
Online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Prepare to make a difference in your community and meet the growing demand for licensed counselors with a master’s in clinical mental health counseling. There is a growing demand for counseling professionals to help clients through a variety of mental and emotional issues that crop up in their lives. As more Americans recognize the benefits of counseling to improve mental health, strengthen relationships and remove barriers to achieving goals, this field will only continue to flourish.
At University of the Cumberlands, we stand ready to help you achieve your personal and professional goals for the well-being and health of your community and career. Our Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed to help you take the next step, whether that’s part of a counseling group or private practice, to give others the care they need.
COUNSELING DEGREE PROGRAM INFORMATION
In your clinical mental health counseling program, coursework covers the foundational knowledge you need to build a career in the field. In addition to exploring the fundamentals and undergoing practicums and internships needed to pursue relevant licensures, you’ll build a set a skills invaluable to a career in mental health counseling. Goals for your clinical mental health counseling program include helping you:
- Develop a professional counselor identity aligned with the ACA Code of Ethics
- Prepare to be a culturally competent counselor for service to diverse populations
- Better understand developmental theory and persons in context across the lifespan
- Effectively apply career development theory while acknowledging related life-work roles and factors
- Demonstrate effective counseling skills and techniques to groups and individuals
- Become more effective with assessment, diagnosis, and intervention planning
- Successfully use research in clinical practice and program evaluation
- Promote the attitudes and dispositions that facilitate academic success and effective counseling
- Be equipped with the foundational knowledge and skills to seek licensure as a professional counselor
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Through its Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC), University of the Cumberlands offers a graduate program for those students aspiring to become Licensed Professional Counselors. The program is to designed to serve both recent baccalaureate graduates and other professionals who desire to broaden their expertise as mental health counselors and addiction counselors in community settings. The aim of this program is to provide students with the academic background and requirements that enable one to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. The program consists of 60 total credit hours. The majority of the coursework is offered in an online format in 8-week sessions (bi-terms). Two bi-terms make up a semester. Students may enter the program at the beginning of each bi-term during the fall, spring, or summer semesters.
Click here for Course Details
TUITION INFORMATION
At University of the Cumberlands, we do everything we can to ensure our programs remain competitive and affordable year in and year out. That effort extends to our online graduate programs, including this online clinical mental health counseling degree. Click here for more information regarding tuition rates and fees.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Mental health, as an issue in the public consciousness, has become incredibly important in recent years. At University of the Cumberlands, we take our role in helping prepare professionals for the field very seriously. In that regard, we take admission to the program equally as seriously. We are here to help you achieve your educational goals with us so you can achieve your career goals in clinical mental health counseling.
MASTER'S IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING - NOW OFFERING ROLLING ADMISSIONS!
The following items are necessary for admission to the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program:
- Completed Graduate Application and payment of the associated fee
- A completed Bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
*A 2.5 to 2.9 GPA could be considered for review if the additional essay prompt is completed with the associated Writing Sample - Submit official transcripts from all applicable colleges/universities attended; must be received directly from the issuing college or university.
- Writing Sample Prompt
- Documentation of language fluency for non-native speakers of English, such as a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the 8 International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a report from Duolingo. This requirement is waived for students who have completed bachelor’s or master’s level coursework in the U.S. at an accredited institution. The minimum acceptable TOEFL or IELTS scores for admission are:
- Paper-based TOEFL (PBT) - 550
- Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) - 79
- IELTS - 6
- Duolingo - 100
- Any international coursework completed must have official transcript evaluations completed and submitted to the University by the evaluation firm. Evaluations MUST include GPA for admission.
Approved Evaluation Firms are: - Submit two Letters of Reference from individuals commenting on the applicants academic and professional potential
All admissions materials should be submitted to Graduate Admissions:
University of the Cumberlands
Graduate & Online Admissions
649 S. 10th Street Suite C
Williamsburg, KY 40769
Phone 606.539.4390
Toll Free 800.343.1609
Email gradadm@ucumberlands.edu
Previous Education Requirements
Completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college showing a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Transfer of Credit Policy
The Online Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Program requires completion of 60 hours of graduate level work. This is also a requirement for licensure as a Professional Counselor in most states.
A maximum of eighteen credit hours of credit may be transferred from a regionally-accredited institution of higher learning. These transfer credits must be in courses determined to be equivalent to courses required in the program. All transfer credits must be approved by the Program Director and the Registrar.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A 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
HOW CAN I EARN A MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING DEGREE ONLINE?
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
IS A MASTER’S IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING WORTH IT?
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.
ACCREDITATION
University of the Cumberlands is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). It is our pleasure and honor to award those candidates who complete this online program with a relevant and accredited graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling.
CACREP ASSESSMENT
The CACREP Council accredits the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, Addiction Counseling program, PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision, and the related Doctorate of Educational Leadership Online (EdD) Program. CACREP is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) that accredits counselor-preparation graduate degree programs. For more information, visit https://www.cacrep.org.
CACREP Outcomes for the Department of Counseling at University of Cumberlands:
Vital Statistics: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
*Starting AY 2021 vital statistics are included in the Program Evaluation Outcomes Report.
FACULTY
Click here to view a list of the clinical mental health faculty.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PURSUING YOUR COUNSELING DEGREE ONLINE
When you’re ready to help others overcome emotional and mental health issues, make sure you maximize your counseling abilities with this online mental health counseling degree. Discover why University of the Cumberlands is one of the best test-optional colleges in KY for your degree-seeking educational dreams. Fill out the form on this page for more information about your online mental health counseling program.
Admissions Office
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Phone: 606.539.4390
Tollfree: 855.791.7199
Email: gradadm@ucumberlands.edu
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649 S. 10th Street Suite C
Williamsburg, KY 40769