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Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling

Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Department of Counseling

General Mental Health Counseling specialization

Mental health counseling is a field that can bring immense personal satisfaction as well as excellent career opportunities. This CACREP-accredited master's program in Mental Health Counseling offers a rigorous curriculum that includes online course work, residencies, and field experiences designed to prepare you for state licensure eligibility.† You will develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you need to assess and treat mental and emotional disorders and promote optimum mental health. People who choose this specialization often pursue mental health counselor positions within institutional, community, and private practice settings.

Licensure information: Begin to research and understand your state's licensure requirements right away, find answers to common questions, explore how Capella programs fit with your state's standards and requirements, and get links to important state resources. Visit the licensure website for mental health professionals.

CACREP-Accredited

Capella currently offers three CACREP-accredited master's specializations: Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy and School Counseling.

Learn why CACREP accreditation is important
CACREP Why you should care about CACREP accreditation

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Read what others have to say about this specialization, or leave your own comment, and be sure to check back often to converse with others about their Capella experiences.

Total Program: 92 quarter credits
Up to 12 quarter credits may be transferred into this specialization
Admission Requirements Icon indicating PDF
Next Start Date: March 5, 2012
Credit: $451

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Residency requirements: Two 6-day residential colloquia

Learn about the residential colloquia experience.
In addition to your online courses, you will attend two 6-day residential colloquia at specific stages in your program. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your MS studies and beyond.

What is the cost to attend?

The price for each colloquium is $1,495 (pricing is subject to periodic adjustment), but doesn’t include costs for evening meals or travel. You’ll be responsible for making your hotel reservations and travel arrangements.
  • Learn more about residency requirements.
  • Get more detailed information and learn how the residency experiences will enrich your learning at Capella University. Speak with an enrollment counselor at 1.888.227.3552.

Core Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • COUN5004 - Survey of Research in Human Development for Professional Counselors
  • COUN5006 - Survey of Research Methodology
  • COUN5106 - Assessment, Tests, and Measures
  • COUN5107 - Principles of Psychopathology: Diagnosis and Treatment*
  • COUN5214 - Theories of Personality
  • COUN5215 - Professional and Scientific Ethics for Counselors/Therapists
  • COUN5223 - Introduction to Mental Health Counseling
  • COUN5238 - Crisis Assessment and Intervention
  • COUN5239 - Theories of Psychotherapy
  • COUN5241 - Group Counseling and Psychotherapy*
  • COUN5252 - Introspective and Personal Growth Seminar
  • COUN5279 - Life Planning and Career Development
  • COUN5334 - Ethnic and Cultural Awareness

All academic courses listed below are 10-week online courses. Each includes specific residential colloquia or clinical experiences. Learners must complete prerequisites and residency and clinical experience requirements to be eligible to complete each course in the sequence.

 

  • COUN5930 - Mental Health Counseling Pre-Practicum Course I* AND
  • COUN-R5930 - Mental Health Counseling Residential Colloquium I* - non-credit
  • COUN5931 - Mental Health Counseling Pre-Practicum Course II* AND
  • COUN-R5931 - Mental Health Counseling Residential Colloquium II* - non-credit
  • COUN6302 - Mental Health Counseling Clinical Practicum*
  • COUN6331 - Mental Health Counseling Clinical Internship I*
  • COUN6332 - Mental Health Counseling Clinical Internship II*

Specialization Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • COUN5108 - Foundations of Addictive and Compulsive Behavior*
  • COUN5225 - Human Sexuality
  • COUN5254 - Child and Adolescent Counseling*
  • COUN5271 - Marriage and Family Systems
  • COUN6935 - Mental Health Counseling Integrative Project*
†Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure and salary benefits. It is the learners' responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for their states. Where applicable, teachers are advised to contact their school districts as to whether a program may qualify for salary advancement. (Washington State learners are advised to go to: http://pathway.pesb.wa.gov/outofstate for more information)
Graduates of this specialization are not eligible for licensure in South Carolina. Learners residing in South Carolina should check with the state licensing agency for specific requirements for professional licensure.
New York residents are currently not eligible to enroll in this specialization.
* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

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Related specialization

In addition to our master's degree in Mental Health Counseling, Capella also offers a Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services for individuals who want to deepen their knowledge of assessment and treatment of mental health issues.





Still here but not drinking the Kool Aid

November 25, 2010RI Please don't take these glowing reviews of Capella's program as indicative of everyone's experiences. This school markets itself as a place for professionals who are students but what they really require are professional students. The workload for students who have FT jobs is overwhelming at times and there are instructors who act as though your class should be the most important priority in your life. The dogma about the "interaction between students in the posts" is total nonsense, you are forced to engage in conversations which will not further your knowledge but waste your already limited time. I know I sound like sourgrapes, but there are many students who think the program and the courses need to be overhauled but they often do not get a forum from the eager beaver students hwo have nothing but priase. I'm still here b/c the credits don't transfer, so I'll either have to start again or not get the degree.

Masters in Counseling Program: Viewpoint of an Older student

November 22, 2010Sally Entering counseling program at Capella is one of the best things I have ever done. Although I had always wanted a masters in counseling it seemed impossible. I work fulltime,have a family, have been out of school for years and do not have a background in psychology. I started taking one course at a time and they have all been wonderful. The courses started off easy so that by the time they slipped in the hard ones I was ready for them. The instructors give insight, not only into the theory but into practical use of the information as well. The class format was made for internet use. I have friends taking online courses from other universities who are taking courses that were originally written for the classroom and modified for the internet. All of them have been unhappy with their courses. I have enjoyed every course I've taken. The courses at Capella are interesting, and provide up to date information. I have no regrets about starting this program. (I'm about half way through.)

