Masters Mental Health Counseling Online

Get Started On Your Masters Degree In Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Take the next step toward earning your Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and join the community of Texas mental health professionals making a difference in our communities.

We have the resources to help you get started on your counseling journey. Request information to learn more about pursuing your counseling masters program at Tarleton.

Is A Masters In Mental Health Counseling Program Worth It

Yes, a masters in mental health counseling program is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 12% job growth in community and social service occupations over the next 10 years. Common careers in this field include rehabilitation counselor, community health worker, grief counselor, mental health counselor, and health educator.

A masters in mental health counseling is essential to those who want to work in counseling or psychology. While jobs in some fields can simply be worked up to, the mental health counseling field typically requires very specific credentials.

Beyond the potential financial and career benefits, mental health counseling grad programs can give you the knowledge needed to make a more powerful impact on peoples lives.

Bring Healing & Hope Through Clinical Mental Health Counseling

What moves you Helping individuals manage and overcome life issues and guiding them to better mental health? Regents Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, offered online or on-campus in Virginia Beach, prepares you to pursue fulfilling licensed-counseling employment in a variety of professional settings. This CACREP-accredited masters in clinical mental health counseling combines models and techniques of counseling with biblical principles for a strong and balanced approach.

Build relationships and get feedback from a small but challenging core of fellow students and professors.

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How Much Does A Mental Health Counselor Make With A Masters Degree

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for mental health counselors is $47,660, which is higher the $41,950 median for all occupations.

The amount you make depends upon the specialization you choose, the amount of experience you have, and the sector you decide to work in. Different regions also have different standards of living, which may alter your pay level.

Professional Licensure And Certification

Professional licensure and certification requirements may vary state to state and are subject to change. In addition, separate from educational requirements, state licensure boards may require applicants to complete other requirements. Students should contact the appropriate licensing agency in each home state to obtain the most up-to-date information.

FDUs Mental Health Counseling program meets or exceeds academic requirements for the LAC, LPC, and equivalent licenses in all but 3 states in the US. These 3 states are: California , Florida , and New York The program prepares students to complete the National Counselor Examination or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examinations . Please refer to the appropriate state for your work to determine if you should complete the NCE or the NCMHCE for licensure.

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Career Paths After The Online Psychology Program

With a masters degree in psychology from Pepperdine, youll be empowered to align your career with your passion for helping others. You will be prepared to pursue doctoral study or employment within a human services-related setting, such as public mental health, education, healthcare, government, or the corporate sector.

The job market is diverse and includes both independent and team-oriented career options.

Here are some of the roles you may be qualified to pursue after earning your masters in psychology online:

• care coordinator

Counseling Master’s Program Benefits

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program is a great match for the student interested in a Clinical Mental Health degree.

• Students are mentored by qualified professors who have work experience in the field including extensive academic and clinical mental health counseling experience.
• Through hands-on field experiences, students are challenged to explore how their theory and faith integrate as professional clinicians.
• Classes for the master’s in counseling program are offered in two formats the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling online and on-campus to meet the needs of adult students who are busy with work and family commitments.
• Classes are provided in a format that allows students to study with a community of peers focused on a common goal.
• A Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree can open up opportunities for clinical counseling positions nationwide with attractive potential salaries for counseling degree holders.

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Master’s Degree In Mental Health Counseling

• College of Adult and Graduate Studies
• Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A.

CCU’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs . Programs accredited by CACREP are reviewed against professionally approved standards, resulting in a streamlined licensure application process.

How Can I Become A Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Dr. Jacqueline Smith, Chair of Regent Universitys Counseling Department, Director of its clinical counseling programs, and a member of the CACREP Board of Directors, outlines the steps required by most states for counseling licensure:

Regents 60-credit hour M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program provides the academic and supervised field experience necessary for someone seeking licensure to become a mental health counselor in Virginia as well as licensure in states which require licensure applicants to have counseling graduate degrees based on the CACREP model, even if full accreditation by CACREP is not required.

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How Much Does An Online Masters In Mental Health Counseling Program Cost

Although tuition varies widely from program to program, the cost per credit hour for a masters in mental health counseling averages around $600 per credit hour. There are also many programs that cost between $300 and $400 per credit hour.

When looking at these costs, keep in mind the amount of money that can be saved by attending school online. Youll be cutting out the cost of commuting and the time spent commuting.

