Online Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Norman, USA
Master degree
DURATION
30 months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jun 2027
TUITION FEES
USD 50,700
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
Key Summary
About: The University of Oklahoma's Online Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling trains you in foundational counseling theory, diagnostic assessment, treatment planning, and evidence-based therapeutic techniques. The fully online program balances academic rigor and accessibility so you'll study while working. The curriculum is built to meet licensure requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in many states, and coursework emphasizes practical clinical skills and ethical practice.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can also pursue licensure and work as licensed mental health counselors in private practice, hospitals, community mental health centers, schools, substance-abuse treatment and corporate wellness programs.
The University of Oklahoma's Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed for students who want to make a real difference in people's mental health and well-being. This fully online master's program gives you the flexibility to study while maintaining work and personal commitments. You'll study foundational counseling theory, diagnostic assessment, treatment planning, and evidence-based therapeutic techniques.
The curriculum is built to meet requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in many states. Throughout the program, you'll develop clinical skills through coursework that emphasizes practical application and ethical practice.
OU's program balances academic rigor with accessibility, making it a strong choice if you're seeking a meaningful career helping others while maintaining schedule flexibility.
The Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling offers a comprehensive foundation in the field while preparing students to lead with empathy, adaptability, and cultural intelligence. You will learn to embrace a variety of perspectives across age groups, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and develop the agility to thrive in an ever-evolving mental health landscape.
Course Structure
You will earn 60 credit hours across 20 courses. All courses feature required live evening lectures. Available class times are 6:00-7:00 p.m. CT or 7:00-8:00 p.m. CT, and 6:00-7:30 p.m., 7:00-8:30 p.m., or 7:30-9:00 p.m. CT for clinical courses.
You’ll take three courses at a time during Spring and Fall semesters, one 16-week classes and two 8-week classes (no more than two at a time). During the Summer semester, you’ll take two courses, one 14-week course and one 8-week course.
You can expect a time commitment of 10 to 20 hours on average per week until you reach your practicum and internship semesters. Once you begin clinical classes, many sites require interns to be in attendance for 20 hours to ensure direct hour requirements are met.
*During your final three semesters, you will complete a Practicum and Internship. These typically require approximately 20 hours per week at your chosen site, in addition to class time and coursework.
Practicum
100-hour practicum
Internship
600-hour internship (300 hours each course)- Internship I and Internship II
Residency
- In addition to asynchronous coursework and live online class sessions, students will attend two virtual residencies
- During each, students will complete experiential components of selected courses
- This residential experience is a required part of the program
Core Courses
- Group Counseling in Human Relations
- Ethical Issues in HR Counseling
- Research for Counseling
- Counseling Theories in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Career Counseling
- Multicultural Counseling
- Assessment and Evaluation in Counseling
- Human Growth and Development
Required Focused Courses
- Clinical Practicum
- Addiction Counseling
- Counseling Skills in Human Relations
- Diagnosis in Human Relations Counseling
- Couples and Family Counseling
- Counseling With Children, Adolescents, and Families
- Advanced Counseling Skills
- Crisis Intervention and Trauma Counseling
- Psychopathology
- Introduction to the Counseling Profession
- Counseling Internship I
- Counseling Internship II
OU’s online Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling program empowers students to assess and respond to the complex needs of individuals facing mental health challenges and crises.
Through this program, you will:
- Prepare for the National Counselor Exam by earning a qualifying degree, completing clinical hours, and developing practical skills aligned with today’s mental health demands
- Explore counseling topics that connect directly to your professional interests through research and applied learning
- Identify and understand a wide range of psychopathological conditions
- Examine how various medications influence mood and behavior
- Address varied client experiences that impact mental health
- Build a strong professional identity as a clinical mental health counselor serving a variety of communities in clinical, administrative, professionally responsive, and leadership roles
- Practice within the ethical scope defined by the Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health and the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics, ensuring effective clinical outcomes and reflective professional growth
- Gain counseling expertise across the lifespan, including case conceptualization, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, outcome evaluation, and documentation in individual, group, and career counseling settings
- Become a skilled consumer of research, using evidence-based practices and theory-driven interventions to inform your work and evaluate programs
- Integrate theories of human behavior and mental health into counseling strategies that support the wellness of varied populations across individual, group, and career contexts
Financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance may be available to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Our dedicated financial services team will support you every step of the way—so you can stay focused on your education and career goals.
For questions about financial aid for your online program, contact the Online Aid office.
Graduates are qualified to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), depending on your state's requirements. You'll be prepared to work in clinical settings, providing individual, group, and family counseling to clients managing mental health challenges, substance use issues, or life transitions.
With this degree, you can pursue roles as a licensed mental health counselor in private practice, hospitals, community mental health centers, schools, counseling agencies, substance abuse treatment facilities, or corporate wellness programs. You may also work in crisis intervention, trauma counseling, or specialized populations such as children, adolescents, couples, or families.
You're a good fit for this program if you're passionate about mental health and helping others achieve wellbeing. You may have a background in psychology, social work, education, or a related field, though it's not required. You should be comfortable with online learning and able to commit to supervised clinical practice hours.
You're likely seeking a career where you can make a direct impact, and you value flexibility in your studies while pursuing a rigorous, accredited qualification.
OU Online offers an accredited master's program delivered with full flexibility for working professionals. The University of Oklahoma has a strong reputation and established counseling program. By studying online, you can maintain your current job and commitments while earning a degree that meets licensure requirements. The program combines rigorous academic training with practical clinical experience.
The Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling is delivered in a fully online, flexible format designed for working professionals around the world. Earn your degree in as few as 30 months while maintaining full-time employment and managing personal commitments. Study from anywhere and gain the specialized knowledge needed to thrive in today’s mental health landscape.