A mental health counselor is a licensed clinical healthcare professional who promotes mental health by counseling individual clients, couples, and family members and facilitating group therapy.
Professional counselors work with people with depression, anxiety, addictions, marital or family problems, anger or grief issues, behavioral problems (e.g., in adolescents or children), low self-esteem, or other emotional or mental health issues.
If you are searching for the best mental health counseling programs, this guide can help. Learn what to look for, find out about practical experience requirements, and access a list of the best mental health counseling programs.
What to Look For in a Mental Health Counseling Program
Applying to graduate school may initially seem daunting, You may wonder what to look for in a mental health counseling program. It helps to break down the process into a series of actionable steps beginning with exploring specific program requirements and features.
There are several things to look for in a counseling program, including the admission requirements, the student-to-teacher ratio, required practical experience, accreditation status, and tuition and fees.
Practical Experience Requirements
Practicums and internships provide students with the opportunity to put their classroom skills into practice. Hands-on experience is required to meet the licensed professional counselor (LPC) licensing mandates.
Practical experience includes pre-set hours in which students get real-life experience either by watching licensed professional counsel clients (i.e., practicums) or working more independently and counseling real clients while a licensed professional oversees your work (i.e., supervised internships).
Note internships allow students to gain the clinical experience required to take the LPC examination.
Career Relevance
Becoming a mental health counselor lets you pursue various careers in the mental health field. Examples of possible jobs for mental health counselors include:
- Substance use/addiction counselor (LADC/ licensed alcohol and drug counselor)
- Mental health counselor (LPC/licensed professional counselor)
- Marriage counselor
- Behavioral disorder counselor
- Rehabilitation counselor
- Trauma counselor
Some states refer to LPCs as licensed clinical professional counselors or licensed mental health counselors. These licensed professionals provide mental health and substance abuse counseling services. Becoming a licensed professional counselor involves:
- Successful completion of a master's degree in counseling
- Supervised internship hours, according to state mandates (e.g., usually two years)
- A passing score on the National Board for Certified Counselor (NBCC) exam
Learn more about licensing requirements in your state of residence from the American Counseling Association.
The 2021 annual median pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is $48,520, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS projects that these jobs will grow by 22% from 2021-2031, which is much faster than average.
Featured Online Counseling Programs
Best Mental Health Counseling Programs
#1 Best Mental Health Counseling Programs
Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Students seeking one of the best mental health counseling programs can enroll in the master of arts in counseling degree at Northwestern University. This program offers online and in-person course options for a flexible learning experience.
This 51-unit curriculum is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Courses include multicultural counseling and contemporary topics in counseling, and students experience a modern take on psychodynamic theory.
Applicants need a bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited school, a statement of purpose, transcripts, and at least two letters of recommendation.
Percent Online Enrollment
1%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#2 Best Mental Health Counseling Programs
University of Georgia
- Athens, GA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Students pursuing a Ph.D. in counseling psychology with a health service focus can enroll in the University of Georgia's Ph.D. in counseling psychology program. Providing American Psychological Association (APA) accreditation and licensure eligibility for graduates in every U.S. state, UGA's Ph.D. program prepares learners for various careers from clinical to academic settings.
UGA's curriculum, supervision, and training emphasizes a multicultural approach. Features include two courses in multicultural psychology and diversity within research and instruction.
Applicants need a master's degree, GRE scores, unofficial transcripts, a statement of purpose, a resume, and three letters of recommendation.
Percent Online Enrollment
16%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Best Mental Health Counseling Programs
Johns Hopkins University
- Baltimore, MD
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Johns Hopkins University offers a master of science in counseling program. This 60-credit full- or part-time program allows students up to five years to complete all coursework and internship hours.
This CACREP-accredited program includes two concentrations: clinical mental health counseling and school counseling. The clinical mental health focus features classes, such as diversity and social justice in counseling and addictions counseling. Coursework embraces a diverse approach to counseling. The school counseling focus prepares future educators for careers in urban school systems.
Applicants need a bachelor's degree with at least a 3.0 GPA, official transcripts, a resume, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation.
Percent Online Enrollment
88%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#4 Best Mental Health Counseling Programs
Boston College
- Chestnut Hill, MA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Boston College's Ph.D. in counseling psychology prepares students for licensure within multicultural settings. This APA-accredited program encompasses diverse social approaches to coursework, research, and clinical training, including critical perspectives on the psychology of race, class, and gender.
This 54-credit, 24-course curriculum typically takes learners 5-6 years to complete, with a yearly start date in the fall. Students must also complete a practicum, which involves community placement prior to an internship.
