MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Transform Lives with Bennington’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Make a lasting impact on your community and meet the urgent need for mental health care in today’s world with Bennington College’s innovative and comprehensive Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Our 60-credit, low-residency program is designed to prepare learners for licensure in as little as 2.5 years. Each semester begins with a 10-day on-campus residency, fostering intensive learning and meaningful connections with faculty and peers. Between residencies, you’ll continue your studies remotely through dynamic online coursework, live discussions, and individualized faculty advising, blending hands-on support with flexible, independent learning
Learn more about this program and join the mailing list.
Email us: macmhc@bennington.edu
Why Choose This Program?
- Bennington’s Progressive, Student-Centered Approach: Rooted in Bennington’s legacy of progressive education, this program prioritizes your unique journey as a counselor, allowing you to direct your learning path. You’ll cultivate a strong professional identity grounded in compassion and authenticity.
- Dedicated Faculty Support: You'll work with supportive faculty who bring real-world counseling experience and mentorship. You’ll meet regularly with a dedicated faculty advisor and course faculty for support, mentorship, and clinical placement supervision to ensure your success.
- Job Opportunities: Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a rapidly growing field, with a high need for competent and well-trained practitioners. This program prepares you to meet this need for meaningful and lasting employment.
- Grounded in State-of-the-Art Standards: Guided by core competencies from the American Psychological Association (APA), American Counseling Association (ACA), and International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA), the program blends evidence-based Western practices with global approaches. You’ll be fully prepared to work toward licensure in clinical mental health counseling.
- Innovative, Arts-Based Therapeutic Training: With deep roots in Bennington’s renowned arts tradition, this program integrates narrative and expressive arts practices, preparing you to harness the healing power of creativity in your clinical practice.
Choose a Concentration that Aligns with Your Passion
The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offers a general clinical mental health counseling track or three specialized concentrations to tailor your expertise:
- Expressive Arts Therapy: Build on your creativity by becoming a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist, applying diverse art forms as therapeutic tools. You’ll learn to integrate music, movement, drama, and visual arts into your practice, adhering to IEATA guidelines.
- Narrative Therapy: Specialize in the transformative power of storytelling, inspired by the groundbreaking work of Michael White and David Epston. Through storytelling, media, and narrative construction, help individuals, families, and communities reshape their lives with intention and agency.
- Sexual Orientation and Gender Expression: Respond to the expanding need for inclusive, affirming counseling with this specialization. Gain expert knowledge in LGBTQIA+ issues, relational dynamics, and affirming therapeutic practices, preparing you to support clients across diverse sexual and gender identities.
Capstone or Thesis Path to Showcase Your Expertise
Whether you’re drawn to hands-on application or academic inquiry, choose from two paths to complete your degree:
- Capstone Path: Practical, project-based application of your skills.
- Thesis Path: A research-focused approach for those interested in advancing the field.
Our supportive, collaborative environment will nurture your professional and personal growth. Join us and take your first step toward a deeply fulfilling career.
Upcoming Online Information Sessions:
How to Apply?
Application Deadlines
Our inaugural cohort is set to be 20 students for Fall 2025 entry. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to receive optimal consideration for both finite seats and financial aid.
Applications are open until:
- March 1 Priority Deadline
- June 1 Final Deadline (as space allows)
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 Terms (academic year 2025–2026)
Tuition
Tuition, based on full-time enrollment, is $22,416 per year.
- There is an administration fee of $1,200
- The residency fee is $1,320.
Scholarships
The Inaugural Royce Stanley Pitkin Scholarship, which covers 20% of tuition, is given to all students in the first class of the master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Bennington College. Pitkin was born June 7, 1901, in Marshfield, Vermont, was an influential educator. He graduated from the University of Vermont in 1923 with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture and went on to earn an M.A. and Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1928 and 1933. Pitkin was deeply influenced by the folk high school concept and progressive education ideas during his time at Columbia. He worked in various teaching and administrative roles before becoming the Director of Goddard Junior College in 1935, later leading the institution through its transition into Goddard College in 1938, where he served as President until his retirement in 1969.
Loans
Federal Graduate loans are pending Dept of Education approval, and students will be notified once that approval is finalized. Nonprofit and for-profit loans are available through the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, the Massachusetts Education Financial Authority, and others. Visit ElmSelect for a comprehensive list of loan providers.
International Students
International students who do not have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency must complete an International Certification of Finances in order to receive a Form I-20 and apply for a F-1 student visa. Once your Certification of Finances has been approved by Financial Aid, and you have submitted the Request for I-20 form, the College will issue your I-20 and you will be asked pay the $350 I-901 SEVIS fee. For more information on the I-901 SEVIS fee, visit the Homeland Security: Study in the States website. After you have your I-20 and pay the SEVIS fee, you can schedule your F-1 visa appointment at your U.S. Embassy or Consulate. For specific instructions, refer to the embassy or consulate’s website.
Because you are applying to a low-residency program, your SEVIS record will be terminated after each session and a new I-20 will be issued for each session. This means you must complete a new Certificate of Finances for each academic year, submit the Request for I-20 form, pay the SEVIS fee, and obtain a visa for each of the five sessions you will attend Bennington. For more information, please contact International Student Services (iss@bennington.edu), the designated school officials (DSOs) at Bennington College
Application Checklist
In addition to the biographical information requested on the online application, you will also be asked to submit the following:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended, showing completion of bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution
- Your resume or CV
- Two letters of recommendation
- A personal statement of approximately 1500 words that describes experiences and goals that you have as it relates to mental health practice, licensure, and research.
- An Interview via Zoom with two faculty members in the program. More information about scheduling this interview will be sent upon submission of your application.
- English Language Proficiency: either a native speaker of English or have been taught fully in English for at least three (3) years or submit an English proficiency test- (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, or PTE Academic)