Entry Level Mental Health Counseling Jobs
New grad mental health counseling jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship placements or a supervised practicum can matter more than a long resume. Most openings include on-site and hybrid roles across Education, Healthcare & Medical Services, and Science & Research, with employers like LifeStance Health, Manhattan University, and California State University, Long Beach hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 50+ Entry Level Mental Health Counseling jobs
Position Summary
University of Detroit Mercy Department Counseling program invites applications for a tenure-track position at the assistant or associate professor rank in our nationally-recognized Counseling program to begin August, 2026. The Counseling program offers Master's programs with specialties in Addiction, Clinical Mental Health, and School Counseling, and a doctoral program to be launched in Fall, 2027. Responsibilities include teaching core courses in the Counseling program, engaging in research and scholarly activities, student advising, curriculum oversight, and providing an array of service activities. Teaching is exclusively and intentionally face-to-face, delivered in our campus-based counseling program in the heart of the city of Detroit. The Counseling program also operates a completely no-cost Counseling Clinic to serve the mental and behavioral health needs of the public while also operating as a teaching Clinic.
Typical teaching load includes nine credit hours per semester with a nine-month appointment. Supplemental summer appointments in teaching are also available.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Counseling from a CACREP-accredited program within a non-profit, traditional academic institution;
- Master's degree in Counseling from a CACREP-accredited program from a non-profit, traditional academic institution;
- Clinical practice experience;
- Licensed Professional Counselor/equivalent and/or ability to attain full licensure in Michigan;
- Potential for or record of successful teaching;
- Potential for or record of scholarly productivity;
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice and advocacy.
Preferred Qualifications
- Significant counseling experience excluding practicum and internship;
- Record of peer-reviewed publication(s) and/or other scholarly publishing;
- Experience working in an urban environment and/or experience with marginalized individuals.
Physical Requirements
The job may require lifting lightweight objects (1 to 15 pounds) with no repetitive bending or stooping.
Work Environment
Regular exposure to a standard office and classroom conditions.
Salary/Pay Information
Rank and salary will be commensurate with experience. The university has excellent benefits including medical and dental insurance, retirement plan with match and tuition benefits for employees and their dependents.
Anticipated Schedule
Schedule subject to change pending semester workload.
Additional Information
Consideration of Associate Professor Rank:
To be considered for the rank of Associate Professor, applicants must currently hold the rank of Associate Professor. Such applications will be evaluated consistent with department, college, and university criteria for Associate Professor rank that include but are not limited to demonstrated excellence in teaching, a strong record of scholarship, and a record of service at various levels within the University and to the profession.
Applications should include:
- Current CV
- Names and contact information of 4 references.
- A letter of interest indicating one's qualifications for the position.
Applications are due June 20, 2026, and review of applications will begin immediately until the position is filled. Please direct any questions about the position to Dr. Nancy Calleja, Department Chair, at calleyng@udmercy.edu
Req Benefits:
At the University of Detroit Mercy we continually strive to provide a high-quality, comprehensive benefits package to our valued employees. We offer our employees the following:
Medical
- Three health plans to choose from with a large national provider network
Dental
- Option to purchase additional dental plan through Sun Life
- Dental Care is available at the School of Dentistry to the employee, the employee's spouse or legally domiciled adult and dependents (dependents shall be as defined for Internal Revenue Service purposes).
- The fee for such services shall be waived for the employee, the employee's spouse or legally domiciled adult and dependents, up to a cap of $3,000 per individual per calendar year. Beyond the $3,000 cap amount, employees will be responsible to pay 25% of any remaining fees for the balance of that year.
Vision
- Option to purchase additional vision plan through Heritage
- Vision benefits available at Detroit Mercy Eye Institute
- $35 Comprehensive Eye Exam
- Contact Lens Exam starting at $7o
- 50% off Optical Frames
- 25% off Sun Frames
- 30% off Prescription Lenses
- 20% off Prescription Contact Lenses
- *Cannot be combined with insurance*
Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options
Employee Assistance Program
- Provided to everyone in your household
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
Life and AD&D
- One times base salary up to a hundred thousand dollars
Option to purchase additional life insurance, accident insurance, and/or critical illness insurance
Tuition Remission Benefit for you, your spouse, and children
Retirement Plan
- Employees have a choice of the following: Employees who contribute 3% shall receive an Employer contribution of 6%, and employees who contribute 4% in the plan shall receive an Employer contribution of 8%.
Michigan's largest, most comprehensive private University, University of Detroit Mercy is an independent Catholic institution of higher education sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and Society of Jesus. Detroit Mercy seeks qualified candidates who will contribute to the University's mission, diversity, and excellence of its academic community. University of Detroit Mercy is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer with a diverse student body and welcomes persons of all backgrounds.
Compensation: Commensurate with experience
Position Summary
University of Detroit Mercy Department Counseling program invites applications for a tenure-track position at the assistant or associate professor rank in our nationally-recognized Counseling program to begin August, 2026. The Counseling program offers Master's programs with specialties in Addiction, Clinical Mental Health, and School Counseling, and a doctoral program to be launched in Fall, 2027. Responsibilities include teaching core courses in the Counseling program, engaging in research and scholarly activities, student advising, curriculum oversight, and providing an array of service activities. Teaching is exclusively and intentionally face-to-face, delivered in our campus-based counseling program in the heart of the city of Detroit. The Counseling program also operates a completely no-cost Counseling Clinic to serve the mental and behavioral health needs of the public while also operating as a teaching Clinic.
