Our country is in the midst of a mental health crisis. With an estimated living with mental illness, to (ages 12-17) of youth reporting suffering at least one major depressive episode in 2024, it’s clear that the need for mental health support has never been greater.
Yet, the reports that 77% of U.S. counties are facing critical shortages of behavioral health professionals. Additionally, according to , as of 2025 demand for these roles has exceeded an estimated 60,000, resulting in a shortage of more than 15,000 professionals.
Fortunately, in recent years, perceptions of mental health have begun to shift, and awareness has grown regarding its importance and the effectiveness of quality counseling in supporting it.
“The need for qualified counselors has always existed, but in recent years, both awareness and demand have grown substantially,” says Dr. Shawn Burton, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. “More than ever, students see counseling as a meaningful, impactful, and sustainable profession where they can truly make a difference in people’s lives.”
Building on a History of Quality Counseling Education
Given this increased interest and demand for quality counseling education, in the Fall of 2022, 鶹 launched its online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Attracting students from across the country, this CACREP-accredited offering has become one of the fastest growing in the graduate school.
What’s more impressive is that every student from the first cohort of the program recently passed the National Counseling Examination, a key requirement for those seeking to become Licensed Professional Counselors in their state.
This achievement is in no small part due to the longstanding strength of the graduate Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at John Carroll—a program that earned its accreditation in April of 1997. Since then, thousands of graduates have made a difference worldwide, working in psychiatric hospitals, community mental health centers, prisons, and schools. Others have pursued doctoral degrees, becoming practitioners, educators, researchers, and authors, further shaping the field of counseling.
Martina Moore, Associate Professor and Chair of the Counseling Department at John Carroll, attributes the program’s strong reputation to the impact its graduates have made in the field. Their success has not only reinforced the program’s excellence but also created a lasting demand for JCU-trained counselors.
“We’re recognized as an excellent counseling department because of the thousands of counselors we have produced that have gone back into the field and made a difference,” said Moore. “I get calls every day from people in the field wanting to know if I have any alumni or students who are looking for positions because they know we produce great counselors for the field—not just here in Ohio but nationwide.”
A Counseling Program Focused on Community, Hands-On Learning, and Career Readiness
Jessica Klimkowski ’26 knew that John Carroll’s online Clinical Mental Health Counseling program was for her when she learned about its strong emphasis on cultural competency, social justice advocacy, and its commitment to recruiting and retaining students and faculty from diverse backgrounds.
“I wanted a program that didn’t just teach counseling techniques, but also fostered a deep understanding of systemic issues and how they impact mental health,” Klimkowski said.
Additionally, Klimkowski was attracted to the program’s two on-campus residency experiences that give students the opportunity to practice essential counseling skills face-to-face with faculty and peers, helping them integrate their learning in a more concrete way.
“The residency experience was one of the highlights of my time in the program,” Klimkowski said. “It provided an incredible opportunity to practice interpersonal skills, refine techniques, and build meaningful connections with faculty and peers.”
For Cody Arnett ’25, a current student in the program, the cohort model and the opportunity to learn alongside a supportive group of peers have been among his favorite aspects of the experience.
“The cohort structure has allowed me to build strong connections and lasting friendships with my peers, creating a true sense of community,” Arnett said. “The smaller class sizes further enhance that experience, making discussions more engaging and personalized. Overall, it has been an outstanding experience, and I’m grateful to be part of such a supportive learning environment.”
Additional features of the program that make it attractive to prospective students include:
- Substance Use Disorder Concentration- Students can specialize in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) without needing to take a separate exam for the Licensed Independent ChemicalDependency Counselor (LICDC) license upon graduation. By completing specialized electives within this concentration, students graduate with dual licensure—a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license and an LICDC license.
- Accelerated & Structured Pathway -The program follows a streamlined, accelerated format, with coursework mapped out in advance. This structured approach removes scheduling guesswork, allowing students to focus fully on their learning.
- Flexible Format for Working Professionals- Designed with busy professionals in mind, the program offers evening classes and synchronous options, making it possible to balance education with work and personal commitments.
- Exceptional Field Experience- Practicum and internship placements provide valuable real-world experience—many students secure job offers at their internship sites. Some placements even offer paid opportunities, a rare advantage in the counseling field.
- Commitment to Diversity & Multicultural Competence- With a strong emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence, the program ensures graduates are well-prepared to serve clients fromall backgrounds with sensitivity and professionalism.
- Global Experience in Vietnam- Students gain hands-on multicultural experience through our unique third residency option—traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to apply the global competencies developed within the program.
Becoming A Part of the Solution
While the human and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was undeniably devastating, one silver lining was its profound shift in public perception of mental health—both in its critical importance and the widespread lack of access to mental health services across the country.
In response, spending on mental health services surged by 53% from March 2020 to August 2022, according to a . During that same period, the utilization of mental health services rose by 39%.
Driven by the rise of telehealth and virtual care, this growing demand has led the to project an 18% increase in employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 42,000 job openings per year.
Moore views this critical time as an opportunity for students who are interested in our country’s growing need for mental health services to be a part of the solution.
“In the past, much of our population avoided discussions about mental health,” Moore said. “But now, with growing national awareness of its importance, I’m proud that John Carroll has made our renowned graduate counseling education more accessible and flexible than ever through our new online program—helping to be part of the solution.”
With recent national rankings from the Wall Street Journal and U.S. News & World Report placing John Carroll among the top 7% of all four-year institutions nationwide, prospective students of this program can feel confident that their experience will be of the highest quality, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to thrive.
For Klimkowski, the experience has been transformative.
“The program challenges you but in the best way possible,” she said. “If you enter with an open heart and mind, a willingness to grow, and a little bit of self-compassion, it will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life."
For more information about JCU's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, .