Nichols College launches flexible master’s in mental health counseling to address regional shortages and fast-track careers

DUDLEY, Mass. – Nichols College has expanded its graduate programs, adding a new Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling (MHC) degree. The program will prepare students for careers as licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs) in a range of settings spanning hospitals, community agencies, school-based counseling offices and private practice. The first cohort of students will begin the program this fall.

The MHC program meets educational requirements for LMHC licensure in Massachusetts. Through a practice-first, experiential learning model, students will learn to address everyday challenges, from stress and anxiety to relationship and workplace issues, while building a strong pathway toward licensure. The program was developed to align with Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) standards, the primary accrediting body for master’s and doctoral counseling degrees in the United States.

“The Nichols program is designed to meet the growing need for compassionate and competent licensed mental health counselors within Massachusetts, throughout New England and beyond,” said Michelle Ledoux, Ed.D., LMHC, the inaugural director of the MHC program. “Our program stands out because we prepare students as generalist counselors—professionals equipped to work across a wide range of client needs and settings. This broad-based foundation reflects both workforce realities and client needs. It also ensures our students are positioned to pursue specialized certifications and advanced training as their careers evolve.”

The 60-credit program can be completed in three years and is delivered in a flexible, hybrid format. This structure includes synchronous online classes in both 7- and 15-week terms, as well as in-person experiential learning, internships and practicums. Courses that emphasize applied counseling skills, such as group counseling and crisis interventions, will be taught in person to support real-time interaction, skill practice and immediate feedback. Other courses, including those focused on foundational knowledge such as assessment and measurement, are well suited to an online environment.

This hybrid approach allows Nichols to maintain a high-touch, practice-oriented learning experience while providing the flexibility students need to balance graduate study with professional and personal commitments.

All MHC students will also complete a required practicum and internship that fulfills Massachusetts licensure standards for clinical training. This practical, hands-on experience aligns closely with the College’s undergraduate academic priorities, as 100% of Nichols undergraduates complete an internship and a research, experiential or consulting project.

“The new MHC program reflects our institution’s enduring commitment to offering relevant, in-demand academic programs that prepare students for meaningful and successful careers,” said Interim Provost Jean Beaupre, Ed.D. “Graduates of the Nichols MHC program will be equipped to make immediate contributions in a field facing critical shortages, and where versatile, well-trained counselors are needed most.”

Nichols undergraduates enrolled in the College’s accelerated master’s program may begin work toward the MHC degree in their senior year and complete the MHC program in two and a half additional years. This accelerated pathway saves on tuition and enables graduates to launch their careers sooner. Nichols also currently offers accelerated master’s programs in business administration (MBA), accounting (MSA), counterterrorism (MSC) and organizational leadership (MSOL).

Applications are open for fall 2027. To learn more, visit: graduate.nichols.edu.