Storm Alert | View Important Campus Information

Campuses: 888.534.7379 Online: 888.453.4737 En línea en Español: 888.960.8790 Grad School: 888.753.4737 Live Chat Chat en Vivo
Call Us Live Chat Chat en Vivo

Entering Zip will list the campuses closest to your location top to bottom.

By clicking the "Submit" button, I authorize Keiser University to make or allow the placement of recurring marketing calls, emails, and texts to me at the phone number that I have provided, including through the use of automated technology or a prerecorded or artificial voice. I understand that I am not required to provide my phone number as a condition of purchasing any property, goods, or services. Privacy Policy

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (*CACREP Accredited Program)

Make a Career Move to Mental Health and Wellness with an Advanced Counseling Program!

More Show More

Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS

You are at your best when you are helping others. You know you have a future in mental health counseling, and you’re exploring all your professional options. Whether that is in rehabilitation services for addictions or substance abuse issues or helping other achieve a more positive overall mental health, all you need is the right education, the right practicum experiences, the right skill set, and the right credential.

If you’ve been looking for the education needed to pursue a counseling career, from coursework to clinical experiences, Keiser University has your graduate degree program. Our Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offers the tools, insights, and credential you need for professional opportunities throughout the counseling field.

At a Glance

Credit Hours

60 Credit Hours

Courses

20 Courses

Months

36 - 48 Months*

Week Terms

16 Week Terms

Credit Info

Up to 12 credits of transfer credit

.

Quick Info

Counseling and leadership career opportunities in mental health facilities and more.

Types

Online with Residency

Financial Aid

Financial aid for those who qualify**

** Speak with a dedicated financial aid counselor to explore all your financial aid and funding options.

* Time to degree completion is an estimate, not intended as a guarantee, and can vary based on many case-by-case factors.

Mental Health Counseling Degree Overview

Keiser’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling provides comprehensive preparation for professional practice as a counselor in several career settings, from private practice to rehabilitation facilities. Students apply insights from classroom instruction in carefully supervised practical experiences in the field. Core coursework integrates mental health counseling theories and approaches, principles and practices of diagnosis, evidence-based treatments, and strategies for referral, prevention, and advocacy to meet the needs of diverse clients.

CACREP Accredited

Accreditation Statement

Keiser University’s Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Program Mission

The mission of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Keiser University is to provide the highest level of ethical, diagnostic, interpretive skills, and professional competence to prepare well-rounded mental health counselors for independent practice. Graduates are eligible to apply for counseling licensure in clinical mental health and work in various roles and settings.

Student First Philosophy

Featuring a “Student First” mentality, Keiser University is committed to providing the education students need to excel in their careers and their lives—whether that is in this master’s in mental health counseling or one of our many healthcare-related graduate degree programs. Our commitment to putting students first leads us to offer several learning options, including both on-campus and online delivery formats.

From addictions and substance abuse to crisis counseling, this master’s degree program for aspiring counselors offers the education and clinical experiences graduates need to pursue relevant licensures and accreditations for private practice and other career opportunities in the counseling field.

Know Your “WHY”
Commit to Graduation

Pursue a career helping others overcome personal demons or fulfilling professional dreams with a Florida-based counseling program designed to match counseling and psychotherapy insights with practical skills. Under the supervision of experienced counselors in practicum and internship clinical experiences, you will put your new-won skills to the test. From career counseling to advocating for diverse populations to helping families heal, you will develop a solid foundation for making a real difference in the lives and mental health of individuals, groups, and even whole communities.

What Can You Expect to Learn

Goals

  1. Perform the roles of a licensed counselor regarding ethical practice related to individual and group needs and based around social and cultural diversity.
  2. Utilize theories of lifespan development, career development, and relationship development to counsel across a variety of modalities.
  3. Practice active involvement in the field by developing a professional identity through counseling organizations and the development and evaluation of programs and processes to support overall wellness.
  4. Prepare for appropriate state licensure as professional counselors (i.e., LPC, LMHC).

