Mental health awareness has skyrocketed in the past few years, which is just one reason why mental health counselors are needed now more than ever.
This article, highlighting the top Mental Health Counseling programs, originally published in August 2020, was updated in January 2024.
The National Institution of Mental Health states that one in five Americans suffer from a mental illness ranging from mild to moderate to severe.
Unfortunately, the actual number is more than likely higher because many people don’t seek the help they need. Simply put, mental health counselors are greatly needed professionals who help their clients achieve mental and emotional wellness.
A Master’s in Mental Health Counseling provides graduates with a rewarding career in helping individuals, families, and groups deal and heal from mental and emotional problems in various settings. The best mental health counseling master’s programs provide a rigorous blend of counseling theory coursework and practical “hands-on” applications.
What Are the Best Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Degrees?
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#NorthCarolinaStateUniversity #UniversityofBuffalo #FitchburgStateUniversity #OregonStateUniversity #UniversityofNorthTexas #UMassAmherst #AuburnUniversity #VirginiaCommonwealthUniversity #GovernorsStateUniversity #NationalLouisUniversity #NovaSoutheasternUniversity #NewYorkUniversity #UniversityofIllinoisSpringfield #UniversityofPennsylvania #WebsterUniversity
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Founded in 1946, the Counselor Education Program at NC State in Raleigh, North Carolina, boasts a rich history of educating future mental health counselors.
Offered in both on-campus and online formats, this online Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling focuses on promoting wellness in future clients through preventive interventions.
This top mental health counseling graduate program commits to multicultural diversity, reflected in the courses and the faculty and students. This program has increased its culturally diverse proportions from less than 5% to 20%. Through this degree, graduates will be able to work as culturally competent counselors across a variety of counseling environments.
You can complete the on-campus option in just two years if you are full-time. The online option entails a three-year part-time cohort that requires you to take one class in the summer and two each fall and spring semester. If you’re interested in applying, you need to submit:
- GRE or MAT scores
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official post-secondary coursework transcripts
University of Buffalo
The University of Buffalo’s Master’s in Mental Health Counseling focuses on:
- Personal and Professional Growth
- Human Diversity
- Multicultural Competence
- Social Justice
This full-time on-campus degree requires 60 credit hours and typically takes 2-3 years. Graduates can prepare to work in professional settings such as hospitals, mental health centers, state government institutions, and substance abuse centers.
This top graduate program includes counseling foundations such as:
- Psychopathology
- Evidence-Based Interventions
- Self-Care in Service
You will also complete a 600-hour internship during the third and fourth semesters. The majority of internships are in non-profit mental health centers in surrounding areas. This program is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).
To apply for this program, you need an undergraduate degree with a 3.0 minimum GPA. While UB states the undergraduate degree does not need to be psychology or counseling-related, having a related degree is highly recommended. GRE scores, letters of recommendation, unofficial transcripts, and a statement of intent are also required.
You may also like: 20 Best Master’s in Psychology
Fitchburg State University
The Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Fitchburg State University is among the best in the nation. This graduate program encompasses psychotherapy, human development, and intervention planning to prepare you for counseling careers in various settings. The 60-hour program includes flexible offerings, including evening, online, and hybrid courses.
Fitchburg’s graduate program emphasizes human development and proactive techniques to promote well-being and growth. Some required courses are:
- Life Span Development
- Lifestyles and Career Development
- Family and Systems: Models and Interventions
You will complete a 600-hour internship in a professional counseling agency during your last year.
To apply for this program, you need:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school
- Three letters of recommendation (two professional and one academic)
- A 300-word personal statement
GRE and GMAT scores are not required. In addition, you must complete these prerequisite courses:
- Developmental Psychology and Statistics
- Psychological Statistics
- Applied Statistics for Counselors
Oregon State University
OSU’s master’s of counseling in clinical mental health counseling is a part-time 90-credit hybrid degree. This graduate program provides students with the theory and application practice to provide mental health services in settings like:
- Community-based organization
- Hospitals
- Mental health clinics
- Residential facilities
- Other mental health settings
This program includes online courses and on-campus classes on two Fridays and Saturdays each semester.
