Immersive and practical training to prepare the next generation of mental health professionals.
The mission Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Online program of The Chicago School is to provide an inclusive, dynamic, and equitably supportive learning experience that fosters professional and personal growth through a student-centered approach. The program uses a holistic and enriching educational journey to prepare our graduates to become clinically competent, ethically responsible, and culturally informed counselors who are equipped to make meaningful contributions for their clients, communities, and marginalized populations throughout a diverse, global society.
The Chicago School’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling online master's program empowers you to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Through a combination of rigorous coursework and supervised clinical training, you will be fully prepared to assist clients in overcoming a range of mental health difficulties, such as depression, anxiety, grief, stress, relationship struggles, and suicidal ideation.
Designed to meet the needs of working adults, our online master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling provides flexibility, allowing you to balance your studies with other commitments. You will also receive personalized advising from a dedicated faculty member, ensuring a tailored educational experience.
Guided by practitioner-scholar faculty, you will experience in-depth training in various counseling areas, including:
- Ethics
- Research
- Program evaluation
- Diagnosis
- Prevention
- Counselor identity
- Assessment
- Advocacy
- Multiculturalism
Students in the online M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling online program attend two, in-person, mandatory residencies. Students must successfully complete in-person residencies as a requirement of the online CMHC programs. The first on-ground residency occurs during the first year of the program. The second residency occurs during the second year of the program. The two residency courses prepare students for the programmatic fieldwork courses.
The maste
r's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling online program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, meeting their standards with regard to institutional settings, program mission and objectives, program content, practicum experiences, student selection and advising, faculty qualifications and workload, program governance, instructional support, and self-evaluation.
COURSE SYLLABUS REQUEST
If you are interested in reviewing any of the syllabi of the courses in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling online master's program, you may request them by sending an email to [email protected].
Kirby Christian, M.A.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program students will be able to:
Professional Practice
- Students will demonstrate contextual knowledge and application of the principles of mental health, wellness, and human development including prevention, education, consultation, intervention, and advocacy.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge and application of strategies for addressing diverse clients’ career development and employment opportunities in a global economy.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge and application of the helping process with diverse clients; counseling theories and techniques; prevention, education, and consultation; wellness models; counselor self-understanding; and the change process.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge and application of group development, dynamics, theories, techniques, therapeutic factors, and how they contribute to the design and facilitation of groups in a culturally relevant manner.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge and application of culturally and developmentally appropriate clinical assessment, diagnosis, and evaluation practices for diverse mental health service recipients in mental health service settings.
Diversity
- Students will demonstrate an intersectional lens of cultural competence in counseling with individuals, groups, and families from diverse cultural backgrounds as well as the ability to advocate for equity and social justice in the promotion of mental health on the behalf of clients, the community, and the profession of counseling.
Professional Behavior
- Students will demonstrate knowledge and application related to ethical professional counseling practice, establish a professional counselor identity, and engage in effective interdisciplinary practice.
Scholarship
- Students will critically evaluate and utilize research, evidence-based practices, and program evaluation to inform the practice of clinical mental health counseling with diverse client populations.
Admissions Requirements
- Application
- Application fee ($50)
- GPA of 3.0 or higher is required
- Essay: The mission of the program is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, practices, and values of the counseling profession: empowerment, resilience, optimal development, multicultural competence, and holism, in order to promote the well-being of individuals, families, and the diverse systems that support them. In a two-page essay address the following:
- How you would contribute to the fulfillment of the program’s mission given your personal and professional characteristics and accomplishments, your academic background, and your experience, and
- Upon successful completion of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, how do you see yourself contributing to the profession as a clinical mental health counselor?
- Resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- Admissions interview
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
Accreditation & Licensure
Accreditation
The Online M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). To learn more about The Chicago School's institutional and programmatic accreditations, visit our Accreditation page.
Licensure
For information on whether a program at The Chicago School meets or does not meet licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit our licensure disclosures page.
