Choosing an online counseling master's degree in Kansas means looking beyond convenience: the program must fit your schedule, budget, clinical placement needs, and licensing plans. This guide accompanies the 2027 Best Online Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Kansas, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about which programs are worth considering. It explains how to compare formats, costs, accreditation, and career prospects - so you can identify a degree that fits both your circumstances and your intended work.
Key findings about online Clinical Mental Health Counseling degrees in Kansas
For Kansas licensure planning, check a master's curriculum and clinical placements against Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board requirements before treating an "online" label as a good fit.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a $59,350 national median annual wage for the relevant mental health and substance abuse counseling occupation in May 2025, with employment projected to grow 18% from 2025 to 2035; neither figure predicts an individual graduate's pay or hiring prospects.
A 60-credit counseling master's commonly takes about two to three years, but placement availability, course sequencing, and part-time enrollment can change the timeline - and the total cost.
What can I expect from an online Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Kansas?
An online clinical mental health counseling degree is generally a graduate program that teaches assessment, counseling techniques, ethics, and treatment planning while requiring supervised work with clients. "Online" usually describes classroom delivery, not an entirely remote path to graduation: students should expect in-person practicum and internship work, and some programs may require campus visits.
For a Kansas resident, the decisive question is whether the degree and supervised training support the license they intend to seek. The Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) governs professional counselor licensure. A master's degree is an educational step, not a license; board requirements for the degree, supervised experience, and examinations must be evaluated separately. Ask each program for a written explanation of how its current curriculum aligns with Kansas requirements, particularly if the institution is based elsewhere.
This path makes sense for someone who wants to provide counseling and can commit to supervised clinical training. Someone seeking school counselor certification, a brief skills credential, or a fully remote course of study with no local placement obligations should compare other routes before enrolling.
Where can I work with an online Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Kansas?
Clinical mental health counselors may work in community mental health centers, outpatient practices, hospitals, substance use treatment organizations, and other behavioral health settings. The role a graduate can hold depends on licensing status, employer requirements, and the services provided - not simply the name on the diploma (Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Location changes the placement decision. Students near Wichita or the Kansas City area may have different potential clinical sites from students in smaller communities. A rural student may benefit substantially from online coursework, but only if the school can approve a practicable local placement and provide supervision that satisfies program and board rules. Before paying a deposit, ask which party secures placements, whether preferred sites are eligible, and what happens if a site falls through.
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, the occupational grouping most relevant to this degree. A national occupational median is not a Kansas starting salary or a forecast for someone opening a private practice. Pay depends in part on location, setting, experience, licensing status, and hours worked.
Use salary figures to test affordability, not to assume a payoff. Compare each school's estimated total borrowing with the earnings you could plausibly expect in your intended setting, including the period when you may be working toward advanced clinical licensure. If you already earn a substantial salary, foregone work hours during coursework and placements may matter as much as tuition.
The programs below offer different reasons to investigate them, but a program page alone does not establish that every course, residency, or placement can be completed from anywhere in Kansas. Treat delivery and licensing eligibility as questions to verify directly with each school. These distinctions can help you decide which admissions office to contact first:
MidAmerica Nazarene University: Its clinical mental health counseling program sits within a Christian university, making the educational setting a meaningful consideration for applicants who want that perspective alongside counselor preparation. Ask how the program handles faith and professional counseling ethics in coursework and placement, and confirm which parts of the degree are available online (MidAmerica Nazarene University).
Fort Hays State University: Its clinical mental health counseling program is a particularly relevant option for students comparing access from outside Kansas's largest metro areas. Ask the department about current online course delivery, required visits, and approval of a clinical site near your home; those details determine whether geographic flexibility translates into a workable degree plan (Fort Hays State University).
Wichita State University: Clinical mental health counseling is offered as a track within its counseling master's degree, a structure worth comparing with programs named specifically for clinical mental health counseling. Applicants should obtain the track's current course plan and delivery schedule so they can judge both Kansas licensure alignment and how often they would need to be in Wichita (Wichita State University).
None of these characteristics replaces a comparison of current credit requirements, published student outcomes, full program cost, and placement support. Request those figures using the same definitions from each school before treating one as the better value.
Plan on roughly two to three years for a typical full-time counseling master's, and potentially longer part-time. CACREP's entry-level counseling standards call for a curriculum of at least 60 semester credit hours; a particular degree's required credits and completion time must still be confirmed with the school (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs). An accelerated calendar cannot eliminate required clinical preparation.
When comparing fastest clinical mental health counseling programs, ask for a term-by-term plan that shows when practicum and internship begin, whether courses are offered every term, and whether placement delays postpone graduation. A shorter advertised timeline is useful only if you can meet its enrollment and fieldwork schedule without creating unsustainable work or childcare costs.
The principal difference is where and when academic instruction happens - not whether students must develop counseling skills under supervision. Online courses can reduce commuting for a Kansas student far from campus, while campus-based study may make scheduled in-person contact easier. Either format can include synchronous classes, residencies, and local clinical work; check the actual timetable rather than assuming "online" means self-paced.
