As a prospective graduate student in mental health counseling, you likely already work in a helping profession, education, or another related field. This often means you must continue working part-time or full-time while completing your degree. An online licensed mental health counseling (LMHC) program provides a major advantage in this situation.
Several schools in Maryland offer graduate LMHC programs. This allows you to earn a flexible and respected degree while choosing the program that aligns most effectively with your professional goals.
This guide offers insights into some of the popular and high-quality online LMHC programs in Maryland. Read up on each one, compare and contrast each, and select the right program for you.
Online LMHC Programs in Maryland
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online LMHC programs in Maryland:
- University of Maryland Global Campus
- William & Mary
- St. Bonaventure University
- Capella University
- Liberty University
- Northwestern University
- The Chicago School
- Arizona State University Online
University of Maryland Global Campus
Online Master of Science in Clinical Professional Counseling
The 60-credit Master of Science in Clinical Professional Counseling at the University of Maryland Global Campus follows a cohort training model. This means you begin the program with a group of classmates, complete each stage of the program together, and graduate as a group. One of the main advantages of this model is the professional relationships you develop with your peers. When you graduate, you will have around two dozen colleagues you can rely on for support and guidance.
The curriculum is divided into three areas: foundation courses, core courses, and electives. The foundation courses provide the essential base for your training as a counselor. These include:
- Professional Orientation in Counseling
- Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practices in Counseling
- Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling
- Lifespan and Development: Perspectives in Counseling
The next stage focuses on clinical core counseling courses. For example, in Research Design and Program Evaluation in Counseling, you study the role of research in strengthening counseling practice. You also learn how to use research findings to improve services for clients and evaluate counseling programs.
Applied Theories of Counseling is another required course where you examine major counseling theories including psychotherapy, behaviorism, and existentialism. This class also addresses cultural and ethical issues.
You then expand your knowledge in Counseling Techniques: The Helping Relationship. Here, you learn how to establish trust with clients, apply empathy, develop interviewing skills, and practice active listening. Diversity issues are also emphasized.
Group Counseling is another component where you study group dynamics, group counseling theories, techniques, and methods to strengthen interactions both between you and the group and among group members. You also learn how to design, implement, and assess group activities.
Other required core courses include:
- Psychopathology and Diagnosis
- Advanced Techniques of Counseling
- Assessment and Appraisal in Counseling
- Foundations of Substance Use and Addictions Counseling
- Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling
You are also required to complete three electives. This gives you the chance to shape your studies according to your interests. For instance, if you want to focus on relational counseling, you might take Sexual Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy, Relationship Counseling, and Counseling Children and Adolescents.
If substance issues interest you, possible electives include Introduction to Psychopharmacology, Substance Use and Dependency Treatment Delivery, and Special Topics in Addiction Counseling. Additional elective options are:
- Co-Occurring Disorders
- Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
- Military Culture
- Expressive and Creative Arts in Counseling
- Biopsychosocial Aspects of Health, Behavioral Health, Aging, and Disability
Field training is another important requirement. You must complete a practicum with at least 100 hours, 40 of which are direct client contact. In your final year, you move on to a two-part internship requiring at least 600 hours of counseling practice, with 240 hours being direct client contact. Both experiences are supervised and arranged at approved sites close to where you live.
Admission requirements are:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
- Submit two recommendation letters from previous professors.
- Provide a statement of purpose describing your relevant educational or professional background.
- Submit a current curriculum vitae or resume.
- Submit a signed attestation of your intent to become licensed and employed as a counselor in Maryland.
- Participate in a faculty interview.
William & Mary
Online Master of Education in Counseling
Just across the border of Maryland and Virginia you will find William & Mary. The university provides an online Master of Education in Counseling with a focus in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. You can complete this program in about three years by finishing 60 credits in a CACREP-accredited curriculum designed to prepare you for entry-level licensure as a professional counselor.
In the first year, you study topics related to professional, ethical, and legal issues in counseling. You also complete courses in counseling theories, counseling techniques, and human growth and development. Your classes will include:
- Professional, Ethical, and Legal Issues in Counseling
- Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
- Human Growth and Development: A Life-Span Perspective
- Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling
- Contemporary Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
In addition, you take Techniques of Counseling, which provides detailed instruction in individual counseling methods. You observe professionals in practice and participate in role-playing exercises with classmates to apply these skills.
