Choosing a counseling master's in Saint Louis means looking beyond a program's name: its clinical training, total cost, and fit with Missouri licensure could change the value of your degree. This guide is for future counselors and working professionals comparing those trade-offs. It accompanies the 2027 Most Popular Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Saint Louis, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about programs worth considering. You'll learn what to verify before applying and how to weigh the investment against your career goal.
Key findings about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degrees in Saint Louis
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a May 2025 national median annual wage of $59,350 for the occupational group covering substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors; that figure is not a Saint Louis starting-salary estimate.
BLS projects 18% national employment growth for that occupational group from 2025 to 2035. Compare that opportunity with each program's cost and the time needed for supervised practice after graduation.
Saint Louis applicants can compare a public-university M. Ed., a university M.A., and a seminary counseling degree, but should confirm each curriculum against Missouri licensure rules - and Illinois rules if they expect to work across the state line.
What can I expect from a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Saint Louis?
A clinical mental health counseling degree is usually a graduate program preparing students to assess concerns, develop treatment plans, practice counseling skills, and work under clinical supervision. It is most relevant if your goal is to become a professional counselor, rather than a psychologist, psychiatrist, or school counselor. Coursework alone does not confer a license.
The local options differ in ways that affect fit. This comparison describes the degree paths identified on the institutions' program pages; verify current course plans and licensure disclosures before applying.
Program path
Potential fit
Question to resolve
University of Missouri-St. Louis M. Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Applicants seeking a counseling degree at a public university
What will the full graduate cost and clinical-placement schedule be?
Missouri Baptist University M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Applicants who prefer the university's M.A. curriculum and learning environment
How do its current clinical requirements and net price compare?
Covenant Theological Seminary counseling M.A.
Applicants who want to evaluate counseling training in a seminary setting
How do its curriculum and religious context fit the intended license and practice setting?
Ask each program for a written, current account of its practicum, internship, and state-licensure alignment. This matters especially in Saint Louis, where a placement or eventual job may be in either Missouri or Illinois.
Where can I work with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Saint Louis?
Depending on the role, employer, and license held, counselors may work in community mental health agencies, hospitals, outpatient clinics, substance-use treatment programs, or private practices. The degree can also support work in integrated care, where counselors coordinate with medical professionals. Independent clinical practice generally requires state licensure beyond the degree (Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors).
For a Saint Louis student, the practical issue is placement access. Ask where recent students completed supervised training, whether the school helps arrange sites, and whether sites are reachable alongside your job. If you might practice on the Illinois side of the metro area, check Illinois licensing requirements separately; a Missouri-oriented curriculum should not be assumed to satisfy another state's rules (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation).
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a May 2025 national median annual wage of $59,350 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. This occupational median combines workers across experience levels and settings; it does not describe a newly graduated counselor's pay or establish a Saint Louis wage.
For a useful personal estimate, compare current local job postings for supervised, pre-licensure roles with postings for licensed counselors. Note the employer's benefits, caseload expectations, and whether clinical supervision is included. A higher eventual wage may not offset a costly program if you must reduce paid work while studying or pay separately for supervision.
These program-page distinctions are more useful than treating popularity as a measure of fit. Request current handbooks and outcome disclosures before making a final comparison (Missouri Baptist University; University of Missouri-St. Louis; Covenant Theological Seminary).
University of Missouri-St. Louis: Its clinical mental health counseling degree is an M. Ed. at a public university, distinguishing its degree designation and institutional setting from the M.A. options here. It is worth examining if you want to compare public-university graduate charges and course scheduling against private institutions; do not assume it is cheaper without a personal aid estimate.
Missouri Baptist University: Its named M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offers a direct comparison for students seeking a university-based counseling master's rather than UMSL's M. Ed. Ask for its current clinical-training sequence and total net cost to determine whether that distinction translates into a better fit for your schedule and goals.
Covenant Theological Seminary: Its counseling M.A. is housed in a theological seminary, making the educational setting its clearest distinction from the two university programs. Students drawn to that context should also examine the current curriculum and state-licensure disclosures, particularly if they intend to counsel in settings that are not faith-based.
None of those distinctions substitutes for verified program outcomes, accreditation status, or a board review of your intended licensure pathway. The best clinical mental health counseling programs comparison can provide another lens, but confirm the underlying facts with each school.
Plan on roughly two to three years of graduate study for a full-time clinical counseling master's, with part-time study often taking longer. Your actual timeline depends on course sequencing, whether summer classes are offered, and when you can complete clinical placements. The supervised experience required for full licensure is a separate planning stage; graduation should not be treated as the date you can begin independent practice (Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors).
