10 Signs of a High-Quality Online Clinical Mental Health Program

Quick Highlights:

Accreditation by recognized bodies, like CACREP, ensures that an online clinical mental health program meets established quality standards.
Programs with experienced faculty members offer practical knowledge and insights beyond textbooks, enhancing the learning experience.
A comprehensive curriculum that covers all foundational areas of counseling, as outlined by CACREP, is crucial for developing well-rounded, skilled counselors.
Student support services, including academic advising, mental health resources, career services, and tech support, are vital for student success in online programs.
Practical experience opportunities, such as internships and supervised clinical practice, are essential for applying theoretical knowledge and gaining hands-on skills.

College is expensive and finding the right online clinical mental health program can feel overwhelming. You want a program that’s high-quality, teaches you well, and leads to a rewarding career helping people. You want to be sure your investment pays off and this is where we can help!

There are many online programs out there, but not all of them will give you what you need. They may have a flashy website, but do they actually deliver results? That’s why it’s super important to know the signs of a great program.

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In this guide, we’ll walk you through 10 key signs that show an online clinical mental health program is top-notch. Using these signs as a checklist will help you make your own decision on the quality of a program. By the end of this article, you’ll be ready to make a smart choice about your education and future career.

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1. Accreditation

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a process a school (or program) goes through to validate their program meets quality standards. Special groups, called accreditors, do a thorough review of the program. In counseling, The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is the gold standard for accreditation in counseling. Their set of standards looks at:

The Learning Environment
Academic Quality
Foundational Counseling Curriculum
Professional Practice
Entry-Level Specialized Practice Areas

They review specialized content for different areas of counseling. These areas include:

Addiction Counseling
Career Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
College Counseling and Student Affairs
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Rehabilitation Counseling
School Counseling
Counselor Education and Supervision

Why Accreditation Matters

Accredited programs meet the standards set by the counseling profession. Choosing an accredited program ensures that you’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field. You won’t have to worry that your degree came from a diploma or accreditation mill which could hurt your professional reputation.

How to Check Accreditation

Now, how do you find out if a program is accredited? It’s easier than you think:

Visit CACREP: The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is the gold standard. Visit their website and use their search tool to find accredited programs.
Check the School’s Website: Most schools brag about their accreditation. Afterall, they’ve put in a lot of work to earn their recognition. Look for the CACREP logo or check their “About” page.
Ask Questions: If you can’t find the info, email the school. A good program will be happy to tell you about their accreditation.

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2. Experienced Faculty

Why Experienced Teachers Matter

Professors with industry experience can provide you with unbeatable benefits. They bring more than just book smarts to your classes. Experienced teachers bring real-life knowledge that you can’t get from textbooks alone. Here’s some of the other benefits of learning from teachers with experience:

They teach you about potential challenges and ways they’ve been able to overcome them.
They help narrow the curriculum by emphasizing the most relevant pieces.
They understand the skills needed to be a great counselor.
They follow industry trends and stay current on best practices.

Finding Out About Teachers

How do you know if a program has teachers with professional counseling experience? You might have to do a bit of detective work:

Check Bios: Most programs have a “Faculty” or “Our Team” page. Read the bios! Look for:
- Degrees: PhDs or Master’s in counseling, psychology, or related fields.
- Experience: Years working as counselors, therapists, or in clinics.
- Publications: Books or articles they’ve written. These show they’re experts.
Watch Intro Videos: Some programs have videos where teachers introduce themselves. It’s like meeting them in person!
Ask Alumni: Find graduates on LinkedIn or Facebook. Ask them, “Who was your favorite teacher and why?” Their answers tell you a lot.

The Impact of Great Teachers

While learning from experienced teachers is an incredible benefit in the classroom, great teachers don’t just teach; they inspire. They can:

Bring lessons to life with real experiences and stories from the field
Connect you with their professional networks which can help you find a job or advance your career
Write strong recommendation letters for jobs that could help you stand out from the competition

When you learn from the best, you’re more likely to become one of the best. Never underestimate the power of learning from experienced faculty!

3. Comprehensive Curriculum

What Makes a Great Counseling Curriculum?

Another benefit of choosing an accredited counseling program is their comprehensive curriculum. All counseling students in these programs enroll in at least one area of specialized practice, and these areas have specific standards. We’ll go over what to expect from a comprehensive curriculum.

