Counseling & Psychology

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Master of Arts (MA), full-time or part-time graduate program

Listen with purpose.

Develop the understanding, social justice perspective, and clinical expertise needed to become a creative and effective mental health counselor. Gain comprehensive training and eligibility for your counseling license by completing one or two internships for a total of 700 to 1,300 hours of field experience. Through coursework and supervised contact with clients, become versed in the ethical and professional guidelines for practice, and leave fully prepared to counsel individuals, families, and groups.

In our graduate clinical mental health counseling program, you’ll examine the human condition from multiple angles, from the physical and behavioral to the cultural and spiritual.  

You'll be guided and supported in gaining a nuanced understanding of yourself as an instrument of therapeutic benefit to others—that is, how your lived experience impacts your values, beliefs, and perspectives on the nature of well-being. Both in the classroom and in the field, you’ll apply a social justice lens to mental health care and investigate issues of access and equity.

Our Cambridge location is a springboard to field placement opportunities, where you’ll put your learning into practice. You’ll work in clinics, schools, and community agencies alongside innovative mental health practitioners and activists. Our program emphasizes multicultural understanding and fosters the skills and abilities to work competently and respectfully with diverse populations. 

Graduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus program

60 Credits
students collaborating on an assignment

Dimock Scholars@Lesley

As the first hospital in New England opened and operated by women for women, the Dimock Center is focused on providing high quality health and wellness care to all members of their community. Both trailblazers within their fields, the Dimock Center and Lesley University launched an innovative workplace development partnership called Dimock Scholars@Lesley.

 

Eligibility

The Dimock Scholars@Lesley Program is intended for students enrolled in our Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program: non-specialization (full-time or part-time) as well as our Master of Social Work (MSW) program (full-time or part-time). 

Program Details 

The program starts annually in the fall. Each Dimock Scholar will receive a generous scholarship, a guaranteed internship at the Dimock Center, and the opportunity to be part of a cohort model to build a community of support throughout their careers as counselors. Dimock is also committed to offering priority consideration employment that matches the skills, experience level, and professional interests of each Dimmock Scholar upon graduation. 

How to Apply 

Candidates who apply to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program (non-specialization) or the Master of Social Work (MSW) program are automatically considered for this new scholarship program. When completing the application, please be sure to check the box in the online application. We select Dimock Scholars on a rolling basis until all seats are filled. All spots are on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Apply to the master's program here.

Learn More

Interested in learning more about Dimock Scholars? We encourage you to connect with a graduate admissions counselor. Please email us at luadmissions@lesley.edu to find out more.

 

5 women in chairs smiling while holding papers and pencils.

Eliot Scholars@Lesley

With a shared commitment to person-centered, community-based mental health counseling, Lesley University and Eliot Community Human Services have launched an innovative workplace development partnership called Eliot Scholars@Lesley.

Eliot provides community-based services to more than 50,000 individuals and families throughout Massachusetts each year, delivering state-of-the-art, evidence-based programming since 1958. Using a person-centered, family-driven approach, Eliot believes strongly in partnering with the communities served.  Eliot programs collaborate with one another, utilizing the expertise within the agency to provide the highest standard of quality services to clients and their families.  This approach fuses community resources, funding resources, and a vast array of services to ensure that high-quality programs bring hope to those served by Eliot.

Eligibility

The Eliot Scholars@Lesley Program is intended for students enrolled in our Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program: non-specialization (full-time or part-time) as well as our Master of Social Work (MSW) program (full-time or part-time). 

Program Details 

The program starts annually in the fall. Each Eliot Scholar will receive a generous scholarship, a guaranteed internship at Eliot Community Human Services, and the opportunity to be part of a cohort model to build a community of support throughout their careers as counselors. Eliot is also committed to offering priority consideration employment that matches the skills, experience level, and professional interests of each Eliot Scholar upon graduation. 

How to Apply 

Candidates who apply to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program (non-specialization) or the Master of Social Work (MSW) program are automatically considered for this new scholarship program. When completing the application, please be sure to check the box in the online application. We select Eliot Scholars on a rolling basis until all seats are filled. All spots are on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Apply to the master's program here.

Learn More

Interested in learning more about Eliot Scholars? We encourage you to connect with a graduate admissions counselor. Please email us at luadmissions@lesley.edu to find out more.

 

group of students engaging with each other and their artwork

Riverside Scholars@Lesley

To help meet the demand for mental health and behavioral counselors, particularly those caring for people from under-resourced communities, Lesley University and Riverside Community Care have launched an innovative workplace development partnership called Riverside Scholars@Lesley. 

 

Eligibility

The Riverside Scholars@Lesley Program is intended for full-time students enrolled in our Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. 

Program Details 

The program starts annually in the fall. Each Riverside Scholar will receive a generous scholarship, guaranteed full-year clinical internships at Riverside Community Care, and the opportunity to be part of a cohort model to build a community of support throughout their careers as counselors.

