Choosing a counseling master's program in the West means weighing more than tuition: the degree must fit the state where you intend to seek licensure, and clinical training must fit your life. This guide explains how to compare costs, accreditation, field placements, timelines, and career outcomes. It also features the 2027 Most Valuable Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in the West, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about which programs are worth considering.
Key findings about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degrees in West
For a clinical counseling career, compare master's programs against the licensing rules of the state where you plan to practice, not just the state where the school is located.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a $59,350 national median annual wage in May 2025 and projects 18% employment growth from 2025 to 2035 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors; neither figure predicts an individual graduate's outcome.
A typical clinical mental health counseling master's takes about 2-3 years of full-time study. CACREP's clinical mental health counseling standards call for at least 60 semester credits, including supervised practicum and internship, so placement access can matter as much as course format.
What can I expect from a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in West?
Clinical mental health counseling is graduate-level preparation to assess clients, provide counseling, and respond to mental health concerns under appropriate supervision. The usual entry path is a master's degree followed by the additional steps required for independent practice in a particular state. A counseling degree is not interchangeable with a psychology doctorate, a social work degree, or a school counseling credential.
Expect coursework in assessment, diagnosis, counseling methods, ethics, research, and multicultural practice, followed by supervised work with clients. CACREP's standards for its accredited clinical mental health counseling programs include at least 60 semester credits, a supervised practicum of at least 100 clock hours, and a supervised internship of at least 600 clock hours (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs). Ask whether a school's published totals follow those standards and how it arranges placements in your community.
The West presents a practical choice: a student near a large clinical-training market may have different placement options from a student in a rural community. Neither location is automatically better. What matters is whether the program can approve suitable supervisors and sites where you can realistically complete the required hours.
Where can I work with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in West?
Potential settings include community mental health agencies, outpatient clinics, hospitals, substance-use treatment programs, integrated healthcare practices, and, once independently licensed, private practice. Duties and permitted titles depend on the employer and state license; a new graduate may begin in a supervised role rather than practice independently (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; relevant state licensing board).
Compare programs with the setting you want to enter. A rural community clinic may offer broad exposure but require a longer commute for supervision; a metropolitan hospital may offer specialized teams but have competitive placements. Ask schools for examples of recent, approved clinical sites in the area where you expect to live, not just a list of organizations that have hosted students at some point.
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 occupational category includes workers with different responsibilities, credentials, and experience levels. It is a benchmark for evaluating a career path, not an expected starting salary for a master's graduate.
Pay can vary substantially among Western states, metropolitan and rural areas, employers, and stages of licensure. When estimating whether a program is affordable, compare the pay range for the specific role and location you would pursue with the program's full cost and the earnings you may give up while studying. A higher eventual salary does not by itself offset large borrowing or a delayed entry into paid work.
These program-specific features offer a starting point for comparing schools. They are not a substitute for confirming current credits, delivery arrangements, placement support, and licensure disclosures directly with each program.
University of Wyoming, Laramie: Its counseling admission materials identify a master's application route tied to the Laramie program (University of Wyoming). Students who can attend in person should compare its training-site options and campus attendance expectations with more distributed formats.
University of Wyoming, Casper: Wyoming publishes separate Casper admission information, making the location a material choice rather than merely a different mailing address (University of Wyoming). It is worth investigating if remaining near Casper would reduce relocation costs; confirm where classes, supervision, and placements take place.
University of Nevada, Reno: Its Master of Arts in Counseling is presented within a broader counseling degree structure (University of Nevada, Reno). Applicants comparing clinical mental health with another counseling path should verify the precise track on their application and its corresponding licensure preparation.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas: The university identifies the credential specifically as an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (University of Nevada, Las Vegas). That clear degree focus is useful for applicants seeking a clinical route; ask how the program connects students with supervised sites in the Las Vegas area.
Eastern Washington University: Its degree is housed in counselor education and explicitly identifies mental health counseling (Eastern Washington University). Washington-bound applicants should check the curriculum against Washington's licensing requirements and ask how field placements are approved outside the campus area.
Adams State University: Its published master's pathway is specifically in clinical mental health counseling within counselor education (Adams State University). Students considering study while remaining in their home community should confirm current delivery requirements and whether the school can support a local clinical placement.
