Grand Canyon University : Master's Degree in Counseling (Affordable Program with No Out of State Tuition)
Northwestern University : Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Lamar University : Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (100% Online, Affordable Tuition, Study on Your Time)
University of West Alabama : Online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Flexible online environment)
Concordia University - St. Paul : Trauma, Resilience, and Self-care Strategies (MAHS and Certificate programs available. 100% Online. No GRE/GMAT required. HLC Accredited.)Overview of Online Master's in Mental Health Counseling Degrees
A master's in mental health counseling will enable you to learn the skills and tactics necessary to provide individual therapy. As such, you will be able to learn to spot symptoms of mental illness, learn treatment models, and identify specific strategies you can deploy to help individuals improve their lives and be happier. Depending on your specialty and particular interests, you may be more interested in specializing in some therapy regions or working in specific environments, such as a private practice, school, non-profit, or consulting firm.
Fortunately, many of the skills and information you need to learn to obtain a master's in mental health counseling lend themselves to online classes and asynchronous learning. This includes information on how to make a proper diagnosis, counseling ethics, group counseling, and research. Some components of a master's in mental health counseling program, like fieldwork, require an in-person environment, but this is a relatively small component of an overall master's degree program.
Most Affordable Online Master's in Mental Health Counseling Degrees
One of the most important factors when selecting a school is finding the most affordable online master's in mental health counseling program. Even with online schools, finding the most affordable online master's program can be demanding, as obtaining a master's degree in any circumstance can be expensive. As such, you want to find a school that offers low tuition and generous financial aid options.
Tips for Funding an Online Master's in Mental Health Counseling Degree
If you want to find the most affordable online master's in mental health counseling program, you'll want to make sure that you research what school is most affordable. As such, consider the following tips on finding such a degree.
- Don't apply without first speaking with the school about financial aid options. If possible, request a meeting or a phone call with their office of financial assistance, and get a better idea about what sort of aid you might be able to obtain.
- Try to identify local alums and ask about their experience with financial aid at the school.
- Search for local, statewide, or national scholarships that can help reduce the cost of your tuition.
- Speak with your undergraduate school about financial aid options.
- Make sure to understand whether or not a school can help you get a job and pass your license exam after you graduate. After all, nothing is more useless than a master's degree that doesn't help you find employment in the real world.
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements | Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon University Master's Degree in Counseling HLC and NASAC Accredited | ✔ 100% Online Over 14 Specializations Available | Affordable with No Out of State Tuition Learn More |
| Northwestern University Online MA in Counseling  CACREP Accredited | ✔ Online GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required | Prepare to pursue licensure in as few as 18 months Learn MoreFull-time, part-time, and accelerated track options available |
| Lamar University Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling SACSCOC Accredited | ✔ Online No GRE Required Minimum 3.25 Undergrad GPA | This online degree program prepares you with knowledge, training and practical experience to guide persons coping with substance abuse, marriage, family, career and other emotional issues through difficulties by giving them tools and techniques to manage their lives and decisions. Learn More |
| University of West Alabama Online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | ✔ Online Personalized education | The University of West Alabama's Online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is an online graduate counseling program in a flexible online environment. Learn More |
| Concordia University - St. Paul Trauma, Resilience, and Self-care Strategies MAHS and Certificate programs available HLC Accredited | ✔ Online No GMAT or GRE Required | Help professionals challenged with crisis-heavy professions and those who have been deeply affected by traumatic experiences. Programs include a 15-credit graduate certificate that can be completed in 10 months, and a Masters degree with an emphasis in human service trauma, resilience, and self-care that can be completed over 22 months. Learn More |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
Accreditation
Looking for the most affordable online master's in mental health counseling program is unquestionably important, and you want to make sure that you are doing everything you can to keep your expenses low. However, you need to make sure that you find a program that is going to serve you. To do this, you should make sure that you find a program that has been accredited.
Accreditation comes from CACREP, the accrediting body that certifies that master's in mental health programs meet minimum standards and can ensure that graduating students will learn the skills necessary to pass their licensure test and thrive in the real world. These standards are relatively rigorous and deal with various factors, including academic standards and the qualifications of professors.
It's important to note that they also apply to online schools. Thus, if you are worried about the quality of your online school, you can check and see if they are accredited. Doing so will allow you to confirm that it meets the minimum standards for academic excellence.
Types of Online Master's in Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs
Different schools offer different concentrations in mental health counseling, and you should check to see what sort of concentrations a school you are applying to may offer. These concentrations will allow you to gain specialized knowledge in a specific area, although the degree you earn is still the same.
Concentrations include:
- Addiction
- Clinical counseling
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- School or Educational counseling
- Student development
- Community care
Common Courses for Online Master's in Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs
As with all programs, attending different schools will result in your ability to take other courses for your master's degree. However, many courses are relatively common within this field. These include:
- Diagnoses and identifying psychopathology
- Counseling interventions and ethics
- Human development
- Cultural foundations and influences
- Group counseling
- Statistics and research
- Independent study
Grand Canyon University - Master's Degree in Counseling (NASAC Accredited)
Northwestern University - Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Lamar University - Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (SACSCOC Accredited)
University of West Alabama - Online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (SACSCC Accredited)
Concordia University - St. Paul - Trauma, Resilience, and Self-care StrategiesHow to Choose a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Program
Many factors go into choosing the best online master’s in mental health counseling program. These include:
- Academic excellence: There is no question that you should pursue a master’s at a school that provides you with a rigorous background and academic excellence. This means that the professors are masters-level or higher and have strong educational experiences in their teaching subjects.
- Real-world connections: A master’s degree will only do you good if you can use it to become employed or enroll in a Ph. D. level program. A program should help you earn a field placement, get your license, and ensure that you can use your degree to advance your career.
- Financial assistance and overall cost: As a graduate student, there is no question that you will be looking for the most affordable online master’s in mental health counseling program. However, the meaning of this affordability can vary. On the one hand, you want to ensure that the program offers you appropriate tuition assistance. Even affordable programs may be out of your financial reach, so you’ll want to ensure that the school can help you get scholarships, aid, or loans that will allow you to pay tuition and get your master’s.
- Flexibility: One of the benefits of any online master’s program is its flexibility. This flexibility should allow you to take classes at night and on weekends to keep working or raising a family. Furthermore, many online master’s programs allow you to take asynchronous courses, meaning you can watch lectures on your own time. This flexibility may be ideal if you are working while getting your master’s degree.
Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Degree Salary and Career Outcomes
There is good news for anyone interested in earning their online master’s degree: You will have various career options and the opportunity to make a solid salary.
First, in terms of careers. Individuals who earn a master’s in mental health counseling can work in many different careers. This includes:
- Therapist in private practice.
- Therapists in public settings, such as schools, government centers, or prisons.
- Consultant for private workforce development.
- Social worker.
- Counselor for various specialties, including geriatrics, pediatrics, or addiction therapy.
- Military counselor.
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the salary for individuals who become Mental Health Counselors is $48,250. This salary is from May 2021, and given the rate of inflation, it seems likely that these numbers have only increased since then.
Furthermore, the area shows robust job growth, with the need for mental health counselors expected to rise 23% over the next six years. This is due to various factors, including shortages in the field and increasing rates of mental illness.
It is essential to consider these shortages when deciding to become a mental health counselor. In general, labor shortages tend to lead to higher pay. This would imply that the pay rate for becoming a mental health counselor will continue to rise in the future.
REFERENCES:
[1] https://lockhaven.edu/cmhc/
[2] https://www.cacrep.org/accreditation/
[4] https://catalog.upenn.edu/graduate/programs/counseling-mental-health-services-msed/
