Last Updated: January 9, 2026

Study Counseling in Massachusetts

Pursuing an online master’s in counseling in Massachusetts can open doors to a rewarding career where you can make a real difference in people’s lives. Imagine being able to learn all the skills and knowledge you need to become a licensed counselor, all while studying from the comfort of your own home!

Online counseling programs are tailored to fit your schedule, whether you are working, managing home duties, or balancing other responsibilities. This article will guide you through some of the popular online counseling programs in Massachusetts, their benefits, and how they can pave the way for a rewarding career in helping others.

Best Accredited Online Masters in Counseling in Massachusetts

Online Master’s in Counseling in Massachusetts

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online master’s in counseling in Massachusetts:

  • UMass Boston
  • Bay Path University
  • William James College
  • Merrimack College
  • Sacred Heart University
  • The Chicago School
  • Grand Canyon University

UMass Boston

Online Master of Science (MS) – Mental Health Counseling

The 60-credit online Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling program at UMass Boston is designed to help you become a mental health counselor. The program is designed for individuals aiming for an advanced degree and state licensure to work in this field.

Your journey in this program starts with a two-week in-person study session at or near the UMass Boston campus, during which you will meet other students and complete two courses that count for 6 credits of your degree. Rest of the coursework will be 100% online.

The structure of the program is designed to support the growth of its students and the people they will work with in the future. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on understanding and respecting the diverse cultural and social backgrounds of everyone. This is achieved by promoting self-awareness, compassion, and critical thinking in students. The program’s commitment to these values is also reflected in its faculty hiring process and its emphasis on recognizing the contributions of students from diverse backgrounds.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

  • Psychopathology and Diagnosis: This course offers knowledge about diagnosing, understanding the causes, and treating mental illnesses. It also covers drug treatments and discusses the foundational ideas behind traditional mental health theories. An important part of this course is understanding and avoiding biases in mental health diagnosis.
  • Group Counseling and Group Dynamics: This course introduces you to the dynamics of group behavior. The class itself becomes a tool for learning, offering hands-on experience. This course requires you to participate as a group member. It combines readings and lectures to help you understand and analyze what you experience in the group.
  • Child and Adolescent Counseling: In this course, you will understand the emotional and developmental needs of children and teenagers. This course enhances your knowledge of child therapy methods.
  • Sociocultural Considerations in Counseling: In this course, you will learn about the role of culture in counseling by studying past and present issues. The class uses a mix of subjects to address counseling in a multicultural society. This course is designed to help you grow both personally and professionally.
  • Trauma and Crisis Counseling: Here, you will dive deep into understanding trauma faced by individuals at different ages, from childhood to adulthood. You will learn about counseling methods for those who have experienced trauma or are in a crisis.
  • Substance Abuse in Counseling Practice: This course covers the challenges posed by substance abuse in today’s world. You will study the effects of substance abuse on the body and learn about different treatment methods. The course also discusses how substance abuse intersects with the legal system.

Throughout the program, you will also gain real-world experience by completing necessary clinical fieldwork hours at an approved placement under expert supervision. By the end of the program, you will have fulfilled the academic and pre-master’s clinical requirements needed for state licensure in mental health counseling in Massachusetts.

Additionally, there’s an option to add an adjustment counseling concentration to your studies. This requires one more course and some extra internship hours. With this concentration, you can qualify for the K-12 initial level certification as a school adjustment counselor from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

To graduate from this program, you must complete 60 credits from a total of 18 courses, which includes 16 core courses and two fieldwork courses. Whether you choose the online or the on-campus program, the course requirements remain the same. Fieldwork is essential, involving 100 hours during the practicum and 600 hours spread across two semesters during the internship.

To apply to the program, you must submit:

  • A completed application.
  • Official transcripts from all universities you have attended.
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • A Statement of Purpose (Detailing your goals, professional experience, and reasons for applying to the program).
  • Updated resume.

Bay Path University

Online Master of Science (MS) – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Bay Path University offers a 60-credit Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that is entirely online, equipping students with in-depth knowledge and skills in mental health counseling. In this program, you will be introduced to modern theories and methods concerning mental health challenges and will acquire state-of-the-art counseling techniques.

You can choose from four concentrations: Advanced Trauma-Informed Counseling, School Adjustment Counselor, and Substance Use Treatment. Alternatively, you may opt for the main Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program without a specialized concentration.