Student Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes are used to prepare graduates through the curriculum who demonstrate evidence of being reflective practitioners and critical thinkers, and who seek to be culturally competent, respecting diverse worldviews, demonstrating self-evaluation and self-reflection strategies, and participating in the ongoing process of interpersonal skill development. Students will develop professional identities as counselors and engage as active members of their communities. Through the course curriculum students will:

  1. Cultivate an understanding of the counseling profession while developing knowledge of history, structures, standards, credentialing, and professional and ethical roles and identity as Clinical Mental Health Counselors.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse social and cultural foundations to be effective counselors.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of human growth and development across the lifespan to promote wellness.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of career development and related assessment and evaluation to effectively perform career counseling.
  5. Demonstrate skills in performing counseling and consultation processes across a range of modalities.
  6. Demonstrate skills in performing the counseling and consultation processes across individual and group work.
  7. Demonstrate critical thinking in the choice and delivery of various diagnostic processes.
  8. Demonstrate critical thinking in the use of research methods, statistical analysis, needs assessment, and program evaluation.

Program Prerequisites

  • Relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology, behavioral science, social work, human development, or related program from an accredited institution.
  • For students with a CGPA of 3.0 and above, no GRE is required to pursue this master’s in clinical mental health counseling program.

Program Modality/Method of Delivery

Students are required to attend weekly live classes ranging from 1.5 hours to 3 hours. Additional academic support provided to students include one-on-one tutoring, role playing exercises, asynchronous email and text discussions, phone call interactions, and individualized academic advisement opportunities. All faculty have regular office hours and are available throughout the week for all students. In addition, all faculty supervise the interactive and independent instructions which are submitted through Blackboard for faculty input. For further instruction on CMHC methods of instructions, please refer to the CMHC Student Handbook.

 

Program Outline

To receive a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree, students must earn 60 graduate semester credit hours. Curriculum includes:

  • Core Coursework
    Foundations of Counseling 3.0 credit hours
    Counseling Across the Lifespan 3.0 credit hours
    Counseling Skills and Techniques 3.0 credit hours
    Counseling Theories and Practice 3.0 credit hours
    Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling 3.0 credit hours
    Group Theories and Practice 3.0 credit hours
    Career Counseling 3.0 credit hours
    Counseling Advocacy with Diverse Populations 3.0 credit hours
    Crisis Counseling 3.0 credit hours
    Assessment in Counseling 3.0 credit hours
    Research and Program Evaluation 3.0 credit hours
    Specialization Coursework
    Psychopathology and Diagnosis 3.0 credit hours
    Counseling in Community Settings 3.0 credit hours
    Couples and Family Counseling 3.0 credit hours
    Foundations of Addiction and Addictive Behavior 3.0 credit hours
    Counseling and Sexuality 3.0 credit hours
    Clinical Experiences
    Practicum in Counseling 3.0 credit hours
    Internship in Counseling I 3.0 credit hours
    Internship in Counseling II 3.0 credit hours

Career Pathways in Mental Health Counseling

Upon graduation from our on-campus or online counseling program, you will have earned a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling as well as gained the abilities you need to:

  • Provide relevant counseling services—from overcoming addictions to planning careers
  • Counsel correctly and professionally from a legal and ethical standard of care
  • Advocate for clients in matters of equity and accessibility
  • And more!

Through Keiser’s master’s degree in mental health counseling, you will gain a deeper understanding of the field of counseling for various needs, from rehabilitation services for substance abuse issues to simply helping others pursue better mental health. You will gain the insights, practical skills, and degree credential you need to pursue licensure or start down a career path toward becoming a:

  • Behavior analyst
  • Case manager
  • Clinician
  • Counselor
  • Mental health counselor
  • Social worker
  • Substance abuse counselor
  • And more!

CMHC Annual Evaluation Report

Faculty

Start Your Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Program Now!

Are you ready to take your desire to help others to the next level? Make a meaningful impact for your career goals as well as for patient mental health. Pursue your Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Keiser University. Learn more about our mental health counseling degree program today by Requesting More Info now!

Contact Us

object-img

Chat With Us

object-img

MatrĂ­culate AquĂ­

object-img

Admissions Advisor

1.888.753.4737 [email protected]
Ben Soria

"My search for a doctoral program led me to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), which listed Keiser in the top five for an online degree. After reaching out to the school for more information, I decided to go with Keiser for my doctoral journey. The class sizes and faculty stood out as deciding factors for me."

Ben Soria
Aaron Reynolds

"Education is the most important thing in every individuals life and taking one class at a time allowed me to focus. What I’d say to future students looking to come to Keiser University and being part of the Criminology program is that you’re making a good decision and it’s highly encouraged."

Aaron Reynolds
Dara Kalvort

"Keiser University taught me how to realize my full potential. You learn things that just really opens up your mind. I wound up taking a lot of these principals back to my sales team. I became the idea person. Dara, after Keiser, goes after things that she wants. And she’s not afraid."

Dara Kalvort
Anthony Oboh

"My experience at Keiser University was so incredible. I met wonderful staff and faculty who stretched me and made sure that I became the real version of who I was meant to be. The philosophies that I learned at Keiser University will help shape how I approach my new career assisting businesses become more efficient."

Anthony Oboh
Andrea Vanorio

"A relocation to Florida led me to Keiser after a poor experience at another University. I happened upon colleagues that graduated from the KU program and it came highly recommended by them. The program quality, small student to teacher ratio and a faculty support network that truly cares is the reason I chose KU!"

Andrea Vanorio
Victor Guerrero

"It was easy to transition from the military to Keiser University because the structure was similar – with one-on-one learning and everything was hands on. I graduated from Keiser with my asssociates degree in Business Administration, followed by a bachelors degree in Business Administration Management. I’m currently pursing my MBA at Keiser and plan to be a three time graduate of Keiser University!"

Victor Guerrero
Joseph Larrea

"Keiser’s commitment to their Students First philosophy made it easy for me to decide. The palpable impetus of every team member at Keiser University to serve, educate, and guide is unlike anything I have ever experienced. A truly remarkable journey!"

Joseph Larrea
Marie Boone

"I chose Keiser because it was a localuUniversity that was flexible and suited my needs as a parent and full-time RN. The weekly live interactions with the professors were a definite plus. The tuition was reasonable and less than other Universities."

Marie Boone
Patrick M. Mendez

"The biggest factor in my decision to come to Keiser was the student-centered experience. Students always come first."

Patrick M. Mendez
Jennifer Kotzur

"Keiser’s C & I program is one of the best PhD programs, offering student-center learning and the student-first learning, and providing rigor and growth needed to be prepared for my future endeavors. "

Jennifer Kotzur

Keiser Benefits

We understand that today’s students have many responsibilities and obligations in their lives. At Keiser, we deliver the same quality education through different scheduling options to accommodate busy schedules. Whether you choose day, evening, or online classes, chances are, you will find a schedule that fits yours and allows you to fulfill one of the most important commitments you can make – a commitment to your education.

Flexibility and Convenience

When you enroll in Keiser University’s programs, you can pursue your educational goals anytime and anywhere you have internet access.

One Class at a Time

You have the option of taking just one or two classes at a time, allowing you to concentrate on learning while balancing your education with work, family and other responsibilities. With our “students first” focus and small classes, you’ll receive personal attention from your instructors.

Experienced Faculty

Keiser University’s dedicated, accomplished faculty members are committed to your success. All faculty are prepared and are actively engaged in the fields they teach. You’ll benefit from their wealth of knowledge and real-world experience.

Dedicated Financial Aid Support

We are here to help guide YOU through the financial aid process to determine what type of aid you may qualify to receive to support your educational endeavors.

Accreditation

Keiser University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees. Keiser University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Keiser University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Connect with a Counselor