Online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

With a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, you can make a positive impact as a counselor in a number of settings, including:

• Private Practice
• Clinical Mental Health Centers
• Community Agencies
• University Counseling Centers
• Hospitals
• Correctional Facilities

A master's in clinical counseling is a branch of psychology concerned with treating people for mental health as well as emotional and relationship issues. A master’s in clinical mental health counseling program covers the skills needed to assess patients, diagnose mental disorders—like anxiety and depression—and deliver effective treatment. You’ll learn both the theory and practice of working closely with patients in individual, group, and family settings. You’ll also explore counseling strategies for diverse populations, from children to the elderly. 

Many counseling roles require a master’s degree. This is especially true if you intend to provide certain kinds of services, like one-on-one counseling sessions. In addition, all states require mental health counselors to earn a license. Check with your state to learn more about education requirements for licensure. 

An educational background in mental health counseling could also prepare you for a variety of other career paths in the human services field. These may include:

• Health Educator
• Community Health Worker
• Social Administrator
• Rehabilitation Counselor
• Regulatory Affairs Director
• Postsecondary Teacher

Online learning offers a flexible way to pursue your graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling on your own schedule. Here’s how to get started:

1. Map your career path. Don’t wait too long to decide you want to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC). The amount and type of education needed for counseling roles varies based on where you plan to work. So, you’ll need to choose a mental health counseling program that fulfills your state’s licensure requirements.
2. Choose your program. Not every online mental health counseling program covers the in-person experience you need to gain expertise as a counselor and pursue licensure in your state. Look for a program that includes practicum and internship experiences in your community. In addition, consider choosing a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP accredits programs that meet national standards of quality and relevance to the counseling profession. University of the Cumberlands is one of the only higher education institutions to offer CACREP-accredited programs online.
3. Pursue your studies. Students can earn a master’s in clinical mental health counseling in as few as two years of full-time study. If you plan to pursue licensure, don’t forget to factor in time to fulfill a period of post-degree supervised clinical work, a time requirement that varies by state.  

For many students, earning a master’s in clinical mental health counseling is an investment in a rewarding career helping others live their best lives. Consider the following reasons to earn your master’s in this growing field:

• High demand. In coming years, jobs should be plentiful for licensed mental health counselors. Projected growth for this career path (together with substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors) should reach 23 percent by 2030—much faster than average for all professions. This is due to an increase in the number of people seeking counseling, including populations like military veterans. In addition, rural and underserved communities also need mental health counselors.
• A career to build a life around. In 2021, the top 10 percent of mental health counselors earned over $77,980 per year, and the median salary for this role was $48,520. Some counselors may go on to start a private practice, pursue roles in leadership or even teach at the postsecondary level. 
• Job satisfaction. Counseling is a chance to guide patients through difficult times, such as grief, mental illness or relationship problems. For the right person, helping patients improve their mental health and happiness is the greatest reward.