Master of Arts
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Master of Arts
Master of Arts
Stand Out in your calling.
NEXT START August 26 Cohorts begin every fall + spring
STREAMLINED Finish in just 2 years Take 2 courses every 8 weeks and finish in 6 semesters
ONLINE 100% online coursework With synchronous virtual class meetings
AFFORDABLE $590 per credit Affordable tuition + 60 credit program

Professional Preparation

Professional Preparation

Professional Preparation

Prepare for a fulfilling career as a compassionate and skilled Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Through 100% online coursework and hands-on learning, gain the expertise to provide holistic, life-changing counseling in diverse clinical settings, including agencies, hospitals, private practice, rural-based settings, and more.




Why Northwestern?

Why Northwestern?

Why Northwestern?

Why Northwestern?

Through Northwestern's faith-integrated program, not only will you be part of a community dedicated to the development of outstanding counselors, but you will learn how to integrate a Christian perspective with culturally sensitive and ethical clinical awareness and skills to courageously and faithfully provide compassionate care in pursuing God’s work of restoration and healing in the world. Our focus on rural populations equips students with the specialized skills and knowledge to address the unique mental health needs of underserved rural communities.

Earn your M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online

Earn your M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online

Earn your M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online

Earn your M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online

Integrate a biblical worldview into practice, demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and values needed to positively impact communities, workplaces, and families. 

Throughout 8-week courses, you will complete weekly self-paced assignments and attend occasional live virtual class meetings. Practicum and internship experiences provide hands-on training to apply theory and develop as a clinical counselor in supervised local settings. Designed for working professionals, the program can be completed in just two years (6 semesters) with a two course per term structure.




"I have formed close relationships with my peers throughout the program during our video calls.
Through these relationships, I was pushed to be a better counselor. My professors have also helped
me to grow through regular self-reflection, spiritual integration, and personal counseling." 

- Elissa, M.A. Clinical Mental Health Student

"I have formed close relationships with my peers throughout the program during our video calls.
Through these relationships, I was pushed to be a better counselor. My professors have also helped
me to grow through regular self-reflection, spiritual integration, and personal counseling." 

- Elissa, M.A. Clinical Mental Health Student

"I have formed close relationships with my peers throughout the program during our video calls.
Through these relationships, I was pushed to be a better counselor. My professors have also helped
me to grow through regular self-reflection, spiritual integration, and personal counseling." 

- Elissa, M.A. Clinical Mental Health Student




Program mission

The Counseling Program at Northwestern College is a Christ-centered community dedicated to the development of outstanding counselors who are called to serve both Christ and in diverse, multicultural, and global society with marginalized populations. Students integrate a biblical perspective with culturally sensitive and ethical clinical skills so they can courageously and faithfully provide compassionate care in pursuing God’s work of restoration and healing in the world.

CACREP aligned

Northwestern's Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health is designed to prepare students to be outstanding counselors in the practice settings of their choice and is aligned with the standards and competencies of the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The program will apply for CACREP accreditation in April 2025. After successful completion of the counseling program, students will be prepared to pursue licensure as a professional counselor in their state and take the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE). 

Beginning July 1, 2026, all CACREP programs require an in-person experience. NWC CMHC program students will meet with their professors every summer (twice during the program) to observe and assess counseling skills and professional dispositions. Complete details to be announced in Fall 2025. 

Program resources

Click the links below to access your student handbooks, learning objectives, and assessment plan. 

Student Handbook

Professional Practice Student Handbook

Program Learning Objectives

Program Assessment Plan

Application Data

Tuition + fees

Continuing your education is more than a time investment. Learn more about our tuition, fees, and financial aid resources and discover what resources that may help you finance your master's degree with Northwestern College. We strive to offer our quality programs at an affordable cost. 

For M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling tuition and fees, see below. 

Financial aid information

Alumni Grant

The Alumni Grant is available to Northwestern College alumni who completed either their undergraduate or a graduate degree through Northwestern. Alumni wishing to pursue their Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree online at NWC can apply a tuition discount of 50% for their first course. 

Additional resources

Click the link below to access a variety of additional resources designed to support your educational journey. Here, you'll find helpful tools to provide further assistance as you move forward. 

Additional resources

The Counseling Program at Northwestern College is a Christ-centered community dedicated to the development of outstanding counselors who are called to serve both Christ and in diverse, multicultural, and global society with marginalized populations. Students integrate a biblical perspective with culturally sensitive and ethical clinical skills so they can courageously and faithfully provide compassionate care in pursuing God’s work of restoration and healing in the world.

Northwestern's Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health is designed to prepare students to be outstanding counselors in the practice settings of their choice and is aligned with the standards and competencies of the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The program will apply for CACREP accreditation in April 2025. After successful completion of the counseling program, students will be prepared to pursue licensure as a professional counselor in their state and take the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE). 

Beginning July 1, 2026, all CACREP programs require an in-person experience. NWC CMHC program students will meet with their professors every summer (twice during the program) to observe and assess counseling skills and professional dispositions. Complete details to be announced in Fall 2025. 

Click the links below to access your student handbooks, learning objectives, and assessment plan. 

