Choosing a counseling master's program means looking beyond the degree title: will its coursework and supervised training support the Minnesota license you want, and can you afford the path to get there? This guide is for career changers and future counselors comparing programs, costs, formats, and job prospects. It accompanies the 2027 Best Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Minnesota, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about which programs are worth considering.
Key findings about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degrees in Minnesota
Minnesota clinical counseling applicants should check a program against the state's LPCC education rules before comparing prestige or price; a master's degree alone does not confer a license (Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy).
The U.S. median annual pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025; projected national employment growth is 18% for 2025-2035, not a guarantee of Minnesota openings or individual earnings (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Compare the full cost of coursework and required clinical training, not tuition alone. Program location and scheduling can determine whether you can complete placements while continuing to work.
What can I expect from a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Minnesota?
A clinical mental health counseling degree is typically a graduate program combining counseling theory, assessment, ethics, and supervised client work. Its most important practical purpose is to prepare a student for an appropriate licensing pathway - not to award a license upon graduation. In Minnesota, prospective licensed professional clinical counselors, or LPCCs, must satisfy education, examination, and supervised-experience requirements administered by the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.
Degree names need careful reading. A master's in counseling, counselor education, or a closely related field may have a clinical pathway, while a school counseling or psychology degree can lead toward a different credential. Ask each program for a written explanation of how its specific courses and fieldwork align with Minnesota LPCC requirements. CACREP accreditation is a useful program-level signal, but applicants should check the board's actual rules rather than assume either that CACREP is always mandatory or that institutional accreditation alone establishes eligibility (CACREP; Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy).
This path fits people who want sustained, supervised therapeutic work with individuals or groups. Someone primarily seeking a school counselor credential, a short route into a nonclinical helping role, or a degree they can finish without arranging client-facing fieldwork should compare other pathways before committing.
Where can I work with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Minnesota?
Depending on the position and license held, clinical counselors work in outpatient behavioral health clinics, hospitals, community mental health agencies, substance-use treatment programs, integrated medical settings, and private practices. Employers set role-specific qualifications, and independent clinical work generally calls for a different level of authorization than supervised work after graduation (Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy).
Placement geography deserves as much attention as campus geography. A student based near the Twin Cities may have access to a different mix of specialty clinics than someone planning to remain in Greater Minnesota, where travel and placement schedules can shape what is feasible. Ask programs where recent students completed clinical training and whether they help arrange sites near your home; an online course schedule does not make in-person client work disappear.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a $59,350 national median annual wage in May 2025 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. This occupation group covers more than one counseling focus, so the figure is a benchmark - not a starting offer for a new Minnesota graduate or a prediction of LPCC private-practice income.
When evaluating a program's return, compare likely pay for the jobs you actually want in your preferred Minnesota location and at your expected licensing stage. Employer, experience, hours, and practice setting can change compensation. Be especially cautious about comparing an established clinician's earnings with the debt and income of someone completing supervised post-degree experience (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy).
The clearest differences among these Minnesota options concern the degree's stated focus, its academic setting, institutional mission, and location. Treat each distinction as a reason to ask a targeted follow-up question - not as proof that a program produces better licensing or employment outcomes.
Minnesota State University, Mankato: Its mental health counseling M.S. sits within a counseling and student personnel program. That structure may appeal to students who want to examine adjacent counseling perspectives; request the clinical course and placement plan before assuming every pathway in the department serves the same license (Minnesota State University, Mankato).
Bethel University: Bethel offers graduate counseling study within a Christian university. For applicants who want that institutional context, the useful comparison is how it appears in actual coursework and supervision - not the university's affiliation alone (Bethel University).
St. Cloud State University: Its graduate program is expressly identified as clinical mental health counseling. That direct degree focus makes it a sensible option for applicants whose first screening question is Minnesota clinical-license alignment; confirm the current curriculum with the program and state board (St. Cloud State University).
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities: Its master's program is housed in counselor education within the Department of Educational Psychology. Students interested in the academic context surrounding counseling should examine its available pathways carefully and verify that their chosen plan, rather than the department name, matches their clinical goal (University of Minnesota-Twin Cities).
Crown College: Crown identifies its graduate award as an M.A. in Counseling rather than labeling the degree itself solely clinical mental health counseling. That distinction makes a course-by-course licensure review particularly important for applicants comparing it with explicitly titled clinical programs (Crown College).
Bethany Lutheran College: Bethany identifies its graduate offering specifically as clinical mental health counseling within a Lutheran college. Applicants drawn to that setting can compare its actual clinical requirements and placement support with the other faith-affiliated options, rather than treating institutional mission as a substitute for training details (Bethany Lutheran College).
Winona State University: Winona State identifies a clinical mental health counseling program outside the Twin Cities. It merits a close look from students planning to train or work in southeastern Minnesota, where the availability and travel demands of local placements may matter more than a campus-based comparison suggests (Winona State University).
For each school, request its current catalog, fieldwork handbook, published outcomes if available, and a written explanation of Minnesota LPCC alignment. Those documents support a stronger comparison than an unverified claim about placement or exam success.
Full-time clinical mental health counseling master's study commonly takes about two to three years; part-time enrollment can take longer. That is a planning range, not a promised completion time. Course sequencing, summer availability, and the point at which a student can begin practicum or internship may matter more than the advertised number of semesters.
Graduation is also not the end of the LPCC timeline. Minnesota has separate examination and supervised post-degree experience requirements, so ask when graduates can begin the relevant supervised work and which roles qualify (Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy). If speed is essential, compare the earliest realistic licensing timeline - not just the quickest advertised degree schedule.
Online delivery changes where coursework happens, not whether supervised clinical training is required. The comparison below focuses on constraints that can materially affect a Minnesota student's ability to finish.
Consideration
Online or hybrid study
On-campus study
Class attendance
May reduce routine travel; scheduled live sessions or campus visits can still apply.
Requires travel for in-person classes, with scheduling determined by the program.
Clinical placement
Still requires an approved supervised setting; local-site approval is crucial.
Also requires an approved site, which may not be on campus.
Best fit
Students who need geographic flexibility and can secure a suitable placement.
Students who prefer in-person instruction and can reliably reach classes and sites.
For either format, check the exact degree and programmatic accreditation status and ask whether the school supports placements in your part of Minnesota. If an online institution is based elsewhere, get written confirmation of how its curriculum addresses Minnesota's requirements; delivery format does not establish license eligibility (Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy; CACREP).
There is no reliable single Minnesota-wide average in the cited federal institutional tuition data that represents what every student will pay for a clinical mental health counseling degree. IPEDS reports institutional graduate tuition and fees, while an individual bill depends on program charges, credits required, enrollment pace, residency rules where applicable, and aid (National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS). Presenting an institutional figure as a program's total price would be misleading.
Build a comparable estimate from each school's current published tuition and required fees, then add books, travel or relocation for placements, examination costs, and income you may forgo during clinical hours. Subtract grants or scholarships rather than assuming the advertised price is your net price. The most affordable clinical mental health counseling programs can help start a shortlist, but obtain a program-specific estimate before deciding.
Eligible graduate students may be able to use federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and institutional scholarships or assistantships. Federal loan eligibility and limits depend on current rules and the student's circumstances; completing the FAFSA is the practical first step for determining federal aid eligibility (Federal Student Aid). Ask departments about funding tied specifically to counseling study, not just university-wide awards.
Do not build a graduate budget around Minnesota's State Grant without checking eligibility: that grant is primarily an undergraduate aid program (Minnesota Office of Higher Education). Compare written aid offers by net program cost and borrowing needed through completion, including clinical terms when paid work may be harder to maintain. For another comparison lens, review the most valuable clinical mental health counseling programs, then test the result against your own aid offer and likely time to completion.
Applicants generally need a bachelor's degree, but acceptable majors, prerequisite coursework, GPA standards, recommendations, statements, interviews, and background-check procedures are set by each institution. Clinical-site requirements may arise after admission, so confirm those early if they could affect your placement options (individual program admissions and fieldwork policies).
A career changer should request a transcript review before taking extra undergraduate courses. Also ask how many previous graduate credits can transfer, whether transferred clinical courses meet program sequencing rules, and whether a shortened degree would still satisfy Minnesota LPCC education requirements. A school's acceptance of a transfer credit is not, by itself, a licensing-board determination (Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy).
Expect coursework in counseling skills and theories, ethics, assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning, research, multicultural counseling, and supervised practicum and internship. Exact titles and clinical-hour rules vary by program; the transcript and fieldwork record - not the degree title alone - are what applicants should compare with Minnesota's education standards (Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy; individual program catalogs).
Read course descriptions for the work you hope to do. Someone interested in substance-use treatment, for example, should check whether relevant clinical instruction is required or elective and whether suitable placements are available. Ask the program which courses it identifies as meeting each applicable board requirement before enrollment.
Programs may allow students to focus electives or fieldwork on interests such as substance use, trauma, children and families, or integrated behavioral health. Availability depends on the school and its placement partners; an advertised interest area is not necessarily a separate credential or authorization to practice a specialty independently.
Choose the clinical foundation first. If a specialization adds credits or limits placement choices, ask whether it advances your intended Minnesota role enough to justify the extra time and cost. School counseling and marriage and family therapy are particularly important to distinguish from clinical mental health counseling because they can involve different credentials and regulatory pathways (Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy; relevant Minnesota licensing authorities).
Start with the license and setting you want, then compare programs against the requirements that could prevent you from reaching that goal. Popularity can reveal options other students consider - the most popular clinical mental health counseling programs provide one starting point - but popularity is not evidence of personal fit.
Use the following checks to turn a shortlist into a decision:
Ask each school for a current curriculum map explaining how its degree addresses Minnesota LPCC education requirements; check the board's rules yourself.
Verify the institution's accreditation and, separately, whether the specific counseling program has CACREP accreditation if that matters to your plans (CACREP; Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy).
Request the complete cost through graduation and a realistic schedule for classes and clinical placements in your preferred area.
Compare available program-level completion, placement, and examination information, noting reporting periods and whether results cover the pathway you would enter.
Estimate return using your current earnings, expected post-degree opportunities, aid and debt, likelihood of completion, opportunity cost, and the time until you can reach your intended licensing stage.
Two avoidable mistakes are assuming that any counseling master's qualifies for LPCC licensure and selecting the lowest tuition without pricing the full clinical pathway. A good choice is the program you can complete, finance, and use for your specific career goal - not necessarily the one with the strongest single ranking measure.
View the chart data as a table
Best score distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
90–90
2
91–91
1
92–92
0
93–93
0
94–94
2
95–95
2
A graduate might pursue supervised counseling work in a community agency, behavioral health clinic, hospital-linked service, or substance-use setting, subject to the position's requirements. With the required license and experience, other possibilities may include advanced clinical roles or private practice. Job title and scope of work depend on the employer and Minnesota licensing status, not solely on having completed a master's (Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy).
For someone already employed in human services, the degree may provide a route toward clinical responsibilities that their current credential does not permit. It is less compelling if the target job requires a different license or if the student cannot accommodate supervised training. Check actual Minnesota postings for your intended role before estimating a career payoff.
View the chart data as a table
Wage range - Mental Health Counselors in Minnesota (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
10th percentile
45,250
25th percentile
48,910
Median
58,780
75th percentile
65,430
90th percentile
77,320
National employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18% from 2025 to 2035, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections. That indicates a favorable broad occupational outlook, but it does not measure openings in a particular Minnesota county or guarantee that new graduates will obtain clinical positions immediately.
Compare local vacancies by setting and required licensing stage. A Twin Cities student and a student intending to remain in Greater Minnesota may face different mixes of employers and travel demands, so placement contacts in the area where you hope to work are especially valuable. Ask programs which employers host trainees and review current job requirements before treating national growth as a personal return-on-investment forecast.
2027 Best Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Minnesota
Investing in graduate education is a consequential decision. Research.com developed its counseling rankings to help readers compare programs using documented outcomes, accreditation, eligibility, and cost rather than reputation alone. The team draws on the following data sources and reviews the information used in its scoring for quality, credibility, and accuracy:
IPEDS database - institutional enrollment, completions, and cost data.
The Best ranking first combines program completion (40%), employment or doctoral admission (20%), licensure exam pass rate where applicable (20%), CACREP programmatic accreditation (16%), and institutional Title IV eligibility (4%). Applicable weights are renormalized when a criterion does not apply. Program cost contributes a smaller component, about 7% of the final score. The method applies to online and on-campus programs; other Research.com counseling rankings order programs by the dimension named in each ranking. See Research.com's methodology for more detail.
A ranking can narrow a shortlist, but it cannot establish that a particular graduate's courses will satisfy Minnesota licensure rules. Use the results alongside current program disclosures, a personal cost estimate, and guidance from the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.
