Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S.
The role of mental health professionals has never been more important. By pursuing your degree and license through McDaniel, you'll be equipped to advance the health of your patients, making a valuable impact on their mood, productivity and overall wellness.
About the Program
Through a combination of research, theory, and practice, our counseling program encourages graduate students to become reflective practitioners. Our graduates are employed in a variety of settings, including public and private schools, community colleges, hospitals, clinics, private practices, and human service agencies.
Receiving Your License
The Master of Science degree in Counseling (Clinical Mental Health Specialization) is designed to meet licensure requirements in the state of Maryland and may not meet educational requirements for licensure in other states or US territories. For more information on professional licensure, students may contact McDaniel College's Professional Licensure Representative at gps@mcdaniel.edu or 410-857-2500.
Required courses in the program include a practicum (100 hours) and an internship (600 hours).
Students are eligible to sit for their National Counselor Exam administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors upon graduation.
The Clinical Internship
As an intern, you will complete a 600 clock hour experience at a site or sites that prepare you for work in hospitals, private practice, human services agencies and clinics. You will engage in both individual and group counseling, and a variety of related activities that a regularly employed staff member in the setting would be expected to perform.
These experiences are meant to be the culminating experience in your program of study by allowing you the opportunity to apply, evaluate, and refine clinical skills by bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Throughout your experience, you will also develop the personal qualities, characteristics and behaviors of a professional counselor.
Forming Connections
McDaniel's Master of Science in Counseling program features the flexibility of online learning but doesn't sacrifice connection or community. Students are encouraged to engage deeply — not only with course content, but with one another, with faculty, and with leading professionals in the field. Our program enriches the overall learning journey with valuable opportunities and experiences through an optional, day-long workshop on campus each semester.
What You Need to Know About the M.S. in Counseling
Admissions Requirements
Degree Requirements
State Authorization & Professional Licensure
Bachelor’s to Master’s Pathway Start Early. Save Time. Save Money.
McDaniel College’s Bachelor’s to Master’s (BA/MS) pathways give motivated students the chance to earn both their undergraduate and graduate degrees faster and at a lower cost. These pathways are designed to help students gain advanced skills and knowledge that are important in today’s job market, allowing them to save time and money while getting ahead.
By offering these pathways, McDaniel College meets the growing need for higher education and professional expertise. Students who choose a BA/MS pathway can build strong qualifications for their careers, putting themselves in a better position to succeed by earning an advanced degree.
Bachelor’s to Master’s Pathways at McDaniel CollegeProgram & Course Details
Special Opportunities
Advancing Your Career Career Paths for M.S. in Counseling
Green Terror Alum Class of 2024: Tyra Pritchett 5-Year Psychology B.A. to Counseling M.S.
McDaniel professor Diane Walsh teaches counseling with creativity
Diane D. Walsh, assistant professor of Counseling, was recently recognized by the Maryland Counseling Association with a Presidential Certificate of Appreciation. Here, Walsh shares about her creative approaches to counselor education, her research interests, and her dedication to the counseling community.