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Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S.) - Online

Clinical health counseling is a health care profession that helps people face challenges that arise from mental and emotional disorders.

Mental health counselors provide and coordinate services for people with a range of behavioral health concerns. They are highly-skilled professionals who work closely with their clients in developing strategies to manage and recover from the symptoms of a variety of behavioral disorders. Counselors help their clients to return to optimal emotional functioning, cope with their environment, and live as independently as possible.

Professional mental health counselors are licensed to provide treatment and support to both individuals and families, both one-on-one and in group settings. Treatment and counseling are provided through a range of activities including appraisal, individual and group counseling, treatment planning, and inter-professional referral and coordination with other health care providers.

Upcoming Admission Dates for Spring 2027

  • Jun 1 Applications
Open
  • Oct 1 Applications Close
  • Jan 11 Spring Start Date TBA

Program Overview

Established in 2017, the TTUHSC Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MSMH) program is one of the first counselor education programs in the United States to train practitioners simultaneously in clinical counseling skills and telehealth techniques. An emphasis on telehealth is an integral component of the TTUHSC Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Telehealth, or telemedicine, is a model of distance-based health care service, and is a cutting-edge technique growing in practice and acceptance nationwide. All MSMH graduates are eligible to receive the Board Certified Telemental Health Provider (BC-THM) Credential through the National Board of Certified Counselors.

Using the latest in online education technology, the MSMH program is available to students throughout Texas and the United States. Our online mental health counseling program is designed for students who cannot undertake graduate studies in a traditional, on-site, brick-and-mortar setting.

Accreditation

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Please note: requirements for online education vary from state to state. TTUHSC SHP is currently working to gain authorization to offer online courses in all states. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs (806-743-3220, health.professions@ttuhsc.edu) for additional information.

For more information, please reach out to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs at (806) 743-3220 or health.professions@ttuhsc.edu.  

  • 2 years estimated time to completion
  • 20 estimated class size

Curriculum & Coursework

The MSMH online degree is a 60 credit-hour program of core and specialty courses combined with 12 credit-hours of practicum and internship experience. Coursework includes classes in:

Human Growth and Development.

Treatment Planning and Case Management.

Foundations of Counseling and Ethical Development.

Crisis Counseling.

Psycho-pharmacology for Mental Health.

  • Core Coursework
    Course Designation

    Credit hours

    HPMC 1002 Foundations for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice

    0 hours

    HPMC 5301 Introduction to Counseling and Ethical Development

    3 hours

    HPMC 5302 Counseling Theories

    3 hours

    HPMC 5303 Human Growth and Development

    3 hours

    HPMC 5304 Career Counseling

    3 hours

    HPMC 5305 Psychopathology and Diagnosis

    3 hours

    HPMC 5307 Multicultural Counseling

    3 hours

    HPMC 5308 Research and Statistics

    3 hours

    HPMC 5311 Addictions

    3 hours

    HPMC 5312 Assessment

    3 hours

    HPMC 5318 Abnormal Behavior: Treatment Planning and Case Management

    2 hours

    Total Hours

    30 hours

  • Specialty Coursework
    Course Designation

    Credit Hours

    HPMC 5330 Foundations of Mental Health Counseling and Ethical Development

    3 hours

    HPMC 5331 Crisis Counseling

    3 hours

    HPMC 5332 Psycho-pharmacology for Mental Health

    3 hours

    HPMC 6050 Comprehensive Examination

    0 hours

    Total Hours

    9 hours

  • Experiential Coursework
    Course Designation

    Credit Hours

    HPMC 5340 Micro Counseling Techniques

    3 hours

    HPMC 5342 Group Counseling Techniques

    3 hours

    HPMC 5344 Couples, Marriage, and Family Counseling Methods

    3 hours

    Total Hours

    9 hours

  • Clinical Experience
    Course Designation

    Credit Hours

    HPMC 5360 Practicum

    3 hours

    HPMC 6001 Internship

    9 hours

    Total Hours

    12 hours

Program Term Application Deadlines

Program Term Application Deadlines

Term

Applications Open

Application Deadline

First Day of Term

SUMMER

TBA

TBA

MAY TBA

FALL

JAN 1

MAY 1

AUG TBA

SPRING

JUN 1

OCT 1

JAN TBA

How to Apply

Online Application

Applicants for the MSMH program must complete the TTUHSC SHP application. Additional forms will be added to your checklist after you have submitted the online application. Required supporting documentation (if applicable) can be uploaded from your student status page.

Start Your Application

Application Fee

A non-refundable $75 application fee is required and may be paid by credit card through the online application system.

If you prefer to pay by check or money order, make it payable to TTUHSC and mail it to:

Office of Admissions and Student Affairs
3601 4th Street, MS 6294
Lubbock, TX 79430

Your application will move forward in the admissions review process after your application fee has been received.

