Choosing a counseling master's program in Tennessee means looking beyond a school's name: the degree must fit your budget, clinical training needs, and plans for licensure. This guide accompanies the 2027 Most Popular 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. Whether you are entering counseling or changing careers, you'll learn how to compare programs, estimate the full investment, and check whether a degree supports your intended work.
Key findings about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degrees in Tennessee
For prospective Tennessee clinical mental health counselors, a licensure-oriented master's degree is the key educational decision; confirm its coursework and supervised training against Tennessee Board requirements before enrolling.
The U.S. median annual wage for the relevant BLS counseling occupation was $59,350 in May 2025. That national occupational figure is a comparison point, not an expected salary for a new Tennessee graduate.
BLS projects 18% U.S. employment growth for this occupation from 2025 to 2035. Compare that demand with each program's total cost, placement support, and access to local clinical sites.
What can I expect from a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Tennessee?
A clinical mental health counseling master's prepares students to assess mental health concerns, develop treatment plans, provide counseling, document care, and practice under professional and legal standards. Coursework is only part of the degree: supervised practicum and internship placements are central to learning how to work with clients. A degree is preparation for the profession, not a license to practice independently.
This path suits someone who wants sustained, direct clinical work and is willing to complete supervised experience and examinations after graduation for Tennessee licensure. If your goal is primarily school counseling, social work, psychology research, or a nonclinical support role, compare the credential required for that work before committing to a clinical counseling program. Similar-sounding degrees can lead to different licensing routes.
Where can I work with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Tennessee?
Depending on credentials, experience, and employer requirements, graduates may seek roles in community mental health agencies, hospitals, substance-use treatment services, university counseling settings, or group practices. Independent clinical practice requires the appropriate Tennessee license; a master's diploma alone does not authorize it (Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists).
Location affects the search. Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis, and the Tri-Cities offer different mixes of healthcare employers and placement sites, while a student planning to serve a smaller community should ask where a program's graduates complete supervised experience. A nearby internship can matter as much as a nearby classroom, particularly if you intend to keep working during school.
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 is an occupational median across workers with differing experience and credentials - not a Tennessee starting salary or a program-specific graduate outcome (BLS, Occupational Outlook Handbook).
When estimating your own return, compare actual Tennessee job postings for the settings and locations you would accept. Pay can change with licensure status, clinical experience, employer, and hours worked. Avoid treating a national median as a promise, especially when deciding how much graduate debt to take on.
The programs below represent different decisions, not interchangeable routes to the same experience. Their published degree descriptions and locations provide useful starting distinctions; ask each school for its current credit requirements, clinical-placement arrangements, completion outcomes, and written assessment of Tennessee licensure preparation before choosing.
Lipscomb University: Its explicitly named clinical mental health counseling program offers a direct way to evaluate a Nashville-based, private-university counseling pathway. It is worth comparing with other Nashville options if remaining near local clinical employers matters to you (Lipscomb University, program description).
University of Tennessee, Knoxville: Counseling is housed within its child and family studies academic area. Students interested in how development and family context inform clinical work can compare that academic setting with stand-alone counseling departments (University of Tennessee, Knoxville, M.S. in Counseling description).
Tennessee Tech University: Its clinical mental health counseling master's sits within counseling and psychology. Its Cookeville location gives applicants outside the state's largest metros a public-university option to investigate alongside their likely placement commute (Tennessee Tech University, program description).
East Tennessee State University: ETSU presents clinical mental health counseling among its counseling concentrations. That structure makes it useful for applicants still distinguishing clinical practice from another counseling route, especially those seeking placements in the Johnson City area (East Tennessee State University, counseling concentrations).
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga: Its clinical mental health pathway is housed in a counselor education program. Chattanooga-area applicants should compare its clinical-site arrangements with those of other nearby programs rather than assuming a campus location determines placement location (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, program description).
Vanderbilt University: Its Human Development Counseling M. Ed. places counseling within an explicitly human-development-focused degree. That distinction may appeal to applicants who want to examine developmental perspectives alongside clinical preparation, provided the selected pathway matches their licensing goal (Vanderbilt University, program description).
