The Practice of Healing. The Science of Understanding.

Guided by Catholic values with an emphasis on human dignity, Walsh University’s online Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Development program will help you to apply advanced methods and techniques to address mental health concerns among diverse populations. Become a compassionate, skilled clinical mental health counselor equipped to support communities, or a school counselor who can respond to unique mental health challenges among youth in a complex world. In addition, Walsh offers a Chemical Dependency Certificate.

Program Mission and Philosophy Statement

The Counseling and Human Development (CHD) program mission and philosophy statement extends to professional counselor education following the mission of Walsh University: "The University provides its students a higher education that fosters critical thinking, effective communication, spiritual growth, and personal, professional, and cultural development. Walsh University encourages the individuals to act in accordance with reason guided by the example and teachings of Jesus Christ." The CHD program mission is centered around the core values of leadership, service, justice, and educational excellence; it describes the priorities, expectations and goals of CHD education.

Learn more about Walsh’s online counseling programs: 

Get My Program Guide

Program Goals

  • Develop students’ core knowledge and competencies necessary to function as professional counselors in school and clinical mental
  • health counseling
  • Prepare students for specialized professional roles as clinical mental health counselors and school counselors
  •  Assist students to develop a sense of their identity as counselors and the professional orientation needed to work for the welfare of diverse clients and students.

Choose from These Available Specializations

With our specialized practice options, professionals who possess a bachelor’s degree can choose:

  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • School Counseling
  • Dual Mental Health and School Counseling degree – concurrently complete both practice options in 78 credits.

Complete your coursework 100% online, with no on-campus visits required. Engage in a flexible program that teaches core competencies, focuses on counseling in practice, informs on ethical, legal, and professional foundations, and explores diverse cultures and communities. Practicum and internship field experiences within your own community helps you build experiential hours to gain licensure and enter the field ready to support others.

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation to the following programs in Counseling and Human Development within the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Walsh University: Mental Health Counseling (M.A. degree) and School Counseling (M.A. degree).

Learn more 

Fast Facts

  • online counseling programs specialized practice optionsPrepare for Licensure
    100% of our 2022 students passed their NCE on first attempt and landed jobs within six months of graduation.
  • online counseling programs core knowledgeCore Knowledge
    Engage in a flexible program that teaches core competencies, counseling in practice, ethical, legal, and professional foundations to serve diverse cultures and communities.
  • online counseling programs site placementField Experience
    Practicum and internship sites within your community helps you build experiential hours to gain licensure and enter the field ready to support others
  • online counseling programs flexibilityFlexibility
    Choose from five convenient starts per year and complete your coursework 100% online, with no on-campus visits required.
  • online counseling programs no gre or mat requiredNo GRE or MAT Required
    When entering the program with a 2.75 GPA or higher, you will not be required to take a GRE or MAT exam prior to enrolling.
  • online counseling programs compassionate facultyCompassionate Faculty
    Guided by Catholic values with an emphasis on human dignity, Walsh provides you with 1:1 faculty guidance to prepare you to become a licensed counselor ready to serve.

Walsh University Recognition

  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling: 2022 NCE Initial Licensure Pass rate 100%
  • Recognized as a College of Distinction among Ohio universities, Catholic universities, and Overall for 2020-2021
  • CACREP-accredited counseling program.
  • Approved by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
  • #56 in Best Value Schools Midwest (2020 U.S News & World Report)

Online Counseling Programs: Internship/Practicum Support

Walsh is committed to your academic success and as such, provides field experience support resources at no additional cost. Realize the impact you can make within your own community as you work with our field experience team to help secure approved internship and practicum sites in your area. In addition, we assign you a dedicated Student Support Advisor who assists and guides you in your educational journey from enrollment to graduation.