Student Handbook

Professional Practice Student Handbook

Program Learning Objectives

Program Assessment Plan

Application Data

Continuing your education is more than a time investment. Learn more about our tuition, fees, and financial aid resources and discover what resources that may help you finance your master's degree with Northwestern College. We strive to offer our quality programs at an affordable cost. 

For M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling tuition and fees, see below. 

Financial aid information

The Alumni Grant is available to Northwestern College alumni who completed either their undergraduate or a graduate degree through Northwestern. Alumni wishing to pursue their Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree online at NWC can apply a tuition discount of 50% for their first course. 

Click the link below to access a variety of additional resources designed to support your educational journey. Here, you'll find helpful tools to provide further assistance as you move forward. 

Additional resources




Application Requirements

Application Requirements

Application Requirements

No GRE required. No application fee.

No GRE required. No application fee.

No GRE required. No application fee.

Application materials reviewed on a rolling basis. They will be evaluated as they are received. Following a review of all completed application materials, applicants will be invited to a virtual interview with a faculty member.

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Baccalaureate degree

Official transcripts showing a degree from an accredited institution.

  • Official transcripts are needed from your bachelor's degree institution as well as from any institution showing graduate credit if seeking transfer credit.
  • No undergraduate transcripts are required of NWC alumni

Send official transcripts to onlineadmissions@nwciowa.edu or Northwestern College, Graduate & Professional Studies, 101 7th St SW, Orange City, IA 51041. 

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GPA requirements

Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Applicants with a GPA under 3.0 may be eligible for conditional admission on a case-by-case basis.

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Updated résumé

Updated résumé can be uploaded and submitted with your application or emailed to online@nwciowa.edu following submission of your online application.  

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Background check

Background check must be completed through CastleBranch.

Preferred application process for Northwestern College graduates
Graduates of Northwestern College receive the benefit of a more streamlined application process and do not need to submit their NWC undergraduate transcripts. All other application requirements are required.

Preferred application process for Northwestern College graduates
Graduates of Northwestern College receive the benefit of a more streamlined application process and do not need to submit their NWC undergraduate transcripts. All other application requirements are required.

Preferred application process for Northwestern College graduates
Graduates of Northwestern College receive the benefit of a more streamlined application process and do not need to submit their NWC undergraduate transcripts. All other application requirements are required.




Program Specifics

Program Specifics

Program Specifics

60 credit program

60 credit program

60 credit program

CMHC515 - Marriage and Family/Systems
CMHC520 - Diagnosis & Psychopathology
CMHC570 - Foundations of Addictions Counseling
CMHC575 - Psychopharmacology & Neuroscience
CMHC615 - Internship I
CMHC620 - Internship II
COUN505 - Professional Orientation
COUN510 - Assessment and Appraisal
COUN515 - Ethics
COUN520 - Social & Cultural Foundations
COUN525 - Human Growth & Development
COUN530 - Group Counseling and Group Work
COUN550 - Theories & Skills Of Counseling I
COUN551 - Theories & Skills of Counseling II
COUN555 - Crisis, Trauma and Suicide
COUN580 - Career Development
COUN585 - Research and Program Evaluation
COUN605 - Skills II
COUN610 - Practicum
COUN635 - Capstone



Tuition + Fees

Tuition + Fees

Tuition + Fees

Graduate school is an investment in your career. Northwestern College strives to be transparent by displaying all of the estimated financial costs for your time as a student. Below you will find estimated program costs so you can plan now and feel fully prepared to begin your studies at Northwestern. For financial aid questions, contact the financial aid team

Graduate school is an investment in your career. Northwestern College strives to be transparent by displaying all of the estimated financial costs for your time as a student. Below you will find estimated program costs so you can plan now and feel fully prepared to begin your studies at Northwestern. For financial aid questions, contact the financial aid team

Graduate school is an investment in your career. Northwestern College strives to be transparent by displaying all of the estimated financial costs for your time as a student. Below you will find estimated program costs so you can plan now and feel fully prepared to begin your studies at Northwestern. For financial aid questions, contact the financial aid team

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View program cost estimates

These estimates do not include loan fees which will vary depending on the type of loan. This page is intended to provide estimates for prospective students. Exact costs may change, and the costs of tuition and fees are subject to change. Policies and procedures for refunding tuition and fees can also be found in the Northwestern Graduate Catalog

These estimates do not include loan fees which will vary depending on the type of loan. This page is intended to provide estimates for prospective students. Exact costs may change, and the costs of tuition and fees are subject to change. Policies and procedures for refunding tuition and fees can also be found in the Northwestern Graduate Catalog

These estimates do not include loan fees which will vary depending on the type of loan. This page is intended to provide estimates for prospective students. Exact costs may change, and the costs of tuition and fees are subject to change. Policies and procedures for refunding tuition and fees can also be found in the Northwestern Graduate Catalog




Prepare to Lead

Our graduates play a vital role in serving populations by providing compassionate, high-quality mental healthcare to individuals from various backgrounds.

Our standout alum are serving populations throughout the country.

Turner Therapy & Counseling
Sioux City, IA
Mosaic Family Counseling Center
Urbandale, IA
Genesis Counseling SC
Anderson, SC
Seasons Center
Sheldon, IA

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