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Child and Adolescent Counseling
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
As a clinical mental health counselor, your understanding of the latest theory and best practices can help you encourage young people to grow socially and emotionally. The Capella MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Child and Adolescent Counseling specialization offers tools and knowledge to help you find your own path in this field.
Learn developmentally appropriate interventions related to play therapy, family therapy and treatment and intervention planning for childhood and adolescent disorders. You’ll also learn to work with developmental, multicultural, ethical and legal issues related to various child and adolescent populations.
You’ll complete two foundational play therapy courses and choose two additional courses to help you find your own style as you work with child and adolescent populations.
As part of the 90-credit CACREP-accredited* program, this specialization is designed to help prepare students to pursue professional licensure as a licensed professional counselor or mental health counselor.**
*Capella University’s PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MS in School Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through March 31, 2028.
**This specialization is not designed to prepare students to pursue professional licensure in the education field. It is important to understand all education and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. Not all programs are offered to residents of every state due to regulatory requirements. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state.
At a glance
- GuidedPath
- Online & in person
- 13 Core courses
- 4 Specialization courses
- 2 Residencies
- 1 Practicum
- 2 Internships
- CACREP accredited
Reduce your tuition up to $2,500
Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $2.5K Capella Progress Reward scholarship to help fund your master's degree.
Explore clinical mental health counseling courses
- This degree requires a total of 90 quarter credits in GuidedPath
- You’ll need to complete 13 core courses, four specialization courses, two in-person residencies, one practicum and two internships
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COUN5002
Lifespan Development for the Counseling Professions
4 quarter credits
Learners examine theories and principles of lifespan development to include biological, cognitive, social, emotional, and moral frameworks. Learners analyze a variety of contexts that support typical and adaptive development in all stages of life and are exposed to current research and knowledge in the field. Must be taken during the learner's first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
PLAY6203
The History and Systems of Play Therapy
4 quarter credits
Learners examine the historical origins of and rationale for integrating play into the practice of therapy and discuss the core systems of and approaches to play therapy. Learners also review the contributions of play to child development and well-being throughout the lifespan. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
PLAY6206
Theories and Skills of Play Therapy
4 quarter credits
Learners expand on their knowledge of the major theories of play therapy and the skills and interventions that define those theories. Learners assess the major theories and apply these to their work with a variety of child clients and client scenarios. Learners also develop a personal theoretical orientation and apply this approach to personal practice. Learners assess ethical and legal issues unique to the field and specific to providing play therapy services across populations. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite(s): PLAY6203 or PSY5244.
4 quarter credits
COUN5254
Child and Adolescent Counseling
4 quarter credits
Learners gain an understanding of major theories and research of adolescent and child development. Learners examine biological and psychosocial development factors and evaluate the influence of family, community, society, and trauma on development.
4 quarter credits
COUN5420
Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
4 quarter credits
Learners examine common characteristics, risk factors, and warning signs of mental health and behavioral disorders affecting children and adolescents. Learners also critically evaluate diagnostic models, methods, and approaches and explore current DSM classifications and diagnostic issues related to children and adolescents. In addition, learners investigate the impact of common medications on learning, behavior, and mood in children and adolescents.
4 quarter credits
COUN5271
Marriage and Family Systems
4 quarter credits
Learners investigate families as systems from theoretical, clinical, and research perspectives. Learners gain an understanding of family development, transitions, assessment, and intervention. Learners also apply systems-oriented assessment models and strategies for initial interviews, hypothesis formulation, and designing a strategy for intervention.
4 quarter credits
*Course has prerequisite(s). See catalog for details.
What you’ll learn
Designed to help you gain real-world skills to support a range of young people in a counseling role, the Child and Adolescent Counseling specialization in the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program covers the theory, research and practice of counseling and child development.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- Assess for legal responsibilities and applicable ethical standards for children and adolescents in a variety of professional settings.
- Integrate knowledge of counseling theory, research and professional literature to choose activities that promote optimal health and well-being in children and adolescents, families, groups and systems.
- Employ traditional or systems theories to explain the relationships between community systems, family systems and school systems that influence children and adolescents.
- Develop diagnoses and treatment plans/interventions for typical child and adolescent disorders that integrate awareness of multicultural and social justice competencies.
How much does the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.*
A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or quarter
- $497 per credit
- $175 resource kit
- 90 total quarter credits
- 20 max transfer credits
$44,730
NO ADDITIONAL CREDITS 42 months
$48,209
ADDITIONAL CREDITS 60 months
*This is only an estimate, effective July 7, 2025, and is subject to change.
Capella is committed to transparency in tuition and pricing. You will be responsible for costs in addition to tuition, which may include your resource kit, travel expenses and practicum costs.
Your tuition amount will vary depending on your unique circumstances such as your program specialization, transfer credits and any applicable tuition discounts. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses are not included. Tuition estimates shown for the GuidedPath learning format depend on the number of credits accepted for transfer.
New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs. Review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
“No additional credits” may reflect your tuition amount if you transfer no credits and intend to practice in a state for which no additional credits are recommended for state licensure. “Additional credits” may reflect your tuition amount if you transfer no credits and reside in a state for which additional coursework may be necessary for state licensure requirements. It is important to understand all educational and individual requirements for state licensure or certification, including total credit requirements, in the state or territory for which you intend to practice. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state.
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Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education.
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Preparing for licensure
It is important to understand all education and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. Not all programs are offered to residents of every state due to regulatory requirements. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state.
Capella University is not accepting applications into the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program from residents of the states and/or territories listed below who intend to seek professional license or certification in the restricted state.
Current students who relocate to the following states or territories may not be able to complete site-based learning or other program requirements, fulfill residency requirements, or obtain professional licensure or certification in the state or territory: CA, MD, PR, WV.
Get licensure details or contact an enrollment counselor for more information.
What are the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling admission requirements?
Admission requirements
Applicants to the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program must provide the following information for admission:
- Admission application – no application fee required
- A bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official bachelor’s transcripts with a minimum grade point average of 2.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale; if your GPA is lower, call enrollment services at 1- 866-736-1751 to discuss alternate admission options
- Your official transcripts from all previous educational institutions, including any graduate or professional school coursework
- Your resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- A goal statement that includes five short-answer responses about your professional goals, aptitude, and potential for success in the counseling profession
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International student requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
State enrollment restrictions
Capella University is not accepting applications into the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program from residents of the states and/or territories listed below who intend to seek professional license or certification in the restricted state.
Current students who relocate to the following states or territories may not be able to complete site-based learning or other program requirements, fulfill residency requirements, or obtain professional licensure or certification in the state or territory: CA, MD, PR, WV.
Get licensure details or contact your enrollment counselor for more information.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a master’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.
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What can you do with an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree?
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Child and Adolescent Counseling.
Job titles to explore*
- Mental health therapist
- Mental health clinician
- Mental health professional
- Mental health counselor
- Crisis response counselor
- Counselor
- Licensed mental health therapist
- Behavioral health therapist
- Outpatient clinician
- Child and adolescent case manager
Employment settings to explore*
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration
- Professional, scientific and technical services
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.