List of Online Masters in Clinical Psychology and Counseling

Students who are passionate about helping others may want to become clinical psychologists or counselors. Fortunately, several online clinical psychology and clinical counseling degree programs can lead to licensure as a psychologist or counselor.

There are similarities between psychologists and counselors but understanding the differences is essential:

• A clinical psychologist has highly specialized training in diagnosing and psychological treatment of severe mental, behavioral, and emotional illnesses. It is possible to work as a licensed clinical psychologist on a limited basis with a master’s. But most students eventually earn their Ph.D. or PsyD to work in private practice and obtain licensure.
• A clinical counselor is a mental health professional who provides traditional psychotherapy combined with a practical approach to solving mental, emotional, and relationship problems. Clinical counseling generally requires a master’s degree for licensure.

We have reviewed the only online masters in clinical psychology and counseling degree options and ranked them by affordability, which you can read about below. Some of these programs also offer licensure as a marriage and family therapist.

Schools on This Page

• Capella University
• The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
• Walden University
• Grand Canyon University
• Northwestern University
• Southwestern Assemblies of God University
• California Baptist University

#1 Capella University

Capella University offers an online Master of Science in Clinical Psychology with specializations in Clinical Counseling, Applied Research, and Forensic Psychology.

As people struggle more today with mental and emotional health issues, they need professional and compassionate support to show them how to overcome their problems. With your master’s in clinical psychology, you will attain the skills to make a difference in many lives.

The coursework in this two-year program will prepare you for clinical practice, research, consulting, or government work.

Required classes include:

• Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
• Introduction to Psychopathology
• Clinical Interventions
• Psychological Testing
• Ethics and Multicultural Issues in Clinical and Counseling Psychology

The program features rigorous online classes and face-to-face residencies and practicum or internship that will prepare you for licensure.

• Institution type: Private, non-profit
• Delivery method: Online
• Headquarters: Minneapolis
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Degrees offered: Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
• GRE required: No
• Expected total tuition: $26,675
• Prerequisites: Bachelor’s in psychology
• *Request FREE Information: Click here

#2 The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology offers a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that prepares students for various careers in mental health services to help diverse patients deal with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship problems, and more.

Students in this two-year program enjoy a dynamic educational experience with the flexibility of an online program that allows them to continue their professional and personal responsibilities.

Required courses are:

• Diagnosis of Mental Health Issues
• Group Theories and Processes of Counseling
• Assessment of Individuals

The practitioner faculty will help to ready each student to become a licensed or certified professional counselor if they wish.

• Institution type: Private, non-profit
• Delivery method: Online
• Headquarters: Chicago
• Accreditation: CACREP
• Degrees offered: Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• GRE required: No
• Expected total tuition: $1,198 per credit hour
• Prerequisites: Bachelor’s in psychology
• *Request FREE Information: Click here

#3 Walden University

Walden University offers an online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that provides you with the qualifications and knowledge necessary to help clients deal with mental health challenges.

This two-year, full-time program explores modern counseling theories, evidence-based research, and tools for diagnosing, preventing and treating mental health issues. Role-playing and case studies in classes and residencies help you to hone your new counseling skills. With your supervised fieldwork and practicum, you will apply your new skills to patients in the field.

Required courses include:

• Introduction to Mental Health Counseling
• Techniques in Counseling
• Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories
• Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling
• Lifespan Development
• Diagnosis and Assessment

Specializations are Addiction Counseling, Forensic Counseling

Trauma and Crisis Counseling, Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, and Military Families and Culture.

• Institution type: Private, for-profit
• Delivery method: Online
• Headquarters: Minneapolis
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Degrees offered: Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• GRE required: No
• Expected total tuition: $38,070
• Prerequisites: Bachelor’s in psychology
• *Request FREE Information: Click here

#4 Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University offers an online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This accredited degree helps students to understand the evidence-based theories and applications of counseling, including the development of interventional, rehabilitative, and preventive plans.

