Online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Q: Is a master’s in clinical mental health counseling worth it?

If you’re driven to support others through emotional challenges and life transitions, pursuing a master’s in clinical mental health counseling may align well with your goals. This degree is a fundamental requirement for obtaining counselor licensure in every state, allowing you to move toward professional practice. With licensure, counselors can work in various environments, including schools, healthcare facilities, private practices, hospitals and community organizations. They serve individuals, families and groups from diverse backgrounds and with varying needs.

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Degree Level

Master's

Class Setting

Online

Area of Study

Healthcare

Program

MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Current Education Level

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Citizenship Status

U.S. Citizen

Military Affiliation

No military affiliation

Country

United States

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Overview

Examine Theories and Practice in Evidence-Based Counseling

The master’s in clinical mental health counseling at Grand Canyon University is tailored for individuals who want to serve a greater purpose by helping others navigate life’s challenges. Students will have the opportunity to study and apply evidence-based counseling theories and practical applications.

This master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling graduate program is designed to meet the academic requirements of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential, the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) credential and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Offered By

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Class Settings

Evening

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $600 per credit [More Info]

Evening: $600 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 62

Online: 8 weeks

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Transfer Credits

The coursework in this program is non-transferable from other institutions.

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Master's)

Undergraduate Degree*
2.8+ GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

GMAT: 500
GRE: 300 combined**

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).

Why GCU

Join a Purpose-Driven Counseling Community

As a student in the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, you will become a part of a community dedicated to compassionate service and ethical leadership. You will be guided to demonstrate a greater awareness of social and cultural trends by learning foundational knowledge needed to serve diverse populations.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to examine legal and professional standards in counseling that challenge you to think critically about the ethical dilemmas you may encounter. This holistic approach can prepare you to become a principled and culturally responsive mental health counselor.

Earn Your Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online

Pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling online at GCU offers a digital learning platform and support from experienced counselor educators. Most courses in this program are available online, which can enable you to manage your studies while balancing work, family and other commitments.

Online Learning

Coursework

Academic and Clinical Preparation for Counseling Practice

Effective clinical mental health counselors are strong communicators, active listeners and empathetic and compassionate people who can make genuine connections with their clients. In this master’s in clinical mental health counseling degree program, you will explore the client-counselor relationship and will be taught how to establish appropriate boundaries.

You will have the opportunity to evaluate and apply evidence-based research to your practice. This program also offers a career counseling course, which may provide a broad understanding of career development and decisions as a clinical mental health counselor.

Additionally, the courses in this master’s program will cover these key topic areas:

The stages, processes and effects of substance use disorders
Multicultural counseling theories and identity development
Group counseling dynamics, theories and ethical standards
Evidence-based assessment of mental and emotional status
The basic principles of psychopharmacology and the effects of psychoactive substances

As a student in the master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling program, you will gain experience through practicum and internship courses. These provide supervised clinical experience in the counseling field which allows you to apply classroom knowledge and refine your therapeutic skills to build confidence as a future mental health professional.

Careers

Pathways to Licensure and Professional Practice

The master’s in clinical mental health counseling covers a variety of topics so you can pursue a career helping diverse clients reach their full potential. Once you obtain your master’s in counseling degree, you will need to take the necessary exams and complete supervision and counseling hours as a post-graduate before achieving full licensure.

Once licensed in your state, as a clinical mental health counselor you will be qualified to offer counseling services for substance use, grief and trauma, depression and other mental health needs.

Licensed clinical mental health counselors often practice in the following settings:

Community-based organizations

Nonprofit organizations

Hospitals

Clinics

Private practices

Telehealth

81,000

New jobs estimated to open for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors from 2024 to 2034^{(See disclaimer 2)}

$59,190

Median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors in May 2024^{(See disclaimer 3)}

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about earning a clinical mental health counseling degree by exploring the answers to our most frequently asked questions.

Is a master’s in clinical mental health counseling worth it?

If you’re driven to support others through emotional challenges and life transitions, pursuing a master’s in clinical mental health counseling may align well with your goals. This degree is a fundamental requirement for obtaining counselor licensure in every state, allowing you to move toward professional practice. With licensure, counselors can work in various environments, including schools, healthcare facilities, private practices, hospitals and community organizations. They serve individuals, families and groups from diverse backgrounds and with varying needs.

What's the difference between a clinical counselor and a therapist?

The key difference between clinical counselors and therapists lies in their scope and specialization. Clinical counselors typically hold a master’s degree in counseling and are licensed to assess, diagnose and treat mental health conditions. They focus on helping clients navigate specific emotional challenges using structured, goal-oriented strategies, often within outpatient centers, hospitals and private practices.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

In contrast, the term “therapist” is broader, encompassing professionals such as counselors, psychologists, clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists. Therapists employ a range of therapeutic methods and generally emphasize long-term mental health care, addressing deeper psychological issues.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

Can you diagnose with a master's in clinical mental health counseling?

