Master of Science
in Clinical Mental
Health Counseling
(MSCMHC)
100% ONLINE MS IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
Complete your studies on your own time.
NEW START DATE EVERY MONDAY
Start your first course when it’s convenient for you.
32 MONTHS TO YOUR MSCMHC
Finish your MSCMHC in just 20 courses.
National and Northcentral have merged, and this program is now offered by NU. Learn more.
Make an Impact in Mental Health Counseling
Provide impactful and culturally sensitive mental health services in your communities with the 100% online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MSCMHC) degree program at National University. NU’s comprehensive program will prepare you to work with clients and groups from diverse backgrounds and assist with their mental health needs.
NU’s MSCMHC curriculum gives you an in-depth exploration of counseling theories, ethical and legal standards, and evidence-based approaches, diagnosis, and treatments. You’ll gain the theoretical and practical knowledge you need to work in a variety of professional counseling settings.
Throughout NU’S MSCMHC program, you’ll study topics related to social justice, advocacy, and the equity of treatment. You’ll also discover the different ways you can advance your counseling profession.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.
National University’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is currently working to be in compliance with 2024 CACREP standards, in order to pursue accreditation.
- For admission criteria into the MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, please visit: https://www.nu.edu/admissions/
- For information on degree requirements or transfer credits, please visit: https://www.nu.edu/admissions/undergraduate/transfer-information/
- For commonly asked questions, please visit: https://www.nu.edu/faq/
- For information on NU’s accreditation: https://www.nu.edu/our-university/accreditation/
- For information on program costs, tuition, and financial aid, please visit:
Course Details
Course Sequence
The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program can be completed in 60 credits.
Course Name
Course Details
- Credit Hours: 60
- Courses: 20
- Estimated Time to Complete: 32 months
The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MSCMHC) degree program can be completed in 60 credits. Each course runs 12 weeks, and you’ll receive 3 semester credits per course.
The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MSCMHC) degree requires a minimum of 60 credits hours at the graduate level beyond the bachelor’s degree.
The MSCMHC program has the following graduation requirements:
- A minimum of 60 credit hours of graduate instructions must be completed through NU.
- Successful completion of all required degree program courses with a Grade Point Average of 3.0 (letter grade of B) or higher.
- Official documents on file for basis of admission: a conferred bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution.
- Official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University.
- All financial obligations must be met before the student will be issued their complimentary diploma and/or degree posted transcript.
Beyond these standard graduation requirements, the MSCMHC has the following degree requirements:
- Online Video Conferencing – In order to complete some of the course requirements and to participate in the online supervision process that is used during the practicum course and the internship courses, students are required to participate in several online video conferencing meetings throughout their time in the program. To participate in these video conference sessions, students are required to own or otherwise have access to a computer, a web cam, a headset, a video recording device, and a high-speed internet connection.
- Client Contact
- Practicum – MSCMHC students will be required to complete 40 hours of direct client contact. Please read the practicum course description or the Clinical Training Handbook.
- Internship – MSCMHC students will be required to complete 240 hours of direct client contact. Please read the internship course description or the Clinical Training Handbook.
- Supervision – In conjunction with client contact, practicum and internship students have weekly interaction with supervisors that averages one hour per week of individual and/or triadic supervision throughout the internship.
- Liability Insurance – Prior to beginning any clinical experience, students are required to submit proof of professional liability insurance.
- Clinical Hours Tracking – The MSCMHC program uses a web-based system to document completion of clinical hours. Students, local approved clinical supervisor and NU faculty supervisors all have access to the system to support the successful completion of the clinical training requirements for the program. Students will be provided with an authorization code.
Career Potential*
The National University Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree can position you to fill key roles that include*:
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- Mental health counselors, clinicians, therapists, professionals
- Behavioral health counselor, therapist, advocate
- Counselors, therapists
- Substance abuse counselors
- Family counselors
- Licenced mental health practitioner
Qualified graduates may also have the opportunity to progress to supervisory positions that oversee other counselors, or earn director titles. Patient or client advocacy is also an important part of a counselor’s role within integrated care settings. In addition, multilingual skills may be needed by employers to serve diverse cultural audiences.
*SOURCE: Emsi Labor Analyst- Report. Emsi research company homepage at https://www.economicmodeling.com/company/ (Report viewed: 7/06/2022). DISCLAIMER: The data provided is for Informational purposes only. Emsi data and analysis utilizes government sources to provide insights on industries, demographics, employers, in-demand skills, and more to align academic programs with labor market opportunities. Cited projections may not reflect local or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Current and prospective students should use this data with other available economic data to inform their educational decisions.
Program Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of National University’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MSCMHC) degree program, you’ll be able to:
- Interpret ethical and legal standards within professional counselors’ roles and functions
- Examine advocacy and social justice theories of social, cultural diversity in counseling
- Apply models of human growth and development in the practice of counseling
- Apply theories and models of career development
- Demonstrate essential foundational counseling skills
- Employ group work principles in practice of group counseling
- Select appropriate assessment and testing rolls for use in counseling practice
- Implement program evaluation and evidence-based practice using relevant scholarly work and research methods
- Demonstrate the practice dimensions of clinical mental health counseling
Admissions
Enrolling in a university is a big decision. That’s why our dedicated admissions team is here to guide you through the admissions process and help you find the right program for you and your career goals.
To that end, we’ve simplified and streamlined our application process, so you can get enrolled in your program right away. Because we accept and review applications year round, you can begin class as soon as next month, depending on your program and location of choice.
Learn more about undergraduate, graduate, military, and international student admissions, plus admissions information for transfer students. You can also learn more about our tuition rates and financial aid opportunities.
To speak with our admissions team, call (855) 355-6288 or request information and an advisor will contact you shortly. If you’re ready to apply, simply start your application today
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-Francisco R., Class of 2016
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Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.