Working applicants should ask for a term-by-term plan showing when daytime placements begin. A shorter advertised academic timeline has limited value if its internship hours force you to leave a job or delay completion.
Online delivery can reduce commuting and make coursework easier to fit around employment. On-campus study may offer more predictable face-to-face contact with classmates, faculty, and local placement contacts. Neither format removes the need for supervised clinical training, and an online program may still require in-person activities or a placement near where you live.
Choose by the location of clinical work as well as the location of lectures. Before enrolling in an out-of-state online program, obtain written confirmation that it accepts students in Missouri, helps them secure an appropriate placement, and has assessed its curriculum against the state where you intend to seek licensure. The same check applies to Illinois-bound students (Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation).
There is no single reliable Saint Louis program average that tells you what your counseling degree will cost. Published institution-wide tuition averages may not reflect graduate counseling charges, program length, fees, or aid. Use each school's current graduate tuition schedule and a personalized financial-aid offer rather than treating an undergraduate or institution-wide figure as the program price (National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS).
Build a full-cost estimate that includes tuition across the required curriculum, mandatory fees, books, placement-related expenses, transportation, and earnings you may give up during clinical training. Public status does not by itself establish the lowest net price, and private nonprofit schools may offer aid. The most affordable clinical mental health counseling programs comparison is a useful shortlist, but ask schools for current, program-specific figures.
Graduate students can investigate institutional scholarships or assistantships, employer tuition assistance, and federal aid for which they qualify. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan eligibility depends on federal requirements and the school's certification; completing the FAFSA is the starting point for an individual aid review (Federal Student Aid). Ask whether awards renew during internship terms and whether part-time enrollment changes eligibility.
Compare aid offers by net total program cost and expected borrowing, not the size of the first-term award. For a Saint Louis applicant, a nearby placement that allows continued employment may be financially more valuable than a modest tuition discount elsewhere. Before borrowing, ask the aid office to explain current federal loan rules and any changes that could affect your planned entry year.
View the chart data as a table
Graduates (2024-25) by program (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
Covenant Theological Sem
18
University of Missouri-S
32
Missouri Baptist Univers
33
Expect to need a bachelor's degree and a program-specific application. Schools may request transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, an interview, or evidence of preparation for graduate study; the precise requirements and any prerequisite courses must be checked with each admissions office (Missouri Baptist University; University of Missouri-St. Louis; Covenant Theological Seminary).
Do not assume that a psychology bachelor's is mandatory - or that any prior graduate counseling credits will transfer. Ask how transferred courses are evaluated, whether clinical courses must be taken at the admitting school, and whether transfer credit changes your graduation or licensure timeline. Admissions eligibility, acceptance of credits, and eventual eligibility for a Missouri license are separate decisions.
Clinical mental health counseling study typically combines counseling theory and skills with assessment, diagnosis, ethics, research, multicultural counseling, and supervised practicum and internship. Exact course titles and requirements vary; the program's current catalog and clinical handbook are the sources to use when comparing curricula (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; individual institutions).
Compare how courses prepare you for the setting you want. Someone interested in substance-use treatment should look for relevant coursework and placement opportunities, while a student planning outpatient therapy should examine assessment training and the range of supervised client experiences. A course list matters less if you cannot complete the required clinical sequence on your schedule.
Students may be able to shape a general clinical counseling degree through electives and placements focused on areas such as substance-use concerns, trauma, or work with particular age groups. These interests should not be confused with a separately designated degree, guaranteed specialty credential, or automatic eligibility for another license.
Ask whether a desired focus appears on the transcript, requires particular placements, and fits the work you want after graduation. If your primary goal is school counseling or marriage and family therapy, compare the education and licensing rules for those professions before choosing a clinical mental health counseling program (Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors; relevant state licensing boards).
Start with the license and workplace you want, then eliminate programs that cannot document a workable education and placement path. These checks turn a ranking into a decision you can defend:
Check the program's current accreditation status directly with the accreditor and ask the Missouri licensing board which educational rules apply to your intended application. Check Illinois separately if you may practice there.
Request a term-by-term curriculum, clinical-placement policy, and written disclosure of any in-person requirements. Ask what happens if a placement is delayed.
Compare complete net-cost estimates, likely borrowing, time away from work, and how long full licensure may take after graduation.
Ask for recent program-specific completion, exam, and employment information, including the reporting period and how outcomes were measured.