The program has its advantages and disadvantages..

April 12, 2011SB First I will say, no program will ever be perfect, you have to give and take based on your own personal priorities. First I will say what I did not necessarily like about the program. Really, you are basically teaching yourself. There are NO lectures, note taking, test taking (except maybe the rare course), etc. This is what I miss about brick and morter schools, and my undergrad experiences in general. The program is extremely writing intensive!!! You have to READ your textbook on your own time, this is where you actually learn. If you do not READ the textbook, you do not learn. This education is 99% self taught. Another not so positive about the program, it is EXPENSIVE!! It is more expensive than brick and morter schools. Positives include: FLEXIBILITY for working adults, easy to get in program, NO GRE, easy to access on-line library, generally helpful feedback from peers and course facilitators.. Thus far, my internship experience is where I have learned the most. Hope this helps...

Not for wimps

May 18, 2011Mental Hi, I have been with Capella in the Masters program for Mental Health Counseling since 2009, and earning a certificate in Criminal Justice as well. After reading all these comments I felt the need to reply. First, I wanted to attend Capella because of the CACREP accreditation (which is REQUIRED in my state for licensure). Second, I am astonished at how many students do not know how to use spell check and whine about learning to use proper APA. These courses are designed to teach you how to find out answers for yourselves and to prepare you for writing/publishing down the road. Counseling is NOT about just sitting in a room talking to people about their issues. There is a high workload, high expectations, and higher stress levels but honestly, the program is designed to ensure the safety of clients and that is what it is all about.

Leaving Capella

November 29, 2010Nico I have been at Capella since 2007. I had an amazing instructor for first course. Since then, I have experienced all sorts of absenteeism from my instructors as well as some unprofessionalism. I have had a small handful of excellent peers. Others, I am sad to say, seem to be at Capella long enough for Capella to get money out of them, but I do not supsect that they will get degrees. This is important when all you have are your instructors and your peers. Capella is not the only CACREP school. Research this school and others and compare the degree plans at different schools. In the end, if you are taking courses that you feel will make you a better professional, having subpar courseroom interactions will be less of an issue. Best of luck with your decision.

Wanted to learn to counsel not research

December 1, 2010Brenda I am disappointed with Capella. When I decided to major in counseling, I chose online because of good experiences I have had with correspondence, telecommunication, and online courses. How can a school be considered as flexible when they pick your class dates, and then tell you under no circumstance are late assignments accepted because other learners need to read and respond to them? There is far too much emphasize on APA, responding to other learners, and peer review articles. The articles seldom correspond to the discussion questions, so you have to search for articles to prove your 250 wd post. I don’t think counselors diagnose a client or administer an assessment, then search for peer review articles to support their actions. But the most alarming thing is that they do not teach you to counsel and the other learners act like they don’t realize what is happening. You pay $2000+ for the residency experience and the cohort leader does what they want, which is role plays with poor instructions, after carrying that thick DSM book on an airplane. Why does Capella have tapes and videos at the residencies? Then you get one class away from practicum and controlling TEACHER has the nerves to tell you to go volunteer and redo the residency, after you have spent 6 days watching them waste your money and time. But file an appeal, the panel members, your advisor, and the teacher you have issues with her all friends. I work 40 hours and do not have vacation to repeat residency, but has anyone asked me, no. And what’s the logic of studying counseling on line and spending $2000+ if the only way you can learn counseling is drive to a site to volunteer so someone else can teach you what they want you to do? I’m still trying to figure out if I should have my mother contact them, because they are ignoring me, the payee and adult learner.

Mental Health Counseling

November 23, 2010Tiffany I was a bit apprehensive about attending school online, but I have been pleasantly surprised. The courses are challenging (in a good way), and I feel like I'm learning more from my online courses than I learned going to actual classes during my undergraduate studies. I also love that I have the flexibility to complete the course assignments when I have time without having to find a sitter or leave work early. I'm glad that I found Capella :)

MH Counseling

December 3, 2010Catherine My experience with Capella was the best choice I made. I had a full time job as a department head, and by the end of my Master's program I was exhausted. I stuck with it, and completed my program. I am now an LPCC in a community mental health agency. Because I could not have gotten this education without traveling 100 miles each way, I feel that Capella was the best choice for me. I find that my education far exceeds many of my coworkers that went to more traditional schools. I worked hard, and sometimes wondered if I would make it. It was all worth it. thanks Capella. By the way, my daughter is now attending Capella for Accounting.

An opportunity for stay-at-home moms to continue their education!!!!

November 22, 2010Auzadeh I am a stay-at-home mom and I would hate to have missed the opportunity to continue on my educational journey! Our society allows women endless opportunities, and Capella allows me to provide my children the love and care I believe they deserve, while nurturing my passion for mental health counseling. I researched many schools and Capella is affordable and more importantly ACCREDITED! To practice as a therapist you will need state licensure (which requires an education from an accredited program). Being a graduate student (in my opinion) is very similar to being an undergraduate. There are additional expectations placed on me and my work, and I had to transition from a theoretical mindset, to a practical real-world mindset. Additionally, graduate school is more personal and you actually get to know the staff. The staff at Capela provide the encouragement and thought provoking classroom facilitation that I need to become a professional. If you read this I hope my story helps =0)

Excellent!!

November 23, 2010Catherine I have been a student since last June working towards my master's degree in counseling. The fact that Capella is CACREP accredited means I have the chance to obtain a professional counseling license in my state that only approves of Capella for this purpose. Thank you, Capella! Also, I appreciate the entire set up and organization for students. The emailed information is very helpful! Thank you, Capella!!
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Image of enrollment counselor from the team that specializes in Capella's human services degree programs

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