Make an impact on the lives of clients facing mental health challenges.
Through a specific course sequence and practicum work, our Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Masters program prepares students to pursue licensure as a professional clinical counselor (LPCC) through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and other states nationwide.
CACREP
One of only 8 California programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
NBCC
Meets requirements for the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
700
Hours of supervised clinical experience
96%
Licensing exam pass rate (based on NCMHCE passing rates for 2020)
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completing this program, graduates will be prepared to make a difference in the lives of their clients by:
Demonstrating their knowledge, skills and level of professional identity as a counselor; as they pertain to professional history and philosophy, roles and responsibilities, advocacy and interagency collaboration, standards and credentials, certification and licensure, ethical and legal standards and professional membership and service.
Integrating knowledge pertaining to research, theories and practice strategies to advocate for and serve socially and culturally diverse clients in a multi-cultural society.
Utilizing theories, models, research evidence and practice strategies related to human growth and development; including social, cultural and societal influences on the life stages.
Using theories, models, research evidence and practice related to career development at all stages of the lifespan.
Employing theories, models, research evidence and practice strategies to build helping relationships.
Incorporating ethical guidelines of the profession and research evidence when selecting, administering and interpreting developmentally and culturally appropriate assessments.
Integrating knowledge about group dynamics, group development and process theories, group leadership styles and group counseling methods as they ethically and professionally practice group leadership skills.
Evaluating and incorporating ethically and culturally relevant research findings when selecting strategies for interventions, treatments and program evaluations.
Applying effective principles and practices for diagnosis, treatment, referral and prevention when initiating, maintaining and terminating counseling services.
Demonstrating preparedness for participation and leadership in the design, delivery, management and accountability of school counseling programs; while considering developmental and functioning levels of students, available school/family/community resources and research based prevention/intervention/crisis management practices.
Who Is the
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling for?
This program is meant for…
Aspiring Licensed Professional Counselors
Career Changers Interested in Mental Health
Recent Psychology, Social Work, or Related Graduates
Mental Health Advocates and Community Leaders
Individuals Interested in Specialized Counseling Fields
Financing Your Education
At University of San Diego, all students have a right to an education, regardless of income. The majority of students receive some form of financial assistance through scholarships, grants, loans and employment. The tuition rate is for the 2025–2026 academic year — please note that tuition and fees are subject to change.
60
Units
$1,700
Tuition per unit
$102,000
Estimated total tuition
Financial Aid
In addition to external funding resources, students at SOLES may be eligible for various forms of financial assistance, including scholarships, grants, fellowships, and discounts
Student Spotlight
Tom Bowers '25, MA in Counseling in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Navy veteran Tom Bowers’ is a story of resilience and determination. His role in the Navy involved intercepting encrypted signals from nations like China and Russia and providing intelligence to the NSA. It was during his deployment to the Persian Gulf that he encountered the mental health struggles that would shape his future. “I saw mental illness for the first time, both in myself and my friends,” Bowers said. “I wanted to help, but I didn’t know how. That experience fueled my fire to pursue mental health.”
LPCC or LMFT Licensure?
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and the Marital and Family Therapy program will set you up for success as you pursue state licensure. Review our comparison sheet and determine which program and licensure is the best fit for your personal and professional goals.
Career Options
Graduates of the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling typically go on to become licensed professional clinical counselors after seeking licensure with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences or another state’s regulatory body.
Get to know SOLES
Meet our faculty & student ambassadors
Our Alumni
Graduates of the MA in Counseling with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling typically seek licensure as licensed professional clinical counselors while some continue on to doctoral work.
ORGANIZATIONS OUR ALUMNI WORK OR HAVE WORKED FOR:
Questions?
Connect with SOLES admissions
You can connect with the SOLES Admissions and Outreach team in a number of ways for more information about our degree programs and certificates