Ideal for those who need a flexible education option, you can finish this program in 3.5 to 4 years. The collaborative cohort model creates inclusion among students, all progressing toward the common goal of becoming competent, respected counselors. This program focuses on eight common core areas that prepare students for future helping professions.
To apply, you should hold a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Undergraduate work in psychology and counseling is preferable. Experience with openness to diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice are also requirements for admission. In addition, you need to provide:
- Official transcripts
- A curriculum vitae (CV)
- A statement of goals
- Three letters of recommendation from professional references
University of North Texas
UNT’s master’s of counseling ranks among the best mental health counseling graduate programs in the nation. UNT offers a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling on the Denton/Frisco campus.
This curriculum prepares you for counseling careers in various clinical settings. As a UNT graduate student, you will choose to specialize in working with children, youth, college populations, or adults.
UNT’s counseling program is rigorous, competitive, and fulfilling. Many of the faculty are renowned experts in the counseling field, earning national awards. Throughout this program, you will complete:
- 33 credits of required counseling coursework
- 27 credits of coursework in your chosen program track
- a 100-hour practicum
- a 600-hour internship
UNT screens applicants holistically, and admission is competitive. You should hold an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall or for the last 60 semester hours. GRE scores (no minimum required score), three references, and a one-page writing sample are also required.
UNT’s counseling programs exceed strict academic standards and are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
One of the best schools with a Master’s in Counseling is Boston’s public research university, UMass. This Master of Science in Mental Health prepares you for all types of professional counseling careers.
The graduate program uses a close-knit cohort model where you will work with other students to complete the program at the same pace. While the majority of this program is online, two weeks of on-campus study is required in the first summer semester.
UMass mental health counseling graduates are eligible to obtain licensure through the MA Board of Allied Health Professions. With three additional credits, you can also choose to pursue a school adjustment counselor license. The MS mental health program is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
UMass states that applicants must demonstrate evidence of the ability to complete graduate courses with distinction. What does this mean?
Evidence may include:
- An undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- At least five social science courses
- At least one year of employment or volunteer experience in a mental health setting
- Acceptable GRE scores
Do note that if you already have a master’s degree, the GRE scores are waived.
Auburn University
Auburn University offers an M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling to prepare you to become a licensed professional counselor. This 60-credit master’s degree can be completed in five semesters for full-time students and tailored for part-time students. Most of the classes are on campus, with a few online offerings.
You will take courses in topics such as:
- counseling children
- crisis counseling
- substance-abuse counseling
You will then apply the theories and framework of your courses in a 100-hour practicum course and 600 hours in clinical practice or an internship. The practicum and internship coordinator will place you in internships within a 90-mile radius of Auburn by the end of year one.
For admission to Auburn’s top mental health counseling program, you need to submit:
- All official undergraduate work transcripts
- Three references
- A statement of intent
- A diversity statement
- An in-person or online video interview
No GRE scores are required. This mental health counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Virginia Commonwealth University
If you are interested in becoming a rehabilitation counselor, this nationally recognized program may be for you. Ranked #4 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Virginia Commonwealth University’s master’s in mental health and rehabilitation counseling prepares you for both Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) licensure.
As a VCU grad student, you will complete:
- 48 credit hours of required didactic courses
- Nine internship credits
- Three elective credits
Courses are offered both on-campus and online. This program is unique in that students are eligible to take the CRCC examination after they finish 75% of the coursework. After passing the exam and graduating from this program, you are already qualified as a certified rehabilitation counselor.
To apply, you need a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall or in your last 60 credit hours. You also need:
- GRE or MAT scores
- Three professional reference letters
- A professional statement
- Evidence of past counseling work (either paid or volunteer)
Governors State University
Governors State University’s nationally ranked Master of Arts in Counseling program equips students to work with clients through “preventive interventions to bring life-changing results through counseling.” Depending on your career goals, you will choose one of three focus tracks:
- Clinical mental health counseling
- Marriage, couple, and family counseling
- K-12 school counseling
This mental health counseling graduate program is offered on-campus or in a hybrid format with flexible evening and online courses. As a Governors State grad student, you will complete 100 practicum hours and a 600-hour internship. Students must earn at least a B in all courses, and if they earn lower than a B, they must retake the course to proceed in the program.
