How long does it take to get a master’s in clinical mental health counseling?

The length of a master’s program varies depending on various factors, such as previous credits and whether you are enrolling full-time or part-time. There is also an internship and practicum course to consider. The internships allow students to gain valuable hands-on experience in the counseling field while undergoing supervision. To learn more, fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor.

Online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

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Degree Level

Master's

Class Setting

Online

Area of Study

Healthcare

Program

MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

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Overview

Study Evidence-Based Counseling: Theories and Practice

This MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program is offered both online and through in-person evening classes by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The graduate program provides opportunities to study and apply evidence-based counseling theories and practical applications.

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

Campus: 15 weeks

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

Benefits of Earning Your Master’s From GCU

As a student, you will be instructed to develop a greater awareness of social and cultural trends and taught the foundations to serve diverse populations. Furthermore, you will examine legal and professional standards, and are encouraged to think critically about current ethical issues that you may encounter in future practice as a clinical mental health counselor.

Earn Your Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online

When you pursue your master’s degree online at GCU, you will have access to our digital online learning platform and support from knowledgeable counselor educators. The majority of the courses in the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are offered online, allowing you the flexibility to complete the coursework while balancing your other responsibilities.

Online Learning

Licensure Requirements

One of the first steps toward licensure in your state is to obtain your master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. Once a master’s degree is obtained, you will need to complete necessary examinations, supervision and counseling hours specific to your state. Once licensure is obtained, licensed clinical mental health counselors can work with individuals, couples, families and groups. Counselors focus on discovering underlying causes for mental health distress and aid in treating symptoms of mental and emotional concerns.¹ A master’s degree is a required step before licensure can be achieved your respective state.²

Coursework

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Course Topics

Effective clinical mental health counselors are strong communicators, active listeners and empathetic, 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 learn to establish appropriate boundaries.

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

As a student in the clinical mental health counseling program, you will need to complete the practicum and two internship experiences. These provide supervised clinical experience in the counseling field.

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

The stages, processes and effects of substance use disorders, including the social and emotional dynamics of these disorders
Multicultural counseling theories and identity development
Group counseling dynamics, theories and ethical standards
Evidence-based assessment procedures for determining a client’s mental or emotional status
The basic principles of psychopharmacology and the effects of psychoactive substances

Careers

Career Paths With an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

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 licensure. Once licensed in your state, clinical mental health counselors will have the opportunity to offer counseling services for substance use, trauma, depression, and other mental health needs.

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

Community-based organizations

Nonprofits

Hospitals

Clinics

Private practices

Telehealth

71,500

Number of new jobs estimated to open for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors from 2022 to 2032³

FAQ

Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling FAQs

If you would like to learn more about earning a clinical mental health counseling degree, please read our answers to these frequently asked questions here.

If you are passionate about assisting others through the trials and hardships of life, a counseling degree is worth considering. All states require a master’s degree for counselor licensure purposes,² so this clinical mental health counseling degree can help bring you a step closer toward achieving your goal of licensure. Once licensed, you will have the opportunity to work in various settings with individuals, groups and families of diverse ages and backgrounds.

GCU’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree is available online and allows you to work from your home or office. With a graduate degree in counseling from GCU, you can work toward achieving licensure in your desired state. GCU offers an in-person option to complete coursework as well, for individuals who prefer in-person courses. The clinical mental health counseling degree covers many aspects of mental health including ethical considerations, diagnosis and treatment.

There is a practicum and two required internship courses at the end of this program that provide students valuable experience in the field to be prepared to serve as global mental health counselors.

GCU ensures that the academic rigor of this degree meets the academic requirements of the National Board for Certified Counselors for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential, the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) credential and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

The clinical mental health counseling program at GCU is designed to meet the high academic standards of national credentialing entities for certified counselors. The courses, internships and practicum are rigorous in order to help prepare graduates for clinical mental health counseling.

Courses

Course List

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 feel that God has called you to serve those who are struggling with psychological, social and/or behavioral issues, you can earn 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.

¹ American Mental Health Counselors Association. (n.d.). Becoming Essential. Retrieved on July 11, 2023.

² ACA. Licensure Requirements. American Counseling Association. Retrieved on June 7, 2023.

³ COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 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 September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors, retrieved on Sept. 11, 2023.

Online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Study Evidence-Based Counseling: Theories and Practice

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Benefits of Earning Your Master’s From GCU

Licensure Requirements

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Course Topics

Career Paths With an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

71,500

Earn Your MS in CMHC From an Accredited University

Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling FAQs

Course List

Make an Impact in Patient Experiences

Course List

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling