M.Ed. in Counselor Education, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

A student from Georgia Southern's M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program talks to clients during a group counseling session

Answer the call. Amid a growing need for mental health services, train to offer help and hope as a skilled mental health professional.

Locations

  • Statesboro Campus (In Person)

Why Earn an M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Georgia Southern?

  • Prepare for professional licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and national certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC).
  • Program nationally accredited by CACREP since 2009.
  • 100% graduate placement rate.
  • Engage in field-based clinical experiences that support surrounding communities.
  • 60 credit hours to completion.

Help others overcome mental health challenges and thrive. In Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counselor Education program with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, you’ll receive comprehensive, hands-on training and satisfy the educational requirements for licensure.

You’ll build a thorough knowledge base of counseling theory and practice while gaining depth in key areas of client care, including addictions, career counseling, and crisis intervention. Expert faculty bring years of clinical experience and insights acquired through active research into the classroom, where you’ll find a warm, supportive learning environment focused on real-world applications and serving the complex needs of a modern, globalized society. 

Through extensive, supervised clinical experience, you’ll sharpen your skills and grow as a professional as you prepare for success in the field. Program graduates enjoy a 100% placement rate, finding positions in settings ranging from community mental health organizations to private clinics.  

Ready to Apply?

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What Can You Do With a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling?

Apply your knowledge and clinical skills to help clients directly through advocacy and community programs. Having completed the required educational component of counselor training, you’ll be ready to continue supervised full-time practice in settings including community mental health, corrections and private clinics as you prepare for licensure. 

$

Median annual salary for mental health counselors. (BLS)

%

Projected job growth in mental health counseling positions through 2032 — much faster than average. (BLS)

Projected additional jobs created in mental health counseling over the present decade. (BLS)

Where our graduates work:

  • Centurion Health
  • Georgia Regional Hospital
  • Lantana Recovery
  • Pineland Mental Health
  • Quality Care for Children
  • Southern Sky Recovery

What our graduates do:

  • Mental health counselor
  • School-based mental health counselor
  • Play therapist
  • Mental health counselor with a focus on addictions and recovery

What You’ll Learn

Your preparation for effective counseling practice begins with a study of theories, clinical skills and techniques, human development, assessment, and how to approach counseling in particular settings and with varied populations. 

From this foundation, you’ll explore different perspectives in the world of counseling, including addictions, family, career, and counseling clients throughout the lifespan. You’ll learn strategies for short-term counseling and crisis intervention and build an in-depth understanding of professional practice and ethics. 

Accompanying your coursework, you’ll practice what you’re learning and hone your skills under the guidance of experienced mentors during a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour clinical internship.

See the Curriculum

Build Your Experience

Prepare for clinical practice and to thrive as a professional. Take advantage of extensive real-world experience, forge career connections and explore the latest trends in the field.

A Georgia Southern M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling student meets with their advisor to discuss their internship

Clinical Internship

Develop your clinical skills in settings that align with your career goals. Through close supervision and constructive feedback, you’ll apply theory to support clients as you become more confident in your abilities.

A group meeting involving students from Georgia Southern's M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program

Professional Organizations

Strengthen your preparation and connect more broadly to colleagues and the counseling field through active professional organizations on campus, including Chi Sigma Iota, the International Honor Society for Counselors.

Conferences

Find opportunities to enhance your learning, discover the latest research and engage in important discussions affecting the practice of counseling and related disciplines.

Want to Learn More?

Explore essential information about our M.Ed. in Counselor Education, Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, including application details, accreditation status, and licensing disclosures. Gain insight into the program’s credibility and requirements to help you start your journey toward success with the knowledge you need.

The M.Ed. in Counselor Education program, Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration is open to those with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 (on a 4.0 scale) on all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework.

To apply, please submit:

  • An online application. (There is a $50 non-refundable application fee.)
  • A statement of purpose, no more than 1,000 words, indicating your reasons for pursuing graduate study and how admission to this program relates to your professional goals.
  • A current résumé.
  • Two letters of recommendation. Have letter writers send them directly to gasc@georgiasouthern.edu.
  • A completed “Disclosure and Affirmation Form” that addresses misconduct disclosure, the Code of Ethics for Educators and tort liability insurance. 
  • Transcripts for all prior college- and graduate-level work. Copies can be uploaded with your application; official copies sent directly to the College of Education will be required for admitted students. 

Submit your personal statement and résumé to gasc@georgiasouthern.edu

International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES-accredited evaluation service. The evaluation must be course by course and include a GPA.

Application Deadlines

Students are admitted to begin in both the fall and summer terms. The application deadline for both is February 1.

Your application and all required documents must be received by the deadline.

Provisional Admission

Consideration for provisional admission is available for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration only. Applicants may be approved for provisional admission based on the quality of the admission material presented. Provisional students must earn grades of “B” or higher in their first nine (9) credits of coursework after admission and meet any other stipulations outlined by the Department to be converted to regular status.

Program Contact Information

Graduate Academic Services Center
gasc@georgiasouthern.edu
912-478-1447

Apply Now

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.Ed. program at Georgia Southern is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

The M.Ed. in Counselor Education program has two concentrations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. Both concentrations are accredited by CACREP (the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs). 

The Department of Leadership, Technology, and Human Development anticipates that graduates of the M.Ed. in Counselor Education, Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration may become a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia upon finishing additional requirements for NCC and LPC distinctions.

The Department of Leadership, Technology, and Human Development has determined the required classes and educational activities of these academic programs qualify a graduate of this program to become a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia upon finishing additional requirements for NCC and LPC distinctions. The Department has not determined whether this program satisfies the requirements of all states and territories for Clinical Mental Health Counseling licensure.

At Georgia Southern, enjoy the flexibility of fully online courses that fit within your busy schedule as an educator. Online instructors weave interactive experiences into each course, ensuring you engage at a deeper level. 

About Our Online Programs

For All Online Programs

Federal law requires colleges and universities to make certain disclosures to prospective students of these programs. These disclosures include information on the University’s authority to operate outside of Georgia, complaint processes, adverse actions and refunds.
For required disclosures in general with regard to online programs offered by the University, visit the Office of Legal Affairs website.

Faculty Feature

Learn from passionate practitioners like Associate Professor Pamela Wells. An active licensed counselor and published researcher, she is dedicated to enriching counselor education and supporting graduate students on the journey to becoming professionals.

Meet Our Faculty

Take the Next Step

Launch your career in mental health counseling with expert, immersive training from Georgia Southern. 

Contact Us

Counselor Education Program – Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration

Dr. Pamela Wells
pwells@georgiasouthern.edu 
Phone: 912-478-5917