MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling at University of Pittsburgh

Programme overview

A full-time, on-campus 60-credit Master of Science preparing evidence-based clinicians, with a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship. The program meets the educational requirements for licensure in Pennsylvania and many other states and prepares graduates for the National Counselor Examination and National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination.

Faculty: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences | Department: Counseling and Behavioral Health | Duration: 2 years (5 terms, including 1 summer term) | Intake: Fall (August); applications open September 1, 2026, close January 31, 2027 | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

Foundations of counseling, cultural considerations, counseling theories and techniques, clinical diagnostic and functional assessment, human development across the lifespan, legal and ethical issues, group counseling, diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders, career counseling, and advanced individual, group, family, substance abuse and crisis counseling.

Career pathways

Graduates are eligible to become National Certified Counselors (NCC).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree, preferably in psychology, rehabilitation sciences, human services or social sciences; overall GPA of 3.0 suggested (applications below 3.0 may be considered); two short essays of up to 250 words each plus a personal statement; two professional letters of recommendation; resume or CV; apply through GradCAS ($50 fee) by January 31; selective group interview by video on March 4 and 5, 2027. International applicants: Duolingo 140 (sub-scores 140-145 conversation, 130-135 comprehension), IELTS 7.5 (8.0 speaking, 7.0 listening) or TOEFL 100 (26 speaking, 24 listening; new TOEFL scale 5.0 with speaking and listening 5.0 or higher).

Entry terms (Fall, Spring, Summer) and deadlines are set by each school or department; the University's graduate catalog lists Fall, Spring and Summer terms for new graduate students.

Graduate and professional applications are made online to the school or department of intended study, with deadlines set by each school or department; official English-test results are required from applicants from countries where English is not the official language.

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