If you’re interested in Governors State’s mental health counseling degree, you need a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher on all undergraduate coursework or a 3.0 of the last 60 credit hours of a completed bachelor’s degree. If your GPA is between 2.5 and 2.74, you can submit GRE scores or earn Bs or higher in three prerequisite courses.
National Louis University
Open since 1886, National University has a long history of preparing students for successful careers. NLU’s College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences offers both an on-campus and an online Master of Science in counseling.
This graduate program prepares you for successful counseling careers in clinical mental health agencies or schools. You can choose among three concentration options:
- Addictions Counseling
- School Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Throughout this program, you will complete 60-67 credit hours, 100 practicum hours, and a 600-hour internship. Courses offered include:
- Educational Psychology
- Psychopharmacology for Counselors
- Trauma and Crisis Intervention
If you choose to pursue this degree online, you will take courses in real-time in virtual live classrooms. These classes typically meet in the evenings to ensure flexibility.
If you’re interested in applying for this mental health graduate program, you need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and a minimum 3.0 GPA. If you don’t meet these requirements, you still may be admitted on a provisional status. Also required are:
- An admission interview
- Three recommendation letters
- A written response to questions from the office of admissions
Nova Southeastern University
If you live in or near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University’s Master’s in Counseling may be for you. This innovative mental health counseling graduate program is designed for those already working in the field of counseling and offers four concentrations:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- School Counseling
- Substance Abuse Counseling and Education
- Applied Behavior Analysis
Depending on your chosen track, you will complete between 48-63 credit hours in this program. These credits include core classes, track concentration classes, and a comprehensive final exam.
Courses are offered in a flexible hybrid or completely online format. All concentrations require a supervised practicum or internship to complete the degree. Most students complete this program between two and five years.
To apply, you must present evidence of:
- Academic ability
- Counseling interest
- Personal stability
- Strong character
- A bachelor’s degree in a related field
- GPA of at least 2.5
- A total score of 300 or higher on the GRE
You also need at least two recommendation letters and a five-paragraph personal statement reflecting academics and character.
New York University
If you want to work with people across lifespans and cultures while promoting social justice and equity, check out NYU’s top mental health counseling program. NYU’s Master’s in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness is a 60-credit hour program that can be completed either full or part-time. Graduates will be eligible to pursue fulfilling careers in different settings, including:
- College centers
- Community health facilities
- Trauma-focused programs
- HIV and AIDS outreach programs
- Substance-abuse facilities
Combining coursework with counseling labs and internships, NYU’s graduate program teaches:
- Counseling Foundation
- Theory and Process
- Ethical Issues
- Group Dynamics
- Cross-cultural Counseling
- Abnormal Psychology
- Human Growth and Development
As an NYU mental health counseling graduate student, you will receive a well-rounded education that will take you places! NYU’s mental health graduate program is accredited by the Master in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).
To apply, submit official transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended, a resume or CV, two letters of recommendation, and a 2-3 page statement of purpose. Your statement of purpose should detail how your experiences led you to pursue a counseling degree. No specific bachelor’s degree or GRE scores are required to apply to this program.
University of Illinois at Springfield
The University of Illinois at Springfield’s Department of Human Development Counseling offers an on-campus Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. At UIS, You will learn how to effectively counsel others using a “self as instrument” theoretical approach. This self-care approach applies the principle that knowing yourself ensures that you can know your clients.
This mental health counseling program involves 49 core credit hours along with 12 additional concentration courses, totaling 61 hours. Concentration courses include:
- Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Social Justice and Advocacy in Counseling
- Multicultural Counseling
You will complete both a practicum and internship experiences during your final year of the program.
