Author: Kyra Sutherland
Expertise: Graduate Ed.Online LearningStudent SuccessEditor: Jordan Cosselman
- Featured Schools
Inside Real Online Programs in Mental Health Counseling
Read more - Degree Benefits
Advantages of Earning an Online Master's in Mental Health Counseling
Read more - What You'll Learn
What You'll Learn in an Online Mental Health Counseling Degree at the Master's Level
Read more - Accreditation
Accreditation for Online Mental Health Counseling Degrees
Read more - Salary/Pay
Mental Health Counseling Salary Outlook with a Master's Degree
Read more - Top Programs
Best Online Master's in Mental Health Counseling Programs
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An online master’s in mental health counseling can unlock your license to practice anywhere in the U.S. It also gives you the skills to help people emotionally, mentally, therapeutically, and behaviorally.
Which schools have the right curriculum, flexible online programs, and a cost structure that works for you? Start by reading the inside details of popular programs, then dive into everything you need to know before pursuing your master’s.
Featured Online Programs in Mental Health Counseling
New York University
- Degree: Online MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
- Credits: 60 hours | Full- or part-time enrollment
- Duration: 2 years (full-time)
- Accreditation: MPCAC
This program from NYU combines core coursework with internship opportunities covering group dynamics, ethical issues, theory and process, and abnormal psychology.
Elective options include:
- Bereavement counseling
- Marriage and family counseling
- Addiction counseling
- Career counseling
Each student completes a counseling lab to build basic skills and self-awareness. The lab is a prerequisite to the practicum, which is a prerequisite for internships. A New York license in clinical mental health counseling is required to legally practice.
John Hopkins University
- Degree: Online MS in Counseling
- Credits: 60 credits + 600 hours of internship
- Duration: Up to 5 years to complete
John Hopkins University offers a master’s with a specialization in clinical mental health and prepares students to become advocates in the counseling industry.
Admission requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- At least two letters of recommendation
Students learn to assess needs, develop treatment goals, and counsel individuals from diverse backgrounds. The curriculum also covers group facilitation and evidence-based practice evaluation.
University of Massachusetts, Boston
- Degree: Online MS in Mental Health Counseling
- Credits: 60 hours online + 2-week on-campus intensive
- Focus: Prepares students for Massachusetts licensure requirements
The program delivers core knowledge and skills in the first semester to prepare students for practicum and internship requirements in year two. Various concentrations are available.
3 Key Advantages of an Online Mental Health Counseling Master’s
The most important advantage: a master’s degree is required to obtain a counseling license. A bachelor’s degree alone does not qualify you to practice. Beyond that, however, earning your master’s in mental health counseling online offers several other key benefits:
1. Furthering Your Career
A master’s opens pathways to specialization and advanced positions in mental healthcare — and can boost your salary significantly.
2. Flexibility
Complete coursework on your own schedule, from anywhere. Most programs also allow local practicums and internships so you can maintain work-life balance.
3. Cost Savings
Online students often pay in-state tuition rates regardless of where they live. Add in savings on commuting and relocation, and online programs can be considerably more affordable.
What You’ll Learn in an Online Mental Health Counseling Master’s Program
Expect to study a broad range of topics that prepare you to assess, diagnose, and counsel individuals from diverse populations.
- Substance abuse and addiction treatment
- Human development and personality
- Abnormal psychology
- Group counseling
- Crisis, trauma, and suicide intervention
- Assessment and testing
- Ethics and legal issues
- Prevention, treatment, and program management
- Psychopharmacology basics
Here’s a closer look at five core courses you’ll likely encounter:
Substance Abuse and Addictions
Learn to examine and diagnose multiple substance addictions across varying populations. Topics include addictive behavior, effects of various drugs, therapeutic treatment options, and the impact of addiction on family members.
Counseling Families and Couples
Review family system dynamics, theories, and techniques. Covers theoretical foundations and the ethical and legal issues involved in family counseling. Some schools offer specialized courses on marriage and parenting.
Crisis, Trauma, and Suicide
An introduction to crisis management concepts, theories, and principles. You’ll learn modern techniques for managing crises in community, family, school, and individual settings, including resolution and prevention strategies.
Counseling Skills
Introduces the skills, techniques, and processes for establishing a basic counseling relationship. Covers the attitudes and skills of effective counselors and how to guide clients through the helping process.
Social and Cultural Counseling
Examines how culture, ethnicity, age, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, religious values, and other identity factors shape the counseling relationship and affect client needs.
Concentration Options
Most programs let you choose a concentration or specialization. Common options include:
Addiction Counseling
Focus on identifying triggers, building action plans, managing relapses, and repairing family relationships.
Rehabilitation Counseling
Work with clients disabled by accident or disease; help them find emotional support and new paths to productivity.
Mental Health and Wellness Counseling
Support emotional wellness; guide individuals toward their strengths and develop coping strategies.
Marriage and Family Counseling
Facilitate improved communication within family units; address relationship conflicts with objectivity and sensitivity.
