school boasts a 100% pass rate on the licensure exam and will prepare you to treat:

The primary settings in which you'll be prepared to work include clinical mental health agencies, psychiatric facilities, and your own private practice. After completing 60 credit hours, you can earn about $67,200 annually.

When you enroll in Jacksonville's Master of Science Program, you can major in Counselor Education with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. You'll be eligible to receive a Class A teacher certification for school counseling. The courses included in this program will train you to counsel married and unmarried couples, families, children, and adolescents for behavioral problems, addiction, and much more.

After fulfilling all 60 semester hours, you'll have the potential to earn $64,320 post-graduation.

This MA program is dedicated to resolving the nation's dire need for mental health services for adults, children, and adolescents who are either deaf or hard-of-hearing.

They place special emphasis on treating individuals who are housed in psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation programs, and similar institutions. Along with the 69 required credit hours, you'll also be expected to complete a 200-hour practicum, working with deaf and hard-of-hearing clients, some with special needs.

Wake Forest takes pride in its remarkable 95% National Counselor exam pass rate. There are several options for your specific educational path here at Wake Forest, including:

Once they complete the required 60 hours, graduates can earn about $74,800 annually.

This Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) MA program can be applied to general practice or patients with addictive disorders as a counselor's or counseling supervisor's work within government agencies, educational institutions, or addiction treatment facilities.

Overall, the entire program, known as the Master of Arts in Counselor Education, requires 60 units to complete. The graduation rate is 85% and the average TCNJ student earns about $72,400 each year.

This MS program offers traditional classroom lectures, students are expected to undergo intensive clinical training (100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship).

The licensure you earn here is applicable in Pennsylvania and most other states. You'll learn advanced counseling techniques to assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families dealing with crises and substance abuse. You'll need to complete 60 credits to join the 82% graduation rate, after which you'll have the potential to earn the alumni's average of $73,300.

There are three primary career routes you can choose from after completing this program (two of which are CACREP-accredited):

Studying at Clemson can prepare you to either become a practicing counselor or administrator using both field and lab experience. Upon graduating from Clemson (which 81% of students do), you can expect to earn around the average of $69,400 yearly.

Valdosta State University offers a hybrid MEd program with an emphasis on clinical mental health to train aspiring professionals to work as both scholars and practitioners.

Although the overall university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1, you'll be a part of a small cohort, all members of which attend classes that are only 10-12 students large. After completing 60 semester hours, the average Valdosta graduate earns about $59,000 annually.

If you wish to integrate their religious faith into your work, Cornerstone is perfect for you. Grand Rapids Theological Seminary offers an MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling program to pursue your profession based on biblical and cultural knowledge.

The program prepares you to work with individuals, groups, and families with various counseling needs for spiritual formation. Typically, Cornerstone University graduates make a comfortable living with an annual salary of $60,200.

Through this MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, you'll receive a versatile training to work in various behavioral health and social service institutions. Your experience in this 60-credit program will make you eligible to practice as a:

This is an entirely traditional program, so you'll get face-to-face education in addition to 150 hours of on-site practicum and at least 600 hours of supervised clinical field experience.

This MA program will prepare you for an entry-level career in counseling in:

You'll have a chance to develop healthy interpersonal relationships with peers and staff as the campus only has 1,707 students with a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. The average Trinity graduate earns an average of $65,400 upon completing their education.

Appalachian State University offers a 60-hour advanced preparation program for you to earn an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. There are five concentrations available:

As a bonus, it sits within a vast landscape of breathtaking nature, including Grandfather Mountain State Park, Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, and Cherokee National Forest.

CSU-F's Department of Counseling offers an MS Counseling program with an emphasis on clinical mental health.

The California State Board of Behavioral Sciences approves this program to prepare students to receive Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC) licensures.

There are two alternatives for acceptance: MS in Counseling Traditional Program and MS in Counseling Evening Cohort. Overall, this CSUF program has a 94% completion rate.

When you enroll in this MA in Mental Health Counseling program, Trinity promises that you'll gain a new level of self-awareness and a deeper understanding of human nature.

Depending on your electives, you may be required to complete 56-58 hours to complete your program, nurturing your professional counseling skill set based on a biblical framework. Seventy-five percent of all Trinity M.A. MHC students persist to completion, and the university boasts a 98% first-attempt NCE pass rate.

Graduates of George Washington University's 60-credit-hour Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are eligible to sit in the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam, along with the NCC and LPC. You can work as an intern in numerous local institutions, including social service and legal establishments.

This program touts a staggering 99% retention rate, 83% graduation rate, a 100% NCE pass rate, and graduates earning an average $77,130 salary once it's all said and done.