The application process at UIS is completed in three phases, and the progression to the next stage entails acceptance of the previous stage. You will submit three letters of recommendation in phase one. Phase two is a supervised written essay and group interview. Stage three for full admission status entails submitting all undergraduate transcripts with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
University of Pennsylvania
A 2017 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s M.S. Ed. in counseling and mental health services said this:
“Ultimately, the one-year program gave me the foundation to be a successful Ph.D. student, and one day, develop interventions that I hope will change lives.”
The University of Pennsylvania’s graduate program is unique because students can earn the degree in one year after taking ten courses. This top mental health counseling program emphasizes:
- Social Justice
- Diversity
- Person-centered Counseling
Penn Graduates are eligible to move into the M.Phil.Ed. in Professional Counseling for licensure or continue in a doctoral program.
The typical course load for this program is four courses per semester and two in the summer in order to finish in one year. Expect to take courses such as:
- Diagnosis and Psychopathology
- Counseling Interventions
- Sociocultural Foundations in Counseling
Eight to ten hours per week of practicum hours are also required.
Penn graduates must demonstrate their knowledge learned in this program by passing a comprehensive exam and submitting a final portfolio. To apply to this program, you need to submit:
- Undergraduate coursework transcripts
- A current resume
- Three recommendation letters
- GRE scores
- A 750-word statement of purpose
Webster University
Webster University’s Master of Arts in Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling emphasis is known as one of the best counseling master’s programs in the United States. The high-quality curriculum prepares students to become professional counselors in a wide range of mental health settings. Webster’s graduate program is conveniently offered:
- Main campus in Webster Groves, Missouri
- Three South Carolina campuses
- Online
You will complete 60 credit hours of coursework, which includes a 15-month clinical experience to gain hands-on training in a clinical setting. Notable courses include:
- Trauma, Crisis, and Emergency Relief Counseling
- Lifestyle and Career Development
- Techniques of Group Counseling
WU’s counseling program is accredited by The Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
If you’re interested in applying for WU’s mental health counseling graduate program, you need:
- A bachelor’s degree (minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA)
- A short essay that details personal and professional interests in counseling and career goals,
- Three professional recommendations
- A resume that includes work and volunteer experience and relevant leadership roles
Frequently Asked Questions
A Master’s in Mental Health Counseling is a graduate-level program that provides specialized training in counseling techniques and therapeutic approaches to address mental health issues. It can either be a Master of Art or Science, depending on the university. In some programs, you can choose a concentration such as:
• Mental Health Counseling
• Family Counseling
• Multicultural Counseling
• School Counseling
A mental health graduate program includes a combination of coursework and practicum/internship requirements that total 60 credit hours. An average program takes 2-5 years to complete for full-time students. After graduation, you can take either the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) or the National Certified Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) for full licensure. After passing this exam, you can become a licensed mental health counselor.
The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows an 18% growth in jobs through 2032, creating 42,000 new jobs each year for the next decade. High demand jobs include rehab and substance abuse counselors. Other jobs you can qualify for include:
• Career counselors
• Marriage and family counselors
• Mental health counselors
• School counselors
• Social services assistants
• Social workers
• Substance abuse counselors
According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics, the average pay for mental health counselors is $49,710/year. The lowest 10% make less than $34,580/year and the highest 10% make more than $82,710/year. Hospitals are the top industry for this profession with mental health counselors making $54,740/year, on average
A Master’s in Psychology is a broader degree that covers different aspects of psychology, including research, counseling, and other specializations. But a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling focuses on preparing students to become licensed mental health counselors. While both degrees involve studying human behavior and mental processes, the mental health counseling program is more tailored to clinical practice and therapeutic interventions.
Most mental health counselors hold a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling or a related field. This level of education is required for licensure and provides the necessary training in therapeutic techniques, counseling theories, and clinical practice. Some mental health counselors pursue additional certifications or specializations based on their specific interests or client populations.
Related Articles of Interest:
- Marriage and Family Therapist Graduate Programs
- Best Online MFT Programs
- Mental Health Counselor Degree Online
- Best School Counseling Programs
- Master’s in Addition Counseling Online
Sources:
- National Institution of Mental Health
- New England Commission of Higher Education
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- U.S. News & World Report
- CRCC examination
- Bureau of Labor Statistics