Mental health counseling is a niche counseling field dedicated to assisting and supporting individuals, couples, families, and groups affected by mental health issues. Mental health counselors commonly diagnose and treat patients with disorders like depression, anxiety, and stress. Some may specialize in certain areas of mental health, such as addiction and substance abuse, grief, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Treatment methods may also vary; some mental health counselors see patients on a strict one-on-one basis, while others also offer couples', family and group, therapy options.The demand for qualified mental health counselors is expected to grow in the coming years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for mental health counselors and marriage/family therapists are projected to increase by 19% — or more than 31,000 positions — between 2014 and 2024. Experts also forecast similar growth in fields related to mental health counseling; jobs for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors are predicted to rise by 22% between 2014 and 2024, and positions for rehabilitation counselors should grow by 9% during the same period. Many of today's students are preparing themselves for this rewarding profession by completing online mental health counseling degree programs. Online mental health counseling degrees are affordable, and the flexible format of web-based learning allows you to balance schoolwork with employment, childcare, and other important commitments. Currently, online mental health counseling degrees are offered at dozens of colleges and universities nationwide.Do you want to help change the lives of others as a mental health counselor? This in-depth guide will explore online mental health counseling degree programs and the professional requirements for mental health counselors, as well as degree expectations, licensing procedures, employment prospects, and other key variables. Our goal is to help you determine whether earning a mental health counseling degree online is the right educational choice for you.
Online Mental Health Counseling Degree Overview
| Degree Level | Average Cost | Loan Default Rate | Time Commitment | Early Career Pay | Mid-Career Pay | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master's | $19,032 | 9.56% | 2 years | $39,390 | $51,497 | Not reported |
Online Mental Health Counseling Degrees
Online Mental Health Counseling Find Accredited Degrees
Online Mental Health Counseling Choose Your Career
| Career | Median Salary | Projected Growth | 2014 Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Counselors | $43,190 | 19% | 168200 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $34,390 | 9% | 120100 |
| School and Career Counselors | $53,660 | 8% | 273400 |
Online Mental Health Counseling Professional Requirements
National Counselor Certification
The National Certified Counselor (NCC) is available through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). This credential reflects national standards for the counseling profession. The NCC is not equivalent to a state-issued license, and mental health counselors who earn the NCC must still pursue licensure in the state where they plan to practice. However, the NCC and most state-issued licenses carry the same requirements — and candidates who earn an NCC will be well-positioned to meet the demands of their state's licensing criteria. The NCE exam contains 200 multiple-choice questions. Test-takers have four hours to complete the exam.Requirements for earning the NCC include:
- A master's degree or equivalent graduate-level certificate with at least 48 semester or 72 quarter credit hours and coursework in nine core areas of study
- At least 100 post-degree hours of supervised clinical training
- At least 3,000 hours of relevant work experience
- Post-education requirements may be waived for students who complete a graduate degree program that has received accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
If all criteria is met, then candidates will be able to sit for the National Counselor Examination for Licensing and Certification (NCE). This exam features 200 multiple-choice questions designed to evaluate the test-taker's skills and knowledge in core areas of counseling like human growth and development, social and cultural diversity, and research and program evaluation. The maximum score for the NCE exam is 160 points. Candidates who pass the exam and meet all other applicable criteria will receive NCC status.The NCC is not required. However, those who obtain an NCC will also satisfy many state licensure requirements in the process.
State Licensure
Mental health counselors who offer services to clients or patients must receive official licensure in all 50 states. Although specific requirements vary by state, general licensing criteria include the following:
- A master's degree in counseling
- Supervised training and work experience in counseling
If all state-specific criteria have been met, then candidates will be able to sit for a licensing exam. Two exam options are available: the NCE (profiled above) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Both exams are offered through the NBCC, and each one will be sufficient on its own to obtain licensure in all 50 states; however, the NCMHCE cannot be used to earn national certification.Unlike the NCE — which features a multiple-choice question format — the NCMHCE consists of 10 clinical simulations designed to evaluate test-takers in three core areas: assessment and diagnosis; counseling and psychotherapy; and administration, consultation, and supervision. The simulations feature subsections that fall into one of two categories: 'information gathering' or 'decision making' Each simulation carries a score range of +3 to -3, and the final score is accumulative. To pass the exam, test-takers must match or exceed the minimum scores for both the 'information gathering' and 'decision making' subsections.For more information about state-specific licensing requirements, please visit NBCC's national directory and interactive map.
Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC)
The CCMHC is an optional credential offered through the NBCC for counselors who demonstrate an extensive understanding of national counseling standards. Requirements for earning a CCMHC include the following:
- A master's degree in counseling with at least 60 semester or 90 quarter credit hours and a coursework in 10 core areas
- At least 100 hours of supervised clinical training
- At least 3,000 hours of 'clinical client contact'
Candidates who meet this criteria must also earn a passing score on the NCMHCE exam, which is detailed in the previous table.