Top Affordable Online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs

Located in Peoria, Illinois, Bradley is a private university serving over 5,400 individuals through more than 185 academic programs across eight colleges and schools. Bradley offers a growing number of programs entirely online, including a master’s in clinical mental health counseling.

Serving as a direct academic track to licensure, the 60-credit program prepares students to sit for the National Counselor Exam. Candidates explore topics such as crisis intervention, human growth and development, and substance abuse counseling. The program includes a required practicum and an internship that online students can complete at an approved site in their community.

Applicants must submit GRE or GMAT scores, letters of recommendation, and admissions essays. The university prefers a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or higher.

Bradley University holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Established in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Indiana's HU still upholds the church’s mission of faith and evangelism. Today, HU offers more than 70 academic programs, including online options for distance learners and working adults.

HU's 60-credit hour online master’s in clinical mental health counseling meets licensure standards in Indiana and many other states. Emphasizing spiritual formation, the program teaches candidates to incorporate Christian principles into counseling practice. Required courses include clinical psychopathology and assessment, addiction counseling, and crisis and trauma counseling.

Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation and a professional resume. Prospective students should have an undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.0. Prerequisites include three credit hours in psychology and three in Biblical studies; if necessary, admitted students may complete these during their first year of study.

Huntington University holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Ranked as one of the country's friendliest college towns, Corvallis serves as home to OSU. The university enrolls roughly 32,700 students in over 200 academic programs, including more than 70 online options.

OSU offers two master’s in counseling degrees: one in clinical mental health counseling and one in school counseling. Students may complete both degrees almost entirely online, with limited on-campus requirements. The part-time clinical mental health counseling degree requires 90 quarter credit hours, and many students complete the program in about three-and-a-half years. Students must complete some on-campus courses, but may complete the required internship hours at an approved site anywhere in the country.

Students must complete at least 24 professional development hours by attending conferences and workshops in the field. Applicants must hold a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and submit a statement of objectives and letters of recommendation.

Oregon State University holds regional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Members of the Churches of Christ founded Texas-based LCU in 1957, and the university still embodies Christ-centered teachings and values. Today, candidates can choose from more than 70 academic programs.

LCU offers both an MS in clinical mental health counseling and an MS in school counseling online, with limited or no residency requirements. The clinical mental health degree consists of 60 credit hours, including some hybrid courses requiring week-long campus residencies. The curriculum includes courses in counseling research, addictions, and crisis counseling. Students complete a counseling practicum and an internship, with some part-time learners graduating in about nine semesters.

Qualifying applicants must demonstrate a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and submit letters of reference. Applicants who move into the second part of the admissions process must attend an interview with faculty and submit responses to counseling essay questions.

Lubbock Christian University holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Established in 1892 as northeastern Ohio's first Bible institute, Malone continues to serve as a Christ-centered private institution, offering more than 100 academic programs. Affiliated with the Evangelical Friends Church, Malone aims to provide faith-based education and leadership training.

Malone's master’s in clinical mental health counseling is available entirely online. Offered as an MA in education with a specialization in clinical mental health counseling, the 60-credit degree can be completed in 3-4 years. Core courses include assessment in counseling, diagnosing mental illness, and abnormal psychology. Students also complete a counseling practicum and two-part internship. Malone graduates boast around a 90% pass rate for the counseling exam.

Applicants must submit two professional references and an autobiographical statement detailing their family history and personal experiences that led to pursuing a degree in counseling.

Malone University holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Founded in 1948 by The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, GMercyU boasts small class sizes and a close-knit student body of just over 2,800. Many of GMercyU's 40 academic programs are available entirely online.

Students interested in a counseling degree can pursue three online MS in counseling programs at GMercyU, including a track in clinical mental health counseling. The 60-credit curriculum includes core courses in counseling agencies, DSM and psychopathology, and group counseling. Candidates also complete a 100-hour practicum and 600 hours of supervised internship experience.

Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and demonstrate completion of prerequisite courses in psychology and research methods or statistics. those with a GPA lower than 3.0 must submit GRE scores for consideration. Students may transfer up to six graduate credit hours toward the degree.

Gwynedd Mercy University holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

ULM enrolls over 9,100 students in 96 unique academic programs. Founded in 1931, the school boasts a beautiful historic campus along the Bayou DeSiard in northeast Louisiana. ULM also offers over 35 programs entirely online, delivered in accelerated eight-week sessions.

ULM’s online master’s in clinical mental health counseling holds accreditation from Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The 60-credit hour program includes required courses in theories and methods in counseling, addiction counseling, and legal and ethical issues in counseling. Students complete 600 hours of supervised clinical experience, and may develop an optional thesis project.

Applicants must demonstrate a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. While all students must submit GRE scores, this requirement is waived for master's degree-holders. The program prepares students for Louisiana licensure, and out-of-state students should check their state’s requirements.

The University of Louisiana at Monroe holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

CUW has provided Christ-centered higher education since 1881, and now provides over 8,000 students with more than 70 academic programs. In addition to serving learners on its campus just north of Milwaukee in Mequon, CUW also offers many degrees entirely online.