University of Montana: Mental health counseling appears within the university's counseling programs (University of Montana). This is a useful option to examine for students planning Montana practice, provided they verify the current degree requirements and access to acceptable supervised sites.
Alliant University: Its MA in Clinical Counseling uses a degree title that differs from the clinical mental health counseling titles elsewhere in this group (Alliant University). Applicants should compare its course and supervised-training requirements with their intended state board's rules rather than assuming equivalent titles establish equivalent eligibility.
George Fox University: Its clinical counseling master's offers a distinct institutional setting for students comparing program environments (George Fox University). Ask how its curriculum, attendance requirements, and approved placements fit your intended Oregon or other state licensing path before treating institutional fit as the deciding factor.
Northwest Nazarene University: Counseling is offered as an MS program (Northwest Nazarene University). Applicants should identify the clinical mental health route within that degree and confirm its specific curriculum and placement arrangements before comparing its cost with programs titled exclusively clinical mental health counseling.
For a separate comparison focused on broader quality measures, see the best clinical mental health counseling programs. A strong match still depends on your licensing destination and feasible training sites.
Plan on approximately 2-3 years of full-time study for a clinical mental health counseling master's; part-time enrollment generally extends that timeline. Program calendars, course sequencing, placement availability, and whether students attend during summers can all change the actual completion date. The supervised internship may be particularly difficult to accelerate while working full-time.
Ask for a term-by-term plan showing when clinical courses and placements occur. If a school advertises an accelerated route, check whether its weekly fieldwork demands would require reducing paid work. Graduation is also not the same as independent licensure: states generally require additional supervised experience and examinations, with details set by the relevant state board.
Online delivery changes where you take academic courses; it does not eliminate supervised clinical training. Both online and campus applicants should determine whether any intensive visits are required, who finds placements, how supervisors are approved, and whether the program accepts students in the state where they will live. State authorization to enroll is a separate question from professional licensure eligibility (U.S. Department of Education; relevant state licensing board).
An online or hybrid program may make sense if moving would interrupt a job or family obligations and the school can support placements nearby. A campus program may be more practical when its established local training relationships reduce the burden of finding a site. Compare the two using your likely weekly schedule and placement location - not the assumption that online study is automatically cheaper or easier. The most popular clinical mental health counseling programs offer another way to explore options, but popularity does not establish format fit.
There is no single defensible average price for a clinical mental health counseling degree across the West: states, residency rules, institutional prices, and program lengths differ. NCES/IPEDS publishes institutional graduate tuition and fees, but an institution-wide figure is not necessarily the price of a specific counseling program (National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS). Request the current program's total required credits and published charges rather than relying on an unsourced regional average.
The comparison below shows which costs to capture in the same estimate for every school. It is designed to reveal expenses that a tuition-per-credit comparison misses.
Cost component
Why it can change the decision
Tuition and mandatory fees
Residency, enrollment pace, and institution policy may change what you pay.
Clinical-training expenses
Travel, screening, insurance, and placement-related requirements can add costs outside tuition.
Time away from paid work
Practicum and internship schedules may reduce earnings even when classes are online.
Borrowing costs
Interest and repayment increase the eventual cost beyond the amount billed by the school.
A lower-priced program is valuable only if you can complete it and use it toward your intended license. For a price-first comparison, consult the most affordable clinical mental health counseling programs, then check each school's current program-specific charges and placement costs.
Potential funding includes institutional scholarships, assistantships, employer tuition benefits, eligible federal graduate loans, and aid offered through a student's state or community. Availability depends on the school, the student, and the award's conditions; a published scholarship is not a guaranteed reduction in your bill. Complete the FAFSA and ask each financial aid office for a graduate-level estimate (Federal Student Aid).
Do not assume Graduate PLUS is available to a new applicant. Federal Student Aid's Graduate PLUS guidance distinguishes students who can continue borrowing under transitional rules from students subject to the newer restrictions beginning July 2026. Ask the financial aid office to check your individual eligibility and enrollment history before using a Graduate PLUS amount in your financing plan (Federal Student Aid).
To limit borrowing, ask whether assistantships cover fees as well as tuition and whether awards continue during internship terms. Compare the resulting net cost with the income you may lose during fieldwork; these can matter more than the advertised scholarship amount.
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
Most applicants need an accredited bachelor's degree and must submit materials specified by the program, commonly transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, and an interview. Schools differ on prerequisite courses, minimum academic standards, and whether relevant work or volunteer experience is expected. Use the current admissions page for the exact degree and campus or delivery location rather than applying another counseling track's requirements to it (institutional admissions offices).
Before paying an application fee, ask admissions and the program director whether the curriculum meets the educational requirements of your intended state board, whether applicants living in your state may enroll, and whether transfer credits can replace required counseling courses. Transfer credit may reduce classroom requirements without reducing clinical or residency obligations. Admission to a degree does not guarantee placement, graduation, or licensure.
Typical subjects include counseling theories and techniques, clinical assessment, diagnosis, group counseling, ethics, career development, research, and counseling across cultural contexts. Supervised practicum and internship apply those subjects with actual clients and are central - not optional add-ons - to clinical preparation (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs).
Course titles alone are a poor way to judge license fit. Request the current curriculum map or state licensure disclosure and check how it addresses the board's required content, supervised training, and any state-specific topics. This is especially important if the school is in one Western state but you intend to practice in another.
Depending on the school, students may pursue electives or training experiences in areas such as substance-use counseling, trauma, child and adolescent counseling, or integrated behavioral health. A focus area can help you seek relevant placements, but an elective cluster is not necessarily a separate credential or permission to practice a specialty.
Distinguish those options from different professional degrees or tracks. School counseling may lead toward a school credential, while marriage and family therapy follows its own licensing framework. If your target job has a specific license requirement, choose the educational path that the relevant state board accepts rather than selecting a clinical mental health program solely because it offers a related elective (relevant state licensing board).
Start with the license and state in which you want to work, then compare programs that could plausibly lead there. Institutional accreditation, CACREP programmatic accreditation, state educational requirements, supervised experience, and examinations are related but distinct checks. CACREP recognition can make a curriculum easier to evaluate; it is not itself a state license (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; relevant state licensing board).
Use this sequence to turn a shortlist into a decision:
Identify your intended state license and check its board's current education, examination, and post-degree supervision rules.
Ask each program for its current licensure disclosure, accreditation status, completion information, and written policy for approving placements where you plan to live.
Build a comparable budget covering tuition, fees, clinical travel, aid, borrowing, and likely time away from work.
Compare realistic completion plans and ask what happens if a course or placement is unavailable when you need it.
A common mistake is choosing the lowest tuition or highest-ranked school before verifying license fit. Another is treating projected counselor wages as your personal return on investment. A sound estimate considers your current earnings, probable time to completion, aid and debt, your chance of finishing, possible post-degree earnings, and how long you expect to work in the field. If you want a school-based credential or cannot accommodate supervised client hours, a different path may be a better investment.
View the chart data as a table
Annual earnings-to-program-cost ratio distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
0–-0
2
0–0
12
1–0
6
2–1
1
2–2
3
2–2
1
A common progression is graduate clinical training, a supervised post-degree counseling role, and - after meeting the relevant board's requirements - independent clinical practice. Some counselors later move into clinical supervision, program management, or specialized services. Those later roles may call for additional experience, training, or credentials; the master's alone does not confer them (relevant state licensing board; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
If you want to work in a school, verify school-counselor credential rules rather than assuming a clinical degree will qualify. If you want to diagnose and prescribe medication, clinical mental health counseling is not a prescribing pathway. Matching the degree to the actual scope of the job prevents an expensive career detour.
View the chart data as a table
Wage range - Mental Health Counselors (U.S., BLS May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
10th percentile
38,940
Median
59,350
90th percentile
97,590
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 substantial demand for the broader occupation, but it is not a forecast for a particular Western state, employer, graduate cohort, or licensed specialty (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections).
For a location-specific decision, examine postings and employers in the area where you can complete supervised hours and expect to work afterward. Check whether advertised roles accept associate-level or supervised counselors, require independent licensure, or call for substance-use credentials. In a rural area, a program's ability to secure appropriate supervision may matter more immediately than the national growth rate; in a large metro, compare the credentials requested across several employers before selecting electives.
2027 Most Valuable Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in the West
Investing in a counseling degree is a consequential decision. Research.com evaluates programs using graduate outcomes, licensure exam pass rates where applicable, accreditation, federal aid eligibility, and cost, with the aim of making program comparisons more credible and useful. Its Best ranking combines completion, employment or doctoral admission, applicable exam results, CACREP recognition, and Title IV eligibility; cost is then included as a smaller component. Criteria that do not apply to a program are excluded and the remaining weights adjusted. The same approach applies to online and campus programs; other rankings emphasize the dimension named in their titles.