This study program opens the door for you to take the licensing examination and seek licensure as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Massachusetts, and similar credentials like LPC in Connecticut and various other states.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

  • Human Lifespan Development
  • Social and Cultural Foundations
  • Counseling Theory and Practice
  • Psychological Assessment in Counseling
  • Psychopathology and the Diagnostic Process
  • Group Dynamics and Mental Health Counseling
  • Ethics and Professional Conduct in Counseling
  • Applied Research Methods and Program Evaluation

You have the flexibility to progress through the program at a pace that suits you. If you opt for two courses per semester, which makes you eligible for financial aid, you can wrap up the 60-credit degree program in three years plus two semesters. On the other hand, taking four courses per semester enables you to complete your degree in two years. The number of courses you take each semester is completely up to you, depending on your personal and professional commitments.

An integral part of the program is the 3-credit Practicum course. You don’t need to find an external field placement for this course. Instead, you will practice counseling techniques with classmates under supervision, using video-taped sessions. After completing 24 credits, you can enroll in this course which demands about 8 hours weekly. By the course’s end, you will have 100 hours, with 40 hours in counseling sessions, 25 in group or individual supervision, and 35 in additional tasks.

Upon completing the Practicum and a minimum of 30 credits in the program, you can start your 600-hour Internship. You choose the internship site with approval from the Program Director. If you are already employed in a mental health role with a licensed supervisor, you might be able to complete your internship at your workplace, provided your tasks cover a broad spectrum of mental health services.

Upon graduating from the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Bay Path, you will be expected to:

  • Show a comprehensive understanding of major counseling and psychotherapy theories and their application in treatment and prevention.
  • Show a thorough understanding of developmental impacts on mental health.
  • Exhibit critical thinking skills essential for analyzing personality variances and underlying reasons for abnormal or psychopathological behavior.
  • Recognize and appreciate issues concerning culture, gender, sexual identity, environment, and family in relation to physical and psychological development.
  • Analyze the challenges families face in juggling work, family life, and mental illness.
  • Understand the influence of substance abuse on societal mental health.
  • Explore the impact of bullying and coercive behavior on mental health development.
  • Apply assessment results for intervention purposes.
  • Display comprehensive knowledge of ethical and professional behavior in the psychology field.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific and statistical principles underlying psychological research and assess the quality of such research.
  • Complete a minimum of an approved 100-hour supervised practicum within an academic or clinical placement.
  • Complete a minimum of an approved 600-hour supervised internship within an academic or clinical placement.

Admission requirements for the program include:

  • A completed application.
  • A GPA of 3.0 or higher in your undergraduate studies.
  • Official transcripts from all universities you have attended.
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • An essay of 300-500 words on the topic “Why the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is important to my personal and professional goals”.
  • Updated resume.
  • A signed program requirement form.

William James College

Online Master of Arts (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at William James College is a 60-credit program. It combines online courses, both asynchronous and synchronous, with in-person field education and on-campus summer residencies. This structure provides the convenience of online learning alongside the value of face-to-face interactions.

The primary objective of this program is to equip graduates to be proficient mental health counselors. After finishing the program, you will possess the skills to work in various settings under supervision. This continues until you undergo post-master’s fieldwork and pass a board examination to get your independent license.

Upon graduation, you will meet the educational and pre-master’s fieldwork prerequisites for a mental health counselor (LMHC) license in Massachusetts and several other states.

You can complete this online program within 2.5 to 3 years. The majority of the courses are seven weeks long and are asynchronous in the fall and spring. However, two on-campus summer residencies are mandatory. Additionally, during the second and third years, there’s a weekly synchronous online course associated with field education.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

  • Lifespan Development
  • Psychopathology
  • Career Counseling
  • Introduction to Family Therapy
  • Professional Issues and Ethics
  • Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
  • Diversity, Difference and Inclusion
  • Trauma: Theory and Treatment
  • Substance Use and Addiction Evaluation and Treatment

Your online coursework is complemented by supervised clinical field experiences, enabling you to apply what you have learned and deepen topic comprehension. Fieldwork commences in the fall, spanning four semesters, during which you will undertake a minimum of 360 hours as a practicum student and a minimum of 600 hours as an intern.

During the practicum, you will start by observing professionals. Gradually, you will partake in various roles, potentially leading individual therapy sessions by the second semester’s conclusion. The internship, lasting a minimum of 600 hours, prepares you to work as a clinical mental health counselor, managing your own clients, heading groups, and performing intakes, all under a licensed supervisor’s guidance.