Key Areas of Focus

A comprehensive curriculum covers all the bases. The foundational curriculum for each area according to CACREP includes:

Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice: This area covers the history, philosophy, and current trends in the counseling profession.
Social and Cultural Identities and Experiences: This component addresses the influence of social and cultural factors on counseling practice.
Lifespan Development: This area focuses on understanding the developmental stages across the lifespan.
Career Development: This section explores career development theories and decision-making models.
Counseling Practice and Relationships: This component emphasizes the development of effective counseling skills and techniques.
Group Counseling and Group Work: This area focuses on the principles of group dynamics, group development, and group counseling methods.
Assessment and Diagnostic Processes: This section covers the principles of assessment and evaluation in counseling.
Research and Program Evaluation: This area emphasizes the importance of research and evidence-based practice in counseling.

What Does Your Program Offer?

To see if a program’s curriculum is comprehensive:

Review the Course List: It should cover all the basics and have specific courses related to areas of emphasis (and maybe even a few extras!)
Look for Electives: These let you dive deep into areas you love.
Compare Programs: Line up course lists side by side. The best ones cover more ground.

A comprehensive curriculum is key to becoming a well-rounded, skilled counselor. It’s not just what you learn, but how all the pieces fit together to make you great at what you do.

4. Student Support Services

Why Support Matters

As an online student, your support team is important. While studying online has some pretty awesome perks, it can also be tough. Research shows that students who use support services have better outcomes. In fact, a study published by the Journal of College Student Development shows that students who met with their advisors frequently actually had a higher GPA and were more likely than their peers to graduate on time. Another study published by the Journal of American College Health found that students who received mental health counseling had lower incidence of depression and anger and higher levels of academic achievement. You will want to make sure the school you choose has student support services available to online students.

Types of Support to Look For

A great program has a full support system in place:

Academic Advisors:
- They help you pick the right classes in the right order.
- If you’re struggling, they may help you find tutors or study groups.
- Identifying university resources that are available and beneficial to you.
Mental Health Resources:
- Free or low-cost therapy sessions
- Stress management virtual workshops
Career Services:
- Resume reviews and interview practice through a video or phone call
- Job fairs (even virtual ones!)
- Alumni mentors who can connect online
Tech Support:
- Fixing glitches in online classes
- Setting up video calls for group projects
- 24/7 help desks
Library Services:
- E-books and online journals
- Research guides and citation help
- Librarians who are available by phone, chat, text, or email

How to Check Support Quality

Visit Service Pages: Great programs are proud of what they have to offer.
Read Reviews: Students often mention helpful advisors or career services.
Ask About Response Times: Good support is fast. Ask how quickly they reply to emails or chats.

Remember, in an online program, you shouldn’t have to feel alone. A top-notch support system means you’ve always got someone in your corner.

5. Practical Experience Opportunities

You’d never learn to swim just by reading a book, right? The same is true for counseling. Online counseling students need to engage in experiential learning and hands-on experience to develop their skills. These opportunities provide students with:

Confidence Boost: The first time you help a real client, it’s like magic. You’ll think, “Wow, I can do this!”
Skill Sharpening: Theories come alive when you use them. You’ll learn what works and what doesn’t.
Employers Love It: Employers love seeing real experience. It shows you’re ready to hit the ground running.

Finding Hands-On Opportunities

Top programs don’t just talk about experience; they serve it up on a silver platter. Most top online programs offer their students a variety of different types of opportunities. One of the most common types of training is through an internship. Colleges work with online students to find local placements with clinics in their hometown (or close by.) With the increase in popularity of teletherapy, some programs have arrangements with online therapy platforms. Students can counsel real clients under supervision in a virtual setting. It’s also important to ask your advisor early on how many internship hours you can expect to get, you will want as many as possible.

Another way online counseling students can get experience is through simulated sessions. Sometimes students will role-play with classmates or work with actors who play the role of clients. Sometimes video feedback is also used. Teachers will watch recordings and give tips to their students. Students can get experience by reviewing case studies or talking through “what if” type situations.

6. Positive Program Reviews

You’ve probably read reviews before buying something online. Reviews for schools work the same way. Reading reviews can give you the real scoop on what the program is all about. Maybe a class is really tough, or a teacher really made a great impression. Reviews can give you insights that the school’s website just can’t provide.

Where to Find Honest Reviews

Not all reviews are created equal. Here’s where to get honest answers from real people who have been in your shoes:

Education Forums:
- Reddit’s r/GradSchool: Real information from grad students on many different topics
- The GradCafe: You can get real insights on the application process and timelines. There’s also subforums for students to share advice and ask recommendations.