The comparison below focuses on constraints that can change whether a program is feasible for a working student. Requirements vary by institution, so use it to frame questions, not as a description of every school.
Decision factor
Online study
On-campus study
Course attendance
May reduce travel, but live sessions can still be required
Typically requires regular travel to scheduled classes
Clinical placement
Usually requires an approved in-person site accessible to the student
Also requires approved supervised clinical work
Best fit
Students who need distance access and can arrange approved local training
Students who prefer campus interaction and can attend consistently
If you need the flexibility of distance courses, request a list of all required in-person activities before applying. If you live close to a campus, compare the travel saved with any difference in tuition, scheduling, and placement assistance rather than assuming either format costs less.
There is no single reliable Kansas average that describes the full price of these specific programs. Published graduate tuition may be charged per credit, and an advertised tuition rate can omit mandatory fees, travel for residencies, placement-related expenses, books, and the cost of reducing paid work. Public-versus-private status alone does not establish which offer will cost you less; residency rules and institutional aid can change the comparison.
Use each school's current graduate tuition and fee schedule to build a total-program estimate, not a one-term estimate. Then compare that figure with the most affordable clinical mental health counseling programs. Confirm whether an online student qualifies for the stated rate, whether Kansas residency affects it, and how additional terms would change the bill.
Eligible graduate students can begin with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine access to federal aid, including Direct Unsubsidized Loans, subject to current federal rules and the school's eligibility (Federal Student Aid). Schools may also offer graduate scholarships, assistantships, or employer-related benefits. Availability varies; admission to a degree program does not itself establish aid eligibility or a particular award.
Ask financial aid offices for an award estimate covering the whole expected enrollment period. Separate grants and employer support from loans, and check whether the estimate changes during internship terms if your course load or income changes. Kansas residents considering an out-of-state online institution should also verify the school's state authorization and clinical placement policies before assuming federal aid makes the program usable for their licensing goal.
View the chart data as a table
Best score by program (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
Wichita State University
92.37
Fort Hays State Universi
92.78
MidAmerica Nazarene Univ
95.18
Applicants generally need a completed bachelor's degree and must satisfy the individual program's graduate admissions rules. Schools may request transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, an interview, or evidence of relevant preparation; prerequisites and test policies are not uniform. The university's admissions decision is distinct from its ability to support your intended Kansas licensing path.
If admissions competitiveness is your immediate concern, use the easiest clinical mental health counseling programs as a starting point, then check current department requirements directly. "Easier to enter" should not outweigh an unsuitable clinical placement arrangement or missing coursework. Applicants changing careers should also ask whether any undergraduate psychology courses are required before graduate study begins.
Expect study in counseling theory, assessment, diagnosis, ethics, research, group counseling, and counseling across different populations, followed by supervised practicum and internship. CACREP standards describe core counseling preparation and specialty-area expectations, while the Kansas BSRB determines whether an applicant's education satisfies state licensing rules. A course title alone may not establish that it meets a board requirement (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board).
Compare course catalogs against the work you want to do. Someone interested in treating substance use conditions should examine relevant coursework and placement settings; someone aiming for school counseling should not assume a clinical mental health curriculum substitutes for the separate preparation their target role may require. Request a curriculum or licensure-alignment review from the department if the match is unclear.
Options may include electives, focused clinical placements, or distinct degree tracks. Areas to investigate include substance use counseling, trauma-related work, and services for particular age groups. These are not interchangeable with separate professional credentials: a concentration's title does not establish eligibility for another Kansas license or certification.
Choose a focus by examining both curriculum and access to appropriate supervised work. A niche elective may be less useful if no suitable placement is available near you. Conversely, a broad clinical program with an approved placement in your intended setting may offer stronger practical preparation than a specialization label alone. Confirm any additional credential requirements with the responsible Kansas board or certifying body.
The best fit is the program you can complete at a manageable cost that also supports your intended clinical work and licensing plan. CACREP accreditation is an important program-level signal to check, but it is not the same as institutional accreditation or an individual license. Verify the current status of the specific program in the CACREP directory and confirm Kansas requirements with the BSRB; do not rely solely on a university-wide accreditation statement (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board).
Use the same questions for every school on your shortlist so that answers are comparable:
Ask which Kansas professional counselor licensing requirements the current curriculum is designed to meet, and request that answer in writing.
Confirm every in-person obligation, including course meetings, residencies, practicum, internship, and site supervision.
Request current program-level completion and licensure exam results where reported, including the reporting years and definitions.
Calculate total tuition, fees, travel, placement expenses, expected aid, borrowing, and possible lost earnings through graduation.
Then use the most valuable clinical mental health counseling programs comparison to refine - not replace - your judgment. Return on investment depends on completion probability, time out of work, aid and debt, your earnings before and after the degree, and the period over which you expect a return. A common mistake is to compare only tuition while overlooking delayed clinical placement or an extra term of borrowing.
