LVC students in psychology seminar with Dr. Rachel Albert

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Lebanon Valley College’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares you for roles in healthcare, private practice, or social services. With a 3.0 GPA in any bachelor’s degree, you can launch your counseling career—earning your degree in just two years full-time or in four years part-time. You’ll combine online and hybrid coursework with two in-person residencies, an internship, and clinical experiences.

Our program meets Pennsylvania’s Licensure for Professional Counselors and CACREP standards to give you a competitive edge upon graduation. Ask us about employer discounts and discounts for PA Commonwealth employees and dependents.

Next start date: August 24, 2026

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Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S.

Learn More About the Program

Connect with your professors and classmates in online courses that combine live and recorded content. You will master topics such as grief, trauma, addiction, career, and child and adolescent counseling.

Get any syllabus upon request to see what’s in store.

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credits (includes 600-hour internship)

$759

2025–26 cost per credit hour

7-week

terms

Flexible

completion options

Our clinical mental health counseling graduate program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a professional counselor in Pennsylvania. Additional requirements to obtain licensure are mandatory, including passing the state licensure exam and acquiring the requisite supervision hours. You should consult the Pennsylvania State Licensing Board to determine the requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

If you are interested in licensure outside Pennsylvania, contact the American Counseling Association or the National Board of Certified Counselors to access licensure requirements for other states. You are responsible for contacting the appropriate board for licensing and certification information.

Please consult Dr. Cynthia Vejar, CMHC Program Director, for additional information.

As of July 1, 2025, the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at LVC is in the final stages of accreditation review by the Council for Accreditation and Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), following a successful site visit. A final decision is expected by February 2026.

Why LVC’s Clinical Mental Health Program?

Counselors with diverse skills are in high demand and can pursue clinical counseling careers in a variety of specializations. Our Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is broad-based, enhancing your career opportunities. You’ll be ready to be an LPC in PA.

Trauma-informed Counseling Certificate

Accelerate your impact with our four-course (12-credit) Trauma-Informed Counseling Certificate. Earn it as a standalone achievement or incorporate it into the full LVC M.S. program—no prior counseling experience needed.

Courses offer opportunities to practice, observe, and discuss counseling techniques. The certificate builds trauma-informed care skills and career marketability. Request info about the Trauma Certificate.

Apply for the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Clinical Mental Health Career Opportunities

Our courses prepare you for therapy positions in areas including:

Clinical child psychology
Addiction counseling
Trauma-informed counseling
Marriage and family counseling

Careers for substance abuse, behavioral disorders, and mental health counselors are expected to grow much faster than average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Our Breen Center for Career and Professional Development helps you take advantage of these open positions. You will have access to personal career advising, connecting you with alumni and employers.

LVC faculty are practicing clinicians in addiction, grief, couples and family therapy, and psychopathology. They help you explore job opportunities.

Clinical Counseling Internship/Practicum Sites

The M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program features an evidence-based curriculum and opportunities to get real-life experience through internships and a practicum. Local sites include:

Annville Psychological Services
Catholic Charities
Center for Hope and Healing
Everlasting Wellness Counseling
Horizon House Inc.

LVC Counseling Center
Maryland Treatment Centers – Mountain Manor
Milton Hershey School
Pennsylvania Counseling Services
WellSpan Health – Philhaven

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s Program Flexibility

The curriculum combines flexible learning modalities, including hybrid, online/asynchronous, and online/synchronous courses.

Our hybrid program is perfect for busy professionals balancing their education with other responsibilities. The benefits of each mental health counseling course type include:

Hybrid Classes: Coursework is 50 percent in person and 50 percent online. The in-person component includes real-time discussions, activities, and class exercises. For some students, in-person networking with instructors and classmates is extremely valuable. The online component of hybrid classes offers flexibility and accessibility. Courses offered in hybrid format can also be completed 100% online. This option is perfect if you are completing the program from a non-commutable distance to Annville, Pa. You’ll complete practicum and internships at in-person locations.
Online/Asynchronous Courses: You can take your clinical counseling courses online and on your schedule. While there are deadlines each week, you decide when and where to learn.
Online/Synchronous Courses: During your 600-hour practicum and internships, and select other courses, you will engage with your classmates and instructors in real time. This is conducive to group supervision, which allows an exchange of feedback and dialogue about clinical-related matters. Simultaneously, the online modality provides flexibility and accessibility.

Students can begin the program in the fall or spring following a course plan outlined by their program advisor.

If you take courses out of sequence, you have a maximum of seven years to complete the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Handbooks, Reports & Statistics

View Annual Reports & Vital Statistics

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In Their Words

Preparation

Throughout the program, I felt encouraged and supported professionally and personally. The faculty are eager to engage with students throughout course planning, in the class setting and internship experience, as well as by fostering conference presentation opportunities. My transition to employment was seamless. I was well-prepared by a top-notch team and I am grateful for my experience.

Dayna Hanlon-Pinkerton M’24, MS, C-IAYT, LAPC, Yoga Therapist, Trauma Counselor, Founder, Unity Yoga Center

Practice

I learned something new every day. We did a lot of role-playing activities to gain feedback from our classmates and teachers, and that was the best thing because I think that was the best way to learn.

Jamie Rothenberger ’20, M’22, Lead Academic Teacher, YMCA of Greater Brandywine

Quality

LVC has a longstanding reputation for being student-centered and providing quality instruction that makes graduates competitive in the workforce.

Dr. Cynthia Vejar, Program Director and Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling