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The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA-CMHC) at Pfeiffer University prepares you to help address the critical need for mental health professionals and pursue a meaningful career as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and Professional Counselor (LPC). Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHCs), also referred to as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in some states, are licensed mental health professionals who have received specialized training to work with individuals, families, and groups in treating mental health and behavioral problems in various settings, including mental health clinics, hospitals, private and group practices, and non-profit agencies.
Students learn through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous online instruction. Synchronous classes are offered in the evenings to allow students to balance academic and personal responsibilities. In addition to training students to counsel individuals, couples, and families in various professional settings, Pfeiffer’s curriculum prepares students to pass required licensure exams.
Program Overview
Complete your degree in 2.5 years
Online classes (no on-campus residency weeks required)
Affordable Tuition
63 credit hours
Next start date: August 2026
The core curriculum for the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA-CMHC) focuses on:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Multicultural Counseling
- Advanced Human Growth and Development
- Evaluation and Appraisal in Counseling
- Research and Program Evaluation
Program Highlights
Pfeiffer’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is offered in a convenient online format. Live instruction is offered at scheduled times each week, allowing you to balance your academic and personal life. Even as an online student, Pfeiffer’s program ensures you’ll receive dedicated support and opportunities for professional development from faculty as you navigate classes and internships and prepare for licensure exams. Tuition in the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is $400 per credit hour, making Pfeiffer’s program a competitively priced and highly affordable option. Recent bachelor’s degree graduates and mid-career professionals seeking a new, fulfilling career in counseling are welcome to apply.
Licensure
Pfeiffer University’s program is designed to prepare students to gain provisional licensure as Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associates (LCMHCA) in North Carolina and states with reciprocal licensure agreements. For more information on licensure requirements in North Carolina and reciprocity, please visit the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors website.
All Clinical Mental Health Counseling program students at Pfeiffer University must pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) to graduate. The purpose of the CPCE is to allow students to take a practice exam to increase the likelihood of success on state exams and the National Counselor Exam (NCE). Most states require the NCE for individuals seeking Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC) credentials. To help students prepare for the CPCE, Pfeiffer’s program will offer study sessions before the test date.
CACREP Accreditation Statement
Our clinical counseling program is newly established and designed to meet the high standards set by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). We are actively preparing for the accreditation process and plan to apply for CACREP accreditation within the next 12 months. This underscores our dedication to offering an excellent educational experience aligned with national counseling standards.
Once submitted, the accreditation process typically takes 18 months from program submission to accreditation decision, though this is not a guaranteed timeline. While we are confident in our program’s readiness for accreditation, we must emphasize that submitting the self-study does not ensure that the MA-CMHC program will be granted CACREP accreditation. If accredited, all students who graduated up to 18 months before the official CACREP approval date will receive CACREP graduate status. The faculty and staff at Pfeiffer University’s counseling program are committed to achieving CACREP accreditation and will continue to keep students informed with updates.
Year 1 (Fall)
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3 SH)
Counseling Techniques (3 SH)
Research Methods and Program Evaluation (3 SH)
Year 1 (Spring)
Counseling Theories (3 SH)
Evaluation and Appraisal in Counseling (3 SH)
Advanced Human Growth and Development (3 SH)
Year 1 (Summer)
Ethics, Supervision, and Consultation for Counselors (3 SH)
Diagnosis and Intervention Planning (3 SH)
Crisis Intervention Strategies (3 SH)
Year 2 (Fall)
Career Development (3 SH)
Advanced Trauma Focused Assessment & Intervention (3 SH)
Counseling Process-Interpersonal Process Approach (3 SH)
Year 2 (Spring)
Adv. Psychopathology & Intervention Planning (3 SH)
Substance Abuse Counseling (3 SH)
Counseling Practicum – 1 Semester (3 SH)
Year 2 (Summer)
Child and Adolescent Therapy – Elective (3 SH)
OR
Human Sexuality & Contextual Sex Therapy – Elective (3 SH)
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling (3 SH)
Counseling Internship (3 SH)
Year 3 (Fall) Multicultural Counseling (3 SH)
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling (3 SH)
Counseling Internship (3 SH)