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online clinical mental health counseling degree

Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Start your online counseling master's degree

Gain skills to empower others to improve their lives. Our Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling teaches you how to clinically assess and treat clients coping with anxiety, depression, abuse and more.

The mission of the Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling is to prepare confident, competent and reflective clinical mental health counselors with a professional disposition and demonstrated knowledge and skills in all of the following areas:

  • Professional counseling orientation and ethical practice
  • Social and cultural diversity
  • Human growth and development
  • Career development
  • Counseling and helping relationship
  • Group counseling and group work
  • Assessment and testing
  • Research and program evaluation

Furthermore, students who are preparing to specialize as clinical mental health counselors will demonstrate foundational knowledge and skills necessary to address a wide variety of circumstances within the context of clinical mental health counseling practice.

Ignite Your Passion

Start when you're ready

Courses

Browse courses for your online clinical counseling degree

Education should hold practical value. That’s why our courses meet rigorous academic standards and provide you with skills and knowledge immediately applicable to your career.

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Look for this icon to see which skills you’ll learn in a course.

Requirements: 60 credits

You’ll need 60 credits to complete this Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Your course schedule may vary based on transferable credits.

To be admitted into the program, students must successfully complete CCMH/502, Graduate Portfolio.

22 Core Courses

Here’s where you’ll pick up the bulk of your program-specific knowledge. By the time you finish these courses, you should have the confidence and skills needed in this field.

22 Core Courses

Program Purpose Statement

The Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares students for licensure as a professional counselor in jurisdictions where it is offered. In order to practice as a counselor in most states, the student must be licensed as an LPC (licensed professional counselor), MFT (marriage and family therapist), or other comparable state professional license designation. License requirements vary by state. Student’s should ensure they stay updated on the licensure requirements in any state in which the student desires to practice. Review state licensure requirements.

California

The Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling program meets the California Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) educational requirements for registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC). Upon successful completion of all educational requirements and required postgraduate supervised clinical hours, graduates are eligible to sit for LPCC licensure exam in California. Students should ensure they stay updated on the licensure requirements in any state in which the student desires to practice.  Review state licensure requirements.

Schedule

Your academic counselor will help you plan your Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling classes.

Located in Arizona? Explore our AZ on-campus program.

Skills-aligned program icon

Earn career-relevant skills in weeks – not years.

Learning shouldn’t take years to put into practice. That’s why we’re empowering you to build career-relevant skills with every five- to six-week course.

We’ve worked with the labor market researcher Lightcast to identify in-demand skills for occupations and mapped those to our related associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

Tuition

Paying for school

Tuition is based on number of credit hours per course. Courses are typically 3 credits, but can range from 1-6 credits. Costs do not include savings opportunities like transfer credits and scholarships.

Tuition Guarantee

Master's cost per course

$2,289 / course

Cost per credit 

Credits per course

Resource fee

$698

x3

+ $195

Estimated cost per course

$2,289

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What affects the overall cost of my program?

Your full program cost can vary by: 

  • Savings opportunities. Get your degree faster and for less with eligible transfer credits, scholarships and work experience credits. Students with eligible credits and relevant experience can save up to $6,800 and 9 credits off their master’s degree.
  • Admission requirement cost. You must take and pass Graduate Portfolio before being admitted into the program. This six-week, noncredit assessment costs $150.
  • California Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF). If you’re a California resident or enrolled in a residency program, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for STRF which is currently $0 per $1,000 of institutional charges. The STRF assessment is nonrefundable.
  • Additional estimated costs. The Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires in-person residencies in Phoenix, Arizona. Approximate costs for airfare and accommodations are listed in the estimated cost table below.
  • Liability insurance. This program requires liability insurance through the American Counseling Association for the practicum and internship. The estimated third-party cost is $105.

With our Tuition Guarantee, you pay one flat, affordable rate from the moment you enroll to the day you graduate from your program.

Earn your master’s degree faster and for less with eligible savings opportunities:

Additional estimated third-party costs for required program residencies:

Charge type

Cost

Airfare for travel to Residency I and Residency III ($250 for each Residency)

$500[1]

Hotel for travel to Residency I and Residency III ($300 for each Residency)

$600[2]

1 The amount shown for airfare travel to Residency I and Residency III represents the estimated cost of a round-trip, economy class airfare to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport from major California metropolitan airports (San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento), and includes typical baggage and related fees. The actual amount the student pays will depend on the location of the student’s departure, the airline, and the type of ticket purchased.

2 The amount shown for hotel accommodations estimates $95-$150 per night, depending on the time of year, for a two-night stay at a select hotel near the University’s Phoenix campus, for students attending Residency I and Residency III.

Transfer credits

Your prior eligible college credits can save you time and money, helping you graduate faster. That’s why we’ve accepted credits from 5,000+ institutions. Check to see if you can apply eligible transfer credits from an institutionally accredited university or college toward a degree of your choice.

Scholarships to earn your master’s degree, more affordably.

Everyone deserves an affordable education. That’s why we offer an unlimited number of scholarships, so if you qualify, you can get one. We believe everyone deserves an affordable education they shouldn’t have to compete for. Starting with your first course, every qualifying new student will be awarded one of our scholarships - regardless of your financial situation or GPA, or you’ll get the best savings you qualify for. Whether you’re a new or transfer student, you can apply for a scholarship. Explore scholarship options at University of Phoenix.

Financial aid

You may have options when it comes to paying for college tuition and expenses, such as federal grants and loans. Our finance advisors can answer your questions about financial aid and can help guide you through the process.

Federal Student Loan Basics

Careers & Outcomes

What can you do with a Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling?

Discover where your degree might take you and make informed choices about your future.

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When you earn your online Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling, you’ll be equipped with a concrete set of skills you can apply in your career. You’ll learn how to:

  • Develop a professional identity as an advocate and steward for the counseling profession. 
  • Integrate social and cultural diversity competencies into their practice as a professional counselor. 
  • Integrate human growth and development theories and principles into their counseling practices.  
  • Integrate career development theories and principles into their counseling practices. 
  • Integrate counseling theories, models, and techniques into their counseling practices. 
  • Integrate group counseling theories and practices into their counseling practices. 
  • Execute counseling assessment and testing processes and procedures to guide their practice as a clinical mental health counselor. 
  • Evaluate research and programs to inform counseling practice.
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Top skills learned in this program:

  • Human Development

  • Psychotherapy

  • Professionalism

  • Diversity

  • Research

  • Clinical Assessments

  • Career Counseling

  • Group Dynamics

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An MSC/CCMH can prepare you to be a:

  • Licensed Professional Counselor
  • Mental Health Counselor
  • Counselor

19% growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors is projected to be much faster than average between 2023 and 2033.

The BLS Projected Growth for 2023-2033 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Admissions

Apply for free – no application fee, no obligation.

Starting your degree is a big decision — and we want you to feel great about it. That’s why we remove obstacles from your application.

  • No cost to request prior transcripts
  • No GMAT
  • No essay required

Receive 1-on-1 support

You have a support team of real people you can lean on. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 90% of our surveyed students.[1] Start a conversation with an enrollment representative today.

[1] Transactional Survey, August 2021-22 (18,645 respondents)

Gabriel G., Enrollment Representative

Call or chat with us 7 days a week.

G. Galindo - Enrollment Representative

Gabriel G., Enrollment Rep

Receive 1-on-1 support

You have a support team of real people you can lean on. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 85% of our surveyed students.[1]

[1] Transactional Survey, September 2022-August 2023 (23,739 respondents)

Start a conversation with an enrollment representative today.

Call us at 844-937-8679 or chat with us 7 days a week.

Student Experience

An education that fits your busy life

Balancing family, work and school

Work toward your degree without giving up what matters most. Start your degree year-round and take one class at a time.

Online learning

Enroll in online classes and attend class whenever it fits your life, day or night.

Around-the-clock support and resources

You have a support team available up to 14 hours a day, 5 days a week. 

Computer requirements for courses

Many course assignments will require you to use a computer to complete and submit your assignment. 

Student completing homework at night while child plays on floor.

Faculty Spotlight

Professionals dedicated to you

Start your clinical mental health degree with a dedicated faculty who brings experience and a hands-on perspective to your counseling education. Develop both academic and industry knowledge from professionals focused on developing the skills you need in the field. 

Sheila Babendir

Sheila Babendir Ed.D., LPC
Associate Dean

Monalisa McGee

Monalisa McGee, Ph.D., NCC, LMHP, CPC, MAC, LMHC
Program Chair

Christine Karper

Christine Karper, Ph.D., LMHC
Program Chair

Accreditation

Accredited for 45+ years

Since 1978, University of Phoenix has maintained institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org. Learn more about the value of University of Phoenix accreditation and how it benefits our students.

While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.