Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Los Angeles
Earn your degree in an online or blended format and leverage your skills to help people overcome life’s challenges so they can live fulfilling lives.
Apply Now
10 Weeks
10-week terms allow for 5 start dates throughout the year
29 Months
Finish the program in less than 2.5 years
60 Credits
Complete 60 credits to earn your degree
Program Highlights
CACREP-aligned program that was designed to model professional standards
The choice between an online curriculum and a blended format that includes on-campus learning
The opportunity to learn from movers and shakers in the field of counseling in round-table discussions and seminars
Help identifying clinical sites for your practicum/internship placement, as well as ongoing access to career services
Meet the dean of our MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program!
Why Choose Our Los Angeles Mental Health Counseling Master’s Program?
More than 5.5 million adults in California have a mental health condition, according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI).1 Additionally, factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated mental health issues, with 31.7% of adults in California reporting symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder and 32.3% of all U.S. adults reporting the same in February 2023.2 As Californians and Americans deal with the challenges of everyday life, they need mental health counselors who can provide support.
At WCU, we focus on relationship-building – both from a treatment perspective and a teaching perspective. In our program, you will learn how to use therapeutic relationships to promote healing, empowerment, and emotional and mental well-being in clients, and you will also collaborate closely with faculty and peers throughout your educational journey.
If you’re excited to make a difference and you want to learn from influential leaders in the field, our Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program may be a good fit for you. You can take your classes fully online (with some in-person learning experiences required) or choose our blended option, which allows you to complete part of your instruction at our Center for Graduate Studies in Los Angeles.
Our Blended Format Enhances Your Education
Through our blended format at the Center for Graduate Studies, students have the opportunity to spend more time collaborating and networking with their colleagues and faculty on-campus. This dynamic and immersive approach to learning empowers students to engage, allowing them to grow and develop as emerging professional counselors.
Overview: Mental Health Counseling Master’s Program – Los Angeles
Program Details
With our program taking less than 2.5 years to complete, you get the benefit of speed to completion, meaning you can get the ball rolling as you pursue a career as a mental health counselor. Read through our program details to learn more.
Program Pace
Distance Education/Online or Blended
60 Credits
29 Months
6 Semesters
Curriculum
| Course Number | Course Name | Total Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Number | Name | Hours |
| CMHC 505 | Foundations of Clinical Mental Health and Counseling | 3 |
| CMHC 510 | Professional Orientation: Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| CMHC 515 | Counseling Theories and Practice | 3 |
| CMHC 520 | Crisis/Trauma Response and Intervention | 3 |
| CMHC 525 | Social and Cultural Foundations | 3 |
| CMHC 530 | Individual Counseling Skills and Practice w/ Immersive I | 3 |
| CMHC 535 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| CMHC 545 | Career and Lifestyle Assessment | 3 |
| CMHC 550 | Couples, Marriage, and Family Counseling | 3 |
| CMHC 560 | Research Design and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| CMHC 645 | Group Counseling and Practice | 3 |
| CMHC 650 | Addictions and Substance Abuse Counseling | 3 |
| CMHC 655 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| CMHC 665 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| CMHC 670 | Individual Evaluation and Assessment | 3 |
| CMHC 683 | Contemporary Topics Advanced Skills, Theories and Ethics w/ Immersive II | 3 |
| CMHC 685 | Fieldwork Practicum | 3 |
| CMHC 690A | Fieldwork: Internship I | 2 |
| CMHC 690B | Fieldwork: Internship II | 2 |
| CMHC 690C | Fieldwork: Internship III | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 60 | |
Tuition & Financial Aid
How Much Does the Los Angeles MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Cost?
We know school is a substantial commitment. At WCU, we want to equip you with all the information you need to make the right decision for your future.
Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of Los Angeles Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling tuition costs so you can be well-informed as you navigate the application and enrollment process. To assist you in your decision, we provide a breakdown below of the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program costs in Los Angeles at West Coast University.
