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Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs—5 Key Pieces of Information

Considering a career as a mental health professional? Here’s what to look for in a master’s degree program in clinical mental health counseling.

A master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling can prepare students for careers as positive change agents by teaching them to help their clients manage or overcome mental and emotional disorders—along with problems with family, relationships, jobs, and other temporary or chronic issues. Effective counselors empower their clients by helping them to discover their strengths and abilities so they can make positive changes and improve their own lives.

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Is a Career as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor Right for You?

There are five key things you should ask about an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program before you make your decision:

  1. Is the Program Accredited by CACREP?
    When you inquire about any master’s program in clinical mental health counseling, you should first ask if the program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP is an independent organization that reviews degree programs to ensure that they meet the standards set by the profession. A degree from a CACREP-accredited program can be invaluable for your career. It shows recruiters and employers that you have received a quality education that includes the appropriate knowledge and skills for your profession.
  2. Does It Offer Specialization Options?
    Robust master’s programs in clinical mental health counseling offer specializations such as forensic counseling; addiction counseling; trauma and crisis counseling; military families and culture; telehealth counseling, private practice, and supervision; and marriage, couple, and family counseling. A master’s specialization allows you to focus your studies on the area that interests you most.
  3. What Type of Field Experience Does It Include?
    Your master’s program should offer ample room in the curriculum for a hands-on field experience that incorporates the knowledge and skills you’re learning in class. It could be a practicum field experience, which provides a short introduction to supervised counseling, or it could be a longer internship experience consisting of a planned, supervised training series.
  4. What Career Options Are Available for Clinical Mental Health Counselors?
    Depending on your master’s specialization, you may work in a broad range of settings including community mental health centers, wellness centers, inpatient/outpatient facilities, hospitals and healthcare centers, social service agencies, trauma centers, day programs, correctional facilities, shelters, and private practice.1
  5. What Is the Job Market Like for Clinical Mental Health Counselors? 
    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 19% from 2023 to 2033,1 much faster than the average rate for all occupations. About 49,000 openings are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering online counseling degree programs, including an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Earn your graduate degree in a convenient online format that fits your busy life.

1Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of the degree program.
2Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm#tab-6

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.

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

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