What to expect in a master's in clinical mental health counseling program

Earning a master’s in counseling is an essential step toward a rewarding and in-demand career. With 23% of Americans currently seeing a therapist, and another 48% planning to begin receiving counseling within the year, the need for qualified professionals is higher than ever.¹

All 50 states have master’s degree requirements for those seeking licensure.² A master’s in counseling program teaches the skills and knowledge necessary to practice, while also providing essential hands-on learning opportunities. Students explore human development, counseling theory and treatment methods, as well as skills for working with different populations and addressing various challenges.

In this blog post, you’ll discover how a master’s in counseling moves you toward licensure and your next steps as a professional. You’ll also learn more about available options for your graduate studies, including the benefits of online counseling degrees, and how to pursue a degree.

Program structure and duration

Students typically complete a counseling master’s program in two to three years, depending on their needs and goals. Full-time students tend to earn their degrees faster, but many students enter a graduate program with demanding work or family responsibilities. Part-time options put a career in counseling within reach.

Core curriculum and coursework

There are many counseling degree options available to graduate students, ranging from general degree tracks to specialized programs. Typically, students start with foundational courses that cover the basics of mental health and the counseling profession. These courses generally include the following:

• Psychology
• Human development
• Professional ethics
• Cultural awareness
• Diagnosis and assessment
• Counseling techniques and theories

After completing these foundational courses, students can move on to more advanced topics. These often focus on specific populations or mental health issues, such as the following:

• Trauma therapy
• Addiction counseling
• Family therapy
• Disability support

Students may also choose to delve deeply into a specialized focus, such as counseling for children and adolescents.

Practical experience and internships

Theoretical knowledge is essential, but it’s not enough to prepare a student for real professional practice. Aspiring counselors also need clinical experience in mental health settings, where they can apply the techniques they learn in the classroom.

These clinical hours are an important requirement for master’s in counseling students. Students encounter real clients and see firsthand how mental health challenges affect people from all walks of life. Experienced supervisors guide students in practicing what they’ve learned, helping them meet the inevitable challenges that come with counseling real individuals.

Practicum and internship programs

Most master’s in counseling programs have two types of placements. First, students complete a practicum, which involves at least 100 hours over a minimum of 10 weeks. These 100 hours include a minimum of 40 hours of direct client service. Students also benefit from weekly individual and group supervision sessions, where they discuss and reflect on their experiences.³

After completing a practicum, students pursue an internship of at least 600 hours, including regular supervision and at least 240 hours of direct client work. Supervisors must have relevant certifications, supervisory training and at least two years of experience in the student’s specialization.³

Types of internship placements

Choosing a practicum or internship site is a personal decision. Your graduate program’s faculty and staff will help you explore options and connect with relevant sites. Possibilities include the following:

• Hospitals
• Schools
• Community centers
• Behavioral health centers
• Inpatient treatment facilities
• Outpatient clinics
• Social service agencies

Students with declared specialties must choose a site that matches their area of focus. For example, a student focusing on child and adolescent counseling may pursue an internship at a local children’s hospital, therapeutic school or pediatric clinic.

Licensure preparation

All U.S. states and territories require mental health counselors to have active licenses. In some states, new graduates can earn an associate or trainee license as they work toward full licensure.⁴ Helping students qualify for licensure is a crucial role of graduate programs.

The licensing process is different in each state, but all require aspiring counselors to pass an exam. The two primary exams are the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), both of which evaluate the skills and knowledge required for professional practice.⁵ Core topics include the following:^6,7

• Professional ethics
• Counseling in a diverse society
• Human development
• Counseling relationships
• Group counseling
• Evaluation and testing
• Research methods

These concepts are part of the core curriculum in any quality graduate program. Students discuss and explore key topic areas in their academic work and put them into practice during internship and practicum placements. Additional independent practice can help students prepare for the examination, which is a key step toward licensure.

Skills developed in the program

Graduate education in counseling is about building your toolbox as a mental health counselor. Every client has different needs, and counselors need to understand and apply many different techniques. Students learn these techniques by exploring various theories of counseling, such as behavioral therapy and client-centered counseling. They learn how to apply those theories with clients and when particular techniques might be most useful.

As part of this process, students learn and practice effective communication techniques. Many counseling students enter graduate programs with highly developed communication skills, but being a counselor requires a specialized approach. Mental health counselors use their graduate studies to refine their skills in communicating with many different populations.

Specifically, graduate students learn to demonstrate empathy in a way that resonates with clients. They practice active listening and other techniques to encourage disclosure and help clients feel heard and understood. The process is hands-on, involving peer discussion and practice during field work.

Career opportunities after graduation

Thanks to ongoing growth in the mental health industry, there are numerous opportunities for graduates with a master’s degree in counseling. These include hands-on clinical roles, such as:

• Counselor
• Clinical therapist
• Community health professional
• Career advisor
• Substance abuse counselor
• Health educator
• Social worker

Professionals may progress from these careers to become directors or leaders of clinical programs. Other graduates choose to pursue non-clinical roles in fields such as corporate training, writing and consulting.

Start your counseling journey at Marquette University

Through the online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Marquette, you’ll learn to support and guide clients from diverse backgrounds. Geared toward preparing students for licensure in their home state, the program offers asynchronous classes paired with real-time skill-building sessions. When the time comes for your internship and practicum, Marquette faculty will work with you to find a site near you that suits your goals and needs.

No pre-existing field experience is necessary for admission to the program. To learn more, connect with an admissions outreach advisor today.