Whether you've decided to pursue a mental health counseling degree or are still considering your options, this guide helps you learn more about the top counseling schools and programs for you — and some possibilities for how to finance your education.
Featured Online Counseling Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Programs 2025
#1 Best Master’s Programs in Mental Health Counseling for 2025
CUNY Lehman College
- Bronx, NY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Why We Chose This School:
Lehman College's MS in clinical mental health counseling offers a 60-credit cohort program with a year-round learning schedule. This structure combines academic depth and rigor with efficiency. Graduates are qualified to seek licensure as clinical mental health counselors in New York.
The program explores clinical counseling techniques, balancing scientific perspectives with an equity-based approach to social justice. We also like the program's extensive fieldwork components, which include internships and practicums throughout the second year.
Highlights:
- Affordable tuition relative to other programs on this list
- Strong evidence-based focus
- Extensive coverage of practical topics
Considerations:
- No programmatic accreditation
- No specialization options or electives
Percent Online Enrollment
73%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#2 Best Master’s Programs in Mental Health Counseling for 2025
University of Florida
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Why We Chose This School:
UF's mental health counseling program leads to a dual master of education (M.Ed.) and education specialist (Ed.S.) degree. It covers 72 credits and prepares students for roles in a variety of professional settings.
We like the program's emphasis on key counseling proficiencies and issues, including crisis intervention, substance use, personal trauma, and community-focused counseling. The curriculum also includes 15 credits of fieldwork experiences, which comprise more than one-fifth of the program's total requirements.
The program qualifies graduates to seek counseling licensure in Florida or clinical membership in the Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors.
Highlights:
- Affordable tuition relative to other programs on this list
- Accredited by CACREP
- Comprehensive focus
Considerations:
- Rigid cohort structure
- Intensive year-round schedule
- May not lead to licensure outside of Florida
Percent Online Enrollment
57%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Best Master’s Programs in Mental Health Counseling for 2025
Johns Hopkins University
- Baltimore, MD
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Why We Chose This School:
JHU's MS in counseling explores mental health across the human lifespan, rooting students in evidence-based approaches. Accomplished faculty guide students through interactive learning that includes collaborative projects and practical experiences at offsite settings. We appreciate the program's flexibility, which includes part-time scheduling options.
You can focus your learning through two concentration options: one in clinical mental health counseling, and another in school counseling. Both paths include a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship, which accelerate your path toward counseling licensure in Maryland and most other states.
Highlights:
- Prestigious university
- Take up to five years to graduate
- CACREP accredited
Considerations:
- Competitive admissions
- Must pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination to graduate
- Higher-cost program relative to other programs on this list
Percent Online Enrollment
62%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#4 Best Master’s Programs in Mental Health Counseling for 2025
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Champaign, IL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Why We Chose This School:
UIUC's MS in mental health counseling blends a 53-credit core with coursework in developmental psychology and clinical assessment. We like how the program builds clinical proficiencies before requiring students to declare a practicum specialization area.
Specialization options include career counseling, counseling and developmental sciences, and mental health counseling. Students complete an intensive, professionally supervised field experience in their chosen area.
UIUC offers this program through its counseling psychology division. The school's counseling psychology programs have been accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1985.
Highlights:
- Strong focus on applied theory
- Pursue licensure or doctoral studies after graduation
- Specialization options
Considerations:
- Paid assistantships not available to MS students
- Most UIUC tuition and fee waivers not available for this program
- Selective admissions process
Percent Online Enrollment
62%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#5 Best Master’s Programs in Mental Health Counseling for 2025
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
- New York, NY
- 4 years
- Campus
Why We Chose This School:
Baruch College's MA in mental health counseling explores both qualitative and quantitative viewpoints. We like the program's broad scope, which covers theoretical, ethical, and legal foundations, along with advanced topics in developmental and counseling psychology.
The curriculum features required research components that complement extensive campus-based internship requirements, which cover 600 hours across two semesters. The program's generalist focus emphasizes a holistic approach to mental health and well-being.
Endorsed by New York's Department of Education, the program qualifies graduates for licensure when combined with 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised clinical experience.
