UF
College of Education
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Mental Health Counseling Track

Earn Your Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at UF

Prepare for a fulfilling career with our dual master’s (M.Ed.) and educational specialist (Ed.S.) degree program in mental health counseling.

Our 72-credit hour program equips students with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in critical areas. These include trauma and crisis, substance abuse, community counseling and other mental health areas. Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), this program prepares students for positions as mental health counselors in a variety of environments. Our graduates work in community, state, federal and private social service agencies — and for Employee Assistance Program positions in business and industry. 

The program equips students with the pre-professional competencies required for Registered Intern status. Following two years of post-degree supervised clinical experience, graduates are eligible to apply to become licensed Mental Health Counselors in Florida.

The GRE is not required to apply for this program.

Our approach to the master’s in mental health counseling

The mental health counseling program at the University of Florida is designed to develop well-rounded professionals equipped to address a broad spectrum of mental health challenges individuals may face. We prepare graduates of this program to establish a firm professional identity within mental health counseling, reflecting extensive knowledge and practical skills. Our curriculum prepares graduates to use a range of strategies and therapeutic techniques for case conceptualization, diagnosis, treatment, referral, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders. Additionally, some graduates choose to continue their studies in a relevant doctoral program.

The master’s in mental health counseling program specialization prepares graduates who:

    • Establish professional identities as professional counselors with a concentration in mental health
    • Have specialized knowledge of and experience with people who present with a range of couple and family problems. These include intimate relating, marital discord, divorce, child-rearing, family/school conflicts, family violence, suicide, and medical/psychiatric distress
    • Have specialized knowledge and skills for mental health service delivery within specific settings or for targeted needs
    • Have general knowledge of clinical, developmental, systemic and social-ecological theories of human behavior, development and relating
    • Have general knowledge of and experience with systemic and social-ecological intervention modalities appropriate for a broad range of mental health service recipients and settings
    • Interact effectively with the full spectrum of mental health professionals
    • Provide competent professional service and leadership within the mental health field

Program Overview

Our foundational program requires a minimum of 72 credit hours, leading to dual degrees: master of education (M.Ed.) and education specialist (Ed.S.). Students who choose to complete a master’s thesis are awarded a master of arts in education (M.A.E.) instead. We equip our students with the skills required to apply for Registered Intern status, eventual licensure in Florida and clinical membership in NBCC’s Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors.

Graduates of the program qualify to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) to become National Certified Counselors. These include the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA).

Your future as a mental health counselor starts here. Gain the skills, certification eligibility and professional connections to thrive in the field. Contact us to learn more, or apply today!

Apply Today!

Program Requirement

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a degree deemed equivalent by the University of Florida Office of Admissions.
  • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 upper-division (last 60 credits) undergraduate work.
  • An acceptable grade point average for previous graduate work.
  • No GRE requirement.

Program Highlights

Entry: Every Fall
Typical Course Load: 12 credits per semester
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time or part-time
Application Deadline: November 15
Average Class Size: 15 students
Program Completion: 2.5 years

Program Courses (.PDF)