Career Counseling
Help clients identify aptitudes and interests; support job searches in schools, businesses, and community agencies.
Accreditation: What to Look For
Accreditation is essential. It determines whether your degree will qualify you for licensure. You can usually find accreditation information on the school’s website. If not, call and ask.
Key accrediting organizations for mental health counseling programs include:
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) — the most widely recognized for counseling programs
- Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC)
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (NCATE)
- National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
Most importantly: Confirm that your chosen school’s accreditation will allow you to obtain a license in the state where you plan to practice.
Mental Health Counseling Salary Outlook with a Master’s Degree
A master’s in mental health counseling is the foundational credential for licensed counseling practice, opening doors to work in community mental health centers, hospitals, substance abuse treatment facilities, schools, and private practice. Graduates support clients managing depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, and behavioral health challenges — often specializing in a particular population or clinical approach. The degree is required for licensure in most states.
Compensation in mental health counseling varies by setting, with healthcare systems and private practice typically offering stronger salaries than community nonprofits. Earnings grow with licensure level, specialization, and years of experience.
Explore the salary table below to see counselor earnings by state, and get a realistic picture of the financial landscape across different mental health career paths.
Mental Health Counselors
| Area | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $59,350 | $76,530 | $97,590 |
| Alabama | $47,310 | $62,670 | $76,510 |
| Alaska | $80,770 | $97,960 | $114,650 |
| Arizona | $65,300 | $78,110 | $95,210 |
| Arkansas | $51,580 | $67,240 | $100,270 |
| California | $59,250 | $80,570 | $111,080 |
| Colorado | $62,390 | $80,980 | $100,020 |
| Connecticut | $63,590 | $80,040 | $99,540 |
| Delaware | $56,020 | $64,790 | $80,710 |
| District of Columbia | $60,450 | $83,570 | $107,980 |
| Florida | $56,790 | $73,030 | $84,410 |
| Georgia | $58,960 | $72,500 | $90,980 |
| Hawaii | $60,090 | $77,200 | $104,790 |
| Idaho | $63,360 | $81,800 | $98,760 |
| Illinois | $60,730 | $80,070 | $109,100 |
| Indiana | $53,760 | $66,340 | $83,200 |
| Iowa | $60,880 | $77,220 | $102,890 |
| Kansas | $59,470 | $73,630 | $85,860 |
| Kentucky | $54,190 | $72,590 | $83,070 |
| Louisiana | $37,910 | $55,370 | $65,720 |
| Maine | $59,970 | $73,410 | $89,220 |
| Maryland | $59,530 | $73,220 | $91,980 |
| Massachusetts | $59,890 | $76,950 | $96,200 |
| Michigan | $61,690 | $77,650 | $94,400 |
| Minnesota | $58,780 | $65,430 | $77,320 |
| Mississippi | $46,990 | $58,560 | $77,310 |
| Missouri | $56,910 | $72,280 | $89,400 |
| Montana | $59,000 | $74,010 | $83,640 |
| Nebraska | $63,770 | $81,740 | $109,610 |
| Nevada | $57,210 | $77,120 | $98,010 |
| New Hampshire | $54,840 | $69,420 | $81,050 |
| New Jersey | $62,820 | $81,900 | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $74,100 | $89,800 | $113,420 |
| New York | $59,450 | $73,710 | $90,590 |
| North Carolina | $55,490 | $68,610 | $86,010 |
| North Dakota | $68,630 | $77,320 | $86,630 |
| Ohio | $58,360 | $68,850 | $83,730 |
| Oklahoma | $59,350 | $79,620 | $92,870 |
| Oregon | $74,590 | $86,800 | $102,830 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,010 | $65,280 | $81,970 |
| Rhode Island | $65,120 | $79,300 | $98,440 |
| South Carolina | $52,370 | $65,070 | $81,420 |
| South Dakota | $53,650 | $62,660 | $67,010 |
| Tennessee | $49,580 | $61,160 | $76,620 |
| Texas | $62,630 | $79,200 | $95,910 |
| Utah | $63,890 | $93,560 | $106,080 |
| Vermont | $61,810 | $72,020 | $80,690 |
| Virginia | $59,880 | $77,870 | $100,040 |
| Washington | $68,910 | $90,970 | $110,580 |
| West Virginia | $49,430 | $61,560 | $73,360 |
| Wisconsin | $62,220 | $77,520 | $94,640 |
| Wyoming | $62,980 | $80,310 | $103,150 |
Source: BLS, OEWS, May 2025
Showing 1 – 10 of 52 entries | Data reflects national numbers, not school-specific information.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Earning a master’s in mental health counseling requires a significant financial commitment. The good news? Many schools offer scholarships, work-study programs, fellowships, and governmental grants. Employer tuition assistance may also be available.
| Program | Credits | Cost per Credit | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Massachusetts, Boston | 60 | $770 | $46,200 |
| New York University | 60 | $1,867 | $112,020 |
| John Hopkins University | 60 | $882 | $52,920 |