You can choose to specialize in these areas:

• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Christian Counseling
• Trauma
• Child and Adolescence Disorders

This Master of Science program in clinical mental health counseling prepares each student for professional licensure. It meets the requirements for licenses as a Licensed Associate Counselor in Arizona.

• Institution type: Private, non-profit
• Delivery method: Online
• Headquarters: Phoenix
• Accreditation: Western Association of Colleges and Schools
• Degrees offered: Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• GRE required: No
• Expected total tuition: $34,100
• Prerequisites: Bachelor’s in psychology
• *Request FREE Information: Click here

#5 Northwestern University

Northwestern University offers an online Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling that is accredited by the CACREP. The two-year, online curriculum features a learning-by-doing model that readies you for real-world clinical practice as a mental health counselor.

This program wants all aspiring counselors to succeed, and the online curriculum is prepared for professionals with all levels of experience in psychology and counseling. One of the most popular concentrations is in Children and Adolescent Counseling. You take several courses that look at adolescent and child development and the best treatment approaches for them.

Required courses include:

• Research Methods in Counseling
• Individuals and Systems: Psychodynamic Viewpoints
• Theories and Techniques of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy
• Psychopathology in Counseling
• Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy

Students also undergo an in-person clinical experience in their community that consists of 800 hours of real-world, in-person skills development.

• Institution type: Private, non-profit
• Delivery method: Online
• Headquarters: Evanston, Illinois
• Accreditation: CACREP
• Degrees offered: Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• GRE required: No
• Expected total tuition: $116,000
• Prerequisites: Bachelor’s in psychology
• Visit school: Click here

#6 Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Southwestern Assemblies of God University offers an online Master of Clinical Psychology that will prepare you to become a skilled, licensed mental health professional. Students develop a strong foundation in the assessment and counseling of adults, adolescents, and children. You will also take an in-depth look at psychotherapy and counseling theories, behavioral sciences, cognitive assessment, and statistics.

After you graduate, you will have the skills you need to apply modern psychological principles and show an advanced understanding of the assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of the most common mental health problems.

Required courses include:

• Techniques and Methods in Counseling
• Integrative Issues in the Behavioral Sciences
• Psychopharmacology
• Objective Personality Assessment
• Cognitive Behavior and Therapy
• Clinical Psychopathology
• Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences

Online students can access all campus support and resource services, including the career center for job assistance and training.

• Institution type: Private, non-profit
• Delivery method: Online
• Headquarters: Waxahachie, Texas
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Degrees offered: Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
• GRE required: Yes
• Expected total tuition: $37,359
• Prerequisites: Bachelor’s in psychology
• Visit school: Click here

#7 California Baptist University

California Baptist University offers an online Master in Counseling Psychology that prepares students to become licensed clinical counselors or marriage and family therapists.

Graduates of this two year, full-time program will receive the training and education needed to treat and assess individuals, couples, and families with relationship problems. This program meets current licensure requirements in California for licensed professional counselors and marriage and family therapists.

Required courses include:

• General Psychology
• Lifespan Development
• Professional Practice Seminar I
• Professional Practice Seminar II
• MFT Counseling Theory
• Human Growth and Development
• Advanced Research Methodology

Classes are offered in two formats: online hybrid with some live, synchronous courses, while the other consists entirely of asynchronous classes.

• Institution type: Private, non-profit
• Delivery method: Online
• Headquarters: Riverside, California
• Accreditation: Western Association of Colleges and Schools
• Degrees offered: Master of Science in Counseling Psychology
• GRE required: No
• Expected total tuition: $45,000
• Prerequisites: Bachelor’s in psychology
• Visit school: Click here

Summary

Earning a master’s degree in clinical psychology or clinical counseling is a substantial step toward a career in mental health counseling. Demand for mental health services is rising in the US, and you will be able to find plenty of good-paying jobs in this field in the coming decades.