Best Master’s in Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology Programs

Are you passionate about human minds and helping people manage anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions? In a master’s in clinical counseling program, you’ll learn the processes behind human behavior so you can teach your clients lasting emotional regulation strategies.

We’ve ranked the best master’s in clinical counseling programs to help you find the right fit for your education. You’ll also learn how to break into the field, what kinds of jobs are available, and how much you can earn once you start practicing.

Before you apply for a master’s in clinical counseling, you should consider crucial factors like program cost, length, and accreditation and what careers you can pursue with the degree.

The cost of a master’s in clinical counseling can vary widely. On average, the cost of a two-year master’s degree is a little over $73,000, based on BestColleges’ research. Financial aid can lower these costs for many students.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average tuition for a master’s in psychology was $13,264 in the 2019-2020 school year. However, on average, students actually paid around $1,300 less.

If you’re trying to reduce the cost of grad school, make sure to fill out the FAFSA each year so you can qualify for financial aid, including student loans, grants, and scholarships. Many programs, like those at Rollins College, Hood College, and the University of Akron, offer scholarships specifically for master’s in clinical counseling students.

Additionally, you can find federal work-study programs and graduate assistantships that cover tuition in exchange for work experience. You can also save money by transferring credits from a previous institution. and asking your employer for tuition reimbursement.

Most students spend two years earning their master’s in clinical counseling, which requires around 60 credits. For example, the master of science in clinical counseling program at Francis Marion University requires 60 credits earned over two and a half years.

Some programs require more credits, such as Brenau University’s master of science in clinical counseling psychology and Alder University’s two-year master of arts in clinical mental health counseling. Both of these programs require 62 credits.

You can also find online and accelerated programs that offer the most flexibility and convenience.

While researching master’s in clinical counseling programs, look for programmatic accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).

All states require you to graduate from an accredited counseling program, but what accreditation agency you should focus on depends on which state you wish to practice in. Check your state’s licensing board website to see what kind of programmatic accreditation they require. For example, some states — like North Carolina, Kentucky, and Ohio — require CACREP accreditation.

Search for your desired program’s name on the CACREP and MPCAC websites to make sure it is properly accredited.

Once you earn your master’s in clinical counseling, you’ll have a variety of career options to choose from. These include school and career counselors who help K-12 students navigate school and employment.

Rehabilitation counselors, substance misuse counselors, mental health counselors, and licensed professional counselors are other counseling professions you can pursue to help people.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these roles pay between $44,000 and nearly $62,000, with school and career counselors earning the most and rehabilitation counselors earning the least.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Whether a master’s in clinical counseling is worth it depends, in large part, on your career goals.

The degree can lead to licensure, allowing you to practice as a licensed counselor and preparing you for a growing field.

According to the BLS, mental health careers are projected to grow faster than average for all professions. Plus, according to the 2024 BestColleges Online Education Trends Report, 97% of online master’s students and graduates say earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.

Starting salaries for clinical counseling master’s graduates were around $38,000 for the class of 2023, per the National Association of Colleges and Employers. However, after licensure, you can qualify to earn higher salaries. For example, school and career counselors earn a median salary of over $60,000 per year. Marriage and family therapists earn a median salary of around $58,000 per year.