During the second year, the emphasis moves to psychopathology, research, and career development. For example, in The Counselor and Psychopathology, you study the DSM system and diagnostic processes to understand mental disorders and to connect diagnoses with treatment planning and interventions. You also take Research Methods in Education to examine psychological research strategies, review literature, and practice statistical analysis, educational testing, and psychological measurement.
Additional second-year courses are:
- Psychological and Educational Measurement
- Group Theory and Techniques
- Marriage and Family Counseling
- Career Development
This program also requires two on-campus residencies: one before the practicum and another before the internship. In year two, you begin the practicum, working under supervision with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Your practicum supervisor and the counseling faculty guide you during this stage.
The third year is primarily for the clinical mental health counseling internship. You must complete at least 600 hours of counseling practice, including individual and group counseling, treatment planning, assessments, evaluations, and case notes. While in the internship, you attend online synchronous classes covering topics such as Addictions Counseling, Couples Counseling, Sex Therapy, and Substance Abuse and Society.
To apply for admission, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
- Provide three recommendation letters from academic or professional references.
- Submit a personal essay discussing your academic and professional counseling background.
- Provide a current resume with complete employment history.
St. Bonaventure University
Online Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Another online option you can consider is the Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offered by St. Bonaventure in New York. This CACREP-accredited degree prepares you to qualify for counselor licensure. In fact, during 2023-2024, every graduate from this program successfully passed the licensure examination.
This program does not limit you to licensure preparation alone. Instead, it gives you a full counseling education with knowledge of historical development, counseling techniques, theories, and interventions. You graduate with the abilities to work as a counselor, teach, participate in advocacy, or consider other career paths. Graduates from this program are employed in different settings such as:
- Health Centers
- Correctional Facilities
- Residential Care Facilities
- Inpatient and Outpatient Facilities
- Insurance Organizations
The curriculum addresses various aspects of counseling. Foundational courses address ethics, legal issues, and professional responsibilities. Other courses focus on multiculturalism and diversity, while additional classes deal with research and program evaluation.
These foundational courses help you gain a clear understanding of counseling as both science and practice. You study historical and modern theories including psychoanalysis, Adlerian methods, and behavior therapy. At the same time, you learn how to apply these theories.
For instance, in Counseling Theory and Practice, you role-play sessions with classmates to practice multiple approaches. This experience serves two purposes: it allows you to observe and understand how each approach functions, and it helps you shape your personal counseling style.
Beyond theory-related classes, you complete courses such as:
- Sociocultural Foundations of Counseling
- Research and Program Evaluation
- Lifestyle and Career Development
- Group Dynamics
- Group Therapy
In addition, Psychopathology and Assessment introduces you to the development of mental illness. You study the DSM system and examine assessments like the Beck Depression Inventory, MMPI-2, and Beck Anxiety Inventory to prepare for diagnostic work.
The curriculum also includes mandated reporting training. You learn the circumstances when confidentiality must be broken, such as when clients pose a risk to themselves or others, or when there is suspected abuse or neglect.
As required by CACREP, you must complete a practicum and internship. The practicum lasts one semester with at least 100 hours of counseling work. These tasks include paperwork, case notes, observing supervisors, and assisting with group therapy.
The internship spans two semesters and requires a minimum of 600 hours. Your responsibilities expand to independent practice while still being supervised. For example, you may co-lead groups in the practicum but take full leadership in the internship. Both experiences are arranged at approved locations near your residence.
To apply, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, though applicants with 2.75 may be considered.
- Provide official transcripts from all institutions attended.
- Submit a personal statement describing your reasons for becoming a counselor.
- Submit two professional letters of recommendation.
- Take part in an interview with faculty members.
Capella University
Online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Capella University’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a CACREP-accredited degree that emphasizes counseling theory and the practical use of counseling techniques. More specifically, the program highlights research, treatment, assessment, ethical practice, wellness theory, and cultural competence. To graduate, you complete 13 core courses, four specialization courses, two residencies, one practicum, and two internships.
You are required to finish 90 credits. Of these, at least 52 credits are core courses covering fundamental areas in counseling. Topics include:
- Principles of Psychopathology and Diagnosis
- Foundations of Addiction and Addictive Behavior
- Assessment, Tests, and Measures
- Life Planning and Career Development
- Ethical and Legal Issues in Professional Counseling
Other foundational courses such as Lifespan Development for the Counseling Professions provide a broad study of the human experience. You examine cognitive, emotional, biological, and social development, with added attention to multicultural perspectives.
Application-focused courses are also included. In Theories of the Counseling Profession, you study various psychotherapy approaches and the philosophies that guide them. You also learn how to apply these theories in both individual and group counseling.
In Group Counseling and Psychotherapy, you become skilled in working with client groups. This course covers theories of group therapy, group dynamics, roles, leadership, and crisis management.
Your specialization courses require at least 16 quarter credits in clinical mental health counseling. If you select the Child and Adolescent Counseling Track, your courses might include Marriage and Family Systems, Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, and Theories and Skills of Play Therapy.
If you choose the Addiction Treatment and Recovery Track, your courses could be Theories of Addiction Treatment, Group Therapy and the Treatment of Substance-Related and Addictive Behavior, and Family Systems and Psychoeducation in Addiction.
The program requires two residencies. The first, Counseling Relationship, concentrates on building counseling skills and understanding concepts essential to your success. This residency is face-to-face with required online coursework afterward.
The second, Advanced Counseling Relationship, builds on the initial residency by strengthening your clinical abilities. It again involves in-person participation, online activities, and extended practice.
Following the residencies, you complete a practicum and an internship. The practicum is your introduction to professional counseling. You work at an approved site under supervision, focusing on communication, interviewing, assessment, intake procedures, and related tasks. A minimum of 100 hours is required, with at least 40 in direct client contact.
The internship lasts two semesters. You work part-time or full-time as a pre-professional counselor, also under supervision. The internship requires at least 600 hours of counseling, including 240 hours of direct client work.
You must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Provide a valid government-issued photo ID.
- Agree to follow Capella’s policies and program rules.
- Show English proficiency if it is not your first language.
- Complete any other requirements the program sets.
Liberty University
Online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Another out-of-state option you may consider is the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. Since the program is online, you do not need to travel to campus each day for classes, though you are required to attend two on-campus intensive sessions.
This CACREP-accredited program requires 60 credits for graduation. Most students complete the requirements in about three years of full-time study. Your first courses are Early Core Courses, which are designed to provide a strong foundation. These include Human Growth and Development, Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling, and Multicultural Counseling. Additionally, you must take:
- Orientation to Counselor Professional Identity and Function
- Counseling Techniques and the Helping Relationship
- Integration of Spirituality and Counseling
- Theories of Counseling
Once you finish the early core classes, you advance to more specialized courses. Psychopathology is one such course, where you study psychological disorders across the lifespan, practice assessment, make diagnoses, and develop case conceptualizations. The DSM-V system is a major part of this class.
Assessment Techniques in Counseling is another advanced requirement. You study both individual and group assessments, including multicultural practices. You examine standardized and non-standardized testing, norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessments, as well as performance-based evaluations. Other advanced courses include:
- Theories of Family Systems
- Career Development and Counseling
- Research and Program Evaluation
- Group Counseling
Your studies also focus on the clinical mental health specialization. For instance, Crisis Counseling prepares you to assist clients during crises or traumatic events. Substance Abuse Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention addresses prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies. Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Planning trains you in risk assessment, mental status evaluation, and substance use considerations.
Additional requirements ensure you demonstrate your knowledge and gain real-world practice. You must pass two comprehensive examinations, complete a practicum, and participate in a two-part internship. The practicum requires at least 100 hours of counseling experience, 40 of which are direct client contact. You must provide documentation using audio and/or video recordings and present your work in written and oral form during group supervision.
The two-part internship requires at least 600 hours of counseling and related services, with 240 hours being direct client contact. As with the practicum, you must document your work using audio and/or video recordings and present case studies in a group supervision setting.
Before applying, you must meet these criteria:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Have an undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher.
- Provide official transcripts from every college or university attended, including proof of three or more credits in statistics.
- Submit contact information for two professional recommenders.
- Complete and submit a statement of purpose explaining why you wish to become a counselor, the type of certification you plan to pursue, your multicultural experiences, and how you form effective interpersonal relationships.
- Sign and submit a form agreeing to the program’s mission and diversity statement.
How Much Do Licensed Mental Health Counselors Make in Maryland?
As of August 2025, the average annual salary for a licensed mental health counselor working in Maryland is $89,123. More experienced mental health counselors working in Maryland make over $120,000 per year.
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