Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling

Empower your future

Are you interested in taking your degree to the next level, and helping people heal and grow? A Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Indiana University East can put you on the right path.

With a degree from IU East, you’ll move toward earning your license by acquiring the theoretical foundation and real-world experience you need to make a difference. This 60 credit-hour program features evening classes and flexible scheduling, and will prepare you to work in a variety of counseling focuses, including therapy with children and families, addiction and recovery, and career counseling. A hybrid program developed in cooperation with IU Kokomo, the Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling allows you to attend one of three campuses for face-to-face courses, and join with students from

What can I expect?

The Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling combines rigorous coursework with the clinical experience required to earn your license as a mental health counselor.

In this program, you’ll receive instruction on a variety of subjects including psychopathology, individual and group counseling, personality theory, and applicable laws and regulations. To foster community, you’ll work alongside a cohort of 20 students for two years to achieve your degree.

Classes begin in the fall semester of even-numbered years. To complete the coursework and the 700 required hours of clinical experience, you will need to be available for six straight semesters beginning in the fall term, and continuing each spring and summer until program completion.

Assistance will be available to help you find a placement to complete your clinical hours. We have internship agreements with six locations throughout central Indiana, and we are always open to developing other opportunities.

Curriculum

Frequently Asked Questions

Steps to Apply

The M.A. in Mental Health Counseling program admits new students every two years during even calendar years.  Applications can be submitted beginning October 1, 2025 with a deadline of March 15, 2026.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling admission process, with application review beginning in March or April and continuing until the cohort is full. We seek applicants with strong interpersonal skills and strong academic credentials, and will base our decision on a combination of grade point average (minimum of a 3.0 in most cases), the strength of psychology preparation, letters of recommendation, and your personal statement. The Graduate Record Exam is optional.

Below is a list of what you'll need to do to apply for this program:

  • Complete an application via the online portal.
  • Pay the $40 application fee through the application.
  • Submit three letters of recommendation. It is recommended that at least two of the letters be from professors who have a good knowledge of your academic performance and potential.
  • Provide official transcript(s). A bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a suggested minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in your undergraduate major, is expected. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 may still be considered if other admission criteria warrant consideration. You should have a degree in psychology or a related field such as education, communication, or humanities. However, students who did not major in psychology need to have completed at least 15 credit hours of psychology courses to apply. While no specific courses are required, it is recommended that you have taken a general psychology course, developmental psychology, and abnormal psychology.
  • Provide a personal statement. The personal statement should clearly explain your relevant educational background and the reasons you wish to pursue a degree in mental health counseling. Visit the FAQ page for specific prompts for the personal statement.
  • Please note: The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is optional for admission to the program, and the psychology subject test is not required. Acceptance will not be based entirely on the GRE score, but could supplement your application. For information about the GRE and potentially qualifying for a fee reduction, please visit this GRE website.

Please send hard copies of your official transcripts to Beth Trammell at the following address: 

Dr. Beth Trammell
2325 Chester Blvd
Tom Raper Hall 246
Richmond, IN 47374

Ready to get started?

Are you ready to take the next step? Contact Beth Trammell with program-specific questions and take a look at our Graduate Catalog to learn more about this program.