Highlights:
- Lowest net price among programs in this ranking
- Strong coverage of various counseling topics
- Adheres to elevated student outcome standards
Considerations:
- Rigid full-time cohort structure
- No programmatic accreditation
- No personalization or specialization options
Percent Online Enrollment
53%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#6 Best Master’s Programs in Mental Health Counseling for 2025
Boston College
- Chestnut Hill, MA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Why We Chose This School:
BC's MA program in mental health counseling offers a 60-credit licensure track and a 48-credit non-licensure track, along with specializations in child and family mental health, youth development, and traumatic stress and intervention response.
Accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council, the program offers a dynamic blend of applied theory and practical training. The 60-credit track meets Massachusetts' educational requirements for mental health counseling licensure, while the 48-credit track builds a strong base for students planning to pursue a psychology doctorate.
Both tracks feature built-in internship programs at offsite partner organizations in the Boston area.
Highlights:
- 92% on-time graduation rate
- 80% retention rate
- 54% alumni licensure or credentialing rate
Considerations:
- Comprehensive exam required to graduate
- High net price compared to other programs on this list
- Fall starts only
Percent Online Enrollment
17%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
New England Commission on Higher Education
#7 Best Master’s Programs in Mental Health Counseling for 2025
University of Miami
- Coral Gables, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Why We Chose This School:
U of M's master in mental health counseling program includes 20 rigorous courses and follows a structured cohort model. As a student, you'll build applied practitioner skills rooted in scientific perspectives. The program leads to a master of science in education degree.
We like the program's focus on training students according to standardized diagnostic criteria. U of M identifies applied knowledge of the DSM-5-TR as its primary learning outcome. You'll supplement this clinical approach with extensive coursework designed to develop advanced cultural sensitivities.
Graduates may pursue careers in private practice, community organizations, hospitals, and government agencies.
Highlights:
- 24-month completion timeline
- 700-hour practicum includes 280 hours of direct client contact
- No GRE scores required for admission
Considerations:
- MPCAC accreditation pending
- Licensure eligibility not guaranteed without MPCAC accreditation by July 2025
- High net price compared to other programs on this list
Percent Online Enrollment
26%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#8 Best Master’s Programs in Mental Health Counseling for 2025
Fairfield University
- Fairfield, CT
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Why We Chose This School:
Fairfield's MA in clinical mental health counseling program combines coursework with state-of-the-art training opportunities. You'll apply your learning at the school's cutting-edge Counselor Education Lab and Training Center, where students engage with clients and perform counseling interventions under the non-invasive supervision of senior faculty.
We like the program's strong track record for positive student outcomes. Program graduates consistently have above-average pass rates on the National Counselor Examination, and one-year follow-up survey data indicates a 100% employment rate among alums.
You can choose from a generalist track in clinical counseling, or pursue a specialization in queer and trans counseling.
Highlights:
- 100% employment rate
- CACREP accredited
- Unique specialization opportunities
Considerations:
- Highest net price of any school in this ranking
- 30-month completion timeline
Percent Online Enrollment
21%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
New England Commission on Higher Education
#9 Best Master’s Programs in Mental Health Counseling for 2025
George Washington University
- Washington, DC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Why We Chose This School:
GWU's master's in clinical mental health counseling has a long, proven track record as one of the first programs of its kind ever offered in the United States. The curriculum has undergone extensive development that successfully integrates time-honored practices with progressive clinical innovations.
We particularly like the variety of practicum placement settings available to GWU students. Situated in Washington, D.C., GWU connects students to a wealth of urban and suburban fieldwork opportunities and the chance to work with diverse populations.
You can complete this CACREP-approved program full-time or part-time. The 60-credit curriculum includes 600 internship hours and 100 practicum hours.
Highlights:
- 100% National Counselor Examination pass rate
- 94% employment rate at six months post-graduation
- 90% retention rate
Considerations:
- Comprehensive exam required for graduation
- High net price compared to other programs on this list
- No concentration options
Percent Online Enrollment
25%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#10 Best Master’s Programs in Mental Health Counseling for 2025
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Minneapolis, MN
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Why We Chose This School:
We like how UMN's counseling psychology graduate program blends scientific and practitioner perspectives to prepare students for advanced study at the doctoral level. Accredited by the APA since 1952, UMN's program offers hands-on learning opportunities that include live sessions at the student counseling services center and up to 800 hours of offsite experiences.