Clinical Experience Placement Assistance

To complete your accredited online masters in mental health counseling program and obtain licensure, you must finish a clinical experience of internship hours. These types of experiences will give you the opportunity to put your learned skills and knowledge into action. Even with previous experience, sometimes landing an internship can be difficult. For online learners, some universities do not have specific internship placement teamsonly offering services to those on-campus students. However, there are programs that support their online learning students in finding internship placement sites close to your home, no matter where you call home.

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The Online Masters In Mental Health Counseling Experience

When looking for an online masters in Mental Health Counseling program consider taking into account the type of virtual experience being provided. For example, online student support services, clinical experience placement assistance, class size and live discussions are essentials for ensuring that. Online student support services will provide you with access to campus faculty and staff while you are logged on.

In order to become a licensed Mental Health Counselor you must complete the required clinical experience hours. Being an online student can make placement difficult as some programs do not provide much assistance when it comes to clinical experience placement. However, there are programs that offer special support to online students in finding convenient internship placement sites. Finally, class size and live discussions make for an interactive and fun virtual learning experience. A 15:1 ratio and synchronous learning allows students and instructors to begin fostering and facilitating a productive virtual learning space.

The great thing about pursuing a master in Mental Health Counseling online is that all you need is a built-in camera, a microphone, and a strong wifi connection. With these three things you can participate in face-to-face live discussion with your fellow classmates and instructors.

Mental Health Counseling Careers & Salaries

As the name implies, a degree in mental health counseling is designed for a specific line of work. But within that line of work there are many different specialties.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for mental health counselors is $47,660. As with most other fields, your pay will likely increase with experience.

Where you choose to work will likely play a big role in your income level, as well. For example, government-employed mental health counselors have a median annual income of $54,070. Counselors employed by residential mental health and substance abuse facilities have a median income of $40,560.

The region where you work will also likely affect your range of income. The Bureau of Labor Statistics breaks down median annual incomes per mental health counseling specialization.

Clearly, there are a wide variety of potential career paths within the field of mental health counseling, depending on your area of focus and prior experience.

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How Much Do Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduates Make

Depending on the type of counseling, the median annual salary of mental health counselors is around $50,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Visit one of our campus locations and attend an Open House for prospective graduate students to learn more about our masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and the Tarleton graduate admissions process.

Master’s In Counseling Program Emphases

Students in the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program may choose an optional emphasis in one of the following areas:

• The Counseling master’s emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy addresses the growing demand for compassionate professionals who can provide biblically-informed prevention and intervention while helping to heal and improve the well-being of distressed families, couples, and individuals. This graduate school program offers an in-depth understanding of interpersonal relationships, human behavior, social influence, mental and emotional issues or disorders, conflict resolution, and most importantly, family dynamics.
• Substance Use Disorders The Counseling emphasis in Substance Use Disorders addresses the high demand for trained professionals to address widespread behavioral disorders and addiction to alcohol and other chemical substances. This program equips you to provide leadership in developing, evaluating, and implementing holistic models for addiction and substance abuse treatment.

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The Guide To Online Masters In Mental Health Counseling Programs

A masters in mental health counseling can help provide you the tools and skills necessary to become a practicing mental health counselor in the U.S. A mental health counselor not only tends to the emotional and mental needs of a patient, but they also possess the qualifications necessary to diagnose a patient and decide the appropriate treatment options to suggest.

Jumpstart Your Career, Explore No GRE Online Mental Health Counseling Programs:

What Is The Path For Licensure For Graduates From Your Program

Licensure is different in each state. However, the general standard for licensure is the completion of a 60 credit hour M.A. in Counseling with a major in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling or Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling. Two years of supervision and a state licensure exam is what most states require to become licensed as a professional counselor or its equivalent. School Counseling licensure or certification is determined by the Board of Education in most states. Students should examine the requirements for licensure in the state or states they would like to practice in the future.

To review syllabi for specific courses offered within the Counseling Department please email the Academic Services Manager, Linda Harrell .

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What Can I Do With A Master’s In Counseling

Beyond helping others, a master’s in counseling can help position you for success in a growing field.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors are set to grow 25% through 2029 â much faster than the national average for all occupations.1

As a substance abuse or behavioral disorder counselor, you’ll lead individual or group sessions to help clients cope with stressors, manage relationships and discuss their addiction or other problems with friends and family members.1 You may even employ 12-step program principles to lay the groundwork for your practice.1

You may focus on specific populations, such as LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans or persons with disabilities.