We offer several financial aid options — including scholarships, grants, and loan access — to help support you through your studies. We also offer reduced tuition rates for military personnel and their spouses. For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Tuition and Fees
Effective Spring I 2024
| Degree Type | Master of Science |
| Total Program Credits | 60 |
| Program Length(full time) | 6 trimesters |
| Total Tuition Cost | $39,000 |
| Technology Fee1 | $3,000 |
| Estimate for Program Supply Fees2 | $450 |
| Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas/Miami) | $42,450 |
Indirect Costs
| 10 Month Academic Year3 | ||||
| Prior to Fall 2024 | Starting Fall 2024 | |||
| with parents | off campus | with parents | off campus | |
| Federal Student Loan Fees | $220 | $220 | $220 | $220 |
| Living Expenses (Food & Housing) | $2,980 | $9,920 | $3,120 | $10,410 |
| Transportation | $2,060 | $2,060 | $2,160 | $2,160 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $6,740 | $6,740 | $7,070 | $7,070 |
| Total | $12,000 | $18,940 | $12,570 | $19,860 |
1 Technology Fee includes student technical support, Office 365, blended and online course delivery/learning management system, mobile app, student portal technology and access, and required electronic course materials/software.
2 Program Fee covers the establishment, on-going management, scheduling, coordination, site visits, and any other expenses related to clinical activities and onsite intensives.
3 The purpose of the Cost of Attendance (COA) is to provide students and families with an estimated cost to attend West Coast University. The COA includes both direct and indirect cost estimates. Direct costs are paid directly to West Coast University and are shown separately for each program. Indirect costs are not paid to West Coast University and are estimates students may use to budget expenses they may incur while attending school. While actual indirect costs may vary, West Coast University estimates these amounts based on the number of months in an academic year and whether students will live with parents or off campus.
Admission Requirements
A student applying for admission to the MSCMHC program at West Coast University must:
- Have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher
- Submit a copy of official transcripts and/or International Transcript Evaluation, prior to the end of the add/drop period of the first term
- Provide a Statement of Purpose
- Provide two (2) professional letters of recommendation
- Complete the Interview Process
- Complete an enrollment agreement, consisting of program policies, costs, completion requirements, and other student obligations, if accepted into the program
Probationary Admissions Requirements
Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 2.79-2.99 may be considered for probationary admission after meeting the following admissions requirements:
- The applicant must provide a letter of intent.
- The applicant must be approved for admission following an interview with the Program Director/Dean.
- The applicant must satisfy program prerequisites.
A student admitted under the probationary admissions pathway must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all coursework attempted over the first semester (two terms). Students who meet this standard will be converted to a full admit status and will be subject to the standard Satisfactory Academic Progress requirement for the duration of their program. Students failing to meet this requirement by the end of the first semester (two terms) will be withdrawn from the university.
Students accepted under the probationary admissions pathway will be considered regular students and eligible for Title IV, if the student otherwise qualifies for funding, for the first semester of their program of study while completing the requirements for full admission to their program.
Clinical Placements
Help with Your Clinical Site Selection
As a student in WCU’s Los Angeles mental health counseling master’s program, you receive hands-on support through every aspect of your educational journey, including your clinical practicum and internship. Through our program, you are required to complete 135 hours of supervised clinical practicum and 600 hours of internship, which do not apply toward the 3,000 licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) hours that are required in the state of California prior to licensure.3
Our team can assist in your search for a clinical site and help ensure that it meets all the necessary practicum and internship requirements. We want to help make your clinical experience a success so you can pursue a career in clinical mental health counseling with confidence!
Career Services
Dedicated Support on Your Professional Path
Our goal is to help you succeed — not just as a WCU student, but as a graduate as well! That’s why we offer individualized career support and services that are accessible to you even beyond graduation day.4
At WCU, you will have access to Career Services coordinators who serve our Los Angeles and online students for assistance with the following:
- One-on-one career counseling
- Professional development workshops (resume tips, interview techniques, etc.)
- Hiring events with recruiters
- Help identifying job leads, including those that could help you fulfill the licensed
professional counselor internship (LCPI) hours that are needed for state licensure
Don’t hesitate to work with our online or WCU-CGS Career Services team as you start planning for your future!
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling students will be able to:
- Cultivate a Professional Identity: The program helps students establish a strong professional identity as clinical mental health counselors who prioritize the value of the therapeutic relationship as a critical pathway to facilitate healing, empowerment, and the emotional and mental well-being of their clients. Moreover, students will learn to build counseling relationships from a strength-based, intergenerational trauma-informed perspective rather than a deficit or pathological approach.