Freed-Hardeman University: Its dedicated clinical mental health counseling graduate program offers a private-university option in Henderson. Applicants seeking to remain in western Tennessee should ask how its supervised placements are arranged for their intended practice area (Freed-Hardeman University, program description).
Belmont University: Belmont describes its credential as an M.A. in Counseling, rather than relying on the degree title alone to identify a clinical route. Nashville applicants should confirm the exact curriculum and intended licensure pathway in writing when comparing it with programs explicitly titled clinical mental health counseling (Belmont University, program description).
Milligan University: Milligan offers a graduate program specifically in clinical mental health counseling near Johnson City. It provides a private-university comparison for northeast Tennessee applicants considering ETSU and weighing program fit against net price (Milligan University, program description).
Southern Adventist University: Its counseling graduate program is based in Collegedale, near Chattanooga, within a university with an Adventist educational mission. Applicants can compare its degree pathway and learning environment with UTC's while verifying the particular curriculum required for their clinical goal (Southern Adventist University, counseling program description).
These distinctions are shortlist criteria, not claims that one school has better graduate outcomes than another. For a different comparison lens, see the best clinical mental health counseling programs, then verify current program-level evidence with the schools.
A full-time clinical mental health counseling master's commonly takes about two to three years; part-time study can take longer. The decisive question is not just how quickly courses are offered, but when required practicum and internship placements can be completed. Ask for a term-by-term plan showing both coursework and supervised training.
An accelerated schedule may reduce time away from full-time earnings but leave less room for paid work during clinical placements. A part-time schedule may preserve income while extending tuition exposure and the time before you can pursue post-degree licensure steps. Evaluate both schedules against your actual work and caregiving commitments.
Online delivery can make coursework more accessible to working adults or students far from a campus. It does not remove the need for supervised, in-person clinical experience or make state licensing rules irrelevant. A campus program may simplify access to nearby peers and faculty but can add commuting or relocation costs.
Before selecting an online program, ask who finds and approves Tennessee placement sites, whether synchronous meetings or campus visits are required, and whether the curriculum is designed to meet the Tennessee Board's current educational requirements. If you might relocate, also check the licensing rules in the state where you expect to practice. Delivery format alone does not establish licensure eligibility (Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists).
There is no single Tennessee program price that fairly represents every clinical mental health counseling master's. Published graduate tuition may be institution-wide rather than specific to this degree, and a per-credit figure excludes fees and placement-related expenses. IPEDS reports institutional graduate tuition measures, which are useful context but should not be mistaken for a complete program quote (National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS).
Request an estimate for the entire degree: required credits at your resident or nonresident rate, mandatory fees, expected annual increases, books, travel to clinical sites, and any required insurance or screening. Tennessee residency can make a public-university price substantially different from the price quoted to an out-of-state student; confirm the school's classification decision rather than assuming eligibility. The most affordable clinical mental health counseling programs can help start a price comparison, but your aid offer determines your net cost.
Start with the FAFSA and each graduate program's aid office. Eligible students may be considered for federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans; schools may also offer assistantships, scholarships, or employer-supported arrangements. Availability and award amounts depend on the student and program, so compare written aid offers rather than advertised tuition alone (Federal Student Aid; U.S. Department of Education).
Graduate PLUS borrowing has changed for new graduate students beginning under the federal rules effective July 1, 2026. New entrants should not build a financing plan that assumes Graduate PLUS is available; limited transitional eligibility may apply to qualifying students who borrowed for the same program before the change. Have the financial aid office confirm your individual eligibility and current borrowing limits before accepting a place (Federal Student Aid).
Ask whether a scholarship renews during internship terms and whether an assistantship's work hours conflict with clinical training. Lower net cost is valuable, but a funding package that delays completion or makes placements impractical may not be the better investment.
View the chart data as a table
Graduates (2024-25) distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
0–9
2
10–19
8
20–29
3
30–39
0
40–49
1
Applicants generally need a bachelor's degree and must meet the selected school's graduate admissions standards. Programs may request transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, an interview, or relevant preparatory coursework; the exact requirements and deadlines are set by each institution, not by a single statewide admissions rule (Tennessee university graduate admissions and counseling program descriptions).
Admissions eligibility and future licensure eligibility are separate questions. Before applying, compare the program's degree, coursework, and supervised clinical training with the Tennessee Board's current requirements for the credential you want. If you already hold graduate credits, get a written transfer-credit evaluation: accepted credits may reduce coursework without replacing required clinical training (Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists).
Expect counseling theories and techniques, assessment, diagnosis, ethics, human development, research, and work with clients from varied backgrounds, followed by supervised practicum and internship. Clinical preparation should also address treatment planning and the limits of a counselor's competence. Course titles differ, so compare syllabi and clinical requirements rather than matching degree names alone (Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists; Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs).
Ask a program to map its curriculum to Tennessee's current licensing rules and explain how it documents supervised hours. That is especially important if the degree is called simply "counseling" or "human development counseling": its title may not reveal everything about its clinical content.
Programs may allow students to focus electives or placements on areas such as substance-use counseling, trauma, children and adolescents, or couples and families. Availability varies by school and clinical-site capacity; an interest area is not necessarily a separate credential or guaranteed placement.
Choose the core licensure pathway first, then consider a specialization. Someone aiming for addiction treatment, for example, should compare relevant placements and supervision, not just an elective title. Someone seeking to become a school counselor should check the distinct school-counseling preparation route instead of assuming a clinical mental health concentration covers it (Tennessee licensing and educator-licensure authorities).
Begin with the job and state in which you intend to practice. Then compare programs in an order that prevents an attractive price or format from hiding a licensing problem:
Ask the Tennessee Board and each program how the degree, coursework, and supervised training align with your intended license; verify any claimed CACREP status with the accreditor.
Request program-level completion, exam, and employment information with reporting years and cohort sizes; ask what is unavailable.
Get a written total-cost estimate and aid offer, including the likely cost of reaching clinical placements.
Compare realistic full-time and part-time schedules, placement support, and the effect on your current earnings.
Speak with students or recent graduates about supervision, site availability, and whether the schedule worked as advertised.
CACREP programmatic accreditation, institutional accreditation, federal aid eligibility, and Tennessee licensure are different checks; one does not automatically prove the others. A useful return-on-investment comparison considers net cost and debt alongside completion probability, foregone earnings, your current pay, plausible post-degree earnings, and how long you expect to work in the field. The most valuable clinical mental health counseling programs offer another shortlist, not a substitute for that personal calculation.
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
A graduate might begin in a supervised counseling role with a community agency, behavioral health provider, or treatment program, then pursue the experience, examinations, and other steps required for the intended Tennessee license. With the appropriate license and experience, options can expand to more autonomous clinical roles or private practice. Requirements vary by credential and can change, so use the Tennessee Board's current rules when planning the sequence (Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists).
For a career changer, the important comparison is not "master's versus no master's" in the abstract. Compare the time to a licensed role with the pay and benefits you would give up, and ask employers whether the positions you want hire graduates while they complete supervised post-degree requirements.
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% employment growth from 2025 to 2035 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. That national projection suggests sustained demand for the occupation, but it does not predict openings in a particular Tennessee city or guarantee a job for an individual graduate (BLS, Employment Projections).
Use local postings to test the market you would actually enter: note required licenses, whether employers offer supervision, and where jobs are relative to possible placements. A program with accessible clinical sites and relationships relevant to your preferred setting may be more useful than a faster degree whose training requires a difficult commute. The distinction matters most if you cannot relocate after graduation.
2027 Most Popular Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Tennessee
Investing in graduate education is a consequential decision. Research.com developed its counseling rankings to give readers a more credible starting point than promotional claims alone, drawing on education databases and checking factors such as outcomes, accreditation, and cost. A popularity ranking describes its named dimension; it should not be read as a verdict on program quality or Tennessee licensure eligibility.
The ranking draws on these data sources:
IPEDS database: institutional enrollment, completions, and other reported education data.
Peterson's database: program and institution information used in school comparisons.
College Scorecard database: federally published institutional data, including available cost and outcome measures.
