Best Master’s Programs in Mental Health Counseling for 2025
Explore the best mental health counseling master’s programs, which help prepare graduates for careers improving people’s lives.
At this site we believe in providing trustworthy and actionable information about degree programs, careers, professional issues, and regional laws concerning the psychology, counseling, and social work professions. Our writers and editors leverage the latest data from primary sources across the site.
We also rely on our freelance Integrity Network, which is comprised of experienced professionals who pull from their first-hand industry experience and expertise to review content for accuracy and completeness. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.
Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.
Why Psycholology.org?
The Psychology.org team includes writers, editors, and contributing psychology students and professionals dedicated to helping you navigate the field. We follow a strict editorial and review process to ensure our content is up-to-date, factual, and relevant. Learn more aboutour editorial process.
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.
Best Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Programs of 2025
CUNY Lehman College
- Bronx, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
73%
Yes
55%
N/A
$11,090
$20,520
71%
15,143
Public
University of Florida
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
57%
Yes
24%
N/A
$10,770
$27,335
97%
54,814
Public
Johns Hopkins University
- Baltimore, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
62%
Yes
8%
N/A
$60,480
$60,480
98%
30,363
Private
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Champaign, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
62%
Yes
44%
N/A
$14,891
$29,176
94%
56,563
Public
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus
53%
Yes
51%
N/A
$11,090
$20,520
88%
19,698
Public
Boston College
- Chestnut Hill, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
17%
Yes
17%
N/A
$33,912
$33,912
93%
14,734
Private
University of Miami
- Coral Gables, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
26%
Yes
19%
N/A
$41,580
$41,580
92%
19,593
Private
Fairfield University
- Fairfield, CT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
21%
Yes
45%
N/A
$20,034
$20,034
90%
6,289
Private
George Washington University
- Washington, DC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
25%
Yes
44%
N/A
$33,930
$33,930
92%
25,568
Private
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Minneapolis, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
37%
Yes
77%
N/A
$18,468
$28,578
91%
54,890
Public
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 graduate schools for counseling will likely maintain 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:
| Specialization | Relevant Certifications |
|---|---|
| Substance Use and Addiction Counseling | National Certified Counselor (NCC), Master Addictions Counselor |
| Clinical Mental Health Counseling | NCC, Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor |
| Marriage, Family, and Relationship Counseling | NCC |
| Behavioral Counseling | NCC |
| Rehabilitation Counseling | NCC, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor |
| Trauma Counseling | NCC, Clinical Trauma Professional |
The median annual pay for substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in 2024 was $59,190, 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.