Yes, in many states, individuals with a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling can diagnose mental health conditions once fully licensed. These professionals, known as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) or Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs), are trained to assess, diagnose and treat psychological disorders.

However, diagnostic authority varies by state. Some states explicitly grant it in statutes, while others may limit or outline this ability in administrative codes. It’s important to review your state’s licensing laws to understand the specific scope of practice for clinical mental health counselors.^{(See disclaimer 5)}

Courses

Program Curriculum

Credit Summary

Major62 credits

Degree Requirements62 credits

Core Courses

UNV-508

2 Total Credits

CNL-505

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of counseling ethics, legal standards, and responsibilities, including professional identity, report writing, record keeping, and service reimbursement for clinical mental health and school counselors. Additionally, the history of and current trends in counseling are addressed. Important goals of this course are to help students develop a strong personal and professional ethic, as well as an appreciation of the value of professional collaboration and identity.

CNL-500

3 Total Credits

CNL-501

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of the stages, processes, and effects of substance use disorders, biological, social, and psychological dynamics of substance use disorders, and the professional's role in prevention, intervention, and aftercare, including recovery and relapse prevention. This course explores theories and models of treatment of addiction disorders to include understanding different types of addiction disorders, effective skills, drug classification, and assessment. It also continues building foundational knowledge, utilization of professional resources, and exploration of standards to help students prepare for licensure/certification within the counseling industry.

CNL-515

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of counseling processes, including characteristics and behaviors that influence the helping processes. Included are age, gender, ethnic differences, verbal and nonverbal behaviors, personal characteristics, and orientations. The development of counseling techniques is emphasized, including establishing and maintaining the counseling relationship; diagnosing and identifying the problem; formulating a preventative, treatment, or rehabilitative plan; facilitating appropriate interventions; and successfully terminating the counseling relationship.

CNL-509

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of issues and trends in a multicultural and diverse society. Studies in this area include the following: attitudes and behaviors based on such factors as age, race, religious preference, physical disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity and culture, family patterns, gender, socioeconomic status, and intellectual ability; individual, family, group, and community strategies for working with diverse populations; theories of multicultural counseling and identity development; multicultural competencies; and issues such as substance use disorders. Students examine a variety of cultural populations, exploring issues and trends that are associated with each population. Cultural considerations for immigrants, refugees, and undocumented citizens are also addressed.

CNL-520

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of group development, group dynamics, group counseling theories, and ethical standards with reference to professional and substance use disorders counseling. The course addresses group process components, appropriate selection criteria, developmental stage theories, group members’ roles and behaviors; and group leadership styles and approaches. The course includes didactic and experiential group learning. Required synchronous group experience: 12 hours. Prerequisite: CNL-515.

CNL-527

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course introduces students to the basic principles of psychopharmacology and the effects of psychoactive substances. Students examine the behavioral, psychological, physiological and social effects of psychoactive substance use, and learn to recognize symptoms of intoxication, withdrawal, and toxicity. The class covers various screening options, limitations, legal implications, and the utilization of pharmacotherapy as part of substance addiction treatment.

CNL-530

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is divided into two distinct and separate sections. The first part of the course examines human sexuality and systems of sexual therapy. Psychological, biological, social, and moral perspectives on sexual development and functioning are also examined. The last part of the course provides an understanding of the nature of aging and older adults. Theories and strategies for facilitating optimum care of older adults are addressed. Elder abuse, dependent adult abuse, and neglect of the aging and older adults are explored. Sexuality, mental health, physical health, the role of substance use disorders, and family issues are also addressed.

CNL-518

3 Total Credits

CNL-521

3 Total Credits

CNL-545

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This eight-topic course is divided into three distinct and separate sections. The first three topics examine crisis intervention and trauma counseling; Theories and strategies of trauma counseling and facilitating crisis interventions are also addressed. The second three topics examine spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies. The legal and ethical issues, the role of substance use disorders, and children in families where domestic violence and abuse occur are also addressed. The last two topics examine child abuse assessment and reporting. Legal and ethical issues and specific California child abuse assessment and reporting codes are also examined.

CNL-523

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to basic tests and appraisal in counseling. Individual and group approaches to testing, assessment, evaluation, behavioral observations, computer-managed and computer-assisted methods are addressed. The following statistical concepts are also addressed: scales of measurement, measures of central tendency, indices of variability, shapes and types of distributions, correlations, reliability, and validity.