Independent Review Sites:
- GradReports: Grads rate programs on things like flexibility and career help.
- Niche.com: They cover everything from classes to campus life (yes, even for online schools!).

Alumni Networks:
- LinkedIn: Search for the program and click “Alumni.” You can even send them a message to connect.
- Facebook Groups: Many programs have private groups. Ask the admissions team for an invite and ask for a review.

How to Get the Most Out of Reviews

Now that you know where to find reviews, how do you incorporate them into your research? If you see one bad review, it could likely be a fluke, but if everyone is saying something similar, you probably want to pay attention. You also want to give more weight to specific reviews, rather than blanket statements that say a program is great. You want to watch for reviews with words like “outdated” or “unresponsive” which could indicate warning signs that the program won’t deliver what you need.

7. High Graduation Rates

Another indicator of a quality school is their graduation rate. The average college graduation rate is around 60% according to the NCES. The graduation rate tells you what percentage of the students who start actually finish. A high rate can mean that students are getting the support and education they need from great teachers and challenging courses. While most students encounter some hiccups along the way, a high graduation rate can also mean that students found the resources they needed to persevere. Graduation rates are also important to look at if you want to finish your degree on time and get out into the workforce faster.

Finding Graduation Rates

There are several ways to find a school’s graduation rate. These include:

School Websites: You can find graduation rates under sections like “About” or “Facts.”
Government Sites: The National Cetner for Education Statistics (NCES) provides this information for both public and private schools.
Ask Admissions: You can send a quick email to admissions to find their graduation rate or ask clarifying questions.

8. Flexible Scheduling

Many counseling students choose online programs because of their flexibility. Flexible programs support a healthy work-life balance and can be less stressful than a traditional program. They also allow students to learn when it fits their natural rhythm. When programs describe themselves as “flexible,” there are some things you need to look for:

Asynchronous classes: This means you can watch lectures and do assignments on your own schedule without set meeting times.
Part-time options: Students take fewer classes each term.
Multiple start dates: Students can start their degree when it is most convenient.
Self-paced courses: Take time to focus on the new material and move quickly through the stuff you already know.

How to Assess Flexibility

Since flexibility means different things to different students, you’ll want to take some time to think about what you’re looking for. If you want asynchronous classes, look in the course catalog for terms like “asynchronous” or “self-paced.” If you want to know if a part-time schedule would allow you to continue working your full-time job, you could ask a program advisor that question directly. You can also ask to see a sample schedule to see when classes are offered and determine if the program fits with your lifestyle.

9. Advanced Technology

Online learning is more than just watching videos and emailing assignments. Technology has made online courses engaging with interactive content and virtual collaboration tools. Students can practice their counseling skills through simulations or answer quizzes in videos as they learn. Learning Management Systems, or LMS, allow students to chat with peers on discussion boards and see their growth in real time. Many schools also offer mobile apps for greater accessibility and 24/7 tech support.

There are a couple of ways to assess a program’s technology. These include:

Taking a virtual tour: Many schools offer virtual tours of their programs. D’Youville University in New York even has a YouTube video showing prospective students the latest technologies used in their MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
Ask for a trial: Some schools let you check out a class to see if the learning format is the right fit.
Read reviews: Check out reviews and ask questions specific to technology.

10. Strong Job Placement Rates

The ultimate goal of earning your counseling degree is landing your dream job. You want to graduate and find a job as soon as possible. Researching job placement rates can help you determine program quality. High rates mean grads are getting hired and students are ready for the real world. Of course, high placement rates don’t just happen. Schools can help their students find jobs by offering career fairs or networking events. They may also offer resume workshops or mock interview sessions. It’s important to do some homework and find out how well schools are doing at helping their graduates find jobs.

Where to Find Job Placement Rates

Schools that do a great job of helping their grads find jobs usually like to brag about it, so it’s not too difficult to find. There’s a few places to find this information:

Program websites: Look for a section called “Career Outcomes” or “Alumni Success.”
Career services page: You may find the placement statistics here, along with salary information.
Alumni success stories: You’ll hear from real people about real jobs.
Industry reports: Some groups, like the American Counseling Association do surveys. You can do a quick Google search to find their latest report.

While finding the right counseling program can be challenging, you’ll be off to a great start by following our guide. In mental health, you’re not just getting a job. These 10 signs will help lead you to a program that doesn’t just offer a degree. You’ll leave with the skills and training to make a difference in the lives of people you serve.

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