Program Overview
| Program Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Completion Time | 24 months |
| Credits | 60 |
| Supervised Hours | 700 |
| Practicum Hours | 100 |
| Internship Hours | 600 |
| Format | Online |
| Flexibility | Full or Part-Time |
| Start Terms | Fall or Summer semesters |
Study Anywhere. Complete in Two Years. Prepare to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals, families, and communities through Niagara University’s Online Clinical Mental HealthCounseling Program. Emphasizing evidence-based practices and community impact, our Master of Science in Clinical Health Counseling program prepares you for New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) eligibility, as well as all 50 states and 3 territories.
You’ll be trained in the application of psychotherapy principles, human development, and learning theory, as well as the etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional behavior to individuals, couples, families and groups. Upon graduation, you’ll become well-equipped to treat psychopathology and promote optimal mental health.
Licensure, Registration, and Certification
The 60-credit-hour program qualifies students for New York State Licensure – Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), as well as license-eligibility in all 50 states and 3 territories. Graduates may also be eligible to apply for national certification as a professional counselor (NCC) and clinical mental health counselor (CMHC). Additional years of experience are required for NCC and CMHC certification.
Canadian graduates of Niagara University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program may have the opportunity to pursue registration as Registered Psychotherapists (RP) through the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
Why Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online at NU?
Flexibility
Our courses are offered 100% online to accommodate your schedule.
Accelerated
Complete in as few as 24 months.
Eligibility
- Eligibility for NYS LMHC Licensure
- License Eligibility in all 50 States and 3 Territories
Niagara University’s program in mental health counseling provided me with the necessary skills, education and training to enhance my counseling techniques. This program has not only prepared me to be a mental health counselor, but also for the coursework requirements for licensure in New York state, and nationally.Tomasina Cook
Discovery Awaits
What You’ll Study at Niagara University
You’ll begin your journey with foundational courses in counseling, ethics, and clinical mental health practice before advancing to specialized coursework that builds your professional skills. Through applied learning experiences, you’ll receive guidance, feedback, and mentorship to strengthen your therapeutic competencies.
As part of your training, you’ll complete a 100-hour practicum followed by two internship experiences totaling 600 hours in a clinical setting under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional. These hands-on experiences help you apply your knowledge and prepare for professional practice.
Find Your Best Self
Knowledge, Experience, and Skill Development
Cultivate knowledge, skills, and dispositions critical to effective clinical practice
Foundational background in ethics, legal, and professional standards
Critical analysis and experience with theories, evidence-based treatment models, cultural competence, and self-awareness
Prepare to Soar
Academic, Experiential, and Career Pathways
Careers
Counseling in:
- Hospitals
- Mental health clinics
- Public agencies
- Private counseling practices
Ready to Apply?
Filling out an application is easy!
NU offers rolling admissions, which means that you can apply at any time for the upcoming semester. Applications are reviewed as they come in, and students are typically notified of an admission decision in 3-4 weeks. What’s stopping you?
Apply Now
Program Faculty
Molly McDermott, M.S., MHC-P
Faculty Fellow of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Coordinator of the CMHC Bridge Program
Gary E. Schaffer, PhD
Assistant Professor of School Psychology