For context, Research.com's separate Best counseling ranking first combines program completion (40%), employment or doctoral admission (20%), applicable licensure-exam pass rates (20%), CACREP programmatic accreditation (16%), and institutional Title IV eligibility (4%). Inapplicable criteria are reweighted; program cost then contributes about 7% of the final score. The approach applies to online and campus programs, while other rankings order programs by the dimension in their names. Readers can review Research.com's methodology and use the rankings to build a shortlist - not replace a direct check of each program's current price, outcomes, and licensing fit.
# 1 position
Lipscomb University
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
53.30
/ 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 Student Interest Score of 53.3/100, supported by 45 graduates (2022-23) and 95.4% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 2 position
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Master
MS in Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
45.40
/ 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 Student Interest Score of 45.4/100, supported by 25 graduates (2024-2025) and 89.3% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-10-31.
# 3 position
Tennessee Tech University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychology – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
43.60
/ 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 Student Interest Score of 43.6/100, supported by 22 graduates (2024-25) and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 4 position
East Tennessee State University
Master
M.A. in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
42.40
/ 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 Student Interest Score of 42.4/100, supported by 20 graduates (2022-23) and 84% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 5 position
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Master
M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
41.70
/ 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 Student Interest Score of 41.7/100, with 19 graduates (2024-25) among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-03-31.
# 6 position
Vanderbilt University
Master
Human Development Counseling (M.Ed.)
Delivery mode: campus
38.60
/ 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 Student Interest Score of 38.6/100, supported by 15 graduates (2024-25) and 88% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-03-31.
# 7 position
Freed-Hardeman University
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
38.60
/ 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 Student Interest Score of 38.6/100, supported by 15 graduates (2025) and 58% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 8 position
Belmont University
Master
M.A. in Mental Health Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
35.70
/ 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 Student Interest Score of 35.7/100, supported by 12 graduates (2025-26) and 95% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 9 position
Milligan University
Master
Master of Science in Counseling (MSC) – Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)
Delivery mode: campus
35.70
/ 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 Student Interest Score of 35.7/100, supported by 12 graduates (2024-25) and 91% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 10 position
Southern Adventist University
Master
Master of Science in Professional Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
34.60
/ 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 Student Interest Score of 34.6/100, supported by 11 graduates (2024-25) and 90% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
# 11 position
Carson-Newman University
Master
Master of Science in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
34.60
/ 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 Student Interest Score of 34.6/100, supported by 11 graduates (2023-24) and 77.4% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 12 position
Johnson University
Master
M.A. in Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
30.60
/ 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 Student Interest Score of 30.6/100, supported by 8 graduates (2024-25) and 62.5% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 13 position
Lincoln Memorial University
Master
MEd in Professional Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Non-School)
Delivery mode: hybrid
24.90
/ 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 Student Interest Score of 24.9/100, supported by 5 graduates (2024-25) and 22.73% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 14 position
Milligan University
Master
Master of Science in Counseling (MSC) – Dual Track (CMHC + SC)
Delivery mode: campus
37.70
/ 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 Student Interest Score of 37.7/100, with 80% program completion rate among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
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?
A relevant graduate degree is part of Tennessee's professional counseling licensure pathway. Coursework, supervised experience, examinations, and other Board requirements also matter; graduation alone does not confer a license (Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists).
Is a CACREP-accredited program required?
Do not assume either that CACREP recognition is mandatory for every applicant or that any counseling degree will qualify. Check the Tennessee Board's current education rules and ask the program to document how its curriculum meets them; verify a program's accreditation status directly with CACREP.
Can I earn the degree online and complete clinical training in Tennessee?
Potentially, but online coursework does not eliminate supervised clinical training. Ask who secures and approves Tennessee placement sites and confirm that the degree supports your intended state licensing route.
Is a public or private program the better investment?
Neither institution type determines value by itself. Compare written net costs, aid, completion time, clinical access, and outcomes; a private university may also be nonprofit, and its aid offer can change the price comparison.
Is this degree worth it for a career changer?
It can be if you want direct clinical work and can finance both graduate study and the path to licensure. Estimate debt and income lost during training against realistic jobs in your preferred Tennessee market before deciding.