The Research.com team used the following sources to build and check its counseling rankings:
IPEDS database - institutional enrollment, completions, and reported education data.
Peterson's database - program and institution information used in comparisons.
A ranking can narrow a search, but it cannot establish that a particular curriculum satisfies every state licensing board or that an individual student will receive a particular aid package. Use it alongside the program and board checks described below. Research.com explains its broader approach on its methodology page.
# 1 position
University of Wyoming
Master
Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
74.80
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2-3 years (full-time cohort, Laramie)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
61
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Laramie: November 30, 2026 (for fall 2027)
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE required only for international applicants (GRE 291 minimum); not required for domestic applicants
Prerequisites
Transcripts from all institutions; minimum 3.0 GPA (domestic); no GRE for domestic applicants (international: GRE 291, TOEFL 80/IELTS 6.5); three recommendation letters; 3-4 page personal statement; admissions packet; resume/CV; interview day.
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 Wyoming earned a Research.com Value Score of 74.8/100, supported by $52,550 median earnings and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 2 position
University of Wyoming
Master
M.S. in Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
66.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years (hybrid cohort, UW at Casper)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
61 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
UW at Casper: November 30, 2027 (for fall 2028; a cohort is admitted every 3 years)
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE required only for international applicants (GRE 291 minimum); not required for domestic applicants
Prerequisites
Transcripts from all institutions; minimum 3.0 GPA (domestic); no GRE for domestic applicants (international: GRE 291, TOEFL 80/IELTS 6.5); three recommendation letters; 3-4 page personal statement; admissions packet; resume/CV; interview day.
Additional requirements
Application and fee; transcripts; three recommendation letters; GPA 3.0; GRE not required for domestic applicants (international: GRE 291, TOEFL 80 / IELTS 6.5); interview day by invitation.
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 Wyoming earned a Research.com Value Score of 66.4/100, supported by $52,550 median earnings and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 3 position
University of Nevada-Reno
Master
M.A. in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
58.60
/ 100
Final score
Program length
approximately 3 years of full-time enrollment (including summers)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
67
Program completion rate
100% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2023-24)
Application process
Apply Nevada (UNR Graduate School)
GRE
no
Prerequisites
There are no undergraduate prerequisites for this program; but you must have completed an undergraduate degree by the time you enroll in this program.
Additional requirements
Official transcripts; letter of intent/statement of career goals including track; resume; three professional letters of recommendation; interview; qualified in judgment of program faculty
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
University of Nevada-Reno earned a Research.com Value Score of 58.6/100, supported by $55,536 median earnings and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
# 4 position
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Master
Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
54.10
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
February 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Minimum GPA of 2.75 for all undergraduate work (3.00 for the last two years of undergraduate work).
Additional requirements
Transcripts of all college-level work; resume; three letters of recommendation; a writing sample; a structured personal interview for final applicants.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
University of Nevada-Las Vegas earned a Research.com Value Score of 54.1/100, supported by $49,726 median earnings and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 5 position
Eastern Washington University
Master
Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Science (MS)
Delivery mode: hybrid
39.60
/ 100
Final score
Program length
two years, including required summer coursework
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
93 quarter credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
96% (2025-26)
Employment or doctoral admission
74% (2025-26)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
January 15
Class size
23
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree (typically psychology, education, or related field) with an inferential/undergraduate statistics course before fall start; minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 90 quarter or 60 semester credits.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Eastern Washington University earned a Research.com Value Score of 39.6/100, supported by $70,143 median earnings and 100% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-03-31.
# 6 position
Adams State University
Master
M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
36.30
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Fall cohort: 5 semesters; Spring cohort: 7 semesters
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
82% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
77% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution (or in final year of undergraduate study pending verification of degree receipt).
Additional requirements
Online application, $30 application fee, five short essay questions (200-300 words each), two online recommendation forms from professional (non-family) sources, official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Adams State University earned a Research.com Value Score of 36.3/100, supported by $49,131 median earnings and 82% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 7 position
The University of Montana
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA
Delivery mode: campus
33.30
/ 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)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
January 15, 2027
Application process
direct
GRE
optional
Prerequisites
No specific undergraduate degree required; recommended (not required) background includes developmental psychology, abnormal psychology or child/adolescent psychological disorders, and basic statistics/education measurement.
Additional requirements
Current resume (CV); 3 letters of recommendation; official transcripts from all higher-education institutions; personal statement; official GRE scores optional.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
The University of Montana earned a Research.com Value Score of 33.3/100, supported by $41,773 median earnings and 100% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 8 position
Alliant University
Master
MA in Clinical Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
23.30
/ 100
Final score
Program length
takes a minimum of two years to complete
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 units
Acceptance rate
82.33%
Program completion rate
73.8% (2022-23)
Employment or doctoral admission
80% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
94% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Alliant University earned a Research.com Value Score of 23.3/100, supported by $53,383 median earnings and 94% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 9 position
George Fox University
Master
Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
23.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 Years Program length
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
82% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
96% (2025-26)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2025-26)
Application deadline
Fall 2027: Mar 1, 2027
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with 3.0+ GPA (any major); online application with two recommendations (one academic, one professional), a short essay, and a resume; no standardized tests required.
Additional requirements
Completed online application, two recommendations (one academic, one professional), a short essay, a professional resume, official transcripts, and participation in a group interview
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
George Fox University earned a Research.com Value Score of 23.2/100, supported by $52,597 median earnings and 100% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 10 position
Northwest Nazarene University
Master
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health, Master of Science
Delivery mode: campus
22.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
8 semesters (an average of 33 months)
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
94% (2024-25)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the baccalaureate program (applicants below 3.0 must submit an explanatory letter for faculty review); English proficiency via TOEFL required if English is not the applicant's native language
Additional requirements
References, transcripts, program interview, resume, biographical background, writing samples, observation in group and mock counseling experiences, and a background check (at applicant's expense); TOEFL if English is not native language.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Northwest Nazarene University earned a Research.com Value Score of 22.9/100, supported by $39,097 median earnings and 90% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
# 11 position
Western Seminary
Master
MA in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Portland Campus)
Delivery mode: campus
22.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Graduate in as few as three years (Monday courses, Portland)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
68 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
70.6% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
95% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
98%
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited undergraduate institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Additional requirements
Completed application and admissions materials, four letters of recommendation, and a virtual interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
Western Seminary earned a Research.com Value Score of 22.2/100, supported by $52,392 median earnings and 98% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 12 position
Concordia University-Irvine
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
21.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
as few as 24 months
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
77% (2024)
Employment or doctoral admission
96% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
90%
Application deadline
Spring 2027: Feb 5, 2027
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Bachelors degree from a regionally accredited college or university (confirmed via official transcript); minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
Additional requirements
Completed application; official transcript confirming bachelor's degree; cumulative GPA of 3.00; 2-page (500-word) essay on personal, professional, and educational goals and fit for counseling; at least 2 professional references.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Concordia University-Irvine earned a Research.com Value Score of 21.4/100, supported by $42,331 median earnings and 90% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 13 position
Seattle University
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MAEd
Delivery mode: campus
21.30
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
90 quarter credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
February 1 (priority, Fall admission)
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE/GMAT required only if the bachelor's degree is non-graded
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution; no specific prior coursework required.
Additional requirements
Letter of Intent (2-3 pages), one-to-two page résumé, two recommendation forms (from supervisors/instructors), official/unofficial transcripts, minimum 3.00 GPA; GRE/GMAT required only if bachelor's degree transcript is non-graded. No application fee.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Seattle University earned a Research.com Value Score of 21.3/100, supported by $68,242 median earnings and $70,110 total tuition (estimated). The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 14 position
Seattle University
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Online, MAEd
Delivery mode: hybrid
21.30
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
90 quarter credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
February 1 (priority, Fall admission)
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE/GMAT required only if the bachelor's degree is non-graded
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution; no specific prior coursework required.