UMN's graduate program emphasizes evidence-based counseling practices and supports students planning to take the Examination for Practice in Professional Psychology licensure examination. Funding opportunities are available to doctoral-track students.
Highlights:
- Strong practicum placement network
- Structured practical experiences
- 79% of 2014-24 graduates obtained psychologist licensure
Considerations:
- Students must actively participate in psychology research
- Dissertation required for graduation
Percent Online Enrollment
37%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
Our Ranking Methodology
Psychology.org ranks education programs using data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education. Our vetting process also includes a quality assurance team that assesses datasets for accuracy.
Psychology.org reserves the right to exclude any schools that lack significant data from the rankings to ensure accurate calculations. This list is for 2025. For more about how Psychology.org evaluates and ranks education programs, visit our full ranking methodology.
What to Look For in a Mental Health Counseling Program
When researching grad schools for counseling, you'll want to pay attention to factors including accreditation, tuition, fees, and financial aid options.
Make sure you know the school's admission requirements, which typically include a minimum GPA, relevant work experience, a background check, and GRE scores.
Accreditation for Counseling Master's Programs
To be eligible for state licensure or professional certification from the National Board for Certified Counselors, you must graduate from an accredited master's in counseling program. All top grad schools for counseling (or any field) will likely have proper accreditation.
Many of the best master's-level counseling schools and programs also hold accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This additional, programmatic accreditation indicates that an individual program meets established requirements for training counselors. All of the programs in our school rankings are accredited.
Practical Experience Requirements
If you want to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC), make sure that your counseling school's program meets the practical experience requirements of your state board.
Typically, grad schools for counseling offer internships and practicums, where students apply what they've learned in the classroom to real-world settings. Generally, internships include supervised hands-on experience, while practicums provide opportunities to observe an LPC.
Programs may help you locate and secure internship and practicum placements. Others require you to arrange your own position. Ensure that the program you choose has an option that works for you and that the experience satisfies your state's requirements.
Mental Health Specializations for Counseling Program Graduates
Though exact licensing qualifications vary by state, becoming a mental health counselor typically requires successful completion of a master's degree in counseling, supervised internship hours, supervised postgraduate experience hours, and passing an approved certification exam.
Examples of possible specializations and certifications for mental health counselors include:
The median annual pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is $53,710, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS projects that these jobs will grow by 19% from 2023-2033, which is much faster than average.
Paying for a Mental Health Counseling Program
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual cost of tuition and fees for a master's degree in a health professions field, including counseling, was $15,401 in 2020. Additional costs often include books, supplies, transportation and parking for class and/or internships, and technology and background check fees.
Research and apply for financial aid options to help offset the costs of a mental health counselor degree. Available funding usually includes federal loans and grants and departmental, institutional, and private scholarships.
Graduate students may also find teaching or research assistantships or fellowships through their counseling schools or professional organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mental Health Counseling Master's Programs
Popular mental health therapist degrees include a master's in counseling, psychology, or a closely related field. Most states require a master's degree or higher to become a licensed professional counselor.
The main difference between psychology and counseling master's degrees is the scope of training they provide. Counseling degrees emphasize practical skills like talk therapy, while psychology degrees emphasize theoretical skills like research design. Furthermore, mental health counselors can earn a license after their master's degree, but aspiring psychologists must complete a doctoral program to become licensed.
Counselors are in high demand, and mental health counselors are projected to see an 19% employment increase from 2023-2033, according to BLS data. Payscale reports a 3.9 out of 5 job satisfaction rate among mental health counselors surveyed.
The BLS lists outpatient centers, individual and family services, and offices of other health practitioners as the top three largest employers of mental health counselors. Counselors also work in hospitals,residential mental health facilities, or their own private practice.
Mental health counselors describe their jobs as both rewarding and stressful. The main stressors of this profession include crisis intervention, working with clients who are agitated or violent, heavy caseloads, and a lack of resources, such as pay, training, and staffing.
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