Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Students participating in class.

Why Choose Our Program?

Jacksonville University offers a two-year, full-time Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Counseling. Recently awarded the 2024 Innovation in Counseling: Counselor Education Community Engagement Award from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), this program is offered at both our Arlington campus and Palm Coast, Florida location. Following a hybrid format, cohort model, this program allows for self-paced and in-person classes. Our program is:

  • CACREP accredited with emphasis in Marriage and Family Counseling
  • Ideal for working professionals who want to create individual relationships with professors and peers
  • Full-time, 2 year 60-credit-hour program
  • Meets the educational requirements for State of Flo​rida licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Jacksonville University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is offering a 12-credit hour Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy. Please visit the program website for more information.

Start your application

Applications are open for Fall 2025!

Application Deadlines

Task Deadline or date
Final Deadline February 1, 2025

VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the program director and advisor to ask questions about our curriculum and admissions process.

A female student sitting and speaking with a counseling professor.

About Our Program

We are accredited through the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) under the 2016 standards. The JU CMHC accreditation is valid through October 2027, at which time an application for re-accreditation will be submitted. All JU CMHC program graduates have been recognized as having graduated from a CACREP accredited program.

JU worked with SACSCOC, our University and program's accrediting body, to complete the standard accreditation process for our Palm Coast location. We received approval in 2021.

State of Florida Course Requirements for Licensure

JU’s CMHC Core Curriculum has a specialization in clinical mental health counseling. It also offers a concentration in Couples, Marriage, and Family Counseling. This degree meets the academic requirements for licensure as designated by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling for both Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy. The program has not made a determination whether the curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in states outside of Florida.

Students are encouraged to review the state standards and guidelines and notify the faculty advisor of practice preference so that the appropriate site placement is secured for the practicum and internship.

A hybrid style will be used for courses with class attendance once a week in fall/spring semesters and twice a week during the summer semester. Students are also required to complete a rigorous 800 hour community-based clinical field experience as part of their academic training.

How to Apply

  • Completed JU Application 
  • Unofficial Transcripts for All Degrees Conferred
  • Statement of Intent 
  • Resume / Curriculum Vitae 
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation 
  • The following may be requested of students with a 3.0 GPA or below:
    • GRE / GMAT Scores 

When completing your application, please indicate your location preference. This program is offered at both Jacksonville University's Jacksonville and Palm Coast locations.

CACREP Accreditation Logo

Dr. LaTonya Summers takes her expertise to TedxKnow Pain, Know Gain

"When I decided to apply for the local TEDx conference, I asked myself what I would want to say to the world. We were 13 months into the pandemic, and as a mental health educator, I knew how much we were hurting and how much more devastating the impact was going to get. I outlined a talk on how to process pain differently, and 'Know Pain, Know Gain' was accepted. I feel honored to have had this experience not only because it challenged me to be vulnerable about my own life story, which I had never done, but also for the opportunity to have an international platform to help others manage their mental wellbeing."

Dr. LaTonya Summers

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Missing a course for Florida licensure?Non-Degree Seeking Students

Do you already have a master's degree but are missing courses to become licensed as a LMHC or LMFT in Florida? Jacksonville University offers hybrid and online courses such as Human Sexuality, Counseling in Community Settings, and Addictions Counseling for non-degree seeking students. 

Learn More

22%Projected growth of employment of mental health counselors from 2018 - 2028; quicker than average for all occupations
5thFlorida has the 5th highest employment level for counselors in the United States
$58,510Average annual wage for Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists per the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics
Africa Pino

"Along with a rigorous curriculum, the CMHC counseling program at JU offers students unconditional support and guidance to a bright future. This experience has allowed me to build unforgettable relationships with colleagues and faculty, as well."

-Meghan JeffreyClinical Mental Health Counseling Student

Contact InformationRequest for Information

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Contact Information Clinical Mental Health Counseling

School of Applied Health Sciences
Jacksonville University
2800 University Blvd N
Jacksonville, FL 32211

Phone: (904) 256-7000
Email: graduateadmissions@ju.edu

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