October 14, 2025
A career in counseling is not for the faint of heart. It takes a calling and a passion to serve the people around you, and these skills are incredibly needed in our world.
But once you have been called to the field of counseling, how do you become a counselor? Here at Grace, my colleagues and I make it our personal goal to equip students with the tools, skills, and resources they need to be successful counselors through our Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares graduate students to pursue licensure as professional counselors in their state. Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), our program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed for a meaningful career in counseling.
The program requires 60 credit hours and can typically be completed in two to three years. Students have the flexibility to adjust their pace based on when they begin and how they balance coursework with the demands of other responsibilities. While some choose an accelerated path, others extend their timeline to find the right balance between school and life. Our academic advisors work closely with each student to design a personalized plan for successful completion.
Grace’s Online Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is completely online, with the exception of a seven-day residency every summer. This allows students to work at their own pace wherever they want. Our required live sessions offer priceless insights to help students grow, both personally and professionally.
Even though we are an online program, we stress the importance of community. We want to provide opportunities for students to know and engage with their cohort, peers, and faculty.
One way we accomplish this is through our summer residency, a highly anticipated week for our students. It’s a time of intensive learning and meaningful community. Together, we share meals, pray, worship, and grow spiritually. There are social events, peer groups, and plenty of opportunities to build lasting friendships. While building community is a key part of our summer residency, it’s just the beginning. The summer residency is one of the highlights of my year because students learn directly from knowledgeable professors and gain hands-on experience that connects their studies to real-world applications in their future careers.
This program is designed for those who are serious about making a lasting impact through a career in counseling and want the flexibility of completing their graduate degree online. The Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is especially well-suited for people who are compassionate, empathetic, good listeners, relational, and flexible. With a Master’s in Counseling, you’ll be equipped to walk alongside individuals as they navigate personal challenges and pursue healing.
If this describes you, it may be the perfect time to take the next step and pursue your online masters in clinical mental health counseling! I would love to walk alongside you as you pursue this option.
Graduates of our program are eligible to pursue licensure as professional counselors in their state, opening the door to a wide range of career paths. Many choose private practice, while others serve in community mental health centers, residential facilities, or addiction recovery programs. Some work with couples, families, or children. One of the greatest strengths of this degree is its versatility. We equip students to serve diverse populations in many meaningful ways.
Here are some career path options:
No matter where your passion lies, there will be a career path for you with a masters in clinical mental health counseling!
Here is what I know: if God is calling you into this career, He will not abandon you. By joining the graduate counseling program at Grace College, you’ll be part of a community that will support and encourage you every step of the way. We believe you will be successful in the important work God has called you to do.
Want to hear about the program from a student’s perspective?
Dr. Jill Brue is the Associate Professor of Graduate Counseling and the Chair of the Graduate Counseling Department at Grace College. She received her B.A. in French from Texas Tech University, her M.A. in Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary, and her Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision from Regent University. She is committed to equipping students with the tools and resources to serve others in counseling from a Christian perspective.