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
The most direct route is toward professional counseling work in behavioral health settings, subject to Kansas licensing and employer requirements. Graduates may also explore roles in community-based services or substance use treatment where their education and credentials match the job. Independent clinical practice is a different milestone from graduation: applicants must satisfy the BSRB's applicable requirements for advanced clinical licensure, including supervised experience and examination requirements (Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board).
Do not choose this degree solely because another counseling occupation sounds appealing. For example, school counseling follows a different role and credential path; the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a $64,330 national median annual wage for school and career counselors and advisors in May 2025, but that figure should not be treated as the expected salary for a clinical mental health counseling graduate. If your goal is specifically to counsel students in schools, compare programs designed for that credential first.
View the chart data as a table
Wage range - Mental Health Counselors in Kansas (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
10th percentile
37,910
25th percentile
44,370
Median
59,470
75th percentile
73,630
90th percentile
85,860
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 18% national employment growth from 2025 to 2035 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. That signals demand across the occupation, not a guarantee of openings in a particular Kansas county or for applicants who have not met licensing requirements. National projections also cannot tell you which local employer will offer suitable supervision.
Test the market where you expect to live: review current postings from the types of Kansas employers you would consider, note their license and experience requirements, and ask potential placement sites whether they supervise graduates pursuing the next credential. This is especially important if you need to remain in a smaller community. A degree is a more defensible investment when its clinical training, likely first job, and longer-term licensing path all work in the same location.
2027 Best Online Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Kansas
Investing in graduate education is a consequential decision. Research.com designed this ranking to help readers compare programs using documented outcomes, accreditation, and cost rather than relying on reputation alone. The team draws on established education databases and applies the same scoring method to online and on-campus programs; a ranking position is a starting point for investigation, not a substitute for checking a program's current licensing fit and total price.
The Best ranking first combines program completion (40%), employment or doctoral admission (20%), licensure exam pass rates where applicable (20%), CACREP programmatic accreditation (16%), and institutional Title IV eligibility (4%). Shares are renormalized when a criterion does not apply. Program cost then contributes a smaller component - about 7% of the final score. Other Research.com counseling rankings order programs by the individual dimension named in the ranking.
The following sources were used to create the ranking; together, they support more consistent comparisons than a school's promotional materials alone:
IPEDS database - institutional reporting on enrollment, awards, and costs.
Peterson's database - program and institution information used in comparisons.
Readers can use the ranking to narrow a shortlist, then confirm details that may change between reporting periods, such as tuition, delivery requirements, and accreditation status. Research.com explains its broader approach on its methodology page.
# 1 position
MidAmerica Nazarene University
Master
M.A. in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
95.18
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Complete in 33 months
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
95.8% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Applications and interviews occur every February and April
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or 3.2 in last 30 hours), with lower GPAs eligible under probation
Additional requirements
Official transcripts, three professional and/or academic references, a writing assessment, and one half-day of comprehensive interviews with graduate faculty
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
MidAmerica Nazarene University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 95.18/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 95.8% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
# 2 position
Fort Hays State University
Master
Master of Science in Counseling (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
Delivery mode: online
92.78
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Summer: Jan 15 priority / Feb 15 final; Fall: Mar 15 priority / Apr 15 final; Spring: Sep 15 priority / Oct 15 final
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
No specific prerequisite coursework listed. Requires a bachelor's degree with minimum 3.00 GPA in the last 60 credit hours, a 1-2 page personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and a completed background check.
Additional requirements
Official transcripts, proof of 3.00 GPA in last 60 undergrad credit hours, 1-2 page personal/professional goals statement, two letters of recommendation, background check (Validity Screening Solutions)
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Fort Hays State University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.78/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-03-31.
# 3 position
Wichita State University
Master
M.Ed. in Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
92.37
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: July 15; Spring: Dec 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.00 GPA for the last 60 credit hours; statement of professional goals, résumé, and three professional references; criminal background check required before the first semester.
Additional requirements
Completed graduate school application; official transcripts showing 3.00 GPA for the last 60 hours; a statement of professional goals; a resume; names, addresses and phone numbers of three professional references.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Wichita State University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.37/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about online Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Kansas
Can I complete the entire degree online?
Do not assume so. Online coursework can still be paired with in-person clinical placements, live classes, or campus visits. Obtain the complete attendance and fieldwork schedule from each program.
Will an online degree qualify me for counseling licensure in Kansas?
Online delivery does not determine eligibility by itself. The Kansas BSRB evaluates applicable education, supervised experience, examination, and other licensing requirements. Ask the program to document its Kansas alignment before enrolling.
Is CACREP accreditation required to compare programs?
It is a useful program-level indicator, but applicants should verify current accreditation status and separately check the BSRB's educational requirements. Institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation describe different things.
How long should I budget for the master's degree?
A typical full-time plan takes about two to three years; part-time study or placement delays may extend it. Request a term-by-term schedule rather than relying on an advertised minimum.
Is the degree worth the cost?
It may be if the program supports your licensing goal and its total cost is manageable against realistic career earnings. Compare aid, debt, time away from work, completion prospects, and the availability of local clinical training before committing.
