Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

So, what is pastoral clinical mental health counseling? Students pursuing an MS in pastoral clinical mental health counseling receive the training and instruction needed to become a clinical mental health counselor while integrating a pastoral perspective into every part of who they are and what they do.

This integration of spirituality allows a pastoral counselor to care for their clients from a holistic and integrated perspective, acknowledging the connection between the body, mind, and spirit. It’s one of the most impactful fields today.

Based on research from ZipRecruiter, the average clinical mental health counseling salary today is about $72,203. Salaries range based on location: $59,500 (25th percentile) to $80,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $93,500 annually across the United States.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of clinical mental health counseling is projected to grow an astounding 18 percent in the next ten years, much faster than the national average for all other occupations (3.1%).

Students who pursue a master’s in clinical mental health counseling may be prepared to work in a wide range of professional settings. This flexible degree can support career paths in mental health agencies, private practice, rehabilitation programs, schools, hospitals and other healthcare institutions, nonprofits, and government programs. Depending on a graduate’s interests and training, some may also pursue opportunities in faith-based or pastoral counseling settings.

Clinical mental health counseling is a professional field focused on helping individuals, families, and groups address emotional, behavioral, psychological, and other mental health needs. A clinical mental health counselor uses counseling theories and skills along with assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and other clinical approaches to support their clients. Neumann’s clinical mental health counseling master’s program prepares students in areas including counseling theory, psychopathology, clinical assessment, group counseling, addiction counseling, multicultural counseling, and trauma and crisis.

No. Clinical mental health counseling and clinical psychology are related mental health fields, but they are distinct professional paths. Clinical mental health counseling focuses on using counseling and therapeutic approaches to support clients’ mental health and well-being, while clinical psychology typically places greater emphasis on psychological assessment, diagnosis, research, and treatment. Neumann’s master’s in clinical mental health counseling curriculum is specifically designed around professional counseling competencies, including counseling theories and skills, group counseling, assessment, diagnosis, clinical treatment, ethics, human development, and working with diverse clients. 

Full-time students typically graduate within 3 years of starting the clinical mental health counseling master's, and part-time students typically graduate within 4 years. Our program is a 60-credit program with 20 courses. All students are required to take all 20 courses, and students should be prepared to take classes during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

Our courses meet every other week from 5-9 pm on campus, and each course has additional online or alternative instruction. Courses in the Fall and Spring span a 14-week semester. Summer courses are offered in the same format, although some are offered weekly from 5-9 pm with additional online or alternative instruction over a 7-week semester.

The master's in clinical mental health counseling accepts incoming students for the Fall and Spring semesters. Our program offers rolling admissions, and application deadlines differ by semesters. You can visit our admissions page or contact an admissions counselor for more details: gradadultadmiss@neumann.edu.

A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited, degree-granting institution with a 3.00 GPA. The GRE is not required for admission.

Yes, we do. Learn more about our international admission requirements.

Neumann’s clinical mental health counseling master’s program is a professional graduate degree designed to prepare students with the counseling knowledge and practical skills needed for clinical mental health counseling careers. The 60-credit program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and its objectives include preparing students for employment, licensure, and certification in clinical mental health counseling.

Yes. Neumann University’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The clinical mental health counseling master’s program is also approved to be a provider of contact hours by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).

Yes. Neumann’s 60-credit curriculum includes Pre-Clinical Preparation and Orientation prior to the Clinical Practicum, and two required internships with advanced clinical placements. These applied experiences are designed to help students connect counseling theory and clinical knowledge with supervised practice and preparation for working with clients.

Students develop knowledge and skills in areas including counseling theories, psychopathology, human growth and development, ethics, group counseling, clinical assessment, career counseling, addiction counseling, multicultural counseling, and trauma and crisis. The professional counseling program also emphasizes assessment, diagnosis, clinical treatment, research-informed practice, working with diverse clients, and professional and ethical counseling practice.

Neumann’s MS in clinical mental health counseling provides graduate-level academic and clinical preparation for students pursuing careers in professional counseling. The program combines counseling coursework with clinical preparation in areas such as assessment, diagnosis, treatment, ethics, and supervised practice. Because professional requirements can vary, students should review the requirements that apply to the state in which they intend to practice.