- Develop Comprehensive Knowledge and Competence: The program prepares students to gain a broad and comprehensive understanding of essential areas in the counseling field, including ethical and legal behaviors, developmental theories, clinical interventions, psychopharmacology, substance use disorders, addictive behaviors, human sexuality, crisis and trauma, career counseling, psychopathology, and culturally competent assessment and evaluation methods.
- Apply Evidence-Based Interventions: The program prepares students to solely rely on evidence-based interventions for substance use disorders, addictive behaviors, co-occurring disorders, trauma, and various mental health conditions, while always considering cultural competencies and diversity to enhance the effectiveness of their clinical practice.
- Cultivate a Culturally Competent Identity: The program helps students to establish a professional identity as culturally competent clinical mental health counselors, emphasizing the use of the therapeutic relationship to promote healing, empowerment, and emotional and mental well-being while working effectively and affirmatively with diverse individuals, couples, families, and communities.
- Demonstrate Proficiency in Clinical Skills: The program teaches students how to use effective and affirmative clinical skills when working with individuals, couples, families, and groups and communities across the lifespan. Students will develop expertise in providing comprehensive and culturally competent mental health services to clients from diverse backgrounds.
- Foster a commitment to social justice and advocacy: The program compels students to become social justice advocates and clinical mental health professionals who serve their communities in various capacities, including clinical practice, administrative roles, and other leadership positions. Students will use their counseling knowledge, attitudes, and skills to contribute positively and effectively to the well-being and positive development of the broader community.
Featured Faculty
Colleen R. Logan, PhD, LPC-S, NCC
Dean/Program Director, Counseling
Dr. Colleen R. Logan is the Dean of the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at West Coast University. Dr. Logan is a past President of the American Counseling Association and brings decades of experience in clinical counseling and administrative leadership within the higher education space.
At the University of Houston-Victoria, Argosy University, Walden University, and Fielding Graduate University, Dr. Logan has held various leadership positions including Professor, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Associate Dean of the School of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. She has also held the title of Associate Professor at Southern Methodist University in the Department of Conflict Resolution and Counseling, as well as Program Director of the Counseling program at Barry University. In each of these positions, Dr. Logan has successfully led efforts to obtain CACREP accreditation for both master’s and doctoral programs.
Dr. Logan graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Counselor Education in 1994. She currently holds her LPC license as a professional counselor and supervisor in the state of Texas.
Fay Roseman, PhD
Associate Dean
Dr. Fay Roseman is the Associate Dean of Counseling at West Coast University where she oversees the online and blended mental health counseling programs. She earned her PhD in Social Work at Barry University, her MSW from New York University, and her BA in Elementary Education from Pace University.
With a variety of experiences in both the business and academic world, Dr. Roseman brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education, during which time she worked as both a faculty member and in various leadership roles.
As a faculty member and director of student teaching, Dr. Roseman served across multiple Florida counties as a professional development reviewer for the Florida Department of Education. Her service in counseling was as a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) Awards Committee, the Knowledge & Research Committee, and the National Career Development Association Ethics Committee. Her teaching crossed social work, teacher education, and counseling. Additionally, she served as President of the Florida Marriage & Family Counseling Association.
Dr. Roseman believes in the transformative power of education and is passionate about working with students and seeing them evolve into their best selves.
Her favorite quote is: “When you step outside your comfort zone, you learn what you’re truly made of. You’re forced to dig deeper and face fears, which boosts your confidence, courage, and self-esteem, making you stronger for everyday life.” (Karen, Prevention magazine, 2012).
FAQs
Where will I take my courses for the Los Angeles MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program?
Our program is offered in both an online and blended format. Students who choose the online program will take all courses remotely. There are, however, some elements of the program that require in-person attendance, including on-site intensives (OSIs)*, clinical practicum, and internship hours.
Students who choose the blended format will complete some of their lectures and coursework online and complete the rest in person at our West Coast University – Los Angeles campus. The campus is located at 12215 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91606 and has easy access to Los Angeles Metro bus and rail routes. Learn more about the WCU-Los Angeles campus.
