Online Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Train To Become A Licensed Counselor From Anywhere In 2 Years

��ϴ��’s Online Clinical Mental Health Counseling program empowers and inspires the next generation of counselors from across the country. The accredited 60-credit online program offers an intensive, full-time curriculum designed to meet client and community needs. With a structured schedule, students can graduate in two years.

Picture of Counseling graduate students with Professor Burton

Accelerated & Cohort-Based

The program is renowned for its:

evidence-based live and asynchronous��instruction,
community-focused training model,
commitment to diversity and multicultural excellence, and
experienced faculty who are also practicing counselors.

Men in group counseling session with counselor at center

Prepared & In Demand

JCU graduate students enjoy faculty support on the pathway to licensure.

100% of 2024 graduates passed the state licensure examination
100%��of 2024 graduates secured a job in the field upon graduation

CACREP Accredited & Connected

John Carroll’s Online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is fully accredited by Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) — a recognition that the program meets the highest standards for teaching.

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Our core faculty and deep bench of practicing counselors across the Great Lakes Region and beyond provide connections at agencies and private practices, and open doors to coveted internship placements and jobs.

- Successful completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
- This program is a fall start only with limited space in the cohort. There is��no set submission deadline. Applications are considered on a rolling basis upon completion. Admission decisions will be made based on space in the program.
- No GRE Required

- Official Transcript(s)
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Faculty Interview
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- No GRE Required

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- Degree-seeking students are��eligible for��. For information about the loan process, contact��Laura Boswell, Graduate Financial Aid Specialist in��Student Enrollment and Financial Services,��at (216) 397-4271.
- A limited number of in-person��graduate assistantships��provide a tuition waiver for up to 15 credit hours per year plus a stipend. Students are expected to spend 20 hours per week working for the department.

Through successful completion of the Online Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree, graduating students complete the academic requirements for an initial license as a Licensed Professional Counselor or Mental Health Counselor. Typically after a period of supervised work post-graduation, you’ll be independently licensed and able to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders without supervision. Depending on the state where you will practice as a counselor, there may be additional post graduation requirements you need to fulfill. John Carroll staff are available to support students from enrollment to graduation to licensure.

Program Overview

��ϴ��'s Online Clinical Mental Health Counseling program shapes students into highly sought-after professional counselors who exemplify the Jesuit values of being persons for others and leaders in service.

Hands-On Training

Our Practicum Instructors & Internship Coordinator ensures all students find meaningful internship and practicum experiences needed for licensure regardless of where they are located.

Full-term internships in semesters five and six will allow you to explore specific settings, such as private practice, hospitals, community agencies, or college campuses.

Female counseling faculty and counseling student discussing course

Graduate students work together out in the field

Two In-Person Residencies

Online Counseling students participate in two immersive weekend residencies in the first and third semesters, students gather on John Carroll’s beautiful campus to meet their cohort and engage in community-based learning and meaningful, reflective activities with program faculty. This in-person experience allows you to build your professional network and prepare for your career after graduation.

Unique to John Carroll, an optional third immersive experience in Vietnam enables students to put into practice the multicultural competencies that are infused throughout the program.

Career Outlook

JCU graduate students begin working as counselors immediately upon graduation and it’s typical to be hired by their internship sites prior to graduation. 100% of 2024 graduates were employed as counselors within six months of graduation.

Given the rise of the U.S. Opioid Epidemic, Substance Use Disorders Counseling (SUDC) is a growing field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 19% growth in employment for substance use and behavioral disorder counselors from 2023-2033. This makes the LCDC and LICDC credentials highly valued by employers.

picture of female counselor with father and son

Curriculum Highlights

This Degree requires 60 credit hours or 20 graduate-level courses. There is a 100 hour practicum and 600 hour internship experience required that JCU's dedicated faculty will help to facilitate. A Substance Use Disorders Counseling concentration available leading to the Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC) licensure in the State of Ohio.