Offering immersive classroom and real-world learning experiences, our MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling features flexible scheduling options so you can earn your degree without sacrificing your career. With a rigorous curriculum based on the Jesuit tradition, our master’s in mental health counseling emphasizes essential theoretical and practical knowledge, instilling a deep commitment to supporting individuals’ mental health and well-being.
- Spring Semester: October 1
- Summer Semester: February 1
- Fall Semester: February 1
To learn more about international student admission requirements and the process, please visit International Admission.
To apply for official acceptance into the mental health counseling program, submit the following application materials online to the Office of Graduate Admission:
- Completed online application (choose Counseling, then Clinical Mental Health).
- One official transcript of all undergraduate and graduate work from accredited colleges or universities.
- A résumé.
- A 500-word minimum statement explaining your purpose for graduate study.
- Two letters of reference from individuals commenting on your academic/professional potential.
- (Optional) Official test scores from the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). If you previously took the GRE and want your scores sent to Xavier, please contact GRE at 1-888-GRE-SCORE.
- You should have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above. Taking the MAT or GRE may increase your chances of admittance if you do not have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above. The following scores are recommended for each test: MAT: Score of 390 or above; GRE: Score of 4.0 or above on the analytical section of the test.
Group I (16 credits)
- COUN 501 Lifespan Development
- COUN 533 Counseling Theories and Techniques
- COUN 536 Group Process
- COUN 579 Psychological and Achievement Testing
- COUN 630 Intro to Mental Health Counseling
- COUN 636 Career Counseling
Group II (11 credits)
- COUN 509 Counseling Research Methods
- COUN 631 Counseling Issues and Ethics
- COUN 638 Cross-Cultural Counseling
- COUN 640 Family Relations
- COUN 669 Pre-Practicum/Counseling Lab
Group III (14 credits)
- COUN 642 Consultation and Supervision
- COUN 765 Crisis Counseling
- COUN 767 Treating Addictive Disorders
- COUN 773 Counseling Practicum
- 3 Elective Hours
Group IV (19 credits)
- COUN 671 Counseling Internship
- COUN 760 Personality and Abnormal Behavior
- COUN 762 Clinical and Personality Assessment
- COUN 763 Diagnosis of Psychopathology
- COUN 764 Counseling and Psychotherapy
- COUN 766 Intervention Skills for the Severely Mentally Disabled
COUN 501: Lifespan Development
Lifespan Development involves the study of the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels. Through this course, you learn about the many issues humans face throughout their development and the application of psychological principles in counseling.
COUN 631: Counseling Issues and Ethics
Designed to address the complexities of the counseling profession, this course outlines the ethical decision-making process. Additionally, you learn the ethical and legal responsibilities of the counselor.
COUN 760: Personality and Abnormal Behavior
In this specialized course, you study the dynamics of the disturbed personality, along with symptoms, causes and treatment of psychoneuroses, psychoses and abnormal personalities. The class emphasizes psychopathological conditions related to children, adolescents, young and middle-life adults, and older people.
COUN 773: Counseling Practicum
This practicum experience involves completing recorded interviews with bona fide clients and producing appropriate client reports and student self-evaluation forms. You must complete 40 hours of counseling sessions with approximately four clients, eight hours of which must be recorded for supervisor review. Additionally, you learn how to facilitate group counseling experiences.
Tuition
- MA Counseling Programs..............$722
Fees
- Student ID Free..............$12.50
- Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking full-time..............$15 (per semester)
- Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking part-time..............$10 (per semester)
Additional Course-Specific Fees (Flat Fees)
- COUN 579 Psychological and Achievement Testing, Testing Materials Fee..............$40.00
- COUN 669 Pre Practicum/Counseling Lab, Liability Insurance Fee...............................$36.00
- COUN 669 Pre Practicum/Counseling Lab, Field Experience Management Platform (Tevera) Fee..............$220.00
- COUN 762 Clinical and Personality Testing, Testing Materials Fee...................$35.00
For the full, official listing, please visit xavier.edu/costs.
Xavier University reserves the right to correct any computational or clerical errors.
Why Xavier’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling?
Our program provides hands-on experience in individual and group counseling, supervised diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, and face-to-face sessions with PCC-licensed supervisors.
Built to meet the needs of working students, our clinical counseling program offers classes in the late afternoon, evenings and weekends to accommodate many schedules.
Our program meets educational requirements for licensure as a professional clinical counselor in Ohio, Kentucky or Indiana, empowering you to graduate career-ready.
Xavier’s MA in Mental Health Counseling degree program is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
During the program, you complete 600 hours of supervised clinical counseling, which helps you meet the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board requirements.
Learn more about the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and connect with faculty in one of our small-group information sessions.
More Counseling Programs
Explore more program options from the Department of Counseling at Xavier University, from graduate degrees to online certificates.
MA in School Counseling
Medical Trauma-Informed Care Certificate
Addiction Counseling Certificate
FAQ
Housed within the Xavier Department of Counseling, our master’s in clinical mental health counseling program seeks to prepare you to serve as a professional, multiculturally competent clinical counselor in diverse practice environments. Learn more.
With increasing social awareness of mental health issues and a growing acceptance of seeking professional help, the demand for counselors continues to grow.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects careers in mental health services to increase by 18% through 2032, nearly six times the national average for all occupations. This means approximately 42,000 roles for counselors and other mental health experts will open annually. With opportunities for specialization in areas such as substance abuse, trauma, and marriage and family therapy, the counseling profession offers well-trained individuals various avenues into the mental health field.
Additionally, mental health counselors earn a median annual wage of $49,710; however, their earning potential can extend to $82,710 based on their facility, state of employment and experience level.
Xavier University’s MA in Clinical Mental Health program is an in-person program. Classes will be held at Xavier's campus in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Our Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is a 60-credit hour program that can be completed in two years of full-time study. Part-time options are available for students who will not be enrolled full-time.
Yes, Xavier University's MA in Mental Health Counseling program is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
We proudly hold this accreditation as a marker of our commitment to providing the highest quality instruction and our emphasis on service-learning, social justice, theory, and evidence-based practice in coursework and practical experience.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Xavier University
In the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Xavier University, you acquire in-depth knowledge and practical skills through our integrative curriculum, hands-on practicums and internships. At the end of the program, you graduate with the required experience and competencies to obtain licensure and begin serving as a trustworthy and ethical counselor in your community. Imagine new, rewarding career possibilities by pursuing your master’s in mental health counseling at Xavier. Students will identify with the counseling profession in general and actively participate in appropriate professional groups and professional development activities associated with the field, understand and demonstrate ethical behaviors in all domains with their counseling activities and so much more.
Xavier University's College of Professional Sciences prepares undergraduate and graduate students intellectually, morally and spiritually for careers and professions of service. CPS challenges students to strive for academic excellence and life-long learning through promoting collaboration and community partnerships, and incorporating research, scholarship and innovation.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."