If you’re researching how to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC), choosing the right graduate program is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.
The Online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at The University of Olivet is a 60-credit, CACREP-aligned counseling program designed to prepare graduates for licensure, clinical practice and leadership in today’s evolving mental health landscape.
This fully online clinical mental health counseling degree combines rigorous academic preparation, supervised clinical experience and a cohort-based learning community. Graduates are equipped to support individuals, families and communities with confidence and integrity.
What Is Clinical Mental Health Counseling?
Clinical mental health counselors assess, diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders while supporting clients through life transitions, trauma, addiction and complex behavioral health challenges.
Olivet’s clinical mental health counseling master’s degree prepares you for entry-level practice across a range of settings, including:
- Community mental health agencies
- Private practice
- Hospitals and integrated health systems
- Substance use treatment centers
- Schools and nonprofit organizations
“Our mission is to prepare counselors who are clinically competent, ethically grounded, and responsive to the diverse needs of the communities they serve,” says Dennis Frank, Ph.D., program director and professor of The University of Olivet’s Online Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. “We emphasize professional identity development just as much as skill development.”
A CACREP-Aligned Counseling Program Focused on Licensure
Accreditation standards matter when selecting a counseling degree. Olivet’s curriculum is aligned with the standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), ensuring coursework and clinical experiences meet nationally recognized competencies.
Students develop expertise in:
- Professional ethics and counseling identity
- Social justice and cultural responsiveness
- Human growth and lifespan development
- Assessment and diagnosis using DSM and ICD systems
- Psychopathology and treatment planning
- Trauma, addiction and crisis intervention
- Career counseling and group dynamics
- Research and evidence-based practice
Graduates are prepared to sit for the National Counseling Examination (NCE), which is accepted for licensure in all U.S. states and territories.
“Alignment with CACREP standards ensures that our students are academically prepared and professionally competitive,” Dr. Frank explains. “It supports their transition from graduate student to licensed counselor.”
Online Flexibility Designed for Working Adults
Olivet’s program follows the university’s academic calendar and offers courses in eight-week and sixteen-week formats during fall, spring and summer terms. Classes integrate both synchronous and asynchronous learning, providing flexibility while maintaining consistent interaction with faculty and peers.
Students progress through the program in a cohort model, building lasting professional relationships and peer support.
“Even in an online format, connection is essential,” Dr. Frank says. “Our cohort model fosters accountability, collaboration and a sense of belonging that strengthens the learning experience.”
Real-World Clinical Training and Supervised Experience
A high-quality online clinical mental health counseling degree must include in-person, supervised clinical experience.
At Olivet, students complete:
- A supervised clinical practicum
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship I
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship II
- Intensive residency experiences
- An integrative clinical project
Clinical training spans three full semesters, allowing students to work directly with clients under licensed supervision in approved mental health settings.
“Our extended practicum and internship structure ensures students graduate with substantial, hands-on clinical experience,” says Dr. Frank. “They don’t just learn theory, they apply it with real clients in real-world settings.”
Students graduate prepared to conduct intake interviews, complete mental status evaluations, develop biopsychosocial histories, and design evidence-based treatment plans.
Learning Outcomes That Reflect Today’s Mental Health Needs
Upon completion of the Online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, graduates demonstrate competency in:
- Ethical and legal counseling practice
- Multicultural and social justice advocacy
- Clinical assessment and diagnosis
- Treatment of co-occurring substance use disorders
- Trauma-informed care
- Collaboration across behavioral health systems
- Leadership and policy awareness in mental health services
This comprehensive preparation positions graduates to serve across the continuum of care and to advocate for equitable access to mental health services.
Admissions and Next Steps
The program welcomes new students in Fall 1 and Spring 1 each year.
To apply, prospective students must have:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- A personal essay outlining educational and career goals
- Two letters of recommendation
- A current resume
The admissions process seeks motivated, service-minded individuals who are ready to pursue licensure and clinical practice.
“Clinical mental health counseling is both a profession and a calling,” Dr. Frank says. “We are looking for students who are committed to growth, integrity, and meaningful impact.”
Start Your Journey Toward Becoming a Licensed Counselor
If you’re ready to pursue a CACREP-aligned online clinical mental health counseling degree that prepares you for licensure, supervised practice, and long-term professional success, The University of Olivet offers a supportive and structured pathway forward.
Apply today to The University of Olivet, where you’ll grow with purpose, serve with integrity and make a lasting impact as a licensed professional mental health counselor.