Mental health counseling students in a group.

Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online Program


Empower others to find hope and healing amid life challenges with our master’s in clinical mental health counseling program.
Empower others to find hope and healing amid life challenges with our master’s in clinical mental health counseling program.

Ready to Get Started?

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

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Masters in mental health counseling students speaking in a group.

Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Ready to Get Started?

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Current 01 Step 1: About You
  • 02 Step 2: Contact Information

Why Choose Walden?

FIND SUPPORT AT EVERY STEP

Walden’s master’s in CMHC program offers personalized resources to help you stay engaged and on track throughout your journey.

BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE

Immersive learning opportunities—both virtual and in person—allow you to develop, practice, and fine-tune key counseling skills.

LEARN FROM DEDICATED FACULTY

Our CACREP-accredited master’s in CMHC program is taught by dedicated, doctorally prepared faculty who are experts in the field.

PERSONALIZE YOUR PATH

Choose our General Program or one of five specializations to tailor your MS in CMHC online coursework to the future you want.

PURSUE A VERSATILE DUAL DEGREE

You can elect to pursue an MS Dual Degree in CMHC and School Counseling—an innovative program that expands your options.

BALANCE SCHOOL WITH LIFE

Walden’s MS in CMHC online program is built for the working professional. It can be taken part time and asynchronously.

Program Details

Curriculum - General Program Specialization

Completion Requirements

  • 90–96 quarter credits
    • Foundation course (1 cr.)
    • Core courses (80 cr.) 
    • Field experience (9–15 cr.: Practicum: 100 hours; Internship: 600 hours)
  • Professional Development Plan, licensure Plan 
  • 2 Pre-Practicum Labs - 6 weeks online with 4 day synchronous intensive (choose virtual or face-to-face)
  • Group Lab (9 weeks online with 10 hours of live synchronous group)

View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN

Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.

Engage in Virtual Simulations With Skillsetter 

Walden is one of the few institutions to fully integrate the counseling simulation software Skillsetter into our master’s program curriculum. This technology empowers you to develop your counseling competencies through intensive practice, opportunities for reflection, exploration of alternatives, and faculty assistance. Master critical skills in an authentic yet safe environment and be ready for real scenarios you’ll face in the field.

MS Dual Degree Program

You have the opportunity to switch to our MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling program at any point during your studies. This option can give you greater career flexibility by allowing you to earn two counseling master’s degrees at the same time.

International Counseling Honor Society

Omega Zeta—Walden’s chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, the international counseling honor society—offers many ways to get involved and make your voice heard. This includes participating in Learning Communities—groups of students and faculty who meet biweekly to talk about counseling topics such as play therapy, private practice, and telemental health. Learning Communities are one more way to practice your skills, develop your professional school counselor identity, and forge lasting connections with like-minded peers.

Admission Requirements

Program Admission Considerations: A bachelor's degree or higher.

General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.

Tuition and Fees

Curriculum ComponentRequirementsCostamount
Tuition90 credits of core courses$515 per quarter hour$46,350
Pre-Practicum LabsTwo in program$1,450 each (virtual)
$1,550 each (in-person: travel, lodging, and other expenses are additional)
$2,900–$3,100
Program FeePer quarter$175$1,925
   $51,175–$51,375**
BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP

YOUR TUITION
-$7,210

$43,965*

*Represents General Program, two virtual pre-practicum labs, minimum time to completion, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.

**Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 45 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0199.

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost up to an additional $4,500.

Curriculum ComponentRequirementsCostamount
Tuition100 credits of core courses$515 per quarter hour$51,500
 
Pre-Practicum LabsTwo in program$1,450 each (virtual)
$1,550  (in-person: travel, lodging, and other expenses are additional)
$2,900–$3,100
Program FeePer quarter$175$2,100
   $56,500–$56,700**
BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP

YOUR TUITION
-$7,210

$49,290*

*Represents specialization, two virtual pre-practicum labs, minimum time to completion, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.

**Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 45 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0199.

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost up to an additional $4,500.

Program Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

As a graduate of our master’s in clinical mental health counseling program, you will be prepared to:

  1. Synthesize counseling knowledge into evidence-based treatment plans for promoting wellness. (Knowledge)
  2. Construct therapeutic relationships with diverse populations to promote social change. (Skills)
  3. Develop professional counselor behaviors in clinical settings to foster growth and wellness. (Dispositions)
  4. Develop a professional counselor identity relevant to clinical mental health counseling. (Knowledge)
  5. Evaluate unique client needs within clinical mental health settings. (Skills)
  6. Evaluate community needs in relation to clinical mental health settings and populations. (Skills)

Read our MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP Vital Statistics Outcomes and Program Evaluation Outcome Report (PEOR) on the School of Counseling DATA webpage.

Resources

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FAQ About Walden's MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Is our MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling accredited?

Walden’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling has been accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) since 2009. Walden is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
 

Can I earn a master’s in clinical mental health counseling online?

Yes—all of Walden’s programs are online. Walden has been a leader in distance learning since 1970. As a pioneer in the field, Walden University is structured to meet the needs of working adults who want a quality professional education in a flexible format.

What can I do with a MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling?

A master’s degree is typically needed to work in the mental health field as a counselor in the United States. Walden’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree meets the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. Graduates work as mental health counselors in agencies, universities, hospitals, trauma centers, shelters, correctional facilities, employee assistance programs, community churches, and private practice. Mental health counselors provide counseling to individuals of all ages, couples, and families. Mental health counselors also serve as advocates for the mental health needs of their clients and their communities.

What’s special about Walden’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program?

Walden students come from all over the world, which brings a wealth of diverse perspectives to the online classroom. Our faculty are also diverse. Walden has more than 3,000 faculty members from various cultures, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, areas of expertise, etc. All our counseling faculty members hold doctorates and are licensed practitioners. We also adhere to Walden’s mission of social change and as such, students and faculty engage worldwide in endeavors that create change and make our world a better place for all. Finally, Walden faculty are available to provide one-on-one support for students in their development of the required skills and dispositions to be confident and competent professionals. We are committed to graduating every student admitted.

How does our degree compare with campus-based programs?

Students who take one or two courses a term can complete the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 33 months to three years. Students who are eligible to enroll in three courses a term can potentially finish their program in 27 months.

1Bureau of Labor Statistics | Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Note on Licensure
Walden University’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a requirement for licensure in many states. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. Because no graduate program can guarantee licensure upon graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate agency to determine specific requirements. For more information about licensure, students should visit the National Board for Certified Counselors at www.nbcc.org/stateboard, the American Association of State Counseling Boards at www.aascb.org, and contact the appropriate licensing body. International students are encouraged to identify and contact their appropriate licensing body. Learn more about professional licensure.