Students in CUW's online MS in education program can pursue tracks in school and professional counseling, school counseling licensure, or SAC professional counseling licensure. Depending on the track, students complete between 45 and 60 credit hours, taking core courses in counseling theory, human growth and development, and social and cultural foundations. Candidates on the professional counseling track must complete at least 700 practicum and internship hours. Professional counseling licensure generally requires an additional 3,000 hours of supervised practice.

Prospective students must hold an undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.0. Applicants do not need to submit GRE scores.

Concordia University Wisconsin holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Originally established as the Western Branch of the Kansas Normal School in 1902, FHSU now offers programs across 31 academic departments. More than 15,500 students take courses at FHSU, including over 7,000 enrolled in its virtual college.

FHSU offers two online counseling degrees: one in clinical mental health counseling and one in school counseling. The clinical mental health track offers half of the required courses online and the other half on campus. This 60-credit hour program prepares students to become licensed professional counselors in Kansas, with required courses in counseling skills development, psychopathology and diagnosis, and social and cultural foundations. Students must take comprehensive exams before beginning the mandatory counseling internship.

Applicants must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework, and must submit to a background check.

Fort Hays State University holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Founded in 1867, WVU is a public institution enrolling over 29,900 students in more than 360 academic programs. WVU also offers hundreds of online degrees, including options for students seeking the top mental health counseling graduate programs.

WVU's 63-credit, 18-course online MS in clinical rehabilitation counseling includes core classes in rehabilitation services, disability across the lifespan, and vocational evaluation techniques. Students must complete a semester-long counseling practicum that includes at least 150 practice hours, in addition to a 600-hour internship. Most course requirements take place online, with the exception of two week-long intensive workshops on campus.

Applicants must hold an undergraduate GPA of at least a 2.8, and submit GRE or MAT scores and three letters of reference. Students should have completed certain prerequisite undergraduate courses.

West Virginia University holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Founded in 1964, Union Institute & University offers academic programs at locations in Ohio, Florida, and California. Union aims to provide working adults with flexible and accessible education, offering online and on-campus programs to accommodate busy schedules.

Union's online master’s in clinical mental health counseling features short weekend residencies at the university’s Cincinnati campus. The 60-credit hour MA includes required courses in counseling theory and practice, psychopathology, and diagnosis and assessment. The program culminates in a graduate capstone project consisting of a 30-35 page research paper on a topic of the student’s choosing. Learners also complete a 100-hour practicum and 600 hours of supervised internship experience. Required weekend residences take place twice per academic year.

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Application materials include a personal statement, three professional references, and an individual interview.

Union Institute & University holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Washington, D.C.-based Gallaudet is the only university designed to serve deaf and hard of hearing students. Gallaudet has served at the forefront of deaf education and advocated for deaf people's rights for over 150 years. Today, the university offers a wide variety of affordable and accessible on-campus and online programs.

Students seeking a top mental health counseling graduate program can earn their master’s in clinical mental health counseling online at Gallaudet. The 69-credit hour program specifically prepares students to provide mental health services for hard of hearing and deaf patients. Full-time candidates typically finish the program in about four semesters. Learners must take a qualifying exam following the first year of study, and complete a 200-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship working with deaf and hard of hearing clients.

Applicants must have a working knowledge of American Sign Language.

Gallaudet University holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

A private college located in western New York state, Medaille College was founded as a teachers' college in 1875 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Today, Medaille's many academic programs are available in a variety of delivery options, including on-campus, online, and weekend formats.

Most students complete Medaille’s 60-credit online master’s in clinical mental health counseling in about two years. The program consists of 17 asynchronous courses spanning topics in professional orientation and ethical practice, social and cultural diversity, and human growth and development. Students also complete three semesters of practicum and internship hours, moving through the program in cohorts.

Counseling students enjoy special scholarship opportunities. Applicants must submit three reference letters and a statement of intent. Candidates who move through initial admissions processes must also sit for an interview.

Medaille College holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Located 90 miles from Boston, UMass Amherst originally opened in 1863 as an agricultural college. Now, UMass enrolls more than 31,300 students in 240 academic programs, including 78 master’s options.

UMass offers three master’s degrees in counseling: an MS in mental health counseling, an MS in rehabilitation counseling, and an M.Ed. in school counseling. The MS in mental health counseling provides a great option for students seeking an online mental health counseling degree. This 60-credit hour program includes courses in counseling theory and practice, ethical standards and professional issues in counseling, and counseling families and couples. Students complete most courses online, with only two weeks of on-campus study required.

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, and must have taken at least five undergraduate courses in the social sciences.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst holds regional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Established in 1863, the Kansas State Teachers' College became ESU in 1977. The university now enrolls more than 5,800 students across over 200 academic programs, boasting the lowest student debt rate of all public universities in the state.

Students seeking a graduate online mental health counseling degree enjoy a variety of options at ESU, including an MS in clinical counseling. The 60-credit hour program includes 45 credits of core courses and 15 credits within the student’s chosen concentration. Available concentrations include addiction counseling, clinical mental health counseling, and clinical rehabilitation counseling. Students complete one semester (three credit hours) of a counseling practicum and two semesters (six credit hours) of a clinical internship requiring 600 clock hours of supervised practice.

To apply, prospective candidates must submit three letters of reference and attend an admissions interview. Certain dual programs and concentrations require GRE scores for admission.

Emporia State University holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).