Each field placement includes online, synchronous clinical seminars, guided by a faculty member and involving no more than eight students. You also have the choice of a Military and Veterans Psychology concentration, focusing on supporting military personnel, veterans, and their families.

Due to the field placement’s time requirements, those working full-time might need to adjust their work schedules to manage the program, whether full-time or part-time. The second-year practicum requires 12-16 hours weekly, besides coursework. The third-year internship mandates 20-24 hours weekly on top of coursework.

Admission requirements for the program include:

  • A completed application.
  • A GPA of 3.2 or higher in your undergraduate studies.
  • Official transcripts from all universities you have attended.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • An application essay.
  • Updated resume.

Every applicant to the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is eligible for a merit scholarship up to $10,000. William James College also provides other scholarships for potential and enrolled students. Additionally, the college has received funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which might entitle students to receive stipends for practicum or internships. 

Merrimack College

Online Master of Science (MS) – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Merrimack College offers an accredited 60-credit mental health counseling master’s program, which includes 700 hours of clinical training in places like schools, hospitals, and more. This training prepares you to work in many areas such as hospitals, colleges, treatment centers, and government offices.

Mental health counseling master’s program at Merrimack is available in both online and in-person formats. Upon graduation, you will meet the educational and pre-master’s fieldwork prerequisites for a mental health counselor (LMHC) license in Massachusetts and several other states.

This program is designed to fit your busy life, whether you are working full-time or just finished college. If you choose the online program, you can study whenever it’s best for you. You can decide to finish your master’s degree in 3-4 years by studying part-time or in 2 years if you study full-time.

Curriculum is based on the most up-to-date, evidence-based strategies. During your studies, you will gain expertise in various areas including, but not limited to, diagnosis and assessment, group counseling, and addressing addiction and trauma. Your education will also extend to handling crisis interventions, implementing telecounseling, and conducting research.

You will also develop population-specific competencies and learn counseling techniques through a social justice lens while acknowledging the role of privilege and oppression.

In the second year, you will start your field experience. You will spend at least 700 hours working in real clinical settings, guided by a licensed professional. The first 100 hours are called the practicum and the next 600 hours are your internship. During this time, you will get to work in various places and meet with a supervisor.

During your internship, your supervisors will teach you how to best help your clients. You will learn to make treatment plans for people facing challenges like substance abuse or trauma. You will also learn to support your clients in the best way possible and to take care of yourself too.

Both online and in-person students will have weekly meetings with a teacher to talk about what they are learning and doing in their internships.

To graduate, you will have to finish a capstone project. This project consists of a comprehensive formal written client case study in which the following components are addressed:

  • Assessment and diagnosis
  • Conceptualization of the client
  • Treatment plan
  • Theoretical framework used to work with the client
  • A tape-recorded session is required in which the student is demonstrating a specific intervention

Admission requirements for the program include:

  • Completed application.
  • A GPA of 3.9 or higher in your undergraduate studies.
  • Official transcripts from all universities you have attended.
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • Personal statement or interview.
  • Updated resume or CV.

What are the Requirements to Become an LMHC in Massachusetts?

To achieve the LMHC status in Massachusetts, one must have a relevant master’s degree and satisfy the following post-master’s criteria:

  • Complete 3,360 hours of supervised clinical work, with at least 960 hours being direct interaction with clients.
  • Undertake 130 hours of in-person supervisory sessions, ensuring that a minimum of 70 hours are one-on-one. The arrangement should ensure at least one supervisory hour for every 16 client contact hours.
  • A passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Examination (NCMHE).
  • Ensure that a minimum of 75 supervision hours, whether during or after the master’s degree, are provided by a LMHC approved supervisor.

What Degree Do You Need to be a Guidance Counselor in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts offers two distinct school counselor licenses: an Initial License and a Professional License. The Initial License is reserved for new counselors that have a master’s degree in counseling.

The Professional School Counselor License has more stringent eligibility criteria. You must hold a valid Initial License and have at least three years of school counseling employment. In addition, you must fulfill one of the following criteria:

How Much Do Licensed Mental Health Counselors Make in Massachusetts?

As of January 2026, the average annual salary for a licensed mental health counselor working in Massachusetts is $82,330. More experienced and top earning licensed mental health counselors working in Massachusetts make over $130,000 per year.

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