*OSIs are immersive education experiences that allow students to put their learned counseling skills to practice alongside their peers and under the guidance of faculty. OSIs take place on-campus over the course of a weekend.
Is WCU’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program accredited by CACREP?
No. While most accreditors grant accreditation prior to program starts, CACREP requires evidence that the program and its students meet specific requirements during the accreditation process. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is CACREP-aligned and the program will submit its CACREP self-study once the first group of students enters fieldwork in accordance with CACREP procedures. The self-study is the first step toward the formal pursuit of CACREP accreditation.
According to CACREP, “students in a program seeking accreditation shall be considered graduates of a CACREP program if they receive their degree within eighteen (18) months prior to when accreditation is conferred, and if the program can verify that the student completed the CACREP program requirements” (CACREP Policies Governing Recognition of Graduates 5.a.).
What is CACREP?
The Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits counseling programs and educational content across a broad spectrum of specialization areas at the master’s and doctoral levels. CACREP maintains rigorous accreditation standards for courses and clinical experiences. CACREP is recognized as an accreditor by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Can I obtain licensure or certification as a counselor if my program is not CACREP-accredited?
In the states where we offer our MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, a lack of CACREP accreditation is not a barrier for licensure. Licensure and certification requirements vary state-by-state, and many states will determine eligibility by reviewing your specific coursework if taken from a non-accredited program.
Students must contact the licensing board in the state where they wish to practice with questions or concerns about licensure eligibility. Please be aware that state licensure requirements are subject to change, and it is your responsibility to stay up-to-date with any changes that may occur. To find out if our program is offered in your state, be sure to reach out to our admissions team.
What does a mental health counselor do?
In California, a licensed mental health counselor is referred to as a “licensed professional clinical counselor.” This is a mental health professional who provides therapeutic services involving mental health, psychotherapeutic, and human development principles that help individuals and groups with adjustment and development throughout life. Licensed professional counselors can help clients with issues such as chemical dependency, rehabilitation, marital and family conflicts, sexuality issues, anxiety, depression, and more.5
Mental health counselors can work in a variety of environments, including:
- Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers
- Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities
- Individual and family service agencies
- Hospitals
- Private practice
- Employee assistance programs (EAPs)
- Prisons
- Government facilities6 7 8
How quickly can I get my master’s in clinical mental health counseling?
It takes 29 months to finish our MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at WCU. However, the state of California requires aspiring mental health counselors to complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience prior to licensure.3 If you plan on conducting your supervised experienced hours outside of California, be sure to research the licensure requirements for that
state.
Does WCU help with clinical site placements?
Yes, we are happy to help our mental health counseling master’s students identify clinical sites for their program-required practicum experiences and internships. Our faculty members are seasoned counseling professionals who are well-connected in the industry, and they’re able to leverage their relationships with various types of healthcare organizations to help connect students with opportunities.
While our team cannot guarantee placement, we can help you identify a facility that aligns with the requirements of our program. We can also help you look for job openings that allow you to work toward the supervised hours that are required for licensure following graduation.
What type of experience can I expect in this program?
While our Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed to be comprehensive and rigorous so you can properly prepare for a career in mental health counseling, it is also designed to be engaging and flexible. With an online or blended format, you will have more control over your schedule, and you will learn with the aid of original video content, virtual simulations, mobile-friendly study tools, round-table discussions with leading industry professionals, and more.
Additionally, you’ll have our support every step of the way, including from our dean and associate dean who are readily available to students, as well as from our dedicated Career Services team.
West Coast University is accredited by WASC Senior College of University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accreditation body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 402 Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748- 9001/ https://www.wscuc.org/
1 National Alliance of Mental Illness, “Mental Health in California” fact sheet, compiled from data available in February 2021
2 Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), “Mental Health and Substance Use State Fact Sheets,” Accessed August 2023
“The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use,” April 28, 2023
3 CA Board of Behavioral Sciences, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Accessed August 22, 2023
4 WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.
5 California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors, “Who are LPCCs?,” Accessed August 2023.
6 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, Updated Oct. 24, 2023
7 MedicalNewsToday (Healthline Media), “How can mental health counselors help?” Aug. 31, 2020
8Healthline, “What Is an EAP Counselor — and How You Can Find One,” Jan. 14, 2021
Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.
Call
Info Session