College of Social & Behavioral Sciences # Online master’s in counseling degrees  [Apply now](/application/quick-app/personal-info) College of Social & Behavioral Sciences # Online master’s behavioral sciences degrees  [Apply now](/application/quick-app/personal-info) ## Help change lives with a master’s in counseling With our online master’s behavioral sciences degrees, you can enhance your job opportunities in the counseling profession and help empower people to improve their well-being. As you gain a deeper understanding of human behavior, you’ll learn how to help clients achieve their goals or treat clients coping with mental health conditions. Gain skills to integrate a variety of behavioral sciences principles and theories into your counseling practice in various clinical environments.   _The best part?_You can choose a graduate-level counseling program that’s 100% online or an on-campus option where you’ll physically attend class one day a week. Earn your master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling or marriage, family and child therapy when it fits your life and learn from accomplished professionals who bring a hands-on perspective and practical knowledge to the classroom.   ## Let's get started [Request Info](https://www.phoenix.edu/request/request-information)[Apply Now](https://www.phoenix.edu/application/quick-app/personal-info) ## Find the counseling master's degree for you Up to 5 The number of times a year you can start your degree based on your schedule. 60 The number of credits required to complete a master’s behavioral sciences degree with UOPX. 35-37 > months The program length for a master’s behavioral sciences degree with UOPX. [See start dates](/admissions/class-start-dates.html) ## Watch our Master's Q&A Webinar University of Phoenix understands that life happens and that schedules are fluid. But no worries, because we recorded the Master’s Q&A Webinar so you can watch it when it fits your busy life. We encourage you to check it out and learn about important topics and commonly asked questions that many potential master’s students have.  [Watch webinar](https://goto.webcasts.com/viewer/event.jsp?ei=1718305&tp_key=33fa9d1e76) ## Gain valuable skills in core master’s counseling degrees courses --- ### MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COUNSELING - CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING (ONLINE)  - Human development - Psychotherapy - Professionalism - Diversity - Research - Clinical assessments - Career counseling - Group dynamics  [See the M.S. in Counseling, online](/online-behavioral-sciences-degrees/counseling-clinical-mental-health-masters-degree.html) --- ### MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COUNSELING - MARRIAGE, FAMILY AND CHILD THERAPY (CA ONLINE ONLY) - Professionalism - Diversity - Human development - Career counseling - Psychotherapy - Group dynamics - Clinical assessments - Research - Marriage and family therapy [See the M.S. in Counseling, Marriage, Family & Child Therapy](/online-behavioral-sciences-degrees/marriage-family-child-counseling-masters-degree.html) ## Earn career-relevant skills in weeks – not years Get value from your education before you even graduate. Update your resumé and LinkedIn profile with learned skills when you complete every 5- or 6-week course in our associate, bachelor's and master's programs. [Learn more](/online-degrees/skills-aligned-learning.html) ## Job outlook for master’s counseling degrees graduates ### Master of Science in Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Online) BLS CATEGORY: Mental Health Counselors JOB GROWTH:**17%** [Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm)job growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors is projected to be**much faster than the average**between ((edu.BLSyears)). JOB TITLES: - Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health Counselor - Counselor  [Request info](https://www.phoenix.edu/request/request-information)[Apply now](https://www.phoenix.edu/application/quick-app/personal-info) ### Master of Science in Counseling - Marriage, Family and Child Therapy (CA online only) BLS CATEGORY: Marriage and Family Therapists JOB GROWTH:**13%** [Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/marriage-and-family-therapists.htm)job growth for marriage and family therapists is projected to be**much faster than the average**between ((edu.BLSyears)). JOB TITLES: - Counselor - Clinical Therapist  - Family Therapist - Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) [Request info](https://www.phoenix.edu/request/request-information)[Apply now](https://www.phoenix.edu/application/quick-app/personal-info) ## Curriculum for our master’s counseling degrees  --- ### Master of Science in Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Online)  You’ll take**22**core courses with program-specific knowledge to help you gain confidence and skills needed in a clinical mental health environment. The coursework includes topics like: individual and family development, personality theories, multicultural issues in mental health counseling, psychometrics, clinical assessment, individual counseling, group counseling and psychopharmacology.  [See all courses](/online-behavioral-sciences-degrees/counseling-clinical-mental-health-masters-degree.html#courses) --- ### Master of Science in Counseling - Marriage, Family and Child Therapy (CA online only) You’ll take**22**core courses with program-specific knowledge to help you gain confidence and skills needed in a clinical mental health environment. The coursework includes topics like: family systems theory and intervention, human sexuality and couples counseling, child and adolescent counseling, and marriage and family counseling. Courses are aligned to California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) educational requirements. [See all courses](/online-behavioral-sciences-degrees/marriage-family-child-counseling-masters-degree.html#courses) ## Tuition and financial aid ### Affordable, locked-in tuition [Learn about tuition](/tuition-financial-aid.html) ### Ways to pay — and save. Explore your options. From scholarships to transfer credits and federal financial aid for those who qualify, there are a variety of ways to pay for school and save on tuition.  > #### Financial Aid Federal Financial Aid is money from the U.S. Department of Education to help you pay for your college tuition and expenses. [More about financial aid](/tuition-financial-aid/federal-financial-aid.html) > #### Military or Veteran Benefits See if you qualify to use veterans’ education benefits or tuition assistance to help pay for school. [More about military benefits](/military.html) > #### Scholarships Starting with your first course, every new qualifying student will be awarded one of our scholarships. [More about scholarships](/tuition-financial-aid/scholarships.html) > #### Employer Tuition Discounts Check if your employer provides tuition assistance, benefits, or reimbursement programs toward your degree. [More about employer tuition benefits](/tuition-financial-aid/employer-tuition-benefits.html) --- ## Student experience Over 1 million alumni have earned their degrees while balancing work, school and life.**So can you. ** > Manage Time with Flexible Courses [More about time management](/life-as-a-phoenix/time-management.html) > Use Robust Student Resources [More about student resources](/student-resources.html) > Learn Online [More about classes](/student-resources/going-to-class.html) ## How to apply for your master’s behavioral sciences degree program Once you’ve selected your degree program in clinical mental health counseling or marriage, family and child therapy, choose your start date from our calendar, apply for free and register before the deadline (usually one week before the program starts). Then you’ll speak to an enrollment representative to begin class. To be admitted into our master’s in counseling programs, you must successfully complete a Graduate Portfolio course (not eligible for financial aid). - No application fee — no obligation! - No SAT, GMAT or essay required [See admissions requirements](/admissions.html)[Explore start dates](/admissions/class-start-dates.html) ## Meet your college deans Our college deans focus on developing a career-relevant curriculum. They bring industry experience to the classroom and lead a faculty of academic professionals with one goal in mind—to help you earn the skills you need to pursue your career. ### Christina Neider, EdD Associate Provost, Colleges [Learn more](/about/academic-leadership/associate-provost-christina-neider.html) ### Sheila Babendir, EdD, LPC Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences [Learn more](/about/academic-leadership/dean-sheila-babendir.html) ## Accreditation The Master of Science in Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP™) at the Phoenix campus. ## Master's behavioral science degree FAQs Expand AllCollapse All ### How long to obtain a master’s degree in counseling? The program length for our master’s in counseling degrees ranges from 36-37 months. However, your time to completion will be impacted by other factors, including any breaks you may take in your studies at the University.    ### What’s the benefit to getting a master’s degree in counseling? A master’s degree in counseling can prepare you for a range of employment opportunities in various clinical mental health environments, such as private practices, hospitals, schools, non-profit organizations, and public or private mental health agencies. Potential job titles you can pursue with a master’s in counseling degree include licensed professional counselor, mental health counselor, clinical therapist, marriage and family therapist, and licensed marriage and family therapist.  ### Can you get a credible master’s behavioral sciences degree online? University of Phoenix is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Our master’s degrees in counseling/clinical mental health prepares students for licensure as a professional counselor in jurisdictions where it is offered.  ### Can transfer credits be used for a master’s behavioral sciences degree? You may be able to [transfer eligible credits](/tuition-financial-aid/transfer-credits.html) to our traditional online master’s degree in counseling program if the university or college you attended is accredited. Speak with an enrollment representative to start the process of evaluation by the University to see if your prior college credits can apply to your program and to request your transcripts. - [What Is Behavioral Science?](/articles/counseling/what-is-behavioral-science) — Online Degrees | September 18, 2025 • 8 minutes - [What to do with a Masters in Counseling?](/articles/counseling/what-can-you-do-with-a-masters-in-counseling) — Online Degrees | April 06, 2022 • 6 Minutes - [How to Become a Mental Health Counselor](/articles/counseling/how-to-become-a-mental-health-counselor.html) — Online Degrees | November 05, 2024 • 8 minutes Load More...