Program Overview

Choose Excellence with a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online

Prepare to become a mental health counselor in a flexible online program and receive hands-on learning in the field. William James College's online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is a 60 credit program that combines asynchronous and synchronous courses with in person field education and on-campus residencies over the summer to give you the flexibility of an online program along with the benefits of in person experiences.

This online master's in clinical mental health counseling can be completed in 2.5–3 years depending on your term of entry. Most courses are seven weeks and asynchronous for fall and spring. There are two required on-campus residencies during the summer and a weekly synchronous online course throughout Years II and III that is a component of your field education.

Your coursework in the online master's program is complemented by closely supervised clinical field experiences where you are able to put into practice what you're learning and deepen your understanding of topics covered in your courses.

The fieldwork takes place over four semesters beginning in the fall. You’ll have the opportunity to work as a practicum student and complete a minimum of 360 hours and as an intern and complete a minimum of 600 hours. You will gain knowledge and skills to enhance your education and to prepare you for your professional career.

Upon graduation, you will have fulfilled all the educational and pre-master’s field experience requirements to qualify for the license as a mental health counselor (LMHC) in Massachusetts and many other states.

Want to learn more? Request info here.

Loading...

Clicking the "Submit" button constitutes your express written consent to be called and/or texted by William James College at the number(s) you provided, regarding furthering your education. You understand that these calls may be generated using an automated technology. View our Privacy Policy here.

Ready to Apply?

New Cohorts Begin Every Fall (late August) and Spring (January)

Start Here

We also offer an on-campus version of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's program. The core curriculum and field education requirements are similar; however, there are some differences. If this is something you might be interested in, you can read about the on-campus MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

What is Clinical Mental Health Counseling?

According to the American Counseling Association, “Professional counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals. Counselors work with clients on strategies to overcome obstacles and personal challenges that they are facing." The practice of professional counseling is regulated by the states and territories in the United States, defining the scope of practice for counselors.

As a professional counselor, or LMHC, who has completed our online degree, you can provide psychotherapy, assessment, consultation, research, supervision, education, and training.

Choose Real-World Learning with Experiential Education

Field placement is a transformational aspect of our educational model and is incorporated into our online master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. In your practicum experience, you will begin by shadowing and observing mental health professionals. When you are ready, you will join in performing intakes, co-leading groups, participating in milieu therapy, and in some cases, conducting individual therapy sessions by the end of the second semester.

The internship experience, which is a minimum of 600 hours prepares you to function as a clinical mental health counselor under supervision, carrying your own case load of individual clients, leading groups, conducting intakes, and using other modalities depending on the setting. This work is done under the supervision of a licensed approved field supervisor.

William James College has a dedicated Licensed Mental Health Counselor on our Field Education team to provide individualized help in finding practicum and internship placements regardless of your location. She works with online students who are enrolled in our online master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program to ensure all requirements are met for licensure in the state where you intend to practice. If you live locally, we have affiliations with over 175 organizations that provide services to different populations in Massachusetts and other states in New England. 

The field placement experience includes small clinical seminars with a faculty supervisor and maximum of eight students. This course is offered online and is synchronous each week, which means there is a dedicated class time to meet together, share experiences, and enhance your field education. The faculty supervisor maintains close contact with your site supervisor to ensure you have the best education and skills training on-site and in your courses.

"In a world where mental health services are increasingly needed, choosing this career means that you become an integral part of creating a better society. You will use your assessment and counseling skills to bring clarity to situations and to help others become empowered to change their own lives and the lives of others." —Nilda M. Laboy, PsyD Chair, Counseling Department

Choose Impact with a Commitment to Social Responsibility

Our online master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is rooted in social justice, respect for diversity, and multicultural perspective. Our approach is woven through our entire curriculum and training model. We recruit, train, mentor, and prepare professionals who are committed to delivering culturally responsive care to meet a growing need in an increasingly diverse society.

Our online clinical mental health counseling students also have the option to choose to participate in a co-curricular, college-wide concentration in Military and Veterans Psychology to enhance their studies and expand their learning. This concentration will give you the opportunity to dedicate part of your training to gaining focused understanding to support military servicemembers, veterans, and their families,  while also connecting with students and faculty across the College who share similar academic interests.

All students in the online master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling participate exclusively in the general track of the program. The areas of emphasis are not offered in the online program.

Choose Community Connectivity, Support and Student Life

The William James College community is supportive and connected. Our Dean of Students Office offers regular programming, in person and online, for all students, and oversees our Academic Resource Center. Student leadership and student groups create more opportunities for engagement, and we are proud to be home to the William James College Black Mental Health Graduate Academy, a community for Black students enrolled in our doctoral and master’s degree programs, that provides mentorship and networking opportunities.

Choose Mentorship and Personal Growth

As a student in the online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, you will engage with faculty through education, research, mentorship, and training. All students work closely with an advisor on course planning, personal and professional development, and career goals. In our online master's program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, you will be assigned an advisor during orientation.  Each advisor only has 12 students assigned to them, allowing you to get a more dedicated and personal experience.

Our clinical mental health counseling faculty members represent expertise across many domains of counseling including forensics, marriage and family therapy, health and behavioral medicine, diversity and multiculturalism, substance use and addictions, and more.

William James College faculty are practicing professionals who bring their clinical expertise and real-world examples into the classroom. They pair this experience with empirically based research, teaching you nuances, protocols, and interventions, that prepare you for your field work as a student and for your career as a future clinical mental health counselor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can! At William James College we offer both an online and on-campus master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Learn more about the on-campus MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that is located in Newton, Massachusetts.

Yes! Our online program is uniquely designed to make sure you are prepared for your professional career. The fieldwork takes place over two years. As a student, you’ll have the opportunity to work as a practicum student and complete a minimum of 360 hours, and as an intern and complete a minimum of 600 hours. We have a team of two full-time staff in our Field Education Office who will walk you through the process, from resume and cover letter preparation, to selection of sites for application, to interview process, to ensuring that your experience complies with your state regulations for LMHC requirements.

The online MA is a 2.5–3 year program and all courses are 7 weeks long, unless otherwise specified. All clinical seminars are offered live, remotely via Zoom on a weekly basis. The Career Counseling Course is offered in a blended format, requiring two full days over a weekend of live instruction via Zoom. The Diversity and Group courses require time in person during the first residency, which lasts two full weeks. The second summer in the program, you will attend a required four-day residency for preparation for both the internship experience and the comprehensive examination. You can learn more about the courses here.

This online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program fulfills all the educational and pre-master’s field experience requirements to qualify for the license as a mental health counselor (LMHC) in many states. Learn more about LMHC licensure here.