Mental Health Therapist Certification and Education Program Overviews
Mental health therapists council, diagnose and assess patients for various emotional and mental disorders. Mental health therapists work with individuals, families and groups. Extensive education is generally required to become a fully licensed mental health professional.
Certification in Mental Health Counseling
In order to legally practice, mental health therapists must earn certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) from a state board of examiners. Licenses in mental health are designed to maintain a specific standard among practicing professionals. Applicants are required to pass exams and take continuing education courses.
Educational Prerequisites
Most states require mental health therapists to possess at least a master's degree. A minimum number of hours in a clinical setting with patients may be required. Applicants are usually subjected to a criminal background check to complete the certification process. A processing fee must also be paid.
Program Coursework
Candidates seeking licensure as a mental health therapist must complete government mandated courses in the following areas:
- Child abuse identification
- Drug abuse
- Professional ethics
Popular Career Options
Careers available to mental health counselors include the following:
- Rehabilitation counselor
- Mental health therapist
- School counselor
Master of Arts Degree in Mental Health Counseling
The Master of Arts in mental health counseling prepares students for advanced practice in psychology. Students learn about clinical procedures, professional ethics and patient management. After graduation, students can work in mental health clinics, rehabilitation facilities and psychiatric hospitals.
Educational Prerequisites
Any student seeking a mental health master's degree must already hold a bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education with accreditation from the U.S. Department of Education. International students must prove sufficient competence with the English language. All graduate school applicants must submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Program Coursework
Students pursuing a master's degree in mental health counseling generally complete psychology courses in assessment, counseling and testing.
- Family counseling
- Developmental psychology
- Couples therapy
- Adolescent psychology
- Clinical testing
Employment Outlook and Salary Info
The employment outlook is excellent for individuals interested in mental health careers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts employment for mental health counselors will increase 21% between 2006 and 2016. The median salary for counselors in May 2006 was $47,530, according to the BLS.
Continuing Education Information
Mental health counselors can advance their careers significantly by earning a Ph.D. Graduates with a doctoral degree can assume administrative positions in hospitals, schools and clinics. Individuals with doctorates also engage in research and education at the university level.
Master of Science Degree in Mental Health Counseling
The Mental Health Counseling Master of Science degree gives students an educational foundation in psychology and therapy. After graduation, students usually seek professional licensure to practice as a mental health counselor. Candidates learn advanced concepts in counseling, assessment procedures and psychological research.
Educational Prerequisites
Students pursuing master's degrees are required to possess a bachelor's degree. Many programs require a minimum GPA score for admission. In addition to GRE scores, applicants also submit personal essays. Most graduate schools have a processing fee for applications.
Program Coursework
A master's degree is designed to prepare students to practice psychology. Courses typically include the following:
- Counseling theory
- Psychopathology
- Group counseling
- Community mental health
- Mental health counseling
Popular Career Options
Most careers in mental health counseling require a master's degree in addition to certification from a state level agency.
- Mental health counselor
- Career Counselor
- School psychologist
- Family therapist
- Rehabilitation counselor
Ph.D. in Mental Health Counseling
Doctoral students earning degrees in mental health counseling learn advanced topics in psychological research, drug counseling and patient therapy. Candidates for doctoral degrees engage in intensive research involving psychology, health and diagnostics. Students seeking a doctoral degree must prepare and orally defend a research-based dissertation.
Educational Prerequisites
Potential doctoral candidates must possess a bachelor's degree before starting graduate coursework. Successful applicants often have a master's degree in psychology or field related to mental health counseling. Interested mental health therapy students must submit scores from the GRE for admission.
Program Coursework
Students earning a doctoral degree must conduct their own research. Courses might include:
- Developmental psychology
- Research methodology
- School counseling
- Counselor education
Popular Career Options
Graduates with doctoral degrees in mental health counseling work in various areas of psychology.
- Professor
- Researcher
- Rehabilitation counselor
- Career Counselor
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30 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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- Associate of Arts - Health Care Administration/Electronic Health Records
- Associate of Arts Foundations in Health Care Administration
- Associate of Arts Foundations in Health Care Administration/Medical Records
- 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
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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:
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Doctorate
- Master
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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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:
- 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
