Top 5 Online Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs of 2022

Founded in 1834, Wake Forest University is a private university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The university comprises six schools and colleges and offers more than 45 academic majors and 60 minors. More than 8,000 students attend Wake Forest.

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Wake Forest offers an online master of arts in clinical mental health counseling program. Degree-seekers complete a practicum and internship. The curriculum explores eight areas of advanced counseling. Coursework features group work and career development, and learners gain foundational cultural knowledge.

In addition to online coursework, students complete two required residency sessions. During the residencies, faculty evaluate each student's competency. The master's in mental health counseling requires 60 credit hours, which learners complete part time.

Graduates qualify to take the National Clinical Mental Health Exam and pursue the licensed clinical professional counselor credential. Degree-seekers should check their state's licensure requirements, as some states require in-person coursework.

Applying to Wake Forest

Applicants submit a personal statement and three letters of recommendation. Wake Forest charges an $80 application fee. Candidates participate in a virtual interview with an admissions advisor. Required prerequisites include a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applicants also need a minimum 300 GRE score with a writing score of at least three. Wake Forest waives GRE requirements for some applicants.

Program at a Glance

• School Type: Private
• Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
• Tuition: $1,510 per credit hour ($90,600 total)
• Required Credits: 60 credit hours
• Program Length: 36 months (part time)
• Delivery Format: fully online courses with some in-person requirements

Pepperdine University is a private Christian institution based on an 830-acre campus in Malibu, California. Founded in 1937, Pepperdine offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business, psychology, liberal arts, law, and education. The university enrolls approximately 3,500 undergraduate students per year.

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology

Pepperdine delivers an online master of arts in clinical psychology program with two tracks. Learners can pursue a licensed clinical counselor path. These students prepare to diagnose and treat mental health issues such as substance-use disorders.

The licensed marriage and family therapist path emphasizes the diagnosis and treatment of issues pertaining to marital and parent-child relationships. Degree-seekers on this track gain the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue the licensed professional clinical counselor or associate marriage and family therapy credential.

Online students learn from the same professionals who teach on-campus courses. Pepperdine delivers online courses synchronously. Because licensure requirements vary by state, prospective students should ensure Pepperdine's program meets their state's requirements.

Applying to Pepperdine

Students must reside in the U.S. throughout their enrollment at Pepperdine. Applicants need a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Prospective students submit a personal statement and two letters of recommendation. Pepperdine charges a $55 application fee and does not require GRE scores.

Program at a Glance

• School Type: Private
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
• Tuition: $1,700 per unit
• Required Credits: 62 units
• Program Length: 27 months
• Delivery Format: fully online classes (synchronous) plus clinical training

Founded in 1948, Grace College and Seminary is a private Christian school in Winona Lake, Indiana. Approximately 1,200 learners study on campus. The institution offers more than 90 majors and minors in areas such as ministry, business, and behavioral sciences. Grace launched its graduate-level counseling program in 1995.

Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Grace offers a fully online master of clinical mental health counseling program. Students progress through the curriculum in cohorts. The program integrates a Christian perspective. Coursework emphasizes ethics, theory, diagnosis, and clinical experience. Students undergo counseling sessions to improve their self-awareness and overcome personal issues. These sessions help learners develop an understanding of clients and improve their counseling abilities.

Each year, students participate in a week-long, on-campus residency program. Participants grow spiritually while developing clinical skills. The accredited master's program prepares students to obtain Indiana licensure. Out-of-state learners may need to complete additional licensure requirements. Some states require in-person coursework.

Applying to Grace

Applicants need a bachelor's degree from an accredited school and a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Prospective students must undergo a background check, which requires a $50 fee. Applicants provide a professional reference and participate in a phone interview with a representative of the admissions committee.

Program at a Glance

• School Type: Private
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
• Tuition: $586 per credit hour ($34,620 total)
• Required Credits: 60 credit hours
• Program Length: 36 months for full-time students
• Delivery Format: Fully online classes plus a one-week, in-person residency each term

Founded in 1971, Liberty is a private Christian institution. The university offers more than 700 academic programs, including 450 online options. Liberty enrolls more than 100,000 students. The university is based on a 7,000-acre campus in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Liberty's online master of arts in clinical mental health counseling program features a structured internship and practicum. The program focuses on evidenced-based practice, legalities, theories, and multicultural counseling. Degree-seekers gain clinical skills. The curriculum comprises 60 credits. Transfer students can bring up to 30 credits. Learners must maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain in good standing and qualify for the clinical experience.

The accredited program prepares Virginia residents to pursue the licensed professional counselor credential. Prospective students should check their state board's requirements.

Applying to Liberty

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited school and a minimum 2.7 GPA. Candidates need at least three credits in statistics or math. Application materials include two professional recommendations, a statement of purpose, and a $50 application fee.

Program at a Glance

• School Type: Private
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
• Tuition: $565 per credit (full time), $615 per credit (part time)
• Required Credits: 60 credits
• Program Length: 24 months
• Delivery Format: Fully online classes with two on-campus intensives (36-40 hours each)

Located in Fairfield, Connecticut, Sacred Heart University was founded in 1963. The private Catholic university delivers liberal arts programs. Nearly 9,300 students attend the institution. SHU offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs from its 350-acre campus.

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

SHU's online master of arts in clinical mental health counseling program allows working professionals to pursue the degree at their own pace. Students gain professional counseling skills. Coursework fosters learners' ethics, spirituality, and cultural sensitivity. Coursework covers topics including human growth and development, ethical and cultural approaches, and wellness throughout life.

In addition to online courses, students complete 600-1,000 internship hours. Graduates often pursue leadership roles in the human services and mental health fields. The accredited program qualifies graduates for licensure in many states. Most students graduate in 2-3 terms.

Applying to SHU

Admission requirements include an application fee, two letters of recommendation, and a state-specific acknowledgement form. Prospective students participate in an interview through videoconferencing. Applicants need a bachelor's degree and a minimum 2.75 GPA. SHU does not require GRE or MAT test scores.

Program at a Glance

• School Type: Private
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
• Tuition: $800 per credits
• Required Credits: 60 credits
• Program Length: 24 months
• Delivery Format: Fully online courses (asynchronous) plus two week-long residencies and 600-1,000 internship hours