Develop the credentials to change the lives of others
Your deep care for others is what drives you. In our world's mental health crisis, you feel called to help, to listen, and to guide, but you know that making an impact takes more than just passion.
Our Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed to give you the training you need to turn your passion into a meaningful career that changes people's lives. We offer both licensure and non-licensure options.
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Accessible
Open to all undergraduate majors. No prerequisites required. Classes are offered in-person and online and are paired with a five-day, in-person residency each summer.
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Mentored
Learn in an environment that emphasizes mentored learning and provides the personal attention necessary to refine your clinical skills in a supportive, psychologically informed environment.
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Prepared
Choose a licensure or non-licensure concentration built on a strong foundation in psychology and clinical experience. Each concentration provides hands-on experience through practicums and/or internships.
One degree, two concentrations
Choose the path that fits your goals. Our MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offers a 60-credit licensure option for students pursuing professional counseling licensure and a 36-credit non-licensure option for those seeking professional preparation for careers in ministry, human services, nonprofit leadership, or related fields.
Both concentrations provide a strong foundation in counseling theory, psychology, and applied practice—equipping students to serve others with skill and compassion.
A schedule you can manage
You can fit this into your life
Our graduate Clinical Mental Health Counseling program utilizes a synchronous choice model. The same course can be attended either online or in person.
The 60-credit concentration is recommended full-time over two years, with part-time evening schedules available. The 36-credit concentration is recommended part-time over three years. A full-time option for the 36-credit track is available on request.
Faculty
Nationally recognized, personally focused
All graduate faculty bring extensive clinical experience from clinical practice, supervision, research, and teaching. They are committed to the formation of students as thoughtful, competent, and ethically grounded professionals. In a small-cohort model, you will be known by name. Faculty walk with students through coursework, clinical skill development, practicum and internship preparation and placement, licensure preparation, and professional identity development.
You are not trained anonymously. You are mentored intentionally.
From the director
"We are currently facing an unprecedented mental health crisis that requires more than just well-meaning individuals; it requires highly trained, compassionate clinicians. Our program is designed to transform your passion for helping others into a professional skill set that meets this urgent need with excellence and integrity."
— David Cook Program Director of Graduate Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Jillian Wivell
"Dr. Norton's passion for clinical work comes through in his teaching. While the neuroscience can seem complex, he makes it feel entirely manageable through his clear teaching style and open-door approach. He has a unique gift for breaking down high-level academic ideas into practical tools for clinical work, connecting the facts to the human experience, and ensuring that every student feels supported in mastering the material and applying it to real-life scenarios."
Maya Harris
"Dr. Daley has a way of making statistics feel far less intimidating than it first appears. Concepts that once seemed overwhelming start to make sense in his classroom because he takes the time to explain them clearly and patiently, breaking them down in a way that builds real confidence. He creates a space where it feels safe to ask questions and wrestle with challenging ideas, which makes a huge difference in a subject that can otherwise feel daunting. His guidance has not only strengthened my technical skills but also deepened my understanding of how to think critically about data."
Request information about Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Frequently Asked Questions
We know that choosing a graduate program is a big decision. We’ve designed our Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling to be as flexible and supportive as possible while giving you a competitive edge in the field.
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Think of this as "Counseling Plus." While you’ll learn the heart-centered skills of a counselor, our curriculum is built on a clinical psychology foundation. This means you’ll graduate with a deeper understanding of psychological science and assessment, making you a more versatile clinician who is also prepared to work in hospitals, private practices, or integrated healthcare teams.
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Yes! This is a major perk. You’ll gain hands-on experience with cognitive and personality assessments. These are high-demand skills that allow you to offer more to your clients and your future employers than a standard counseling degree might.
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We are a community that values the "whole person." While we are rooted in a Christian mission that emphasizes ethics and integrity, we are a diverse and welcoming space. We invite students from all faith backgrounds and worldviews to join us in respectful, civil, and life-changing dialogue.
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We maintain the high standards expected of our regional (NECHE) accreditation and are aligned with APA standards, ensuring your degree is respected by employers and licensing boards nationwide.
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60-credit concentration: The recommended pathway is full-time over two years. A part-time option is available if you need more breathing room.
36-credit concentration: The recommended pathway is part-time over three years, with no more than two courses per semester. A full-time option is available.
Both concentrations begin in the summer term.
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For our fall and spring classes, we offer two ways to attend: you can enroll in either the on-campus section or the synchronous online section. Both sections meet at the same time, allowing you to interact with your professors and classmates in real-time.
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While the course content and real-time interaction are identical, your choice of section determines how the college identifies your residency and attendance for licensing boards:
- The Synchronous Online Section: This is an excellent, flexible option for those in states that recognize live, synchronous virtual learning. We recommend checking the specific regulations of your target state’s licensing board.
- The On-Campus Section: Choose this if you plan to seek licensure in a state with strict "in-person" requirements. The college officially identifies these credits as campus-based for your licensure applications, providing maximum mobility across all the United States.
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We’ve intentionally scheduled classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Through our thoughtfully structured schedule, coursework is kept within two days each week, keeping Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays completely open. This makes it much easier to balance a part-time job or secure the best clinical internships.
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60-credit students begin their practicum (100 hours) in the spring of their first year, then move into a 600-hour internship across the second year. 36-credit students begin their practicum (100 hours) in the spring of their second year, following the same supervision standards and site requirements. The 36-credit concentration does not include an internship.
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You don’t have to navigate this alone. Our Clinical Director works personally with you to identify and secure high-quality placements. Because of our "power block" schedule, you have a major competitive advantage: you are available for full-day rotations on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, opening doors to prestigious placements in hospitals and specialty clinics.
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60-credit graduates typically pursue LMHC/LPC or Licensed Psychology Associate licensure, working in private practice, community mental health, hospitals, and integrated healthcare settings. 36-credit graduates are prepared for psychologically informed roles across a range of professional fields, including pastoral and chaplaincy care, nonprofit and human services leadership, and applied professional settings where psychological literacy strengthens existing practice.
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Absolutely. Our courses prepare you for the national counseling exams (NCMHCE and NCE), and because of our clinical psychology focus, you’ll also be well-prepared if you choose to take the psychology-specific EPPP exam.
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We have carefully mapped our 60-credit curriculum to cover the core material required by licensure boards across the US.Note: this FAQ applies to the 60-credit licensure concentration.
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Yes! Through our Gordon Plus program, you can start taking graduate courses during your junior or senior year. This pathway guarantees admission for qualified students and lets you jump-start your career, saving you time and helping you enter the workforce sooner.