SUNY's 60-credit MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling program trains students based on practical and theoretical perspectives. You'll graduate with the qualifications to hold mental health licensure within the state of New York for the following focus areas:

There are two main academic paths you can take to earn an MA in mental health at TSU:

Note that this program is not CACREP-accredited, as the CACREP Board of Directors has not yet approved it.

There are 24 students per cohort, ensuring you get the most attentive educational experience possible. This is one of the many reasons why 73% of students graduate from the university.

To earn your MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, you'll have to complete a total of 1,300 hours in the field (the equivalent of two internships).

You'll have plentiful opportunities to develop multicultural awareness and social justice sensitivities, as Cambridge welcomes a 250,000 international students to New England each year. Plus, the 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio is highly advantageous for your academic experience.

In addition to a CACREP accreditation, this program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). You can choose to enroll in the dual option academic path, which allows you to complete Vermont's requirements (76 credits) to earn licensure for school counseling and clinical mental health counseling.

You'll undoubtedly enjoy your time at this gorgeous campus, which sits on the shore of one of the nation's most beautiful water bodies, Lake Champlain.

Duquesne's 60-credit MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed with students' ease and well-being in mind. As long as you commit to taking six credits per semester, you'll earn a 15% tuition award, easing your financial burden. Plus, there are no prerequisites! All you need to have is a bachelor's degree - the subject doesn't matter.

The program's completion rate ranges from 93-100%, so rest assured that you're on track for success when enrolling at Duquesne.

This MA Forensic Mental Health Counseling program will equip you to practice in:

Your core skill development will focus on the ability to practice multicultural sensitivity in clinical interviewing, counseling, and patient assessment.

The university is set on Manhattan Island, beside incredible sites, including the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

As you earn an MA in Counseling and Career Development at CSU, you'll develop the critical skills necessary to not only help others but mature in your self-awareness as well. Students can enroll in one of three specializations:

The breathtaking Rocky Mountain National Park surrounds the campus, so you can enjoy serene nature while developing your career.

This versatile M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will equip you for licensure will be applicable in Pennsylvania and several additional states, plus the Federal government (specifically for counseling veterans). The program requires 60 credit hours and at least 700 hours of fieldwork to complete.

It has a 71% graduation rate, and the average graduate earns about $60,065 annually, so there's a pretty strong outlook for prospective students.

Marietta's M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will make you eligible for licensure as an LPC and LPCC. The school prioritizes preparing students to work in mental health agencies; however, you're not limited to this work environment. Graduates commonly enter work in career centers, educational institutions, and private practices.

There is a low student-to-faculty ratio (8:1), and the average graduate earnings are $66,340, so you can confidently expect success from your time at Marietta.

Over three semesters, the 60-credit-hour M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program meets the requirements for:

According to these standards, you'll be eligible for licensure as a Professional Counselor (PC), PCC, and NCC. Plus, you can choose whether you focus your academic path on Behavioral Health or Substance Use Disorders.

If you choose the latter, you'll be eligible for Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counseling (LICDC).

Students enrolled in Montclair State University's M.A. Counseling program with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling learn practical and theoretical knowledge required to treat families, couples, and individuals struggling with various developmental challenges and disorders.

Your potential licensure includes Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and LPC within New Jersey. To complete your education, you'll need to fulfill 60 credit hours and three semesters of fieldwork.

Students who enroll in Montclair's 60-credit M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling will be prepared to help individuals cope with the following disabilities:

This program represents a wealth of cultural diversity, as over 50% of the students were from underrepresented demographics. The M.S. program meets the requirements of nearly all states across the country except CA, HI, IN, and RI.

Howard's School Psychology program aims to:

The Master's in School Psychology program requires 62 credits and 1200 internship hours to complete. The average graduate is nurtured by the low student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1 throughout their program and they earn approximately $74,700 annually.

Gonzaga's M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program emphasizes the blending of theoretical and practical approaches to serve clients ethically and morally, with long-lasting effectiveness. Students are encouraged to work directly with community members and maintain their own mental health using the institution's resources.

Thanks to Gonzaga's endless support to its students, the program is distinguished by an 89% completion rate and a 100% NCE pass rate. Once complete, the average graduate earns about $71,050 annually.

Enrollment into this University's M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares you to help clients struggling with emotional, cognitive, and behavioral difficulties.

You will study in four divisions:

To complete and join the 82% graduation rate, you'll be required to fulfill 60 credits of coursework, 100 practicum hours, and 600 supervised internship hours.

Those who enroll in this M.A. Counseling program will be equipped to become:

Specifically, the program's goal is to prepare you for work with people living with disabilities, along with children and youth in educational institutions. With this said, your specialization options include:

The average University of Arizona graduate earns about $73,975 yearly.

Rowan offers a comprehensive 60-credit-hour M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, fit for licensure as an LPC or pursuing a doctoral degree. You'll receive the necessary training to be able to diagnose and treat various mental health patients. You'll also need to fulfill 600 hours of supervised practicum.