Mental health counselors, on the other hand, provide treatment for individuals, families, couples or groups.1 Clients may need help navigating any variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression, grief, low self-esteem, stress or suicidal thoughts.1

You could work in a number of environments. BLS notes that the largest employers of substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors are:1

• Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers
• Individual and family services
• State, local, and private hospitals
• Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities, such as halfway houses or rehab centers
• Government, such as Veterans Affairs or correctional facilities

Masters In Mental Health Counseling Salary Potential

A mental health counseling career pays far beyond just money, but here is what we found for the salary potential:

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual income for mental health counselors is $48,520 per year, with the highest earners making more than $77,980. Mental health counselors who for government agencies earn a slightly higher average at $60,450, while those working for residential mental health facilities make the lower end at nearly $43,000.

Professional counselors working in hospitals and outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers earn somewhere in the middle range, between $47,000 and $50,000, respectively.

You can increase your salary potential by earning additional graduate certificates, as some of our schools in this ranking offer. Your salary will also depend on:

• Your experience
• Your geographic location

You can also potentially increase salary potential by earning a Ph.D. in mental health counseling or starting your own private practice.

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What Is An Online Masters Mental Health Counseling Program

In a masters in mental health counseling program, you will learn about people, first and foremost. Your classes will center around:

• Counseling theories
• Ethical concerns
• Multicultural populations

The online format will vary depending on the school. Some schools require synchronous courses, which means you must log in at certain times for class. Others permit asynchronous courses, meaning you can complete your work on your own time.

A masters in mental health counseling typically requires 60 credit hours, including a practicum and internships. Graduates are eligible to then apply for the National Certified Mental Health Counselor Examination to achieve licensure.

Application requirements for mental health counseling programs also vary depending on the school. The least you need is a bachelors degree, and most schools require at least a 3.0 minimum GPA. About half require GRE scores, and the other half dont.

You also need:

• Good recommendations from past professors or employers
• A current resume or curriculum vitae
• The ability to write an outstanding statement of purpose

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Whats The Difference Between A Mental Health Counselor And A Therapist

There are many reasons people might need help from a mental health professional, and different ways of preparing to serve that need. There are also different ways to talk about mental health professionals’ work, and you may find the terms mental health counselor and therapist used interchangeably.

Some people differentiate between therapists and counselors based on the level of education, saying that therapists have doctoral degrees while counselors have masters degrees. But there is debate about whether that makes a difference in the type of work. All mental health counselors and therapists help clients work through personal challenges.

One helpful distinction lies in the scoping and focus of the work. Therapists focus more on the root causes of problems in long-running client engagements. Mental health counselors typically have shorter engagements focused on solving specific problems or learning how to avoid or cope with challenging situations.3

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Masters Program Admission Requirements

• Bachelorâs degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency, or from an internationally recognized institution
• Your official bachelorâs transcripts
• Minimum GPA as determined by your chosen program

Certain degree programs â such as counseling, social work, and nursing â may have additional requirements. International students also must submit proof of English proficiency and transcript evaluation.

While some institutions may ask for scores from the GRE, GMAT, SAT, or ACT, these tests are not required as part of admission for Capella.

Speak Directly With Student Ambassadors

Schedule a chat with a current online student to hear what its like to balance work, life, and an online graduate degree. Our dedicated student ambassadors can give prospective students a better feel of what its like to be in the program. If you think you would benefit from speaking one-on-one with a current student, please contact your admissions counselor, or reach out to admissions team at admissions@onlinepsych.pepperdine.edu.

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Before You Apply: Admission Requirements

All Capella applicants must meet the following admissions criteria. Some degree programs and certificates have additional requirements. GRE, GMAT, SAT or ACT are not required for admission. Take a look at the requirements and find everything you need to start your application.

Application fee

Your $50 application fee covers administrative costs, transcript requests and transfer credit evaluations.

Identification

Applicants must provide a valid, government-issued form of photo identification.

Transcripts

Provide copies of official transcripts from previous institutions for relevant coursework.

Minimum GPA

Each program has specific minimum GPA requirements for admission.

Acknowledgment agreement

Agree to abide by Capella policies and program requirements.

English proficiency

All applicants must understand, read, speak and write fluently in English.