CMHC Online Core Faculty
Dr. Andy Brown
Full Professor
Interim Department Chair
Dr. Tiffany Rush-Wilson
Full Professor
Program Chair for the Counselor Education Department- Online Campus
Dr. Cody Dickson
Associate Professor
Director of Clinical Training
Dr. Michelle Colarusso
Assistant Professor
Assistant Director of Clinical Training
Dr. Ami Crowley
Associate Professor
Dr. Cory Clark
Assistant Professor
Dr. DA Erickson
Associate Professor
Dr. Earl Grey
Associate Professor
Dr. Jaymie VanMeter
Associate Professor
Dr. Jeremy Enzor
Assistant Professor
Dr. Kristy Eldredge
Full Professor
Dr. Lindsey Brown McCormick
Associate Professor
Dr. Ljubica Spiro
Associate Professor
Dr. Mike Saussaye
Associate Professor
Dr. Omar Troutman
Associate Professor
Dr. Ruth Ouzts Moore
Associate Professor
Dr. Scott Lipp
Assistant Professor
Dr. Shanel Johnson
Assistant Professor
Dr. Victoria Liu
Associate Professor
Fieldwork Opportunities
Practicum and internship, sometimes referred to as fieldwork experiences, provides for the application of theory and the development of counseling skills under supervision. These experiences offer opportunities for students in the M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program to counsel and provide other professional services to diverse clientele in their communities. Each student in the online master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is responsible for identifying potential practicum/internship sites. Students are encouraged first to assess their counseling and professional interests, training needs, and goals (e.g., populations, settings, clinical presentations, and professional activities of interest). Then, students will tap into their existing personal and professional networks to learn of sites that provide clinical mental health counseling services. In addition, they may: use websites of local, state, and national professional organizations; network with other human services organizations in their communities; and/or talk with the CMHC Director to brainstorm additional routes to site development.
Typically, Clinical Mental Health Counseling students complete their practicum and internship at the same site. During the practicum course (two 7-week terms), students complete a supervised practicum experience at an approved site with an approved clinical supervisor for a minimum of 100 hours. The practicum course is comprised of the on-site clinical counseling supervised experience, and students must participate in group supervision, which meets weekly throughout the entirety of the semester, as well as coursework. Online Mental Health Counseling degree students will practice foundational counseling skills and, over time, integrate more advanced skills through practice in classes, supervised recorded sessions, and direct service at their sites. Moreover, the practicum experience often focuses on the personal qualities needed to develop genuine and effective counseling relationships with a wide range of clientele. As such, Clinical Mental Health Counseling students learn self-assessment skills as well as how to understand clients’ worldviews.
After successfully completing the practicum course in our M.A. Mental Health Counseling online program, students will enroll in Internship 1. During the Internship 1 course (two 7-week terms) of the online master’s in Mental Health Counseling program, students complete the next level of supervised internship experience at an approved site with an approved clinical supervisor, for a minimum of 300 hours to further develop their individual and group counseling skills. The Internship 1 course is comprised of the on-site clinical counseling supervised experience, and students must participate in site and group supervision, which meets weekly throughout the semester, as well as coursework.
Following successful completion of Internship 1 in the master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling online program, students will enroll in Internship 2. During the Internship 2 course (two 7-week terms) of the online master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, students complete a more advanced level of supervised Internship experience at an approved site with an approved clinical supervisor, for a minimum of 300 hours to further develop their individual and group counseling skills. The Internship 2 course is comprised of the on-site clinical counseling supervised experience, and students must participate in site and group supervision, which meets weekly throughout the semester, as well as coursework. The internship in our online Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs is intended to reflect the comprehensive work experience of a clinical mental health counselor, and students will participate in the full range of roles and responsibilities available at their sites.
Note the practicum and internship experiences in the online CMHC programs are conducted under the direction of a qualified on-site supervisor, and the minimum total number of hours accrued is 700 (i.e. 100 practicum hours + 300 Internship 1 hours + 300 Internship 2 hours = 700 total hours). An advanced internship course is available to M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling students needing a full year of field work or 900 hours of internship to complete the necessary course work for counseling licensure in certain states.
Transfer of credit for the practicum/internship is not granted and practicum/internship requirements are never waived. Further details regarding practicum and internship are available from the CMHC Director of Clinical Training.
Students registered in the online M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program incur a one-time $195 Experiential Learning Technology Fee.
Sample Courses
The courses offered in our online master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are designed to equip students with a comprehensive skill set for effective counseling. Through these courses, students will gain in-depth knowledge and practical skills in counseling theories, diagnosis, and lifespan development, ensuring they are well-prepared to address diverse mental health issues in various clinical settings.
Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
The course reviews basic theories, principles, and techniques of counseling and psychotherapy, as well as applications to a variety of therapeutic settings. The course also focuses on personal theory construction, bias embedded in theory, and cultural diversity.