The campus is surrounded by the beautiful Wharton State Forest and sits beside the Delaware River, so you'll have a beautiful backdrop for developing your profession.

Western Washington University's M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will prepare you for work in a broad range of professional settings, including private agencies and federal institutions.

The program emphasizes students' skill development through attendance in supervised practicums and internships at local clinics and community centers. Note that it is an unusually hefty academic commitment, as you're expected to fulfill 91-97 credits to graduate.

The Morgridge College of Education's M.A. program in Counseling Psychology is perfect for those who want to work with children and families. Specifically, you will be trained to work with those facing trauma, addictions, and challenging life changes.

With this education, you can provide the necessary guidance with awareness and sensitivity toward factors such as racial disparity and gender. There are five specialty options, including:

Students who enroll in this M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will be able to assess client needs, including on a community level, to then design and implement effective mental health programs. You'll learn to assess and diagnose clients while prioritizing legal and ethical considerations. Ultimately, you will be eligible for the NCC.

There is a strong, positive outlook for prospective students, as the program boasts an 81-100% completion rate with a consistently 100% NCE pass rate.

In Old Dominion's M.S.Ed. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, you'll be trained to practice as an LPC in various professional settings.

You can even study in Ireland and Italy! However, even if you don't want to study abroad for select classes, the campus is situated within Virginia's scenic landscape, directly beside the Elizabeth River. Plus, the average Old Dominion graduate earns $67,500, so your future is bright upon entering your counseling career.

Saint Joseph's 60-credit M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares aspiring counselors to work with individuals and families facing addiction, mental health disorders like anxiety and depression (and their related symptoms, such as suicidal tendencies and self-harm), and relational challenges.

You're required to complete 700 hours of supervised fieldwork. The option is available for you to earn an addiction counseling certificate (requires 12 credits and follows the Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, CAADC) as well.

UR presents a rigorous M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program to train students in providing culturally responsive counseling and consultation "through the lens of social justice".

The 60-unit educational path integrates expertise from psychology, education, and sociology to provide the most thorough training possible. You can expect to complete 450 hours of supervised practicum (with 280 hours of face-to-face work) to complete the program before earning the average graduate's salary of $80,480.

If you're interested in working specifically in community-focused settings, St. Bonaventure's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is perfect for you. Those who train here are equipped to work in various mental health agencies, medical institutions, and college counseling centers. In addition to the fulfillment of 60 credits, you need 100 hours of practicum field experience and 300 hours of internships. 

In Loyola Marymount's M.A. Counseling program, you can pursue either a Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling (with PPS Credential) degree under this academic path or enroll in the school's two alternative programs:

This M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is 60 units (as with any other program in this category), but it is only a part-time commitment and provides evening courses.

Additionally, it requires a 100-hour practicum and 600 hours of supervised internship. To fully earn your licensure as a Mental Health Counselor within the state of New York, though, you'll need to complete another 3,000 hours of supervised mental health work and pass the state exam.

This 60-credit M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program emphasizes multicultural awareness and evidence-based techniques to ensure you're equipped to provide the best possible guidance to those in need. As you progress in your studies, you can choose to specialize in:

The program slightly exceeds New York's fieldwork standards, requiring students to complete 700 hours of practicum and internships.

This Clinical Mental Health Counseling program received the NCACES Innovative Counselor Education Master's Degree Program Award in 1999.

You will receive on-site 100-hour practicum at the UNI Counseling Center, Wartburg College, and Hawkeye Community College to put that knowledge to use as you further develop your skillset. There is also a School Counseling option for those interested in that specialization.

William Paterson's M.Ed. Professional Counseling program offers a unique specialization option for prospective students. Once you are eligible for either a LAC or LPC in New Jersey, you can progress to approval to work as a TRICARE counselor. This enables you to work within the military medical system. You will also need to have qualified to be a CCMHC (Clinical Mental Health Counselor).

This M.A. Counseling program equips students with a broad foundation for establishing their career in this discipline. It includes coursework on human development, theoretical counseling, cultural diversity, mental health disorders, and more.

Upon completing your program, you'll be prepared to take the NCE and apply to become an Associate Licensed Counselor (ALC) within the state of Alabama. Throughout your experience here, you can intern at respected sites like the Amelia Center and Hillcrest Behavioral Health Hospital.

SUNY's 60-credit M.S. Mental Health Counseling program at Oswego features small, intimate class sizes to ensure you get the best possible experience in your education. 

The main career options include Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Mental Health Professional. However, those interested in earning credentials to work as an Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor can take additional coursework for their specialization.

Enrollment in this Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will put you well on your way to earning licensure as an LPC. There are four internship placements to choose from and even opportunities to work on faculty-led research projects.