Transcripts

By Mail: Transcripts must be in an official sealed envelope by the institution and sent to our mailing address:

TTUHSC SHP Admissions and Student Affairs
3601 4th Street, Mail Stop 6294
Lubbock, TX 79430

Electronically: Submit official electronic transcripts from every college or university attended directly from the institution or an approved third-party transcript service to shp.application@ttuhsc.edu.

Please note:

Do not send transcripts to Texas Tech University, as TTUHSC is a separate institution and doing so will delay application processing.

Official TTUHSC transcripts are not required; official Texas Tech University transcripts are required.

Transcripts from international institutions must include an official course-by-course evaluation from a recognized Foreign Transcript Evaluation Service.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring all required application materials, including updated transcripts, are received by the application deadline.

Admissions Requirements

The MSMH program begins twice a year, in the Fall and Spring. Please visit the link below for deadline information. The online application and all supporting documentation must be received by the deadline.

Official GRE Scores

The GRE is not required for the MSMH Program.

Bachelor's Degree

Individuals applying for the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MSMH) degree program should already hold a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferably in a related area such as psychology, sociology, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, social work, special education or nursing, however degrees in other areas will be considered.

Minimum GPA

Effective Spring 2022, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from all previous institutions or GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester hours of courses.

Resume

A current resume is required to be submitted through the online application system.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required for an application to be complete, but the program prefers three letters of recommendation be submitted. Letters of recommendation are submitted online through the SHP Application. A recommender's name and email address will be required. Your recommender will receive an email with a link to our recommendation form for them to submit electronically.

Essay

An essay is required as part of the application.

International Applicants

If you are not a citizen/permanent resident of the United States, please refer to our International Applicants webpage for the additional requirements needed for your application.

Questions regarding the application process should be directed to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. Please contact our office by phone at 806-743-3220 or email at health.professions@ttuhsc.edu.

Cost & Aid

Access information about tuition and fees, along with scholarships and financial aid resources, to help you plan and finance your education at TTUHSC.

Tuition & Fees 

The following information is not intended to be comprehensive and is subject to change. Tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change by administrative, legislative, or regent action, and changes become effective on the date enacted. The following tuition information should be used only as a guideline for estimating charges.

Estimate Tuition & Fees

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Our goal is to make obtaining a college degree within reach by supporting you with financial aid and scholarships programs. TTUHSC relies on a variety of financial aid sources to increase the university's affordability. This may include scholarships, grants, student loans, and waivers. As a student, please know that you and your family have a dedicated financial aid advisor who can assist you with this process.

Apply for Scholarships  Apply for Financial Aid

Student Outcome Data

Become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor

As a graduate of the MSMH program, you are eligible to pursue a counseling license and certifications.

MSMH Graduates are eligible to pursue certification as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and be eligible to apply for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in many states where it is required. Licensure requirements vary by state; you can find specific state information on the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) website.

Outcomes

MSMH 2024-2025 Full Outcomes and Report

Additional Resources

  • The mission of the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center forwards the mission of the University by providing a practitioner training program focused on the unique needs of diverse communities, especially in rural settings. We are committed to preparing entry-level counselors to work competently and ethically through the mastery of evidence-based counseling practices.  Our focus centers on understanding the unique needs of persons with mental health concerns across their lifespans in the community, workplace, personal relationships and activities.

    The goal of the program is to prepare counselors with the counseling knowledge, attitudes, and skills to assist clients with mental health concerns to use their own resources and opportunities to meet their developmental, educational and interpersonal needs.  To accomplish this goal, the program provides educational and practical experiences that allow students to meet the following knowledge and outcome expectations:

    The objectives of our program are linked to our mission statement. They are to provide:

    • Educational experiences that facilitate the development of knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to practice as qualified mental health counselors with a diverse population in a wide variety of contexts.
    • Learning opportunities to support the ability to implement culturally responsive and ethically sound counseling practices throughout their careers, and to advocate for individuals with mental health concerns and the profession.
    • Clinical training experiences focused on translating acquired knowledge, attitudes and skills to evidence-based practice in a wide range of real-world opportunities.
  • The field of mental health counseling is growing rapidly and there is a large demand for counselors to work in prevention and treatment service delivery systems.

    As a licensed professional counselor, you will have many opportunities for employment and professional growth in the field of clinical mental health counseling.

    • A critical shortage of qualified mental health counselors exists throughout the State of Texas and is projected to worsen over the next 10 years.
    • The behavioral health care industry is growing rapidly due to recent changes in federal legislation that increased access to health insurance coverage for mental health.
    • The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the need for mental health counselors to grow by 19% through 2033 (Much faster than average).

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Contact Us

Office of Admissions and Student Affairs

School of Health Professions - Office of Admissions and Student Affairs

  • Address

    3601 4th Street
Lubbock
    Lubbock, TX 79430
    United States