Online M.Ed. in Counseling and Development in Clinical Mental Health
Make a Difference in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Online with Practicums
3 Years (7 Semesters)
60 Credit Hours
$699 per Credit
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Help Clients Navigate Barriers to Well-Being
- Apply By: 05/15/26
- Start Class: 08/24/26
Employment demand is accelerating for counselors specializing in mental health and related fields, with a projected 48,300 job openings each year through 2034.1 Choose the Clinical Mental Health concentration within the online M.Ed. in Counseling and Development program to build expertise for helping clients address mental health, substance abuse and other challenges that impact their well-being.
Winthrop University offers the Clinical Mental Health concentration online, enabling you to continue your education from your preferred location. You’ll interact with other students in your cohort and engage in hands-on learning experiences to gain practical skills for clinical mental health careers.
Concentration Details
- Prepare to attain licensure in South Carolina and other locations*
- Explore the foundations of community mental health
- Build skills in community mental health program planning, consulting and supervision
- Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Preview the Clinical Mental Health Curriculum
This concentration helps you establish a solid foundation for your clinical mental health career. The curriculum delves into the organizational and administrative frameworks of human services agencies while introducing you to the core functions of mental health counseling. With guidance from our expert faculty, you’ll learn how to organize, implement and evaluate comprehensive clinical mental health programs with an emphasis on consultation and supervision models, practices and processes.
Clinical Mental Health Required Courses
An overview of the roles and functions of counselors in community counseling settings. Organizational and administrative structures of human services agencies as well as staffing patterns, clientele, consultation and interagency relationships are examined. This course provides an overview of the role and functions of mental health counseling and consultation in the community context, with special attention to prevention, and mental health service delivery systems. A major portion of this course is the study of ethical practice, which will cover AMHCA and ACA codes and standards, as well as legal issues in counseling practice. Central topics include primary and secondary prevention, issues in the service delivery and managed care, and the political and regulatory aspects of mental health care.
Prerequisites: Admission to the CSDV program or permission of the instructor.
This course provides an understanding of the planning, organizing, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive clinical mental health counseling program including consultation and supervision models, practices, and processes.
Notes: Offered periodically.
A supervised 300-hour, field-based experience in an applied counseling setting.
Notes: A grade of S or U is recorded. Offered periodically. 14 week session.
Prerequisite: Admission to the CSDV program or permission of the instructor.
A supervised 300-hour, field-based experience in an applied counseling setting.
Notes: A grade of S or U is recorded. Offered periodically. 14 week session.
Prerequisite: Admission to the CSDV program or permission of the instructor.
In addition to the concentration coursework, you’ll take core courses that deliver in-depth knowledge for a successful counseling career. Winthrop’s M.Ed. in Counseling and Development also provides hands-on experience through practicums and internships, enabling you to apply your skills in real-world counseling settings.
View Program CurriculumDeliver Impactful Support in Your Clinical Mental Health Counseling Career
Working in clinical mental health, you’ll help people address challenges that interfere with their ability to cultivate and lead fulfilling and productive lives. Counselors in this field evaluate their clients’ mental health and behavior to determine readiness for treatment while helping develop and implement support plans. Career outcomes for counselors who specialize in mental health and related areas include:
Median Annual Salary $59,190 in 20241
Projected Employment Growth 17% from 2024 to 20341
Are You Interested in Another Concentration?
Winthrop offers multiple ways to tailor your M.Ed. in Counseling and Development degree to your goals. Explore the following concentration to discover another specialized career path:
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.
You can contact an enrollment specialist toll-free at 833-257-1704 with questions or request more information today.
Visit the admissions overview page to learn more about the admissions requirements. Requirements will vary in the cases of international students and other situations.
You can earn the Master of Education in Counseling and Development online in just 3 years (7 semesters). The program is 60 credit hours offered full-time.
Winthrop University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master’s, and specialist degrees. The online Master of Education in School Counseling and online Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Winthrop University meet the high standards of excellence for CACREP Accreditation.
The 2024 CACREP Standards Cover:
- The Learning Environment
- Academic Quality
- Foundational Counseling Curriculum
- Professional Practice
- Entry-Level Specialized Practice Areas in the Following Topics:
- Addiction Counseling
- Career Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
- College Counseling and Student Affairs
- Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
- Rehabilitation Counseling
- School Counseling
Yes, there is a residency.
Beginning Fall 2026, all fully online master’s students must complete a CACREP-required residency as part of the CSDV program. This residency enables faculty to directly assess students’ core counseling skills and professional behaviors.
Residency Details:
- Course: CSDV 602 Counseling Skills
- Format: Two consecutive days (Friday–Saturday) on campus
- Timing: One weekend between October and December
- Attendance: Students must attend one of two scheduled residency sessions offered during the fall semester
Students will work directly with faculty and peers following a structured schedule at a predetermined campus location.
The tuition for the online Master of Education in Counseling and Development program is $699 per credit for a total tuition of $41,940. For more information, you can visit our tuition and financial aid page.
Source and Disclaimer
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.” Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm.
*Professional Licensure Disclosure: Requirements for professional licensure in counseling vary from state to state. Winthrop’s School Counseling program is designed to meet SC and NC licensure requirements for school counseling and may not meet requirements from other states. We are unable to make a determination about whether or not our program will lead to licensure in other states. Before beginning any academic program that leads to licensure, we strongly recommend you contact the state licensing board where you wish to seek licensure to determine whether the program you are considering will meet that state’s licensing requirements.