Counseling

Degree Type: MA

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, offered through The Family Institute at Northwestern University, prepares students to become clinical mental health counselors and future leaders in the counseling profession. The program combines rigorous academic coursework with immersive clinical training and close mentorship from nationally recognized counselor educators, supervisors, and practitioners. Students develop the knowledge, skills, and professional identity needed to provide ethical, evidence-based care to diverse populations across the lifespan. 

Grounded in psychodynamic theory and evidence-based practice, the program emphasizes reflective practice, strong therapeutic relationships, and a commitment to client well-being. Through extensive supervised clinical experiences and engagement in a collaborative learning environment, students are prepared to apply counseling theories and interventions in real-world settings and contribute to the advancement of the field. 

Vision, Mission and Learning Objectives

Vision: We are leaders in creating an enriching educational community that prepares clinically competent, professionally engaged, and ethically driven counselors who promote the mental health and wellness of all people. 

Mission: Our mission is to deliver innovative clinical mental health counselor training grounded in contemporary psychodynamic theory and holistic best practices, preparing skilled counselors to serve clients and communities from all walks of life. 

Learning Objectives:  

• Possess an in-depth understanding of Clinical Mental Health Counseling   
• Understand strategies to integrate psychodynamic thought and emerging best practices into clinical work  
• Demonstrate self-reflective, counseling skills honed through extensive and closely supervised clinical work  
• Recognize and integrate the impact of personal and client values on the counseling relationship within a pluralistic society  
• Embody a professional counselor's identity  
• Showcase a scientific mindset, interest in scholarship, and profession-centered activities. 

Accreditation and Licensure Preparation 

Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a licensed profession in the United States, with extensive regulatory requirements for practice, managed at the state level. We are proud that with few exceptions, our CACREP-Accredited education and training pave a pathway for each graduate to seek licensure, in their residential state. Our program actively engages students to carefully consider their state licensure requirements including pre- and post-graduation education and training, examinations, documentation, and evidence needed for licensure approvals. Those who are considering applying to study with us are strongly encouraged to review licensure requirements in the States in which they may reside. Applicants must weigh the benefit-cost of enrollment by examining licensure information in their states of interest.  

Program Format and Structure

The program is offered in both on-campus and online formats, maintaining consistent academic and clinical rigor. 

• On-Campus Format: Full-time, fall entry only; typically completed in 21 months. 
• Online Format: Offered in both full-time and part-time options, combining live online classes with asynchronous coursework and supervised clinical field placements at approved sites. Full-time students may complete the program in as few as 18 months, while part-time students typically complete the program in up to 36 months. 
• Immersion Requirement: All students participate in required in-person immersion experiences designed to support skill development, assessment, and professional community building. During the Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling course and later in the Group Counseling course, students complete mandatory two-day immersions in Chicago, Illinois, guided by core faculty. These synchronous, in-person experiences allow faculty to observe and assess counseling skills and professional dispositions across all students, regardless of program delivery format, while fostering clinical skill development and a strong academic community. 

Professional and Theoretical Foundations

Grounded in the historical, theoretical, and intellectual foundations of the counseling field, the program prepares students to promote and protect the mental health and wellness of individuals and communities. Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the program provides a strong foundation for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor in most states. Coursework reflects the core traditions of the counseling profession, emphasizing ethics, pluralism, lifespan development, prevention and intervention, and evidence-based practice, while supporting the development of a strong professional counselor identity equipped to address mental health service gaps in vulnerable populations. The program’s origins in a doctoral-level training model contribute to its rigor and depth, preserving a legacy of psychodynamic thought and a focus on the therapeutic alliance, supported by ongoing therapist self-reflection. Students are trained as reflective practitioner-scholars who integrate theory, research, and practice, and are mentored to contribute to the advancement of the field through innovative and scholarly engagement. 

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum provides a comprehensive foundation in clinical mental health counseling through an integrated sequence of coursework, clinical training, and reflective practice. Students develop core counseling competencies, theoretical knowledge, and evidence-based skills while progressing through supervised practicum and internship experiences. Emphasis is placed on professional identity development, self-reflection, and the integration of theory, research, and practice to prepare graduates for entry-level clinical work. 

Clinical Training and Supervision 

Research and Scholarly Development 

Research and scholarship are integral to the program’s training model and are embedded throughout the curriculum. Students are prepared to adopt a scientific and reflective mindset, learn to critically evaluate research, and apply evidence-based knowledge to clinical practice. Through coursework and supervised clinical experiences, students integrate theory, research, and practice to inform their clinical decision-making and enhance client outcomes. The program encourages intellectual curiosity and professional engagement, supporting students in contributing to the advancement of the counseling field through scholarly inquiry, critical thinking, and ongoing development as practitioner-scholars. 

Additional resources:

• Department website
• Program handbook(s)

Degree Requirements

The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.

Master's

Total Units Required On-ground: Standard Curriculum 24 units, Two-Plus Curriculum 27 units 

Total Units Required Online: Standard Curriculum 24 units, Bridge Curriculum 27 Units