Cohort Support 

You will receive cohort support and membership in a specialized wellness program, professional recognition of participation in a premier workforce development model, and lifelong membership in the Riverside Scholars Cohort Support Network.

Priority Consideration for Employment

Scholars will receive priority consideration for employment at Riverside Community Care once they graduate.

How to Apply 

Candidates who apply to the Counseling & Psychology master’s program (for the general specialty only) are automatically considered for this new scholarship program. When completing the application, please be sure to check the box in the online application. We select Riverside Scholars on a rolling basis until all seats are filled. All spots are on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Apply to the master's program here.

Learn More

Interested in learning more about Riverside Scholars? We encourage you to connect with a graduate admissions counselor. Please email us at luadmissions@lesley.edu to find out more.

 

FAQs

 

Have questions about the clinical mental health counseling master's program? View our frequently asked questions to find your answer.

  • When do the master’s degree programs enroll?
    The master’s degree programs enroll in the Fall and in the Spring. However, once in the program, students take courses during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
  • What is the application deadline for the master’s degree programs?
    The master’s degree programs have two application deadlines. The application deadline to start in the fall semester is on May 1. The application deadline to start in the spring semester is on November 1.
  • Do I need to have an undergraduate degree in psychology in order to apply for these master’s degree programs?
    No! All applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree, but it does not have to be in psychology, counseling, or a related area of study.
  • Does the program have online courses?
    No. All graduate programs within the Division of Counseling & Psychology are on-campus here in Cambridge, MA. The Division does not offer online programs at this time.
  • Can I take courses part-time?
    Yes! Part-time students will take one or two courses (3 or 6 credits) per semester. Full-time students will take three courses (9 credits) per semester.
  • When are courses offered?
    Courses within the Division of Counseling & Psychology are all on-campus and offered in two different formats: weekday and weekend formats. Course format offerings/availability are subject to a variety of factors and can change from semester to semester. Some classes may be offered in both the weekday and weekend model, and in that case, you could choose which format you prefer. However, other courses may only be offered in one format for a given semester. Formats include weekdays, in which you will have class once a week for 2.5 hours for each class in which you are enrolled. Classes are usually offered from 1-3:30pm, 4-6:30pm, and 7-9:30pm. The second is a weekend format in which you will be on campus for only two weekends, with four weeks in between the two weekends for each class in which you are enrolled. Those two weekends consist of classes on Friday evening from 5-9:50pm, Saturday from 9-6pm, and Sunday 9-6pm. With the weekend format, you are only required to come to campus twice each semester for each class. Please note that it is not possible to complete the entire program in just the weekend model.
  • Can I schedule a class visit?

    The Division of Counseling & Psychology does not currently allow class visits due to the sensitive nature of topics that can arise during class discussion. This is in an effort to make sure that classes are always safe spaces for the current students. We encourage you to schedule a tour of Lesley’s campus or request to speak with a current student. Sign up for a campus tour hosted by a current graduate student.

  • What license does this program allow you to pursue?

    This program is designed to prepare graduates to pursue their license as a Mental Health Counselor, School Counselor, of School Adjustment Counselor in the state of Massachusetts, depending on the program you complete. We strongly encourage prospective applicants who intend to pursue licensure or credentialing to review our “Licensure and Credentialing Information for Prospective Applicants” document prior to applying to our program.

  • Can I take a class or two before formally applying to the program?

    Yes! There are two courses within the Division of Counseling & Psychology that are open to non-matriculated students. Your ability to enroll in the course will depend on if there is room in the course once fully matriculated students are registered. If you are interested in taking a course within the Division, please email Courtney Millette at millette@lesley.edu.

group of women working at table
700 hours of field experience

One-Internship Option

The one-internship option is the most flexible way to complete your 60-credit master’s degree program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. If you choose to do one internship, over 2 semesters, you’ll engage in 700 hours of supervised internship/field experience in a clinical setting. You’ll earn 6 graduate credits through the supervision courses you take while completing your internship and you will meet the minimum requirements for licensure in Massachusetts. Because you’ll be doing one internship, you’ll take 18 credits in electives.

school guidance counselor
1,300 hours of field experience

Two-Internship Option

You might choose the two-internship option to gain experience in an organization that will only accept students who already have internship experience in a clinical setting, or if you want to gain experience in a variety of settings. Over four semesters, you’ll engage in 1,300 hours of supervised internships/field experiences in clinical or school settings. You’ll earn 12 graduate credits through supervision courses while completing your internships, and you'll exceed the minimum requirements for licensure in Massachusetts. Because you’ll be doing an additional internship, you'll take 12 credits in electives.