For those who want to specialize in treating trauma patients, Valparaiso offers a 15-credit certificate program for Trauma-Informed Care. You can complete this online while progressing through the core curriculum.

This Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prioritizes training students to gain LPCC licensure to work in Minnesota's community settings, social service agencies, and residential care facilities. You can also become eligible for LPC licensure in Wisconsin. Available programs include:

The average Winona graduate earns an average of $60,600 yearly, so you'll likely have a comfortable living after completing your program.

In Springfield's M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program you can enroll in the school's full courses in:

The high 72% graduation rate is likely due to the personalized educational experience granted by the 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and recreational escapes like the nearby Connecticut River and Fuller Arts Center.

You can choose from two concentrations while you're enrolled in West Virginia's M.A. Counseling program:

Further, the available areas of interest include Community Agency, School Counseling, and Clinical Mental Health. Here, you'll gain expertise in human psychology and development and learn to treat clients using cognitive, behavioral, and system interventions that are effective on multiple levels for individuals' maturation and even professional development.

This M.S. Mental Health Counseling program equips students to develop a professional skill set within themselves and establish professional connections for healthy interprofessional collaboration. The coursework is largely based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, preparing you to work as a practicing counselor or supervisor.

Note that there is an option to earn the optional Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee certification.

You can enroll in this M.S. Mental Health Counseling program to earn a terminal degree or to develop a foundation for your doctoral studies in this field. You'll need to complete 60 semester hours and a single semester internship to become an LPC in Arkansas.

As a bonus, this location is full of exciting recreational opportunities to liven up your academic career, including the Bear Stadium and Estes Stadium.

This 60-credit M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program breaks down to 39 semester hours for coursework, 12 practicum hours, and 600 hours of fieldwork.

Throughout your studies here, you'll have the opportunity to master theoretical counseling concepts, apply them in the field, and then measure the outcomes to sharpen your skill set. There are also opportunities to earn an M.A. in School Counseling or C.G.S. in Advanced Counseling.

With this M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, you'll learn to operate in a variety of professional settings, treating clients with various psychological, social, emotional, and behavioral problems. After completing your 60 credit hours, you'll be eligible to receive the LPC and earn 3,000 post-master's supervised counseling experience to begin your career.

West Carolina University offers this M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialty track within the Graduate Counseling program. Once you complete your degree, you'll be eligible for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMCHC-A). Until then, you're required to complete 60 hours in a traditional classroom setting and 750 hours of fieldwork.

When you enroll in this M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, you'll have a few different specialization options to choose from including Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling, K-12. Both routes offer Education Specialist or Master of Science alternatives.

The student-to-faculty ratio is quite high at 18:1; however, you'll still be in good standing upon graduation - the average grad earns about $63,320 annually.

This Radford Clinical Mental Health Counseling program raises up counselors who are prepared to treat clients based on a well-rounded curriculum. The school emphasizes self-awareness in all professional graduates and a deep, functional knowledge of counseling research, human development, and cultural awareness. As a part of the Radford academic network, you're also expected to engage in clinical and outreach activities.

You can pursue an education in School Counseling at this university, too.

Each matriculated student in Mercy College's 60-credit Mental Health Counseling program is required to adhere to the American Mental Health Counseling Association standards. You'll also need to take the Mental Health Counseling exam to work within New York State.

Once you complete your education here, you'll have a thorough understanding of human growth and development and base your practices on social and cultural awareness for groups and individuals. After graduation, Mercy alumnus earn an average of $67,200.

This M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program ensures your career as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in New Mexico. You'll be eligible to work in various mental health settings including specialized agencies, hospitals, and private practice facilities. The program is taught primarily in a traditional face-to-face format, offering the most personalized experience possible. There are hybrid courses available. It has an incredible 95% graduation rate and 100% comprehensive exam pass rate.

Fairleigh's vision statement emphasizes cultural competence for all their counselors. Completion of this 60-credit M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program earns you an LAC and LPC within the state of New Jersey and the overall program meets the requirements for all but three states in the U.S. The completion rate is quite high at 88% and licensure exam pass rate is 100%, so be confident in your chances of success.

This M.A. Counseling program is designed to prepare students to work in several settings, including:

Their enrollment options are quite flexible, allowing you to progress on your own time. You can take night, weekend, or online classes - whatever works best for you. Options include:

The Lewis University mental health counseling master's program will help you apply theory and research to counsel individuals through serious issues. Their program offers several concentrations to prepare students to take the examinations for Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor designations. There are also several concentrations offered that include:

The Marshal University mental health counseling master's program will prepare aspiring Counselors to serve their communities and schools as ethical, competent, and culturally sensitive practitioners. Marshall University’s Counseling Program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and accredited by the West Virginia State Department of Education. Their counseling program offers an emphasis in the following 2 major areas: Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling.