Montana State University Billings Online Master’s in Counseling
Montana State University Billings offers one online counseling program: the master of science in clinical rehabilitation and mental health counseling (MSCRMHC). The program is designed for students who want training in rehabilitation and mental health counseling with a flexible online format and required clinical experiences.
The program combines online coursework with live and hybrid classes for required sessions. All classes are available online except the advanced group counseling and pre-practicum courses, which are offered live in the summer and fall semesters. All students are required to attend the three-day live portion of this program. Students complete fieldwork, practicum, and internship during their first year, as well as a new student orientation. The program is designed to prepare students for state licensure eligibility and national certification, and to support both rehabilitation counseling and mental health counseling career paths.
The MSCRMHC program includes important courses such as principles of rehabilitation and mental health counseling; theories of counseling; professional orientation and ethical practice; multicultural and gender issues in counseling; advanced individual counseling; advanced group counseling; medical and psychological aspects of disability; and DSM 5 for rehabilitation and mental health counselors. Students also complete pre-practicum, practicum, and a cooperative education or internship experience. The program prepares students to work with persons with disabilities, mental health concerns, substance abuse issues, and related counseling needs.
Graduates of the program can pursue roles such as rehabilitation counselor, mental health counselor, chemical dependency counselor, and therapist. The program is designed to support licensure or certification in Montana, prepare students for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) examination, and build the skills needed for work in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, state and federal agencies, and community mental health settings.
Admission requires a completed MSU Billings graduate application, an essay, a current resume, official transcripts from all institutions attended, three letters of recommendation, and an interview if selected. A GPA of 3.0 or above is preferred, while students with a GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 may be considered for provisional admission. The GRE or MAT is waived for students with a 3.0 or higher GPA. Applicants also complete a new student orientation in their first year.
Montana State University Billings is located in Billings, Montana, on a 110-acre campus in downtown Billings. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), and the program is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) for rehabilitation counseling while currently seeking CACREP accreditation for the clinical mental health counseling track. The university also participates in the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) through the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE).
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MS in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling (MSCRMHC)
1500 University DrBillings, Montana
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No
3 – Three on campus days required
60
Fall
Complete in as few as 3 years
Program Admissions
Yes – GRE required, waived if GPA is 3.0+
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$693.75
$41,625.00
$1,293.75
$77,625.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Farheen Gani
WriterFarheen Gani has researched degree programs and salaries in counseling since 2020. She has written about topics such as genetic counselor salaries and family and human development bachelor’s degrees. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.