Where Students Intern
Our field training office will guide you in finding the best placement to grow your skills, match your career goals, and meet requirements for licensure. With over 450 sites in the Greater Boston area and beyond, and new sites added every year, you'll have the opportunity to explore the variety of roles that professional counselors serve, including:

Expected Program Competencies and Outcomes

Learn more about the expected competencies and outcomes that our clinical mental health counseling programs meet:

  • Read the Program Outcomes

    Outcome 1: Professional counselor identity development integrating multicultural awareness, culturally competent counseling, and social justice advocacy interventions

    Outcome 2: Capacity for empathic engagement, therapeutic alliance, and critical self-reflection as a counselor including the recognition of personal worldview and biases to enhance working with diverse groups in school and community settings

    Outcome 3: Knowledge of cognitive, social, and emotional development across the lifespan including ecological, contextual, multicultural, and social justice foundations

    Outcome 4: Understanding of a variety of counseling theories, prevention, intervention, consultation, and social justice advocacy strategies

    Outcome 5: Knowledge of individual psychopathology, mental health assessment and diagnosis, as defined by classification systems such as Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) and the International Classification of Disease (ICD) and their relationship to treatment, prevention and knowledge of cultural biases associated with these systems

    Outcome 6: Ability to conduct an intake interview, use biopsychosocial case conceptualization for treatment planning, and conceptualize and deliver a case presentation in both written and oral form  

    Outcome 7: Knowledge regarding the use, limitations and interpretation of assessment tools with an awareness of the cultural bias in assessment protocols and use of assessment/evaluation instruments and techniques that foster social justice among diverse client populations

    Outcome 8: Skills for training, consulting, and collaborating with families, school personnel, and healthcare providers for education, systems change, and social justice advocacy

    Outcome 9: Understanding of ethical and legal professional standards of care grounded in federal and state laws, public policy processes, and ethical standards of ACA, AMHCA and ASCA

    Outcome 10: Knowledge of principles and practices of career counseling including the study of vocational/career development theories and decision making models; career assessment instruments and techniques, and the application of social justice theories to people’s vocational/career development

    Outcome 11: Understanding of how to critically evaluate and interpret traditional and social justice oriented research and apply relevant research in counseling practice with the knowledge of cultural biases associated with research practice

    Outcome 12: Knowledge of group theory, effective group interventions, principles of group dynamics, group processes, and group leadership, and the application of group work theory and practice to organizational dynamics and social justice advocacy in difficult settings

    Outcome 13: Neuroscience, physical and biological foundations of human development, behavior and wellness; including the use of neuro-scientific research findings for culturally competent counseling practices and social justice advocacy interventions

    Outcome 14: Completion of supervised field placement experiences that focus on the promotion of mental health, human development, wellness, cultural competency, and social justice advocacy, under the clinical supervision of appropriately credentialed professionals

man walking in harvard square, cambridge

Cambridge, MA

A nexus for higher education and mental health counseling practice and research, each year 250,000 students arrive to Cambridge from around the globe. The intellectual and cultural capital runs deep, and so do your opportunities addressing barriers to wellness. From Lesley’s location, access innovative community, hospital, and school-based mental health programs.

Licensure Information

Depending on your professional goals, where you reside or plan to practice, and the licensure requirements within that state, there are different pathways toward licensure or credentialing that may be relevant. In accordance with Lesley University’s institutional participation in SARA (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement) and with federal regulations, we strongly encourage prospective applicants who intend to pursue licensure in a state other than Massachusetts to visit the Lesley University Licensure and Credentialing webpage and review the “Licensure Information for Students and Applicants” document for their specific program.

1,005
Counselors, therapists, and other mental health practitioners were trained at Lesley University in the last 5 years, making us the largest provider of training for licensed mental health counselors in New England.
#1
Massachusetts is the best state in the nation for mental health care according to Mental Health America, with excellent access to care for both youth and adults.
22%
Careers in mental health counseling are expanding, with projections for a 22% increase in job openings from 2018 to 2028. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Careers
Jobs You Could Have
The field of mental health counseling is expanding rapidly, making this an exciting time to pursue graduate study. Common job titles for people with master's degrees in mental health counseling include:
Careers
Where Graduates Work
Massachusetts and the Greater Boston area have a large concentration of medical, healthcare, and mental health-related facilities and organizations. Graduates find careers in a wide range of places, including:

Faculty

Total approximate cost for this master's degree program.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • Tuition
    $1,350 x 60
    $81,000
  • Fees
    Field Experience Fees
    $1,700
    MAP Tevera Fee
    $200
    Comprehensive Fee
    $1,500
  • Total
Estimated Cost

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of financial aid are also available. Review all graduate tuition and fees, and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

  • Tuition
    $1,350/credit x 60
    $81,000
  • Fees
    Field Experience Fees
    $3,400
    MAP Tevera Fee
    $200
    Comprehensive Fee
    $1,500
  • Total
Estimated Cost

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of financial aid are also available. Review all graduate tuition and fees, and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

Apply Now

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Total approximate cost for this master's degree program. Tuition and fees are for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.