GRADUATE Programs CORVALLIS HYBRID OSU-CASCADES
Master of Counseling in Clinical Mental Health
The Master of Counseling in Clinical Mental Health (M.C.-CMH) is a hybrid, part-time program that prepares students for licensure as a counselor in Oregon, Washington, and many other states. Students learn as part of a collaborative cohort, taking classes online and meeting twice each quarter in Corvallis, Oregon.
Why a Master of Counseling in Clinical Mental Health from Oregon State University?
Our Master of Counseling in Clinical Mental Health program helps you gain the skills, experience, and knowledge to pursue a career in mental health counseling. This CACREP-accredited program meets initial eligibility requirements for licensure as a licensed professional counselor in Oregon and many other states.
Graduates are also eligible to become board-certified counselors by the National Board of Certified Counselors. To determine whether this program meets licensure requirements in your state of residence, you must contact the appropriate licensing board(s).
A flexible, hybrid program with the support of a collaborative student cohort
This master's degree is a hybrid, part-time program, allowing students to work full-time while pursuing their degree. We offer the flexibility of online learning with the interpersonal connection of face-to-face classes. Unlike fully online programs, students have the opportunity to meet regularly in person and develop significant peer relationships.
Face-to-face classes occur twice each quarter Friday through Saturday in Corvallis, Oregon. Students may need to leave or reduce employment during the third year to complete internship requirements.
Learn from expert faculty and make a difference
Learn from nationally recognized scholars and leaders in the professional counseling field with a focus on antiracism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. We are committed to engaging in anti-racism work to better serve the needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in our community.
Most recently, OSU Counseling was honored to receive the 2022 Counseling Program award from the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities. The award is presented to a program that has demonstrated a commitment to the promotion of LGBTGEQIAP+ awareness and affirmation.
Explore your options
The Master of Counseling in Clinical Mental Health is offered through Oregon State University’s award-winning Ecampus and is distinct from the Master of Counseling program at OSU-Cascades in Bend. Interested in a fully in-person program? Learn more about our OSU-Cascades Master of Counseling program
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit our how to apply page. The nonrefundable application fee is $75.
The M.C.-CMH program takes approximately 3 years to complete, with courses scheduled every quarter.
This is a part-time, hybrid program. Currently there is no full-time option.
The hybrid format blends in-person, full-day class meetings twice per term with asynchronous, online learning activities throughout the term. Some courses may include a few synchronous online webinars in addition to the full-day, in-person meeting(s).
Our acceptance of transfer credits is limited. Learn more about transfer credits
Yes! Our program was designed to meet the needs of working students and students whose responsibilities would not accommodate the face-to-face “seat time” requirements of a traditional full-time program.
Try out the Ecampus tuition calculator to see how much it would cost for you.
There is a distance education fee and a matriculation fee for Ecampus students in addition to tuition. Please note, Ecampus students are not required to pay fees for on-campus services such as health services, technology, and the recreation center, as these are not services you will use.
Visit the Office of Graduate Education website to see more.
Learn about potential career pathways on the Ecampus website.
As a graduate of a CACREP-accredited program, you will be eligible to begin working toward licensure in many states. If you pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE), you will be eligible to apply to the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) upon completion of your degree for certification as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC); however, specific requirements for state licensure vary by state.
Most states require counselor trainees to complete 2-3 years of supervised experience as registered interns, associate counselors, or under a limited permit before earning full licensure as licensed professional counselors (LPCs) or licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs).
Some states (e.g., CA) also require additional coursework beyond the graduate degree in order to obtain a full license. Please review the professional counseling licensure board relevant to you for detailed information on licensure requirements, policies, and application process. NBCC provides a listing of state licensure boards in the U.S. that you may contact directly.
No prior counseling experience is required. Many students pursue counseling as a life transition or second career. OSU’s M.C.-CMH provides a well-rounded curriculum grounded in the 8 core areas of counselor education to prepare students to begin working in the counseling field upon graduation.
Completion of a baccalaureate (i.e., Bachelors) degree is a prerequisite for admission, and year of graduation does not matter.
Yes. OSU has a long tradition of excellence in counselor education and our Master of Counseling program is accredited by CACREP, the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. To read more about CACREP standards and why accreditation matters visit the CACREP website
Are you ready to take your next steps?
Contact one of our advisors at askcoed@oregonstate or call us at (541) 737-4661.