Top Schools for Mental Health Counseling
Mental health counselors treat patients' mental and emotional disorders through group, individual and family sessions. They might work at community centers, schools, mental healthcare facilities or hospitals or in private practice.
Leading Mental Health Counseling Programs
1. George Washington University (GWU) in Washington, D.C.
GWU, a private school founded in 1821, was chartered by the U.S. Congress. The Princeton Review named GWU one of its Best Northeastern Colleges in 2012. That same year, George Washington University was ranked 50th on the U.S. News & World Report list of top national universities.
GWU offers a master's degree program in clinical mental health counseling, which is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The university also features Ph.D., Ed.S. and post-master's certificate programs in counseling.
2. Boston College (BC) in Massachusetts
This private Roman Catholic Jesuit college, founded in 1863, was ranked 31st among national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2012. That same year, U.S. News and the Princeton Review named BC one of the country's best value schools. The Princeton Review also cited Boston College as one of the top schools in the Northeast.
BC offers a 60-hour Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling Psychology program with a concentration in mental health counseling for those who want to qualify for counselor licensing. Additionally, the college features a 48-hour M.A. in Counseling Psychology - Mental Health Counselor program for students who intend to pursue a doctoral degree. BC's Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).
3. University of Wisconsin (UW) - Madison
The University of Wisconsin is a public university that was founded in 1848. In 2012, U.S. News & World Report ranked UW 42nd among national universities and 10th among public schools. The university also was named a Best Midwestern College and a Top 10 Best Value Public College by the Princeton Review in 2012.
UW offers a terminal Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling program with a concentration in community counseling. On the doctoral level, students can enroll in the Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology program, which is APA-accredited.
Colleges With Good Mental Health Counseling Programs
| School Name | Distinction | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Boston College | Counseling faculty members specialize in various research areas, including spirituality and mental health | Boston, MA |
| Clemson University | Clinical mental health counseling courses are typically taught in the evenings | Clemson, SC |
| George Washington University | Students gain internship experience through the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Services Center | Washington, D.C. |
| Johns Hopkins University | Mental health counseling master's students take part in applied learning experiences within the community | Baltimore, MD |
| Marquette University | Clinical mental health counseling students can specialize in addiction-mental health counseling | Milwaukee, WI |
| Pennsylvania State University | Offers a master's degree program in mental health counseling with an emphasis on working with schools and communities | University Park, PA |
| St. John's University | Clinical mental health counseling master's candidates complete a minimum of three internship experiences | Queens, NY |
| University at Buffalo | M.S. program in mental health counseling admits only 10-15 students per year and uses a cohort model | Buffalo, NY |
| University of Wisconsin | Counseling programs emphasize multiculturalism and diversity | Madison, WI |
| Western Michigan University | Counseling psychology students can concentrate in holistic health | Kalamazoo, MI |
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29 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Doctorate
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Master
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- MS in Mental Health Counseling - General
- MS in Mental Health Counseling - Trauma and Crisis Counseling
- MS in Forensic Psychology - Mental Health Applications
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- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Alabama (1 campus)
- Arizona (6)
- California (26)
- Colorado (3)
- Florida (6)
- Georgia (5)
- Hawaii (2)
- Idaho (1)
- Louisiana (1)
- Michigan (2)
- New Mexico (2)
- Nevada (2)
- Ohio (1)
- Puerto Rico (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (4)
- Utah (3)
- Virginia (1)
- Wisconsin (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Doctorate
- Master
- Bachelor
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Associate
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- AA in Psychology
- AA in Health Care Administration
- AA in Health Care Administration - Electronic Health Records
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- AA in Health Care Administration - Medical Records
- Associate of Arts Foundations in Health Care Administration
- Associate of Arts Foundations in Health Care Administration/Medical Records
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- Non-Degree
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must have either two or more years of college or active military status if you are under 24 years of age
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arizona (1 campus)
- California (5)
- Colorado (1)
- Florida (2)
- Georgia (1)
- Hawaii (1)
- Illinois (2)
- Minnesota (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (1)
- Utah (1)
- Virginia (1)
- Washington (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Doctorate
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- Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology
- Doctor of Marriage & Family Therapy
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Master
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- MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- MA in Mental Health Counseling
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- MA in Clinical Psychology/Marriage & Family Therapy
- MS in Health Services Management
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- Bachelor
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Associate
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- AA in Psychology
- AAS in Medical Assisting
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must have completed 12 college credits
School locations:
- California (16 campuses)
Classroom-Based Programs
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Master
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- MA - Psychology (Professional Clinical Counseling Emphasis)
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- MA - Psychology (MFT and PCC Combination)
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Doctorate
- Master
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must be 22 years of age or have active military status
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Bachelor
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- BA in Applied Psychology - Clinical Psychology
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- BA in Applied Psychology - Forensic Psychology
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Associate
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- AA in Healthcare Mgt
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Master
- Bachelor
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Associate
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- AS in Health Science
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must hold a Bachelor's degree or higher
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
