Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Prepare for Career Advancement in Mental Health Counseling
Quick Facts
years to complete
credit hours
per credit hour
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A Curriculum Designed for Licensure
Developed with CACREP standards as a foundation, the online master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Sacred Heart University delivers courses in an online learning platform. Balance your education with your full-time responsibilities and complete your master’s degree in counseling online at your own pace.
In addition, the online master’s in clinical mental health counseling program utilizes a nationwide curriculum designed to prepare students to meet the educational requirements for licensure in many states. Each course is guided by an expert educator who brings years of diverse counseling experience to the online classroom.
Career Outlook: Improve the Lives of Others
Research conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the field of mental health counseling to grow 22% and create more than 68,000 new positions by 2028 (1). With the online master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Sacred Heart, you’ll build an academic foundation developed with CACREP standards as you gain advanced industry expertise and prepare for diverse roles in clinical counseling.
Upon completion of Sacred Heart University’s master’s of mental health counseling, you’ll be prepared to assist individuals who are experiencing significant life stress and presenting problems such as low self-esteem, job loss, depression, substance abuse, grief, anxiety, family violence, relationship issues, eating disorders, and other mental health related challenges.
With an online Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree, you can pursue your passion of helping others and make a positive impact in the global community. Designed for your professional achievement, Sacred Heart University’s online Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree delivers the expertise you need to succeed as a leader in your chosen career.
Careers and Salaries
Curriculum: Designed to Meet the Highest Level of Accreditation Standards
Sacred Heart University’s online master’s in clinical mental health counseling program offers a nationwide curriculum designed to prepare students to meet the educational requirements for licensure in numerous states. Its convenient online learning platform allows students all over the country to pursue licensure and career advancement after graduation.
Preview CoursesProgram Outcomes: Enact the Spirit of Dignity and Worth
To deliver positive outcomes for students, Sacred Heart’s online master’s in clinical mental health counseling program is designed to:
- Train Clinical Mental Health Counselors (CMHCs) to be ethical and competent clinicians with a strong counselor identity in accordance with American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) ethical standards and the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics, in order to prepare for careers as counseling professionals who advocate on behalf of the profession.
- Train CMHCs to cultivate knowledge and self-awareness of socially, culturally and spiritually appropriate skills and practices in professional counseling that promote social justice and advocacy efforts while minimizing barriers between counselors and clients.
- Train CMHCs in theories, etiology of human growth and development, relevant environmental factors and ethical strategies to promote optimum wellness for diverse clients across the lifespan.
- Train CMHCs to apply career development theories, decision-making models and occupational information to develop strategies for supporting and advocating for clients in relation to their unique career development within a global economy.
- Train CMHCs to understand and demonstrate essential and applicable counseling techniques and culturally relevant strategies as well as theories, models and skills for client consultation, treatment, intervention and prevention.
- Train CMHCs to implement knowledge of therapeutically appropriate strategies for effectively forming and facilitating group counseling in a variety of settings.
- Train CMHCs in ethical and appropriate intake, assessment, case conceptualization, diagnosis, treatment planning, documentation and clinical treatment to properly serve clients across multicultural perspectives.
- Train CMHCs to evaluate and incorporate ethically and culturally relevant research findings when selecting strategies for prevention, intervention, treatment and program evaluation.
- Train CMHCs to utilize community resources, referral sources and case management services in accordance with their role as clinical mental health counselors, including situations involving trauma, crisis or risk to client well-being.
- Prepare future CMHCs to provide wellness- and holistic-based services to clients who seek help with everyday life concerns as well as those who struggle with significant emotional, cognitive, developmental and behavioral challenges.
- Train CMHCs to cultivate and implement culturally relevant clinical skills and strategies for best practice through supervised practicum and internship experiences.
- Train CMHCs in the specific and added educational requirements necessary for licensure that may be outlined by their intended state of licensure.
Admission Requirements
To apply for the online master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Sacred Heart University, you’ll need the following in addition to your online application:
- Non-refundable application fee
- No standardized testing is required (GRE or MAT)
- Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree
- Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or better. Only applicants with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 and higher will be considered for admission.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (undergraduate and graduate).
- Two (2) professional letters of recommendation (one from an academic source and one from an employer or volunteer supervisor).
- Completion of a state-specific acknowledgement form. This must be completed with a counseling program faculty member present. Note: This serves as a time for applicants to ask program-specific questions that can only be answered by the counselor education program faculty.
- Response to Personal Statement form questions
- Complete a video conference interview
- Be available for two (2) week-long, in-person residencies at SHU
Special notes about admission:
Currently, we do not accept applicants from the following states: Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin. Applicants may not live in or be seeking licensure in any of these states.
Apply NowTuition Details
This 60 credit hour program costs $800 per credit hour, for an estimated tuition of $48,000. Affordability and transparency are priorities at SHU. We want you to have everything you need in order to make a decision about investing in a high-quality education.
Tuition and FeesFaculty
The online master’s in clinical mental health counseling program offers a selection of courses, each guided by a faculty of expert educators. Faculty members share diverse backgrounds in professional counseling and build classes on real-world experience to provide relevant and challenging lessons to students.
Accommodate your busy schedule and learn when and where it’s convenient for you. As an online student, you’ll work with the same accomplished faculty, receive one-on-one support and benefit from the same opportunities as our on-campus students.
ONLINE AT SHUAt Sacred Heart University, we strive to keep our programs affordable and encourage you to explore all of your financial aid options, including federal aid, military benefits and available scholarships.
FINANCIAL AIDFrequently Asked Questions
If you have a question we don’t cover here, request more information or call 877-791-7181.
The online master’s in clinical mental health counseling program offers full-time and part-time options for students.
Along with a selection of online courses, the online master’s in clinical mental health counseling does require the completion of two week-long on-ground residencies, a clinical practicum and at least two internships, all of which can be completed in your state. Some states require clinical experiences that must be longer.
Developed with CACREP standards as a foundation, the online master’s in clinical mental health counseling offers a curriculum that meets the demands for licensure in all states except New York, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. We do not accept applicants that live in or intend to seek licensure in any of these states at this time.
You can complete the program as a full-time student in as little as two years.
Part-time students can complete the program within 3 years.
Sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020 April 10). Substance Abuse, Behavior Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved April 10, 2020 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm.