Choosing a Tennessee counseling master's program means comparing more than a school's reputation: the degree must fit your budget, schedule, clinical training needs, and intended license. This guide covers those decisions for prospective students and career changers. It will feature the 2027 Best Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Tennessee, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about programs worth considering. You'll also learn how to check licensure fit, estimate total cost, and evaluate career prospects.
Key findings about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degrees in Tennessee
For Tennessee clinical practice, compare master's programs against the state's Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health Service Provider requirements; a degree alone does not confer a license.
The U.S. median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025, and employment is projected to grow 18% from 2025 to 2035 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Neither figure predicts an individual graduate's earnings.
Compare the full cost of required credits, fees, and supervised placements - not tuition alone. Location and placement scheduling can materially change the value of an otherwise similar program.
What can I expect from a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Tennessee?
A clinical mental health counseling degree is generally a graduate program preparing students to assess mental health concerns, develop treatment plans, practice counseling skills, and work under clinical supervision. For someone seeking Tennessee's Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health Service Provider (LPC-MHSP) credential, the relevant comparison is usually between qualifying master's programs - not between a master's degree and a short certificate (Tennessee Board for Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists).
Expect coursework, supervised practicum and internship experiences, and a separate post-degree licensing process. CACREP-accredited clinical mental health counseling programs follow programmatic standards for curriculum and supervised practice, but accreditation is distinct from state licensure. A related psychology, social work, or marriage and family therapy degree may be a better investment if it leads more directly to the credential and work you actually want (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; Tennessee licensing board).
Where can I work with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Tennessee?
Potential settings include community mental health agencies, outpatient clinics, hospitals, substance-use treatment programs, and, after appropriate licensure, private practice. The role you can hold immediately after graduation may be narrower than the role available after supervised experience and licensure; employers and payers can impose additional requirements (Tennessee licensing board).
Location affects training as well as employment. A student considering Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, or the Tri-Cities should ask each program where its students actually complete placements. Someone planning to work in a smaller community should also ask whether local supervisors and suitable clinical sites are available; a long commute or limited placement schedule can change the real cost of attendance.
The national median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook). This is an occupational median, not a Tennessee starting salary or a forecast for degree holders. Earnings depend on location, setting, experience, licensure, and whether compensation comes through wages or a practice's revenue.
For an investment decision, compare likely earnings at two points: while completing supervised post-degree work and after obtaining the license needed for your intended role. Ask programs for recent graduate employment information, but check whether reported outcomes distinguish graduates who are licensed from those still working toward licensure.
The programs below differ most usefully in their degree pathways and the locations where students would need to arrange study and supervised training. These are comparison starting points, not claims that a school's location alone establishes better outcomes. Confirm current credits, placement arrangements, delivery format, and Tennessee licensure alignment with each program (institutional program pages).
Lipscomb University: Its clinical mental health counseling program offers a Nashville-based option for students who want to investigate training opportunities in that metro area. Compare its complete private-university price and placement schedule with nearby alternatives before deciding whether that location works for you (Lipscomb University).
Tennessee Tech University: Its clinical mental health counseling master's option gives applicants a public-university choice in Cookeville rather than a Nashville- or Knoxville-based campus. It merits a close look if residence and placement access in the Upper Cumberland area matter to your budget (Tennessee Tech University).
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville: The university presents this pathway as an M.S. in Counseling. Applicants should verify the clinical mental health concentration and its required courses, rather than assuming every counseling pathway within the degree serves the same licensing goal (University of Tennessee-Knoxville).
Belmont University: Its M.A. in Counseling is another Nashville option, making curriculum and total cost more useful comparison points than city alone. Ask which courses and placements belong to the clinical mental health pathway you intend to pursue (Belmont University).
Southern Adventist University: Its graduate counseling offerings provide an option near Chattanooga within an Adventist university. Students interested in that learning environment should compare its clinical preparation and placement arrangements with other Chattanooga-area choices (Southern Adventist University).
Milligan University: Its graduate clinical mental health counseling pathway is a private-university option in the Tri-Cities area. For applicants expecting to remain in northeast Tennessee, the decisive question is whether its clinical-site arrangements fit their work schedule and intended community (Milligan University).
East Tennessee State University: Its counseling concentrations give applicants in Johnson City a way to compare distinct counseling paths within one institution. Confirm that the concentration you select, rather than the general degree title, aligns with LPC-MHSP preparation (East Tennessee State University).
Carson-Newman University: Its M.S. in Counseling offers another private-university route in east Tennessee. Compare the program's clinical mental health requirements and placement geography with public options before weighing the net price (Carson-Newman University).
Milligan University: Its broader graduate counseling information is worth reading alongside the clinical mental health program page. Check that any schedule or pathway described there applies specifically to the clinical mental health degree you would enroll in (Milligan University).
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga: Its counselor education program identifies a clinical mental health pathway in Chattanooga. Applicants who need to train in that area can compare its required fieldwork and total resident cost with Southern Adventist's offering (University of Tennessee-Chattanooga).
Plan on roughly two to three years of full-time master's study; part-time enrollment can take longer. The actual calendar matters more than an advertised shortest path because required clinical courses and placements may have fixed sequences. After graduation, Tennessee licensure requires additional supervised experience and examinations, so finishing the degree is not the same as becoming independently licensed (Tennessee licensing board).
Ask for a term-by-term plan showing when practicum and internship occur. If you must keep a full-time job, ask whether placements are available during the hours you can attend; a program with flexible classes but inflexible clinical hours may not be the faster option for you.
Online delivery may reduce commuting to class, but it does not eliminate supervised clinical training. An on-campus program can make regular access to faculty and nearby sites easier, while an online or hybrid program can suit students living farther from a campus - provided its placement rules work in their community. Delivery mode by itself does not establish licensure eligibility (CACREP; Tennessee licensing board).
Before accepting an online offer, obtain written answers on where you may complete placements, who secures sites and supervisors, whether any campus visits are mandatory, and whether the program's curriculum is designed for Tennessee LPC-MHSP requirements. If you might move, ask about the licensing rules of the state where you expect to practice as well.
There is no single dependable statewide price for a clinical mental health counseling master's: institutions publish different graduate tuition schedules, and students may need different numbers of terms. An institution-wide annual graduate tuition figure is not the same as the price of this degree. For a usable estimate, multiply the program's required billable credits by your applicable rate, then add mandatory fees, books, travel, and placement-related expenses. Verify resident eligibility before applying a Tennessee public-university rate (institutional tuition schedules; National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS).
When comparing the most affordable clinical mental health counseling programs, request an itemized estimate for your expected pace. A lower per-credit rate may not mean a lower total bill if fees, extra prerequisites, or additional terms apply.
Start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, then check each institution's graduate assistantships, scholarships, and employer tuition benefits. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans may be available to eligible graduate students; borrowing still creates a repayment obligation. Ask the financial aid office to show aid by academic year and explain what happens if a clinical placement limits your paid work (Federal Student Aid; U.S. Department of Education).
Do not build a financing plan around presumed Graduate PLUS eligibility. Federal Student Aid's rules changed for new graduate borrowing beginning in July 2026, with limited transitional eligibility for certain students already borrowing for the same program. Have the school confirm your eligibility and current loan limits for your enrollment dates before committing (Federal Student Aid).
View the chart data as a table
Median wage by U.S. state - Mental Health Counselors (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
State
Value
AK
80,770
AL
47,310
AR
51,580
AZ
65,300
CA
59,250
CO
62,390
CT
63,590
DC
60,450
DE
56,020
FL
56,790
GA
58,960
HI
60,090
IA
60,880
ID
63,360
IL
60,730
IN
53,760
KS
59,470
KY
54,190
LA
37,910
MA
59,890
MD
59,530
ME
59,970
MI
61,690
MN
58,780
MO
56,910
MS
46,990
MT
59,000
NC
55,490
ND
68,630
NE
63,770
NH
54,840
NJ
62,820
NM
74,100
NV
57,210
NY
59,450
OH
58,360
OK
59,350
OR
74,590
PA
52,010
PR
46,790
RI
65,120
SC
52,370
SD
53,650
TN
49,580
TX
62,630
UT
63,890
VA
59,880
VT
61,810
WA
68,910
WI
62,220
WV
49,430
WY
62,980
Applicants generally need a bachelor's degree and must meet the chosen school's graduate admissions requirements. Programs may also request transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, or an interview; prerequisite coursework and testing policies are school-specific. A psychology major is not a universal requirement, so career changers should ask about any coursework they would need before or during the program (institutional admissions pages).
Admissions eligibility is only the first check. Ask the program to identify its current programmatic accreditation status and explain how its coursework and clinical experiences address Tennessee's LPC-MHSP education rules. If you have prior graduate credits, obtain a written transfer-credit evaluation; accepted credits may still fail to replace a required clinical course or reduce time to completion (CACREP; Tennessee licensing board).
Typical subjects include counseling theories and techniques, assessment, diagnosis, ethics, multicultural counseling, group work, research, and treatment of mental health concerns. Supervised practicum and internship are central parts of clinical preparation, not optional add-ons. Exact course names and sequences vary, so compare syllabi and clinical requirements rather than relying on similar-sounding degree titles (CACREP; institutional curricula).
Pay particular attention to diagnosis, assessment, and supervised clinical work if your goal is LPC-MHSP licensure. Request a curriculum-to-licensure explanation from the program and confirm requirements with the Tennessee licensing board; neither a school's description nor CACREP accreditation alone grants a state license.
Some programs allow electives, placements, or focused coursework related to substance use, trauma, children and adolescents, or other client populations. A focus area can help you build relevant experience, but its label is not a separate Tennessee license. Compare what you would actually study and where you could train before paying more or extending your degree for a specialization (institutional curricula; Tennessee licensing board).
If your goal is school counseling or marriage and family therapy rather than clinical mental health counseling, compare the separate degree and credential pathways first. Choosing a closely related concentration without checking the intended license can mean additional coursework later.
Begin with the license and work setting you want, then narrow programs by documented fit - not ranking position alone. The most valuable clinical mental health counseling programs can help frame the cost-and-outcomes comparison, but value depends on your circumstances.
Use these checks before accepting an offer; each can reveal a cost or eligibility issue that a headline tuition figure misses.
Confirm the exact degree and clinical mental health pathway, its accreditation status, and how it addresses Tennessee LPC-MHSP education requirements.
Request a written total-cost estimate and a realistic completion plan for your enrollment pace.
Ask who arranges placements, where recent students trained, and whether required hours fit your work and transportation constraints.
Request clearly defined completion, employment, and applicable exam-outcome information, including the reporting period and number of students represented.
Compare likely debt and lost earnings during study against plausible earnings over your chosen time horizon; allow for delayed completion or licensure.
A common mistake is treating a low tuition rate, online label, or high ranking as proof of personal fit. If your goal does not require clinical licensure, compare shorter or differently credentialed routes before taking on the cost and supervised-training commitment of this master's.
View the chart data as a table
Wage range - Mental Health Counselors in Tennessee (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
10th percentile
34,950
25th percentile
39,160
Median
49,580
75th percentile
61,160
90th percentile
76,620
Graduates may pursue counseling roles in community agencies, outpatient services, hospitals, and substance-use treatment settings, subject to employer and licensing requirements. An early-career role completed under supervision is different from independent practice after licensure (Tennessee licensing board).
Clinical practice is not the only possible direction: experience may also support later moves into program coordination, supervision where qualified, or doctoral study. If a prospective school reports broad "counseling employment," ask what jobs its clinical mental health graduates actually entered and whether those jobs required the credential you intend to earn.
View the chart data as a table
Best score distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
84–85
1
86–87
3
88–89
1
90–91
2
92–93
7
94–95
2
National employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18% from 2025 to 2035 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections). That signals a growing occupation nationally; it does not establish how many suitable openings will be available near a particular Tennessee campus when you graduate.
Assess the local market alongside the program. Review employers in the area where you want to live, ask placement staff which organizations take students, and distinguish positions open to graduates under supervision from those requiring full licensure. Interest in a school's most popular clinical mental health counseling programs is not, by itself, evidence of stronger local hiring.
2027 Best Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Tennessee
Education is a significant investment, so Research.com designed its counseling rankings to help readers compare programs using documented indicators rather than reputation alone. The team evaluates graduate outcomes, applicable licensure-exam results, accreditation, federal aid eligibility, and cost. Outcomes and accreditation carry the greatest weight in the Best ranking; cost accounts for about 7% of the final score. The method applies to both online and on-campus programs, while other rankings emphasize the dimension named in their titles.
The ranking draws on the following data sources. Readers should still verify a program's current curriculum, price, and accreditation directly before enrolling.
IPEDS database - institutional enrollment, completion, and pricing data.
Peterson's database - information used to compare programs and institutions.
Program completion contributes 40% of the initial outcomes-and-accreditation score; employment or doctoral admission and applicable licensure-exam results contribute 20% each; CACREP accreditation contributes 16%; and Title IV institutional eligibility contributes 4%. Shares are adjusted when a criterion does not apply. These measures offer a useful starting point, not a substitute for checking whether a particular curriculum meets Tennessee's licensing rules. Further details appear in the Research.com methodology.
# 1 position
Lipscomb University
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
95.57
/ 100
Final score
Program length
7 semesters
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
95.4%
Employment or doctoral admission
100%
Licensure exam pass rate
100%
Application deadline
Fall 2027: Mar 4, 2027
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree (any major) with a 3.0 GPA; if GPA is below 3.0, applicant may submit an explanation, GRE scores, or transcripts of a completed master's degree
Additional requirements
Official transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended (unofficial accepted for initial review), resume, and Bachelor's degree with 3.0 GPA (if below 3.0, submit one of: a short explanation of the GPA, GRE scores, or transcripts of a…
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Lipscomb University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 95.57/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 95.4% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 2 position
Tennessee Tech University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychology – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
95.29
/ 100
Final score
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
December 1 (fall cohort)
Application process
direct
GRE
optional
Prerequisites
Undergraduate coursework in psychology
Additional requirements
Official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, proof of residency, interview with faculty review committee, English proficiency for international students
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tennessee Tech University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 95.29/100, supported by 100% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 3 position
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Master
MS in Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
93.80
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.70 - 4.00
Program completion rate
89.3% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
December 1 (for June start)
Application process
direct (UT Office of Graduate Admissions online application)
GRE
no
Additional requirements
Online application; resume/CV; letter of introduction; ethical integration statement; transcripts; three references; Thinking about Counseling Exercise; on-campus interview if invited; GRE not required.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 93.8/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 89.3% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-10-31.
# 4 position
Belmont University
Master
M.A. in Mental Health Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
93.34
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years full-time (6 consecutive semesters, including summers)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
95% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
95% (2025-26)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2025-26)
Class size
13
Prerequisites
Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Belmont University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 93.34/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 95% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 5 position
Southern Adventist University
Master
Master of Science in Professional Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
93.08
/ 100
Final score
Program length
approximately two and a half years of full-time study
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
90% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: July 15; Winter: November 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree: a four-year degree in any field from an accredited institution; minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
Additional requirements
Graduate application; official transcripts; three professional recommendation forms (one may be academic); statement of purpose; resumé; background check; criminal-record release and declaration; personality test; faculty interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Southern Adventist University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 93.08/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 90% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
# 6 position
Milligan University
Master
Master of Science in Counseling (MSC) – Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)
Delivery mode: campus
93.01
/ 100
Final score
Program length
6 semesters
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
91%
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE (50th percentile or higher) required if overall undergraduate GPA is below 3.00
Prerequisites
An undergraduate degree that includes at least 9 hours of psychology courses, including General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Research Methods or Statistics
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Milligan University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 93.01/100, with 91% program completion rate among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 7 position
East Tennessee State University
Master
M.A. in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
92.66
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2-3 years (full-time)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
84% (2022-23)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2022-23)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2022-23)
Application deadline
February 1
Application process
direct (ETSU Graduate School application)
GRE
Conditional: GRE required if GPA is below 3.0
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution; any program prerequisite coursework transcripts
Additional requirements
Graduate School application, transcripts, three letters of recommendation, personal statement (1200-1500 words), interview by invitation, background check before practicum. GRE required if GPA is below 3.0.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
East Tennessee State University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.66/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 84% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 8 position
Carson-Newman University
Master
Master of Science in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
92.31
/ 100
Final score
Program length
approximately two and half years (minimum seven semesters)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
77.4% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2023-24)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2023-24)
Application deadline
Fall: February 1; Spring: October 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university; minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
Additional requirements
Professional resume and statement of purpose, plus graduate admission requirements: application form, two recommendations, official transcripts, an interview, and a background records check.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Carson-Newman University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.31/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 77.4% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 9 position
Milligan University
Master
Master of Science in Counseling (MSC) – Dual Track (CMHC + SC)
Delivery mode: campus
92.16
/ 100
Final score
Program length
7 semesters (or roughly 2 ½ years)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
72 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
80% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE (50th percentile or higher) required if overall undergraduate GPA is below 3.00
Prerequisites
An undergraduate degree that includes at least 9 hours of psychology courses, including General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Research Methods or Statistics
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Milligan University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.16/100, supported by 80% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 10 position
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Master
M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
91.67
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.70 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: February 1
Application process
direct (UTC Graduate School application portal)
Prerequisites
Baccalaureate degree completed before starting graduate coursework.
Additional requirements
Graduate application, official transcripts, two graduate school essay questions plus biographical sketch, resume/CV, two professional recommendations, admission workshop with group interview and writing proficiency exam.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.67/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-03-31.
# 11 position
Johnson University
Master
M.A. in Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
90.33
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 ½–5 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
62.5% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Spring: October 1; Fall: February 1
Class size
7
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE or MAT required if undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 (such admits are placed on probation)
Prerequisites
At least 15 credit hours in counseling or a related field; three references (two academic, one personal); official transcripts; government-issued photo ID; 5-10 page writing sample; interview with graduate faculty.
Additional requirements
Online graduate application; three references (two academic, one personal); official transcripts; government-issued photo ID; 5-10 page writing sample; interview with School of Social & Behavioral Science graduate faculty.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Johnson University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 90.33/100, supported by 62.5% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 12 position
Lincoln Memorial University
Master
MEd in Professional Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Non-School)
Delivery mode: hybrid
88.83
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Year 1 Fall - Year 2 Summer (6 consecutive semesters)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
22.73% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2022-23)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2022-23)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Lincoln Memorial University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 88.83/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 22.73% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 13 position
University of Memphis
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S.)
Delivery mode: campus
87.13
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.5 years (quickest, part-time)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Program completion rate
63% (2023-24)
Licensure exam pass rate
75% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: March 1; Spring: October 1
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Official undergraduate (and graduate, if applicable) transcripts; 2 letters of recommendation; in-person interview; personal statement; resume. No specific prerequisite coursework stated.
Additional requirements
Graduate School application, official undergraduate and graduate transcripts, 2 letters of recommendation (professors and employers), in-person interview with faculty, personal statement, resume
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
University of Memphis earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 87.13/100, supported by 75% licensure exam pass rate and 63% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 14 position
Vanderbilt University
Master
Human Development Counseling (M.Ed.)
Delivery mode: campus
86.89
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Program completion rate
88% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2023-24)
Application deadline
Priority Decision 1: Dec 1; Priority Decision 2: Jan 3; Final Decision: Jul 27 (Fall admission)
Application process
direct (Vanderbilt online application, apply.vanderbilt.edu)
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree
Additional requirements
Application, transcripts, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose; interview in January; no application fee
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Vanderbilt University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 86.89/100, supported by 88% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-03-31.
# 15 position
Freed-Hardeman University
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
86.77
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 to 2.5 years (full-time)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
61 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
58% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
August 10
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Must have the equivalent of 12 semester hours in Behavioral Science (Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Anthropology, Family Studies).
Additional requirements
Free online application; official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate degrees (expected GPA of 3.00 or higher); essay of personal goals (300-500 words); interview with the Counseling Admissions Committee.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Freed-Hardeman University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 86.77/100, supported by 58% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 16 position
The University of Tennessee-Martin
Master
Master of Science in Education: Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
85.21
/ 100
Final score
Program length
9 Hour Plan of Study Fall First Semester: Year 1 Fall ... Year 3 Spring
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Program completion rate
80%
Employment or doctoral admission
70% (2022)
Licensure exam pass rate
90% (2022-23)
Application deadline
Fall: Feb 20; Spring: Oct 8
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Additional requirements
Online application; three recommendation letters; four-question personal statement; resume; transcripts; application fee; faculty interview. Applicants sign an acknowledgement of the required 3-day on-campus residency in Martin, TN.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The University of Tennessee-Martin earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 85.21/100, supported by 90% licensure exam pass rate and 80% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
Frequently asked questions about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Tennessee
Do I need a master's degree to become a clinical mental health counselor in Tennessee?
The LPC-MHSP pathway has graduate education requirements. Check the Tennessee licensing board's current rules and the specific program's curriculum before enrolling; graduation alone does not grant the license.
Is CACREP accreditation the same as Tennessee licensure approval?
No. CACREP accredits counseling programs, while Tennessee determines eligibility for its professional licenses. Verify both separately.
Can an online counseling master's lead to Tennessee licensure?
Potentially, if the curriculum and supervised experiences satisfy applicable requirements. Confirm the program's Tennessee alignment and local placement arrangements in writing.
How long until I can practice independently?
Usually longer than the roughly two to three years often needed for full-time master's study, because supervised post-degree experience and licensing steps follow graduation. Ask the board about the current requirements.
Is this degree worth the cost?
It may be if clinical counseling is your intended career and you can complete both the degree and licensing process at a manageable cost. Compare total debt, time away from paid work, likely completion, and realistic earnings - not tuition or a national salary median alone.
