Many working adults exploring a counseling degree begin by looking at clinical mental health counseling programs, where they can focus on areas such as family, addiction, or trauma counseling.

Another specialty path leads into schools, where counseling focuses on student development and academic support. Walden University offers a way to prepare for both through its MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling, combining the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MS in School Counseling in one program.

Students complete the academic requirements for both degrees and may then choose to pursue licensure or certification in each field, depending on state requirements. These are separate professions, each with its own standards and work environments. The program does not blend them—it prepares you for both.

How the Program Is Organized

Most master’s programs in clinical mental health counseling or school counseling focus on one track. Coursework in Walden’s online degree program includes foundational topics—such as counseling theory, ethics, human development, and assessment—and discipline-specific training. 

Clinical and school-based internships are completed separately and are aligned with the expectations of each role. These field experiences are required under accreditation standards and are central to the training process.¹ 

Within the MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling program, you may follow the General Program or choose a specialization:

• Addiction Counseling
• Forensic Counseling
• Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
• Military Families and Culture
• Play Therapy
• Rehabilitation Counseling
• Telehealth Counseling, Private Practice, and Supervision
• Trauma and Crisis Counseling

What These Counseling Roles Involve

These paths lead to two distinct roles—clinical mental health counseling and school counseling.

Clinical mental health counselors work directly with individuals, families, and groups to address mental health conditions and life challenges. Their responsibilities often include assessing client needs, developing treatment plans, and providing therapy for concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use.² 

These mental health professionals work in healthcare and community-based settings such as private practices, hospitals, and outpatient centers.

School counselors focus on helping students succeed within educational settings. Their work helps guide academic progress, social and emotional development, and other key areas of student growth. They also collaborate with teachers and families, identifying issues that affect learning.³ 

While school counselors address mental health needs as part of student support, their work is generally short-term and development-focused, rather than long-term clinical treatment.⁴ 

Each of these disciplines follows its own licensing process and operates under different requirements, and most professionals practice in one setting at a time.

Online Format and Learning Experience 

Coursework for this dual degree program is delivered online in a format designed for working adults balancing professional and personal responsibilities.

Fieldwork takes place in person. You’ll complete supervised internships in both clinical and school settings, building the experience credentialing requires. 

Simulation tools are built into the program, giving you a way to practice counseling techniques before entering field placements. 

Licensure Pathways 

Following coursework and fieldwork, the next step is licensure. Graduates pursuing clinical mental health counselor licensure must meet state requirements, which may include exams and supervised post-degree hours.

School counseling credentials follow a separate process, typically managed by state education departments. 

If you’re researching how to become a counselor, understanding these parallel pathways is essential. A program may meet education requirements, but licensure is determined at the state level. Checking with your state’s licensing or education board is an important first step. 

Career Paths and Demand 

With licensure, career options expand across clinical and educational settings. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects much-faster-than-average growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors,² along with about average growth for school and career counselors.³  

These projections reflect continued demand for services across healthcare systems and educational institutions. Both roles contribute to access to care—whether through clinical services or counseling in schools. 

What to Consider Before Choosing This Path 

The decision often comes down to long-term goals and how broadly you want to be trained at the master’s level.  

Pursuing the dual degree means combining two sets of internships and meeting the expectations of two professional pathways. That can add time and coordination, especially when arranging field placements in different settings. 

For those who want flexibility over the course of their careers, earning both credentials provides a versatile skill set. Training in both clinical mental health counseling and school counseling offers a broader foundation—one that can help support career movement as interests and opportunities evolve. 

If you’re ready to take the next step, a Walden Enrollment Specialist can provide more information to help you find the program that aligns with your goals.  

Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering an online MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling program. Earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life. 

¹Source: www.cacrep.org/for-programs/cacrep-policy-document/#policy5.c

²Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm  

³Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/school-and-career-counselors.htm

⁴Source: www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Position-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Student-Mental-Health

Accreditation
Walden University’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MS in School Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) as mental health counseling programs under the 2016 standards. CACREP is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and a requirement for licensure in many states.

Notes 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/stateboarddirectory or 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. 

The MS in School 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 may also be a requirement to become licensed or certified as a school counselor in some states. In addition, some states require school counselors to have an existing teaching license or certification, and teaching experience, in order to be eligible for a school counseling certification/license. Learn more about professional licensure. Further, many states require school counseling programs to be approved in at least one state, either their own or another state. The MS in School Counseling program is approved by the states of Minnesota and Ohio, and while this approval is accepted by the majority of states which require state approval, it may not be accepted by all states. 

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.