CNL-525

3 Total Credits

CNL-540

3 Total Credits

CNL-610

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a conceptual framework for the use of assessment and diagnostic tools for the development of appropriate treatment interventions for a variety of behavioral health and substance use disorders. Included is an introduction to the use of the diagnostic tools, including the DSM, and the integration of diagnostic and assessment information, in the development of treatment plans.

CNL-605

3 Total Credits

CNL-644

2 Total Credits

CNL-624

2 Total Credits

Course Description

The practicum course is a distinctly defined, supervised clinical fieldwork experience in which the student develops basic counseling skills and integrates professional knowledge under the supervision of a faculty member or an on-site clinical site supervisor approved by the college or university with a minimum of 1 hour per week of individualized and/or triadic supervision throughout the practicum. Practicum students participate in an average of 1 ½ hours per week of group supervision via Zoom with a counseling faculty member or student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member on a regular schedule throughout the practicum. Documentation of a minimum requirement of 100 hours of counseling-related activities, which includes 40 direct client contact hours, is submitted electronically for verification and tracking. The practicum is completed prior to the internship; therefore, students may not progress to CNL-664A without the required amount of hours submitted, the required amount of individual and group supervision, and proper approval. This course has multiple synchronous required activities. Students must be prepared to be flexible in meeting the demands of this course in order to progress to the internship. Practicum/field experience hours: 100. State licensure requirements may mandate additional hours. Students must review and adhere to their state board's additional requirements. Prerequisites: Completion of all didactic coursework in the program; a GPA of 3.0 or better; and maintenance of student professional liability insurance in the amount of $1 million, $3 million.

CNL-664A

4 Total Credits

Course Description

The internship course is a distinctly defined, supervised clinical experience in which the student refines and enhances basic counseling and student development of knowledge and skills, and integrates and authenticates professional knowledge and skills related to program objectives. The internship is performed under the supervision of an on-site clinical site supervisor approved by the college or university with an average of 1 hour per week of individualized and/or triadic supervision throughout the internship. Internship students participate in a minimum of 1 ½ hours per week of group supervision via Zoom with a counseling faculty member or student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member on a regular schedule throughout the internship. Documentation of 300 hours of counseling-related activities, which includes a required minimum of 120 direct client contact hours, is submitted electronically for verification and tracking. Internship hours: A minimum of 300 total hours of which 120 is total direct hours. Students must successfully complete CNL-624 before progressing to the internship. This course has multiple synchronous required activities. Students must be prepared to be flexible in meeting the demands of this course in order to meet the internship requirements. Practicum/field experience hours: 300. State licensure requirements may mandate additional hours. Students must review and adhere to their state board's additional requirements. Prerequisites: CNL-624; a GPA of 3.0 or better; maintenance of student professional liability insurance in the amount of $1 million, $3 million; and college approval.

CNL-664B

4 Total Credits

Course Description

The internship course is a distinctly defined, supervised clinical experience in which the student refines and enhances basic counseling and student development of knowledge and skills, and integrates and authenticates professional knowledge and skills related to program objectives. The internship is performed under the supervision of an on-site clinical site supervisor approved by the college or university with an average of 1 hour per week of individualized and/or triadic supervision throughout the internship. Internship students participate in a minimum of 1 ½ hours per week of group supervision via Zoom with a counseling faculty member or student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member on a regular schedule throughout the internship. Documentation of 300 hours of counseling-related activities, which includes a required minimum of 120 direct client contact hours, is submitted electronically for verification and tracking. This course has multiple synchronous required activities. Students must be prepared to be flexible in meeting the demands of this course in order to meet the internship requirements. Practicum/field experience hours: 300. State licensure requirements may mandate additional hours. Students must review and adhere to their state board's additional requirements. Prerequisites: CNL-624 and CNL-664A; a GPA of 3.0 or better; maintenance of student professional liability insurance in the amount of $1 million, $3 million; and college approval.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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Make an Impact in Patient Experiences

If you’re called to support those facing psychological, social or behavioral challenges, consider earning your Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Grand Canyon University.

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Visit the "State Disclosures" section on the page of the program you’re interested in at gcu.edu for details on state restrictions.

Excluding residencies, practicums, internships and field experience.

ACA. Licensure Requirements. American Counseling Association. Retrieved June 2023.
COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors, retrieved September 2025.
The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors as of May 2024, retrieved September 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
Torpey, E. (n.d.). Careers in Mental Health Services. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved September 2025.
National Conference of State Legislatures. (2021). Licensed Professional Counselors’ Ability to Diagnose. Ncls.org. Retrieved September 2025.

Online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Examine Theories and Practice in Evidence-Based Counseling

Join a Purpose-Driven Counseling Community

Academic and Clinical Preparation for Counseling Practice

CMHC Licensure Requirements

Pathways to Licensure and Professional Practice

CACREP Accreditation

Frequently Asked Questions

Program Curriculum

Core Courses