Open More Doors With a Dual Counseling Degree
Earn two degrees at once—and expand your possibilities—with Walden’s MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling online program. Our dual counseling degree online program academically prepares you to pursue licensure or certification as both a mental health counselor and a school counselor. Empower yourself with greater professional flexibility and make a positive impact for more clients. All of Walden’s CACREP-accredited counseling programs are taught by dedicated, doctorally-prepared faculty who are experts in the field.
Earning two counseling degrees simultaneously can give you greater freedom and flexibility as your life and interests change.
GET SUPPORT AT EVERY STEP
Receive personalized guidance from faculty who are invested in your success. Feel supported and encouraged throughout your program.
BROADEN YOUR PERSPECTIVES
Engage with a diverse community of faculty and students and learn to work effectively with children and adults of all backgrounds.
FOCUS ON YOUR PASSIONS
Select from a number of program specializations to tailor your coursework to your career goals and interests.
Skills Simulations
Walden integrates skills simulations throughout the entirety of our dual counseling degree online program curriculum. These simulations empower you to refine your counseling skills through intensive practice, opportunities for reflection, exploration of alternatives, and faculty feedback. Additionally, ungraded skills simulation practice opportunities are available between terms to help you further hone your skills.
Curriculum and Completion Requirements
Walden’s dual degree in clinical mental health counseling and school counseling online is designed to meet CACREP requirements for granting two distinct degrees—MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MS in School Counseling—at the same time.
Featured Dual Degree Counseling Courses
Students in this course are provided with the opportunity to develop practical skills in career and vocational assessment as well as functional knowledge of how career assessment can assist in the exploration and understanding of the interrelationship among work, family, and life roles. They examine major sources of career and work information available on the internet as well as through printed material and computer-based guidance systems. Gaining practical career counseling experience, students administer, score, and interpret printed and computer-based assessments of career interests, beliefs, and values. Students learn how to integrate career development theory and assessment results with career clinical interventions. They also examine clinical and assessment issues, devoting attention to computer-based applications and multicultural implications.
As client advocates, counselors rely on knowledge of psychotropic medications to inform treatment. This course introduces a spectrum of psychotropic medications used in the management of mental, behavioral, and addictive disorders. Students explore medication classification, drug interaction, and side effects. In addition, students distinguish between medical and psychopathological conditions that present in similar ways to addictive disorders. As part of a professional learning community, students collaborate with peers in written scholarly dialogue to explore psychopharmacological intervention in the treatment of addiction and other psychopathologies that may coexist. Students analyze factors that increase the likelihood for a person, community, or group to be at risk for disorders and examine the cultural and contextual factors considered in the ethical treatment of clients. Across counseling specializations, this course builds foundational clinical knowledge of the intersection of counseling and psychotropic medical treatment.
Students in this course have the opportunity to increase their awareness, knowledge, skills, and advocacy related to working with clients from a multicultural perspective. Students foster self-understanding of their own cultural-identity development, biases, stereotypes, values, and strengths while gaining self-awareness of the effects of power, privilege, and marginalization within the counseling relationship. Further, students can gain knowledge of various issues within diversity. Students explore various theories of multicultural counseling and the role of social justice and advocacy in counseling.
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the personal and systemic impact of crises, disasters, and other trauma-causing events on individuals, couples, families, and communities. Students examine theories and response models as they relate to sexual trauma, crisis in individuals and families, crisis in the community, and crisis in the nation and in the world. They explore and discuss topics related to counselor competencies, vicarious trauma and counter transference, specific diagnoses, and advocacy. Students also engage in assignments designed to provide practical application of crisis assessment. Through contemporary articles and case studies, they consider and discuss cultural, legal, and ethical issues related to crisis, trauma, and disaster events and response.
Students are provided with an overview of what is commonly referred to as abnormal psychology; however, students also consider factors constituting normalcy from multiple perspectives. Students explore the application of diagnostic criteria in various mental health work settings, such as schools, rehabilitation facilities, community agencies, and private practices. Using the scholar-practitioner model, students consider environmental and biological factors contributing to behavioral disorders. Students also examine techniques commonly used for the diagnosis and treatment of cognitive, emotional, and developmental disorders as well as for psychophysiological and psychosocial problems. Though coursework and discussions, students consider multicultural factors that complicate diagnosis as well as current trends and contemporary issues in clinical assessment and diagnosis.
Admissions
You’ll work one-on-one with an Enrollment Specialist who’ll guide you through every step—from finding the right program to help funding your education.
Streamlined Admissions Process
Earning your dual counseling degree online can give you more choices in your professional journey. Walden makes it easier with our simplified admissions process that includes:
No application fee
Easy credit transfer
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 Breakdown
We know cost matters when you’re considering a counseling dual degree. That’s why Walden offers opportunities to lower your tuition through:
Experience-based credits
Special tuition savings
Believe & Achieve Scholarship®
Stay Inspired. Stay on Track. Save Money.
Discover progress-based savings that inspire you to stay on track to graduation.
