Mental health counselor education requirements

Q: What degree do you need to be a mental health counselor?

You need a master's degree in mental health counseling or a related field to become a mental health counselor. To practice as a licensed mental health counselor, your master's degree is required regardless of what state you reside and practice in. To enter a graduate program for counseling, most schools require an undergraduate in a field related to mental health, such as psychology or sociology. Before a candidate can attempt a licensure exam, they must successfully complete a master's program in mental health counseling or a related field. Candidates must also have an ample amount of fieldwork. Most programs require 800+ hours of fieldwork, working directly with and under the supervision of a professional. It is important to be aware of the accreditation that is accepted by the state you plan to be employed in. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is widely accepted. Not only is a degree required for mental health counseling, but there is so much importance behind the knowledge you gain. You gain a foundation in understanding anatomy, as well as the functions of the brain. The degree programs teach you to recognize symptoms of mental and emotional illness and give you the tools to address them.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a mental health counselor. Mental health counselors usually study psychology, social work, or mental health counseling. 58% of mental health counselors hold a bachelor's degree, and 31% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 14,849 real mental health counselor resumes to see exactly what mental health counselor education sections show.

The most common colleges for mental health counselors are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online mental health counselor courses to help get the education required to be a mental health counselor.

There are certain mental health counselor certifications that you should consider. These mental health counselor certifications include Certified Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor (NCC).

What education do you need to become a mental health counselor?

What degree do you need to be a mental health counselor?

The most common degree for mental health counselors is bachelor's degree, with 58% of mental health counselors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 31% and master's degree degree at 7%.

Bachelor's, 58%

Master's, 31%

Associate, 7%

Doctorate, 2%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a mental health counselor?

You should major in psychology to become a mental health counselor. 34% of mental health counselors major in psychology. Other common majors for a mental health counselor include social work and mental health counseling.

Psychology, 34%

Social Work, 10%

Mental Health Counseling, 8%

Counseling Psychology, 7%

Other Majors, 41%

Most common colleges for mental health counselors

Mental health counselors often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Liberty University, and Capella University. Here are the most common colleges for mental health counselors in the US based on their resumes.

Mental health counselor common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	8.51%
Liberty University	7.63%
Capella University	7.05%
Norfolk State University	6.53%
Argosy University	6.29%

Show more common mental health counselor colleges

Best majors for mental health counselors

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Psychology	34.1%
2	Social Work	10.2%
3	Mental Health Counseling	8.3%
4	Counseling Psychology	7.1%
5	School Counseling	6.2%

Show more common mental health counselor majors

Best colleges for mental health counselors

The best colleges for mental health counselors are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A mental health counselor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for mental health counselors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become mental health counselors.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Enrollment

16,205

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

7. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

8. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

9. San Jose State University

San Jose, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,796

Enrollment

27,125

10. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

20 best online courses for mental health counselors

Advertising disclosure

1. Cannabis, Mental Health, and Brain Disorders

This Cannabis, Mental Health, and Brain Disorders course is designed to have you think critically about the health effects of cannabis (i.e., marijuana) in the context of several mental health and neurocognitive disorders. You'll be able to identify key features of several anxiety disorders (e.g., panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, PTSD), major depression, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's...

2. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs

4.7

(1,529)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...

3. Managing mental health issues in the workplace

4.1

(891)

Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...

4. [Accredited] Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Counselor

4.3

(419)

Learn DBT in depth, start conducting sessions with ready to use templates, and set up counseling practice within weeks!...

5. Mental Health and Wellness Professional (MHW) Diploma Course

4.7

(982)

Discover a flexible and comprehensive way of understanding mental health as a Certified Mental Health Professional (MHP)...

6. Workplace Mental Health: A Manager's Ultimate Guide

4.6

(1,641)

How to manage mental health in the workplace to boost productivity and be the best boss!...

7. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)

4.7

(311)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...

8. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate

4.6

(1,115)

Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...

9. Cognitive Psychology for Positive Mental Health and Wellness

4.8

(570)

Optimise your mental health and reduce stress by mastering the key concepts of Cognitive Behavioural Psychology (CBP)...

10. Mental Health and Neuroplasticity: Change your Brain

4.8

(1,653)

10 Alternatives to Medication to Improve Mental Health - Research backed treatments for Depression and Anxiety...

11. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course

4.7

(291)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...

12. Mental Health First Aid Skills -

4.4

(1,774)

This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge for learners to help and support those experiencing MH issues...

13. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Certificate

4.7

(296)

Become a Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) practitioner and help people improve their mental health...

14. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Certificate

4.6

(1,078)

Become a certified CBT practitioner and learn to use cognitive behavior therapy to improve people's mental health...

15. Mindfulness for Mental Health, Personal Growth & Inner Peace

4.4

(1,293)

The essential guide to cultivating positive mental health, practicing mindfulness, and advancing your personal growth...

16. Existential Therapy, Psychotherapy & Counselling

4.6

(595)

Helping Individuals to Live Meaningful, Free & Authentic Lives...

17. Couples Counselling using Systemic Family Therapy

4.7

(252)

Help people build stronger relationships and marriages by learning couples counselling skills...

18. A Beginner's Guide to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

4.8

(918)

Learn how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) contributes to long-term personal growth and sustainable mental resilience...

19. Metacognitive Therapy

4.8

(315)

Learn MCT, a cognitive psychotherapy based on CBT, that helps clients tackle the root of their anxiety and depression...

20. How to Help Family Members or Friends with Mental Illness

4.7

(283)

Practical Counseling Skills to help children, family or friends with Depression, Anxiety, or Other Mental Illness...

Top 10 most affordable universities for mental health counselors

The most affordable schools for mental health counselors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for mental health counselors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for mental health counselors.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

6. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

7. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

10. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for mental health counselors

The hardest universities for mental health counselors to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for mental health counselors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for mental health counselors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

2. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

4. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

5. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

8. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

10. Fordham University

Bronx, NY • Private

Admissions rate

46%

SAT average

1,354

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for mental health counselors

The easiest schools for mental health counselors to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, mount saint mary's university, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a mental health counselor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for mental health counselors.

1. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

2. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

5. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

6. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

7. Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,059

8. College of New Rochelle, The

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

982

9. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

10. Rosemont College

Rosemont, PA • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,026

Average mental health counselor salary by education level

According to our data, mental health counselors with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $54,981 annually. Mental health counselors with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $45,885.

Mental health counselor education level	Mental health counselor salary
Master's Degree	$54,981
Bachelor's Degree	$45,885

Mental health counselor education FAQs

What degree do you need to be a mental health counselor?

What is the best college for Mental Health Counselors?

Have more questions? See all answers to common community and social services questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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