This will only take a moment.
This will only take a moment.
Clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) is not just a meaningful calling for professionals who want to make a real difference in the lives of others. It’s also an area of urgent need in our society. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs will increase in the field of substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counseling by 22 percent by 2028, a rate they deem “much faster than average.”1
The Online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from William & Mary trains you to thrive in these vital roles. Learn more about the many ways in which graduate counseling education from W&M can prepare you for successful transition into a clinical mental health counseling career or career growth within the field.
Learn about military and veterans counseling roles, and consider W&M’s Military and Veterans Counseling specialization within the CMHC master’s program.
Clinical mental health counseling salaries can vary according to your specialization, place of employment, licensure status and other factors. Consult our blog post for more information about potential salary outcomes for clinical mental health counselors.
The W&M School of Education prepares our counseling graduate students with the skills, knowledge and demeanor necessary to succeed as a professional counselor. Just ask our alumni:2
of polled alumni feel their training at W&M provided them with technical/clinical skills beyond those of their peers
of polled alumni feel their training at W&M prepared them to handle the complex multitasking needs of a professional counselor
of polled alumni feel their training at W&M provided them with counseling knowledge beyond that of their peers
Clinical mental health counselors work with individuals, families and/or communities in mental health centers, hospitals, Veterans Affairs clinics and other treatment centers. These counselors are typically trained in diagnosis, treatment, referral (if necessary) and prevention.
In addition to a master's degree, most mental health counseling jobs require individuals to pass licensure exams to be able to practice. Licensure credential titles and exams vary by state. While licensed professional counselor (LPC) is the most common title in the U.S., other valid titles granted by state professional counselor licensure boards include:3
A master's degree in clinical mental health counseling can also provide the necessary instruction for students to serve in the following positions, though some positions may require additional licensure or specialized coursework:
Clinical mental health counseling master’s degree students at William & Mary can benefit from the following career development resources:
The Online M.Ed. in Counseling program is designed to prepare you to pursue counseling licensure upon graduation. Learn more about the licensure options available to you with a degree in clinical mental health counseling.