- Graduate
- Hybrid
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Overview
The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is offered with either a 60-credit licensure concentration or a 36-credit non-licensure concentration. At the heart of this program is clinical formation through psychological depth and supervision. We ensure you graduate not only as a practitioner, but as a clinician who understands the psychological foundations of assessment, diagnosis, and intervention. You will learn not only what to do, but why it works.
One degree. Two concentrations.
Unlike standard counseling degrees housed outside psychology departments, our curriculum integrates clinical counseling, psychological science, assessment, and supervised fieldwork into a coherent professional formation.
60-Credit Licensure Concentration
Choose between two licensure pathways:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Students are prepared to practice as licensed mental health counselors and therapists.
- Licensure Alignment: The curriculum is designed to satisfy the core content areas required by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and most state boards.
- Exam Preparation: Coursework directly supports preparation for the NCMHCE or NCE.
- Extensive Fieldwork: Students complete a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship.
- National Portability: The 60-credit structure is designed for broad eligibility across jurisdictions.
Master's Level Psychologist
Students receive focused preparation beyond the traditional counseling program in psychological assessment, diagnosis, and the application of psychological science in clinical and human service settings.
- Psychological Assessment: Training includes cognitive, personality, and clinical assessment.
- Diagnostic Reasoning: Students develop competence in case conceptualization and DSM-based diagnosis.
- Applied Psychological Science: Coursework connects psychological research with the practical skills used in clinical work.
- Licensure Alignment: The curriculum is designed to fulfill the academic requirements mandated by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and state boards of psychology for master’s level practitioners (such as licensed psychological associates).
- Exam Preparation: Coursework provides the comprehensive theoretical and empirical foundation required for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
36-Credit Non-Licensure Concentration: Professional Preparation in Applied Psychology and Helping Fields
The 36-credit non-licensure concentration provides a rigorous grounding in psychological science, counseling theory, and applied practice for students whose professional goals do not require clinical licensure.
- Psychologically informed practice: referral, relational care, and support across helping professions
- Pastoral care and chaplaincy: integrating psychological literacy with spiritual formation
- Applied professional settings: deepening existing practice in human services, education, healthcare, and nonprofit leadership
- Transferable foundation: students who later decide to pursue licensure may transfer to the 60-credit concentration, with all completed coursework counting toward the fuller degree
| Degree | Master of Arts |
|---|---|
| Program Level | Graduate |
| School | School of Psychology and Human Services |
| Program Format | Hybrid |
Learn more
Courses
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Courses
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Degree Options
Apply to Gordon
Take the first step toward an advanced degree at a nationally ranked institution.
Financial Aid & Tuition
In a rapidly changing world, you want to make sure your educational investment is both affordable now and valuable in the long run.
Residencies, Practicum, and Internship
Our program integrates psychology-grounded training with a sequenced progression of hands-on experience.
Faculty
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.
Careers
Life after Gordon
What careers can I pursue with Clinical Mental Health Counseling?
Our Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares graduates for two distinct professional paths. The 60-credit concentration leads to licensure as an LMHC/LPC or Licensed Psychology Associate. The 36-credit concentration prepares graduates for psychologically informed roles in pastoral care, chaplaincy, nonprofit leadership, human services, and applied professional settings.
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- Therapist in a community mental health setting
- Clinic in a private practice, agency, hospital, school, or prison
- Perform personality and cognitive assessments
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 program can be completed in two years (daytime and evenings) with a part-time evening schedule available.