A frequent mistake is choosing the lowest advertised tuition without accounting for placement travel or lost income. Another is assuming a program's name - or institutional accreditation alone - settles state licensure eligibility. Use the most valuable clinical mental health counseling programs
A common path begins with supervised counseling work and progresses toward independent practice if the graduate meets state requirements. Other possibilities include counseling roles in community agencies, addiction-treatment services, or integrated healthcare, subject to employer qualifications and the license required for the work (Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Choose a program with your likely first role in mind, not only an eventual private practice. Ask local employers which credentials they require for supervised positions and whether they provide supervision. If you primarily want research, psychological testing, or prescribing authority, compare other professional degrees: a counseling master's is not a substitute for those distinct training and licensing paths.
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 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 is an outlook for a broader occupational group, not a forecast of Saint Louis vacancies or a promise of work for an individual graduate.
Evaluate the local market by separating supervised entry roles from positions requiring an independent license. Saint Louis applicants should also decide whether they can commute across the Missouri-Illinois line: a wider geographic search may reveal more employers, but state-specific licensing rules can limit which jobs are immediately open to them. Review current job requirements before committing to a program or placement strategy.
2027 Most Popular Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Saint Louis
Investing in education is a consequential decision. Research.com developed its counseling rankings to help readers compare programs using documented measures rather than reputation alone, and its team reviews multiple education datasets to support the quality and credibility of the results.
The ranking draws on these data sources:
IPEDS database: institutional enrollment, completion, and cost data.
Research.com's counseling framework considers graduate outcomes, applicable licensure-exam pass rates, accreditation and federal aid eligibility, and cost. In its Best ranking, the initial outcomes-and-accreditation score weights completion at 40%, employment or doctoral admission at 20%, applicable licensure-exam results at 20%, CACREP accreditation at 16%, and Title IV eligibility at 4%; unavailable or inapplicable criteria are reweighted. Cost contributes about 7% to the final Best score. Other rankings emphasize the dimension named in their titles. A popularity ranking is therefore a starting point for discovery, not proof of affordability, licensure eligibility, or career outcomes. Readers can review the broader approach on the Research.com methodology page.
# 1 position
Missouri Baptist University
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
49.10
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Estimated Program Length: 36 Months
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher (or 3.00 for last 60 undergraduate/graduate hours)
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Missouri Baptist University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 49.1/100, with 33 graduates (2024-25) among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 2 position
University of Missouri-St Louis
Master
Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
48.70
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
88% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
97% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
97% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: March 1; Spring: October 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; CNS ED 6010 Theories of Counseling taken in first semester
Additional requirements
UMSL Graduate School application, personal essays, supplemental application, official transcripts, 2 letters of recommendation, minimum 3.0 GPA; $50 application fee
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 Missouri-St Louis earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 48.7/100, supported by 32 graduates (2024-25) and 88% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
# 3 position
Covenant Theological Seminary
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
41.00
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Three years or more
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
75 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
80.96% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Accredited Bachelor's Degree, with minimum 3.0 GPA
Additional requirements
Standard application including transcripts, references, and a personal essay, plus personal interviews with admissions staff and a member of the counseling faculty.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
Covenant Theological Seminary earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 41.0/100, supported by 18 graduates (2024-25) and 80.96% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
Frequently asked questions about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Saint Louis
Do I need a master's degree to become a licensed professional counselor in Missouri?
The Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors sets graduate-education and other requirements for its counseling licenses. Check its current rules against the exact program you are considering; earning a degree alone does not grant a license.
Is a CACREP-accredited program required?
Do not assume either that CACREP accreditation is mandatory for every application or that institutional accreditation is equivalent to programmatic accreditation. Verify the program's current status with CACREP and ask the Missouri board how your proposed degree would be evaluated.
Can I study online and complete clinical training in Saint Louis?
Potentially, but confirm that the online program permits Missouri enrollment, accepts a suitable local placement, and discloses any campus visits. Ask who secures and approves the placement before you enroll.
Can a Missouri counseling degree prepare me to work in Illinois?
It may, but Illinois evaluates applicants under its own rules. If cross-state practice is part of your plan, compare the curriculum and supervised-training path with Illinois requirements before paying a deposit (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation).
Is this degree worth the investment?
It may be if clinical counseling is your intended career and the program offers a feasible route through training, supervised work, and licensure. Compare your full cost, borrowing, forgone earnings, and likely entry-level opportunities; the national median wage is not a personal earnings forecast.
Covenant Theological Seminary - Master of Arts in Counseling Official program page (curriculum, tuition, admissions). https://www.covenantseminary.edu/mac