# 1 position
Minnesota State University-Mankato
Master
Counseling and Student Personnel (MS) - Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
95.55
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Rolling admissions for Summer/Fall start, with priority given to applications received by January 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Abnormal Psychology or its equivalent, completed prior to or during the first year of admission
Additional requirements
Bachelor's degree from an accredited university (2.75+ GPA competitive); three letters of recommendation (one from an instructor or academic advisor); personal statement answering prompt questions; resume
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Minnesota State University-Mankato earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 95.55/100, supported by 100% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
# 2 position
Bethel University
Master
M.A. in Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
95.06
/ 100
Final score
Program length
As few as 33 months
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall 2027: January 1, 2027
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution or internationally recognized equivalent; 9 semester credits in behavioral/social sciences; minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Additional requirements
Online application, official transcripts, resume, statement of purpose, three professional and one personal reference forms, and interview by invitation. Criminal background check after acceptance.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Bethel University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 95.06/100, supported by 100% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 3 position
St. Cloud State University
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S.
Delivery mode: campus
94.95
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
61 semester credits
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: December 15 (Priority); February 1 (Final)
Class size
18
Application process
GradCAS (Liaison)
Prerequisites
No specific undergraduate major required.
Additional requirements
Graduate School application materials, one letter of professional recommendation, group interview, letter of intent, resume
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
St. Cloud State University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 94.95/100, supported by 100% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 4 position
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Master
M.A. in Counselor Education – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
94.27
/ 100
Final score
Program length
5 semesters full-time, including summer
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024)
Application deadline
January 15
Application process
direct (UMN Graduate School application)
GRE
no
Additional requirements
Graduate application and fee, transcripts, TOEFL/IELTS/MELAB for non-native speakers, personal statement, resume/CV, course abstract (if applicable), three letters of recommendation, DOVE statement.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 94.27/100, with 100% program completion rate among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 5 position
Crown College
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
91.77
/ 100
Final score
Program length
full time ... can complete the program in three years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university with transcripts on file; minimum GPA of 3.0 for previous post-secondary coursework (case-by-case review below 3.0).
Additional requirements
3-4 page paper answering program prompts; 1.5-2 hour Virtual Group Interview with Faculty; 2 references (one pastoral, one from another category).
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Crown College earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.77/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-10-31.
# 6 position
Bethany Lutheran College
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
90.95
/ 100
Final score
Program length
two years (three-year option available)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Program completion rate
93%
Employment or doctoral admission
79% (2025)
Application deadline
Priority Fall Cohort or Summer Jumpstart: February 28/29; Standard Fall Cohort: May 15; Rolling if Available: June 30
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
An undergraduate degree in any field is accepted; a psychology degree is not required.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Bethany Lutheran College earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 90.95/100, supported by 93% program completion rate and 79% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 7 position
Winona State University
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
90.93
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2-year, 3-year, or 4-year program plan options
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
81.4% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
94% (2023-24)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall priority screening: Graduate Studies November 15; Counselor Education December 1. Spring screening for fall entry: March 1 for both applications.
Application process
GradCAS
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (2.5-2.99 reviewed case-by-case, probationary admission); applicants with lower GPAs are eligible only for graduate non-degree seeking status.
Additional requirements
GradCAS application; current resume; 2–5 professional references completing rating forms; five personal statement responses; signed Statement of Understanding; in-person individual/group interview if selected.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Winona State University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 90.93/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 81.4% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
Frequently asked questions about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Minnesota
Do I need a master's degree to become an LPCC in Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota's LPCC pathway includes qualifying graduate education plus separate examination and supervised-experience requirements. Verify your planned degree and coursework with the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy; graduation alone is not licensure.
Does a CACREP-accredited program automatically qualify me for a Minnesota license?
No. CACREP accreditation describes a program, while the Minnesota board determines licensing eligibility under state rules. Check coursework, fieldwork, examinations, and supervised experience separately (CACREP; Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy).
Can I complete a Minnesota counseling degree entirely online?
Coursework may be online, but clinical training requires an approved supervised placement. Ask about live sessions, campus visits, local-site approval, and state licensing alignment before enrolling.
How long will it take to become a clinical counselor?
A full-time master's commonly takes about two to three years; part-time study can take longer. Minnesota's examination and supervised post-degree requirements add time beyond graduation (Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy).
Is a clinical mental health counseling degree worth the cost?
It may be if it supports your intended license and the likely career benefit justifies total cost, borrowing, and time away from work. Compare written aid offers and realistic local job requirements rather than using a national median wage as a promised outcome.
