Oklahoma City University online mental health counseling frequently asked questions

No. There are no prerequisites or required experiences for the online mental health counseling degree; however, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in any subject to apply.

Students from outside Oklahoma are eligible to apply for the online clinical mental health counseling program at OCU. However, before completing the application, students are encouraged to verify that the OCU program meets the licensure requirements for the state in which they reside or plan to practice.

The online CMHC curriculum meets CACREP standards for core curriculum and the required 600 clock hours of field experience with clients under clinical supervision, however, it is not currently CACREP accredited.

The counseling curriculum is approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors and also approved by the Oklahoma State Board for Behavioral Health.

Yes. OCU’s online M.Ed. in CMHC provides 700 clock hours of field experience with clients under clinical supervision. CACREP requires 600 clock hours.

Yes. Students can apply for financial aid via the FAFSA portal. In addition to federal financial aid, this list is made up specifically of scholarships for counseling students.

It’s recommended that students complete the counseling program through full-time enrollment. However, the program offers three different pacing options (two years full-time, three years blended, and four years part-time) to allow for flexibility to suit individual students’ needs.

Yes, students may transfer up to 6 qualifying graduate credits from accredited schools to OCU’s online counseling program.

Enrolled in the full-time completion option, it typically takes two years to complete the online counseling degree.

The majority of OCU’s counseling curriculum is made up of asynchronous online counseling courses and students are not required to join class at a specific time. However, several courses that include labs require students to meet with each other at a set time but can be completed online.

*The following courses include synchronous skills labs in counseling:

• COUN 5563: Family/Group Interventions (3 credit hours)
• COUN 5714: Evidence-Based Counseling Theories (4 credit hours)
• COUN 6713: Advanced Evidence-Based Techniques (3 credit hours)

No. Outside of the internship and practicum experiences, counseling coursework can be completed online.

The typical online counseling coursework hours required for the master’s program will vary based on course assignments and readings.

• Full-time students should estimate 28-34 hours per week
• Part-time students should estimate 15-20 hours per week
• All students should plan on 12-15 hours per week for mental health counseling internships and/or practicum projects

Microsoft Teams is the primary technology used in the online counseling program.

OCU’s online counseling labs are conducted online, offering flexibility to schedule sessions with lab partners at convenient times, and allow for recording, review, and feedback.

Yes, counseling students can gain real-world experience through the practicum and internship requirements. The practicum is a field experience in professional counseling whereby students provide introductory counseling services in a mental health clinic, counseling center, or other human services agency.

The internship is an advanced field experience whereby students provide face-to-face intervention with clients under the guidance of an on-site supervisor. Students will complete 700 total hours of field experience between the practicum and internship courses.

No, students are responsible for locating their own internship opportunities.

Yes, there are some paid internships in counseling; however, not all internships are paid.

The online mental health counseling degree emphasizes the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies set by the ACA, encouraging students to expand their cultural competency and advocate for vulnerable populations.

The OCU online counseling program offers extensive licensure preparation in mental health counseling but can’t guarantee licensure for graduates.

The online CMHC curriculum meets the Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure’s requirements for specific core courses and satisfies the required 300 clock hours of field experience with clients under clinical supervision. Additionally, OCU’s counseling program is listed on the Behavioral Board's site as a pre-approved program.

OCU also prepares students for the NCE exam required to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and assists them in registering for the exam.

Visit the National Board of Certified Counselors website to find your state’s board of counseling where you can find the specific requirements for licensure where you plan to work.

Support services for online counseling students include most on-campus resources like technology services and mental health services.* Students also can schedule in-person meetings with faculty or other students on campus.

*Due to licensing restrictions, OCU counselors can only provide mental health counseling to students located in-state in Oklahoma.

Career services for counseling graduates are offered by OCU’s Office of Career Services. The office can assist with finding and obtaining professional roles in a variety of ways including:

• Resume review
• Building your professional image
• Interview preparation
• Finding relevant events and conferences