Additional requirements
Letter of Intent (2-3 pages), one-to-two page résumé, two recommendation forms (from supervisors/instructors), official/unofficial transcripts, minimum 3.00 GPA; GRE/GMAT required only if bachelor's degree transcript is non-graded. No application fee.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Seattle University earned a Research.com Value Score of 21.3/100, supported by $68,242 median earnings and $70,110 total tuition (estimated). The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 90 quarter credits (2.5-2.9 may also be considered)
Additional requirements
Official transcripts, resume/CV, three letters of recommendation, responses to application questions; applicants who meet initial screening may be invited to an interview
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Oregon State University earned a Research.com Value Score of 20.9/100, supported by $55,911 median earnings and 100% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 16 position
University of Northern Colorado
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA
Delivery mode: campus
19.40
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE required if GPA (most recent degree) is below 3.0
Prerequisites
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; minimum 3.0 GPA based on the most recent degree. Two years of work experience recommended.
Additional requirements
Three academic or professional recommendation letters; attendance at a pre-admission workshop offered online three times annually; GRE scores only 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 Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Northern Colorado earned a Research.com Value Score of 19.4/100, supported by $50,573 median earnings and $55,347 total cost (tuition and fees). The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 17 position
Regis University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
19.30
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Average completion: about 3 years; completion deadline: 6 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.90 - 4.00
Employment or doctoral admission
95% (2025-26)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2025-26)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in any field from a U.S. regionally accredited institution; graduate-level writing and critical analysis skills. Psychology or family studies background preferred, not required. Criminal background check required.
Additional requirements
Application, official transcript, autobiographical essay, two recommendations, resume, virtual faculty interview. Applicants below 2.90 GPA answer extra essay questions; admitted students complete a criminal background check.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Regis University earned a Research.com Value Score of 19.3/100, supported by $49,365 median earnings and 100% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 18 position
Antioch University-Seattle
Master
MA in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Low-Residency)
Delivery mode: hybrid
19.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
40 months
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Acceptance rate
85.83%
Employment or doctoral admission
87%
Application deadline
Fall: July 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution required; transcript evaluations required for coursework completed outside the U.S. or Canada.
Additional requirements
Online admissions application; official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended; optional two letters of recommendation; resume; admission essay (multiple prompts); select applicants may be invited to a group interview with faculty.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Antioch University-Seattle earned a Research.com Value Score of 19.2/100, supported by $50,791 median earnings and $56,030 total tuition (estimated). The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 19 position
Denver Seminary
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
18.60
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
64 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: August 17; Summer: April 1
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE (146 V, 4 AW) may be required if undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, as one of three exception routes (alternatives: non-degree coursework or 15 graduate hours at 3.0+)
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited undergraduate institution; cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
Additional requirements
Completion of the application for admission and all required application documents.
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).
Denver Seminary earned a Research.com Value Score of 18.6/100, supported by $44,637 median earnings and $50,240 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated). The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 20 position
Palo Alto University
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
18.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
9 consecutive quarters including summer (hybrid degree plan)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
94.5 quarter units
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
93.2% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
73% (2023)
Licensure exam pass rate
78% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Spring 2027 priority: November 1, 2026; Fall 2027 priority: December 1, 2026; rolling review.
Application process
PsychologyCAS
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or international equivalent. No prerequisite coursework required. Related mental health work or volunteer experience is strongly recommended. Online applicants must reside in an authorized state.
Additional requirements
PsychologyCAS application, application fee, official transcripts, resume or CV, letters of recommendation, and personal statement. Selected applicants participate in a group interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Palo Alto University earned a Research.com Value Score of 18.2/100, supported by $59,295 median earnings and 78% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in West
Is a clinical mental health counseling master's worth it?
It can be if the program fits your intended license, you can complete its supervised training, and its total cost is reasonable relative to your career plans. Compare your likely debt and lost earnings with realistic local job options, not a national median treated as a promise.
Do I need a CACREP-accredited program?
That depends on the state and the route to licensure. Check the relevant board's current rules; also confirm the institution's accreditation and whether the specific counseling program holds CACREP accreditation.
Can I become licensed in another Western state after graduating?
Possibly, but requirements and recognition of prior education, examinations, and supervised experience vary by state. Check the destination board before enrolling or planning a move.
Can I complete the degree entirely online?
Academic courses may be online, but clinical practicum and internship require supervised work with clients. Confirm any campus visits and whether the school will approve placements in your location.
Should I choose a faster program or a cheaper one?
Choose the option with a feasible path to completion and licensure. A faster program can increase weekly fieldwork pressure and lost earnings; a cheaper one may cost more overall if delays, travel, or placement difficulties extend enrollment.
