Clinical Training for Today’s Counseling Practice
The Chicago School’s online M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program combines rigorous CACREP-accredited coursework with supervised clinical training designed to prepare you for counseling licensure.
You will develop competence in core counseling areas, including:
- Ethics
- Diagnosis
- Assessment
- Research
- Career development
- Counseling theory
- Intervention
Along the way, you will also explore community-based care, prevention, early intervention, and trauma-informed practice.
Our program balances training across in-person, hybrid, and virtual care settings, preparing you for the evolving demands of clinical work.
Telehealth Training
Telehealth preparation is integrated throughout the curriculum through live labs, learning activities, and other experiential activities connected to our Virtual Clinical Training Center (VCTC). Taught and supervised by faculty who are board-certified telebehavioral health practitioners, this training prepares you for the virtual care skills and ethical considerations involved in today’s counseling practice.
You can deepen that preparation through the Telebehavioral Health elective, a required course for students who wish to apply for clinical placement in the VCTC to build experience serving clients with real counseling needs.
In-Person Training
Throughout the program, you will work with diverse client populations and gain experience delivering counseling services under the supervision of qualified clinical professionals.
These clinical experiences take place in your own community, giving you the opportunity to build professional connections in local counseling settings. Through practicum and internship, you will gain at least 700 supervised clinical hours as part of your licensure preparation.
CACREP-Accredited Curriculum
The 
M.A Clinical Mental Health Counseling online program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), 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 for 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
| Institutional Learning Outcomes | CACREP Program Objective |
|---|---|
| Professional Practice: Graduates will be able to demonstrate attainment in the areas of competency (as reflected in knowledge, skills, and attitudes) required by their area of education and training. Examples include evaluation, intervention, consultation, teaching, and supervision. | To provide students with the appropriate academic preparation, clinical experiences, and personal growth opportunities that they can then apply in their work as professional counselors, educators, and supervisors. |
| Diversity: Graduates will respect the value and dignity of individuals and groups across all cultural contexts, and advocate for inclusion and equity. They will demonstrate intercultural competence in domestic and international contexts with people who have ideas, beliefs, worldviews, experiences, and behaviors that are different from their own. | To attract, enroll and retain a diverse group of students to create and systemically support an inclusive learning community and emphasize contemporary competencies in all aspects of professional practice with the overarching goal of mitigating social injustices and inequities. |
| Professional Behavior: Graduates will be able to demonstrate by their values, beliefs, and behaviors adherence to the highest ethical and professional standards in their personal and professional lives. | To create a culture of accountability in which all students are expected to maintain high professional standards for ethical behavior, academic performance, clinical skill development, interpersonal relationships, professional attitudes, and personal character. |
| Scholarship: Graduates will be able to integrate scientific research and theory, as broadly defined, to enhance their professional and scholarly endeavors. | To prepare a doctoral-level community of practitioner/scholars to create and utilize scholarly research in physical and virtual environments. |
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
Send materials to:
Admissions Operations
c/o The Chicago School
400 S. Jefferson St., Suite 2500
Chicago, IL 60607
For electronic delivery, send to [email protected].
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/Staff Roles
Dr. Andy Brown
Full Professor
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
Assistant Director of Clinical Training
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
Finding a Practicum or Internship Site
Practicum and internship, sometimes referred to as fieldwork experiences, give students the opportunity to apply counseling theory, develop clinical skills, and provide services to diverse clients under supervision. These fieldwork experiences take place at approved sites in students’ communities and are completed under the direction of qualified clinical supervisors.
Each student in the M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling online program is responsible for identifying potential practicum/internship sites. Students are encouraged 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.
They may also use existing personal and professional networks, local and national counseling organizations, community agencies, online research, and consultation with the program’s Director of Clinical Training to identify potential sites. Most students complete practicum and internship at the same site when possible.
Practicum: 100 Hours
During practicum (two seven-week terms), students complete a minimum of 100 hours at an approved site with an approved clinical supervisor. The practicum course includes supervised on-site clinical counseling experience with direct clients, individual in-person site supervision, and weekly university supervision throughout two terms, and related 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.
Internship 1: 300 Hours
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 seven-week terms) of the online master’s in Clinical 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 includes supervised on-site individual site supervision, university group supervision throughout the two terms, and related coursework.
Internship 2: 300 Hours
Internship 2 (two seven-week terms) builds on the previous fieldwork training and provides a more advanced level of supervised internship experience. Students will complete a minimum of 300 supervised hours to further develop their individual and group counseling skills.
The Internship 2 course includes supervised on-site clinical counseling experience, weekly group supervision throughout the semester, and related coursework. The internship in our Clinical Mental Health Counseling online program 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.
Total Clinical Fieldwork Hours
In total, students complete a total of 700 supervised hours. Students complete 100 practicum hours (40 direct + 60 indirect) 300 Internship 1 hours (120 direct, 180 indirect) and 300 Internship 2 hours (120 direct, 180 indirect) for a total of 700 hours.
Transfer Credit and Waiver Policy
Students must complete all practicum and internship requirements through The Chicago School. Transfer credit is not accepted for practicum or internship, and these requirements cannot be waived. Additional details are available from the CMHC Director of Clinical Training.
Experiential Learning Technology Fee
Students registered in the online M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program incur a one-time 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
- Nonprofit organizations
- Private practice
- Telehealth counseling
Focusing on three core areas of ethical practice, multiculturalism/social justice, and advanced clinical practice, the CMHC 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 17% from 2024-2034. 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 do I become an online counselor?
To become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and provide therapy sessions online through telehealth, the requirements are generally the same as providing therapy sessions in person. Earn a master’s degree, complete clinical supervision, and apply for certification in the state you’d like to practice. To become an online counselor, it is not required, but you can also pursue the Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider credentialing.
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 licensure can I pursue after completing the online CMHC program?
Licensure titles vary by state. Many graduates pursue the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential, or its state equivalent, as the entry point to practice, followed by an independent practice credential such as Illinois's Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) after completing supervised clinical hours. Because licensure requirements differ significantly by state, review our licensure disclosures page to confirm whether this program meets the requirements in your state of residence.
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.
Is the online M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP accredited?
Yes. The online program holds the same CACREP accreditation as The Chicago School's campus-based Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs. CACREP accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and does not distinguish between online and in-person delivery in its evaluation of program standards. Because licensure requirements differ by state, review our licensure disclosures page to confirm what this program meets in your state of residence.
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
2024-2025 CACREP Vital Statistics Report
2023-2024 CACREP Vital Statistics Report
2022-2023 CACREP Vital Statistics Report
2021-2022 CACREP Vital Statistics Report
2020-2021 CACREP Vital Statistics Report
2019-2020 CACREP Vital Statistics Report
2018-2019 CACREP Vital Statistics Report
2024-2025 CMHC Online Annual Report - Program Modification Addendum
2024-2025 CMHC Annual Report
2023-2024 CMHC Annual Report
2022-2023 CMHC Annual Report
2020-2021 CMHC Annual Report
2019-2020 CMHC Annual Report
2017-2018 CMHC Annual Report
2016-2017 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.
