The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program is a 60-credit-hour online program for individuals interested in becoming a specialized mental health counselor, specifically focused on practicing in a diverse community and clinical settings. It takes 2-3 years of full-time study to complete the degree.
Students will learn the basic knowledge pertinent to understanding mental health issues and counseling approaches, and engage in 700 hours of clinical training. Upon completion of the degree, students are eligible to sit for national counseling exams for certification and licensure as a professional counselor or clinical mental health counselor. In addition to taking courses virtually, students have the opportunity to take certain courses alongside other counseling students in rehabilitation.
By the end of the degree, students will obtain a master's degree with knowledge in mental health issues and counseling skills, as well as intervention strategies in addiction counseling, trauma and crisis counseling, diagnosis, and case conceptualization.
The 700 hours of supervised internship allow students to apply their classroom knowledge to practice under a qualified professional counselor. The degree is designed based on national accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). It prepares graduates to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE). All 50 U.S. states recognize at least one of these two examinations, creating a pathway for the necessary credentials of clinical practice.
These credentials include:
Globally and in the U.S., the demand for clinical mental health counselors is high. This degree aims to address the shortage of clinical mental health counselors to meet the mental health challenges our society faces. Our program trains clinical mental health counselors to obtain professional credentials in diverse settings.
Globally, millions of people are affected by emergencies or traumatic events, and 22% of individuals experience severe mental illnesses (World Health Organization, 2025).
In the U.S., the National Institute of Mental Health (2024) estimated that one in every five adults experiences severe mental illness, and the prevalence is higher for minority groups. However, these services continue to be underutilized due to issues such as the availability of trained mental health professionals, the availability and accessibility of services, misperception, and attitudes about mental illnesses.
The United States Workforce Projections of the Health Resources and Services Administration (2025) predicts a future with both a high supply and high demand for clinical mental health counselors, with a 58% increase in demand of this profession between 2022 and 2037.
Clinical mental health counselors are versatile and able to work in many settings:
Additional costs: $0
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found on the "Estimate Your Cost of Attendance" page.
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Complete 6 credits of relevant master’s level courses approved by program director and/or advisor. Electives must be master’s-level courses that are based on the individual student’s professional interest.
Completion of a portfolio and a certifying exam.