Admission requirements include a master's degree, a resume, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, transcripts, and a 15-25 page writing sample.
Percent Online Enrollment
85%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
New England Commission on Higher Education
#5 Best Mental Health Counseling Programs
Northeastern University
- Boston, MA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Learners seeking a Ph.D. in counseling that promotes an ecological perspective can enroll in the Ph.D. program in counseling psychology at Northeastern University. This program promotes the examination of behavior within physical and cultural settings, such as community, social, and familial influences.
The 62-credit curriculum is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. Students can complete the program in four years.
Candidates need a master's degree in psychology or a similar area, with at least a 3.5 GPA. Three letters of recommendation and a personal statement are also required.
Percent Online Enrollment
48%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
New England Commission on Higher Education
#6 Best Mental Health Counseling Programs
University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Madison, WI
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Students interested in a program that highlights research within counseling psychology can apply to the counseling psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Accredited by the American Psychological Association, this program encourages students to immerse themselves in research, specifically with the faculty.
Learners usually take five years to complete this program and can pursue licensure following a one-year internship. UW-Madison allows exceptional bachelor's-level students to apply, with a program completion average of six years.
Admissions occur once a year for the fall semester. Requirements include three letters of recommendation, transcripts, a one to three page personal statement, and resume.
Percent Online Enrollment
93%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#7 Best Mental Health Counseling Programs
University of Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Psychology students interested in a master's program that leads to doctoral studies can apply to the University of Pennsylvania's master of science in education in counseling and mental health services program. For licensure eligibility, students must pursue a subsequent program, as this program alone does not lead to licensure.
Full-time students take one year to complete ten courses, which start every fall. Focusing on person-centered counseling across the life span, coursework includes human development and sociocultural foundations in counseling.
Candidates need a bachelor's degree, transcripts, a resume, three letters of recommendation, and a 750-word statement of purpose.
Percent Online Enrollment
85%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#8 Best Mental Health Counseling Programs
Columbia University in the City of New York
- New York, NY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Students who wish to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology can enroll in the Ph.D. program in counseling psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. Accredited by the American Psychological Association, this program focuses on sociocultural impacts within modern counseling.
This 90-credit program starts once per year in the fall term and typically takes students five years to complete. Although the program requires full-time study, students with extenuating circumstances may request part-time enrollment during certain terms.
Applicants need a bachelor's degree, transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a resume, a statement of purpose, scores from the general GRE test, and an academic writing sample.
Percent Online Enrollment
94%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#9 Best Mental Health Counseling Programs
Albizu University-Miami
- Miami, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Psychology students interested in becoming licensed in Puerto Rico can apply to Albizu University's master of science in counseling psychology program. Students may take coursework at the Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, campus or study online.
Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, this 60-credit program takes learners two and a half years to finish. Maintaining a practitioner-scholar focus, students unite psychological theory with practical application.
Applicants need at least a 3.0 GPA in undergraduate coursework, although a 2.5 GPA suffices in the case that students demonstrate a 3.0 GPA within psychology-based courses. Admission requirements also include transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a clean criminal record, and a vaccination certificate.
Percent Online Enrollment
46%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#10 Best Mental Health Counseling Programs
New York University
- New York, NY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
New York University's Ph.D. in counseling psychology program emphasizes training and coursework on par with both professional teaching and counseling. Graduates are eligible for licensing.
Accredited by the American Psychological Association this 69-72 credit program commences each fall, offering a full-time courseload and a one-year internship. Students typically take around six years to complete the program.
Candidates need a bachelor's degree, a minimum of 18 prior psychology-related credits, a resume, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and transcripts.
Percent Online Enrollment
89%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a master's in mental health counseling to be a counselor?
No, you don’t need a master’s degree to become a counselor. Those with a bachelor’s degree can perform entry-level counseling duties under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional. However, you need a master’s degree to sit for the licensed professional counselor (LPC) exam in most states.
Is a master of arts in mental health counseling worth it?
A master of arts in mental health counseling can be worth it depending on your interests and career goals.. THe Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that mental health counselor jobs will increase by 22% from 2021 to 2031, nearly three times faster than the average growth rate for all jobs.
Should I get a master's in clinical mental health counseling or in psychology?
The master’s degree you select to become a mental health counselor depends on your personal goals. If you plan to see clients in groups, as a family unit, or 1:1, in a clinical environment, a master’s in clinical mental health counseling may be the best choice. However, if your goal is to work in research or you plan to teach psychology, you can consider a master’s in psychology.
Page last reviewed on November 14, 2022