A master’s in mental health counseling can help provide you with the tools and skills necessary to become a licensed mental health counselor in the U.S. These professionals can offer therapy and counseling to individuals, couples and families, helping them to cope with mental health issues. Mental health counselors also can be qualified to diagnose mental health disorders and recommend treatment options.

Earn Northwestern’s CACREP-Approved Degree

Earn a CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling online from top-9 ranked¹ Northwestern University.
 

¹U.S. News & World Report: 2022 Best National University Rankings 

• CACREP Accredited
• Earn your MA in Counseling from Northwestern in as few as 18 months
• Accelerated full-time, traditional, or part-time tracks available

Request more info from Northwestern University.

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MPCAC-Accredited Online MA at NYU. GRE Not Req.

Aspiring mental health counselors are prepared to pursue licensure with NYU Steinhardt’s MPCAC-accredited online counseling master’s. Students can earn their degree in as few as 21 mos. GRE not req. 

• Prepare to become a mental health counselor
• Accredited by the MPCAC
• As few as 21 months to complete
• GRE not required 

Request more info from NYU Steinhardt.

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A mental health counselor’s duties fall on a spectrum. On one end of the spectrum, counselors help people with normal cognitive processes cope with difficult life events, such as the death of a loved one or the loss of a job. On the other end of the spectrum, counselors help people with less than normal cognitive processes manage mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder or clinical depression. A master’s in clinical mental health counseling is a prerequisite for obtaining clinical-related counseling licensure in all states.

When considering pursuing a master’s in mental health counseling online, you may wonder how virtual learning can provide the hands-on experience necessary to properly and effectively interact with patients. Many accredited online master’s in mental health counseling programs require a minimum amount of in-person clinical experience and ensure that their curriculum resembles that of an on-campus mental health counseling program.

Online master’s in mental health counseling programs offer students unique virtual experiences that often encompass online student support. These support services can give you access to campus faculty and staff while you are logged on. When deciding on a program, it’s also important to consider factors like class size, accreditation, course format and more.

The asynchronous learning format allows students to access and learn course materials at their own pace, without having to attend live classes. Synchronous coursework, on the other hand, requires students to attend live classes at specific times.

The level of licensure you wish to attain may likely impact your decision when choosing a school and program. Keep in mind that to become a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), you must meet state licensure requirements. They typically include completing a minimum number of clinical experience hours. Being an online student can make clinical placement difficult. While some programs do not provide much assistance with this process, others offer individualized support to help online students find internship placement sites that are convenient for them.

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP): CACREP-accredited online master’s in mental health counseling programs must meet a set of general standards determined by the council. CACREP is the more common accreditation for mental health counseling programs. Standards include coursework in human growth and development, group work and the history and development of mental health counseling techniques, models and theories. If an online master’s in mental health counseling program is accredited by CACREP, the program is expected to focus on quality, excellence and equity.

CACREP-accredited programs are required to address the needs of society at large, encourage leadership and protect the public. CACREP-accredited programs must also provide students with a broad range of theoretical and strategic perspectives and demonstrate that they are committed to continuous improvement.

Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC): MPCAC-accredited programs emphasize professional competencies in the science-based practice of counseling and psychological services. These programs must meet curriculum criteria to become MPCAC-accredited. MPCAC standards for curriculum (PDF, 162 KB) include these competencies:

Each online master’s in mental health counseling program has its own unique structure and application process. In most circumstances, materials required for application include:

Pursuing an online master’s in mental health counseling can increase your earning potential and expand your career options. Accredited online programs can allow you to gain the skills and clinical experience you need to work in a variety of settings, including family services, outpatient care, government, hospitals, schools and private practices. You can also specialize in working with specific populations, such as the elderly, the incarcerated, teenagers and families.

Salaries vary across industries for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In May 2022, the BLS reported median annual wages for those professionals working in:

Mental health counseling roles in these industries range from rehabilitation and substance abuse counselor to marriage and family counselor. Some professions may require additional certifications. Check with specific school counseling programs and your state board for information on certification requirements.

In searching for the best mental health counseling master’s online program, it’s important to consider the instruction method, the program length and the credit requirements.

A list of master’s in mental health counseling online programs in the United States, with information on required credits and enrollment type, is available below.

Last updated September 2023.