Diagnosis of Mental Health Issues
This course addresses the general principles of etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders. Major definitions and descriptions of psychological phenomena as categorized and classified by the DSM diagnostic system are covered. This course includes models of mental status assessment as well as the application of how cultural factors influence mental health.
Lifespan Development
This course examines typical development from infancy through advanced age, focusing on the development of perceptual and cognitive processes, psychosocial roles, and familial interpersonal processes. Current clinical approaches are examined from diverse theoretical viewpoints and in light of recent research findings. Cultural diversity and individual differences are integral to this course.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Career Pathways
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at The Chicago School is committed to educational experiences that provide clinical training for a variety of clinical mental health counseling careers, such as:
- Couples/family counseling
- Social service and mental health agencies
- College counseling centers
- Non-profit organizations
- Private practice
Focusing on three core areas of ethical practice, multiculturalism/social justice, and advanced clinical practice, the program prepares students to work with a range of diverse clientele, including those within underserved communities. Read “Careers You Can Pursue With a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling” to learn more.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online FAQs
What can I expect from the master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling online program at The Chicago School?
Our online CMHC master's program is designed to offer a comprehensive education in mental health counseling. The program combines rigorous coursework with supervised clinical training to prepare you to help clients with various mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, grief, stress, relationship issues, and suicidal ideation. This flexible online program is tailored for working adults, allowing you to balance your studies with other commitments while receiving personalized advice from dedicated faculty members.
Is counseling an in-demand career path?
The field of counseling is growing at an extremely rapid rate, with the employment rate projected to grow by 19% from 2023 to 2033. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is much higher than the average for other occupations. Pursuing an online master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling would create lucrative job prospects post-graduation.
How long does it take to complete the online master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling?
Our master's degree program can be completed in less than four years. This timeframe includes practical training through fieldwork, such as practicum and internship experiences, ensuring you are fully prepared for a career in mental health counseling upon graduation. These hands-on experiences will help build your resume, making your qualifications more valuable to potential employers.
Is The Chicago School's Clinical Mental Health Counseling online master's program accredited?
Yes, it is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This accreditation ensures that the program meets high standards in terms of curriculum, faculty qualifications, and student support, preparing you effectively for licensure and professional practice.
What are the program outcomes for the master's in Mental Health Counseling?
According to recent data, the online program has a completion rate of 68%, a licensure examination pass rate of 91%, and a job placement rate of 76.9% within one year of graduation.
What fieldwork opportunities are available for the online Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs?
There are extensive fieldwork opportunities through practicum and internship experiences for the online M.A. in CMHC program. These experiences allow students to apply theoretical knowledge and develop counseling skills under supervision. Practicum requires a minimum of 100 hours, while Internship 1 and Internship 2 each require 300 hours. Students typically complete these experiences at the same site, gaining comprehensive exposure to Clinical Mental Health Counseling roles and responsibilities.
Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online Experience
As an online Clinical Mental Health Counseling student at The Chicago School, you will benefit from an innovative learning environment in the digital space. You can enjoy the convenience of online didactic learning while still receiving in-person networking opportunities and practice-based field experiences. This flexible learning model is ideal for the working professional earning their degree while still tending to life’s other responsibilities.
The online learning platform, Canvas, holds all the components you will need to successfully complete your online Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. There, you can find your coursework and assignments, interact with fellow students, and ask questions of your instructor.
Programmatic Assessment Reports
2023-2024 CACREP Vital Statistics Report
2023-2024 MA CMHC Annual Report
2022-2023 CACREP Vital Statistics Report
2021 CACREP Vital Statistics Report
2020 CACREP Vital Statistics Report
2019 CACREP Vital Statistics Report
2018 CACREP Vital Statistics Report
2020-2021 MA CMHC Annual Report
2019-2020 MA CMHC Annual Report
Financing Your Education
The Chicago School is dedicated to keeping our professional degree programs accessible to anyone regardless of financial status. In addition to the scholarships that may be available, our Financial Aid Department will provide you with information to determine what financial arrangements are right for you.
Mental & Behavioral Health Professionals Tuition Rate
The Mental and Behavioral Health Professionals Tuition Rate has been established to support mental and behavioral health professionals who aim to better serve their clients and the community through advanced education and training. Students may be eligible for special tuition rates and/or additional institutional aid.
