Best Online Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Programs for 2024

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs 

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $14,376

Out-of-State | $14,376

Credits to Graduate: 60

The online clinical mental health counseling degree at Catawba College teaches students how to counsel a variety of patients with mental health conditions. The comprehensive curriculum includes supervised clinical hours and covers practical skills and competencies. 

The program does not require a GMAT or GRE for admission, has small class sizes for a more personalized approach, and takes two years to complete. Graduates are prepared to pursue licensure in North Carolina and states with similar standards.

Programmatic Accreditation: The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs 

Cost per Credit: 

In-State | $725

Out-of-State | $725

Credits to Graduate: 60

Malone University's MA in clinical mental health counseling is available both asynchronously and synchronously. The program is mostly online, with in-person clinical experience requirements involving 600 supervised internship hours. Core courses cover topics like mental disorder diagnostics and social justice. The curriculum meets requirements for professional counselor licensure in Ohio and prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX.

This program takes 2-3 years to complete. Cohorts from Malone's clinical mental health counseling program report NCLEX pass rates of 65-100% over the last decade.

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs 

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $620

Out-of-State | $620

Credits to Graduate: 75

The University of Mary's master of science in counseling, clinical mental health counseling program prepares graduates for licensure in North Dakota. Out-of-state students should speak with an admission representative about requirements in their state. The school considers any previous college, military, and work experience during admission, which may count towards credits to graduate. 

Students can attend in person, online, or develop a hybrid program to meet their needs. Most students complete the program in 20-32 months. The program prepares graduates for careers as public health specialists, mental health counselors, mental health clinic directors, and policymakers.

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs 

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $608

Out-of-State | $608

Credits to Graduate: 60

The master of clinical mental health counseling at Grace College is taught 100% online with a seven-day residency requirement each year of a two-year program. The degree is scripturally grounded and produces professionally skilled counselors with a Christian counseling degree. The program is also committed to the students' professional and interpersonal development.

During the seven-day residency requirement each year, students meet with other students, undergo skill development evaluations, and spiritual growth activities.

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs 

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $1,039

Out-of-State | $1,039

Credits to Graduate: 60

The clinical mental health counseling degree at Bradley University is taught completely online except for two, one-week residencies in the two-year program, which emphasizes neurocounseling. The degree prepares students to be effective counselors and boasts a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. 

Graduates are eligible for licensure in Illinois. Out-of-state students should check with their state for specific requirements. Students take national examinations in their final semester. Graduates can find employment in hospitals, schools, churches, correctional facilities, and private practice.

Institutional Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $1,245

Out-of-State | $1,245

Credits to Graduate: 60

William James College offers an online MA in clinical mental health counseling that features four semesters of in-person clinical fieldwork and two mandated summer campus residencies. The program includes asynchronous coursework, as well as synchronous Zoom sessions. Most courses are seven weeks long, and it takes 2.5-3 years to graduate. 

By the end of the program, students will have completed 960 hours of field work. Graduates who earn their clinical mental health counseling degree qualify for health counselor (LMHC) licensure in Massachusetts.

Programmatic Accreditation: None

Cost:

In-State | $33,944 (total)

Out-of-State | $33,944 (total)

Credits to Graduate: 60

Students in the master of science in clinical mental health counseling at Keiser University can transfer up to 12 credits and have up to 48 months to complete the online or on-campus program. The program prepares students for practice in several settings, including private practice or rehabilitation. 

Graduates are eligible for licensure in Florida and should check with their state for license requirements. The school uses a variety of teaching methodologies to support students, including interactive, independent, and experimental student-centered instruction.

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

Cost per credit:

In-State | $385

Out-of-State  | $805

Credits to Graduate: 60

The coursework portion of  TTUHSC's MS in clinical mental health counseling is offered entirely online. Beyond that, the program involves 600 supervised hours of internship and practicum experience. Coursework covers topics like crisis counseling and psychopharmacology. 

TTUHSC does not require applicants to submit their GRE scores, although applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for LPC licensure in many states. They also receive a certificate of distance counseling in telehealth as part of program completion.