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 111 credits of core courses | $550 per quarter hour | $61,050 |
| Pre-Practicum Labs | Two in program | $1,450 each (virtual) $1,550 each (in-person: travel, lodging, and other expenses are additional) | $2,900–$3,100 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $185 | $2,775 |
$66,725–$66,925** | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$11,000 | ||
*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 Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 121 credits of core courses | $550 per quarter hour | $66,550 |
| Pre-Practicum Labs | Two in program | $1,450 each (virtual) $1,550 each (in-person: travel, lodging, and other expenses are additional) | $2,900–$3,100 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $185 | $2,775 |
| $72,225–$72,425** | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$11,000 $61,225* | ||
*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.
Career Opportunities
A clinical mental health dual degree academically prepares you to pursue licensure or certification as a mental health counselor and school counselor.
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.
Expected growth: 5%1
Estimated annual wage: $40,140–$78,7801
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Advise people on a range of issues, such as those relating to alcoholism, addictions, or depression.
Expected growth: 18%2
Estimated annual wage: $36,700–$70,1302
No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the (include applicable program) program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Wage estimates are based on the 10th - 75th percentile.
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
2Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of the MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling online program, you will be able to:
Synthesize counseling knowledge into evidence-based plans for promoting wellness. (Knowledge)
Construct professional relationships with diverse populations to promote social change. (Skills)
Develop professional counselor behaviors in various settings to foster growth and wellness. (Dispositions)
Develop a professional counselor identity relevant to specific practice areas. (Knowledge)
Evaluate unique client needs within practice areas. (Skills)
Evaluate community needs in relation to professional settings and populations. (Skills)
Read our MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP Vital Statistics Outcomes, the MS in School Counseling CACREP Vital Statistics Outcomes, and the School of Counseling Program Evaluation Outcome Report (PEOR) on the School of Counseling DATA webpage.
Learning Objectives
Create a learning environment where counseling graduates will gain and apply the essential knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to impact positive social change.
Foster the development of, and adherence to, a strong professional counselor identity for School of Counseling graduates within their scope of practice.
Prepare counseling graduates who advance cultural humility, advocacy, awareness, and engagement to best serve an ever-changing, diverse society.
Inspire counseling graduates to actively engage with the professional counselor identity by participating in professional counseling organizations, continuing education, and other learning opportunities that contribute to personal and professional growth over time.
Develop counseling graduates who exemplify the highest ethical standards outlined in the profession's codes of ethics and key competency documents.
Equip counseling graduates to recognize social determinants of health and to tailor their practice to client needs by considering the impact of these factors.
Establish a programmatic learning experience that instills in our graduates a focus on assessment, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement.
Meet Your Academic Team
Walden’s faculty is composed of dedicated scholars, educators, and practitioners with many years of experience in the counseling field.
You Might Also Be Interested In
FAQ About Walden’s MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling Online Program
A clinical mental health counseling degree alone doesn’t provide the specialized training to become a school counselor. Walden University’s MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling online program provides streamlined academic training that allows graduates to pursue state licensure as a professional counselor, and licensure or certification as a school counselor.
No. While counseling and psychology both require a foundational knowledge and understanding of human behavior, they are separate disciplines that have their own specialized degree programs.
Graduates of the MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling online program are academically -prepared to pursue state licensure as a professional counselor and licensure or certification as a school counselor. Graduates may also pursue work in agencies, youth detention centers, hospitals, trauma centers, shelters, correctional facilities, community churches, public and private schools, universities, and private practice. Graduates who work in schools can help improve student success by implementing comprehensive school counseling programs that support the academic, personal-social, and career needs of all students. School counselors also provide short-term counseling; collaborate with teachers, families, administrators, and community members to support students; advocate for students and student needs; and analyze data that identifies student needs, concerns, and challenges.
Graduates who work in mental health positions 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.
Walden’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MS in School Counseling programs are individually accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Earning an MS degree in clinical mental health counseling and then returning to pursue an MS degree in school counseling is not always possible. This is because of institutional policies held by universities that restrict students from earning a second degree in a similar field, due to an overlap in coursework. Students may encounter financial aid restrictions as well. CACREP is aware of these complications and has a dual-degree policy that allows students to complete two CACREP-accredited master’s-level programs at one time (e.g., dual degree). In order for students to be recognized for earning degrees from CACREP-accredited programs, both degrees must be completed concurrently and both programs must require full internship experiences.1
1Source: CACREP Policy, Section 5c
Students who successfully complete two classes a quarter can expect to complete the dual degree in 48 months. Students may enroll in three courses each quarter to potentially shorten the duration of the program, as long as their GPA remains a 3.5 or higher.
Coursework in Walden’s clinical mental health dual degree program is 100% online, while field experiences take place in person. Students have opportunities to opt into an in-person pre-practicum, but they are not required to do so.
Earning a dual degree from Walden can give you more freedom and flexibility along your career path. Join a diverse community of counseling changemakers, broaden your cultural perspectives, and learn to work with children and adults from all walks of life. You'll receive personalized support throughout your program from faculty who have real-world experience in both fields. Walden's program also offers several specializations to choose from, allowing you to focus your coursework on the counseling area that interests you the most.
Yes, completing this program can give you greater freedom and flexibility as your life and interests change. This dual degree program academically prepares you to pursue licensure or certification as a mental health counselor and/or a school counselor.