Career fields in the mental health area are booming in popularity thanks to the fact that it is no longer taboo to talk about going to therapy or visiting a psychiatrist. Focusing on emotional well-being is essential for so many reasons, and having qualified professionals to serve those who are seeking support is an obvious necessity. Additionally, completing your master’s degree online is a convenient, flexible way of achieving your education. Many higher learning facilities offer great programs that will help you to reach your career goals in the mental health field.
1. Capella University’s MS in Clinical Health Counseling
Capella’s online master’s degree program is CACREP accredited, which is the gold standard for accreditation of counseling programs. This program does not require GRE or GMAT scores, and Capella offers scholarship programs to qualifying new students. There is plenty of faculty support, from financial advisors to career counselors, offered to all students to ensure that as many people as possible have a positive experience at Capella. The internet has a wealth of information on programs like this, but resources like can help you narrow your search.
2. Northwestern University’s MS in Marriage and Family Therapy
Northwestern’s MFT master’s degree program is COAMFTE accredited and includes clinical, on-the-job hours to best prepare you for your career in marriage and family therapy. The counseling programs at Northwestern have been among the top mental health preparation programs in the country for decades, making Northwestern a great choice.
3. Liberty University’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Liberty University has been a leader in online counseling education programs for many years. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is CACREP accredited. This Christian university has a goal of preparing students for a career in mental health that is balanced and takes spiritual principles into account. Liberty’s program requires online-based classes as well as short intensive programs on campus in Lynchburg, Virginia.
4. National Louis University’s MS in Counseling
NLU’s counseling program is CACREP accredited and does not require any standardized entrance exams. With this degree path, you can choose a specialty to concentrate on. NLU offers concentrations in clinical mental health counseling, addiction, and school counseling. A GPA of 3.0 is required to maintain satisfactory progress in the program.
5. Colorado Christian University’s MA in Mental Health Counseling
This CACREP accredited counseling program will prepare you for a successful career supporting the emotional health of many people. CCU offers optional specialties in substance use disorders and marriage and family therapy. This program requires a five-day, on-campus summer intensive to be completed to graduate with your degree.
6. Wake Forest University’s MA in Counseling
Wake Forest University has a long reputation for providing excellent educations for its students, and their CACREP accredited counseling program is no exception. While GRE scores are required for admission into this program, 95 percent of Wake Forest University’s counseling graduates pass the National Counseling exam, which shows how well the school prepares its students for career success.
Each of these accredited mental health degree paths has the potential to help you achieve your professional goals without sacrificing the flexibility that you value.