Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Program Facts

Delivery Method:

Blended

Start Term:

Fall, Spring, Summer

Completion Time:

36-72 Months

Credits:

Request info about Clinical Mental Health Counseling

About Our Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

Prepare for a meaningful career supporting mental health and wellness with SRU’s M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. This 60-credit, CACREP-accredited program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure in Pennsylvania and eligibility to sit for the National Counseling Exam (NCE).

You’ll gain hands-on experience through supervised clinical fieldwork and learn from expert faculty in small, supportive classes. With a focus on advocacy, cultural competence, and real-world application, you’ll graduate ready to make a lasting impact in communities across the globe.

Why Get a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree?

Launch a high-demand career — you’ll enter a field projected to grow 22% through 2031, far outpacing most others
Stay licensure-ready — your CACREP-accredited degree helps ensure you meet educational requirements in most states
Choose your path — you can work in community mental health, private practice, schools, hospitals (including VA), detox centers, residential facilities, or university counseling services

Accredited. Respected. Proven.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A. program at SRU is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP). CACREP accreditation assures the content and quality of the program, as well as the program’s professional and financial health has been evaluated and meets standards set by the profession. Some states require graduation from a CACREP-accredited program to be eligible for licensure as a professional counselor. Graduates of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A. Program meet the academic requirements for Pennsylvania licensure in professional counseling (LPC) and for the NCC, the National Certified Counselor credential through NBCC.

Career Outcomes

After completing their counseling degree and meeting Pennsylvania requirements, graduates are prepared to become Licensed Professional Counselors. Our program emphasizes career readiness through partnerships with SRU’s Counseling Center and local mental health organizations.

A counseling degree in Pennsylvania will be sought after in certain regions. Many rural counties in northern and central Pennsylvania have been designated Health Professional Shortage Areas for Mental Health by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. This systemic shortage of mental health professionals does offer opportunity to those interested in community mental health efforts. Nationwide, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs for mental health counselors and similar professions will grow by 25% between 2019-2029.

Requirements

What are the admission requirements for this program at SRU? Check out the requirements in the dropdowns of this section!

Program Director / Coordinator

Graduate Coordinator
Dr. Jodi Sindlinger
Counseling And Development
724.738.4714
jodi.sindlinger@sru.edu

When are applications accepted?

Email graduate.admissions@sru.edu or call 724.738.2051 for information regarding this program’s graduate application deadlines.

What are all of the admissions requirements?

Applicants must submit the following materials along with a completed online graduate application and non-refundable application fee:

Official undergraduate degree transcript(s) and any graduate transcripts
A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 to be considered for unconditional admission
A personal statement indicating interest in the program, experience, and career goals
Two electronic recommendation forms from former or current college or university faculty or recent employer/supervisor with knowledge of the applicant’s academic aptitude, suitability for intended program area, and ability to form interpersonal relationships. Applications are reviewed year-round, and interviews are required

Please note: For more information, visit www.sru.edu/graduate. Transfer course evaluation information can be found on our graduate website.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.A.)