Typical teaching load includes nine credit hours per semester with a nine-month appointment. Supplemental summer appointments in teaching are also available.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Counseling from a CACREP-accredited program within a non-profit, traditional academic institution;
- Master's degree in Counseling from a CACREP-accredited program from a non-profit, traditional academic institution;
- Clinical practice experience;
- Licensed Professional Counselor/equivalent and/or ability to attain full licensure in Michigan;
- Potential for or record of successful teaching;
- Potential for or record of scholarly productivity;
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice and advocacy.
Preferred Qualifications
- Significant counseling experience excluding practicum and internship;
- Record of peer-reviewed publication(s) and/or other scholarly publishing;
- Experience working in an urban environment and/or experience with marginalized individuals.
Physical Requirements
The job may require lifting lightweight objects (1 to 15 pounds) with no repetitive bending or stooping.
Work Environment
Regular exposure to a standard office and classroom conditions.
Salary/Pay Information
Rank and salary will be commensurate with experience. The university has excellent benefits including medical and dental insurance, retirement plan with match and tuition benefits for employees and their dependents.
Anticipated Schedule
Schedule subject to change pending semester workload.
Additional Information
Consideration of Associate Professor Rank:
To be considered for the rank of Associate Professor, applicants must currently hold the rank of Associate Professor. Such applications will be evaluated consistent with department, college, and university criteria for Associate Professor rank that include but are not limited to demonstrated excellence in teaching, a strong record of scholarship, and a record of service at various levels within the University and to the profession.
Applications should include:
- Current CV
- Names and contact information of 4 references.
- A letter of interest indicating one's qualifications for the position.
Applications are due June 20, 2026, and review of applications will begin immediately until the position is filled. Please direct any questions about the position to Dr. Nancy Calleja, Department Chair, at calleyng@udmercy.edu
Req Benefits:
At the University of Detroit Mercy we continually strive to provide a high-quality, comprehensive benefits package to our valued employees. We offer our employees the following:
Medical
- Three health plans to choose from with a large national provider network
Dental
- Option to purchase additional dental plan through Sun Life
- Dental Care is available at the School of Dentistry to the employee, the employee's spouse or legally domiciled adult and dependents (dependents shall be as defined for Internal Revenue Service purposes).
- The fee for such services shall be waived for the employee, the employee's spouse or legally domiciled adult and dependents, up to a cap of $3,000 per individual per calendar year. Beyond the $3,000 cap amount, employees will be responsible to pay 25% of any remaining fees for the balance of that year.
Vision
- Option to purchase additional vision plan through Heritage
- Vision benefits available at Detroit Mercy Eye Institute
- $35 Comprehensive Eye Exam
- Contact Lens Exam starting at $7o
- 50% off Optical Frames
- 25% off Sun Frames
- 30% off Prescription Lenses
- 20% off Prescription Contact Lenses
- *Cannot be combined with insurance*
Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options
Employee Assistance Program
- Provided to everyone in your household
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
Life and AD&D
- One times base salary up to a hundred thousand dollars
Option to purchase additional life insurance, accident insurance, and/or critical illness insurance
Tuition Remission Benefit for you, your spouse, and children
Retirement Plan
- Employees have a choice of the following: Employees who contribute 3% shall receive an Employer contribution of 6%, and employees who contribute 4% in the plan shall receive an Employer contribution of 8%.
Michigan's largest, most comprehensive private University, University of Detroit Mercy is an independent Catholic institution of higher education sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and Society of Jesus. Detroit Mercy seeks qualified candidates who will contribute to the University's mission, diversity, and excellence of its academic community. University of Detroit Mercy is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer with a diverse student body and welcomes persons of all backgrounds.
Compensation: Commensurate with experience
See All 50 Entry Level Mental Health Counseling Jobs
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Find JobsEntry Level Mental Health Counseling Job Market
Who's Hiring
- LifeStance Health4
- Manhattan University4
- California State University, Long Beach4
- Palm Beach Atlantic University3
- Rider University2
Top Industries Hiring
- Education41
- Healthcare & Medical Services9
- Science & Research1
- Agriculture & Farming1
- Non-Profit & Social Services1
Entry Level Mental Health Counseling Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level mental health counseling job?
Employers hiring at this level look for completed or in-progress licensure requirements, supervised clinical hours, and any practicum or internship experience. A clear focus area, such as adolescents, substance use, or community mental health, helps you stand out. Tailoring your application to the population each employer serves, and emphasizing hours logged under supervision, gives entry level candidates a concrete edge over candidates with generic applications.
Which companies hire entry level mental health counselings?
Companies hiring entry level mental health counselings right now include LifeStance Health, Manhattan University, and California State University, Long Beach, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. At this level, community mental health centers, nonprofit behavioral health agencies, school districts, and outpatient group practices are among the most consistent sources of entry level openings.
Are there remote entry level mental health counseling jobs?
Yes, though most remote roles at this level require a temporary or full licensure in the state where clients are located. About 31% of entry level mental health counseling openings are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, with telehealth platforms and multi-state behavioral health groups driving the majority of those flexible postings for new counselors.
Are these new grad mental health counseling jobs?
Yes. The listings here include new grad, recent graduate, and junior mental health counseling roles. A posting is typically new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, counts supervised practicum or internship hours toward requirements, or explicitly states that candidates working toward licensure are encouraged to apply. Searching for those signals in the job description helps new grad applicants identify the right openings quickly.
Which industries hire the most entry level mental health counselings?
Entry Level mental health counseling roles concentrate in Education, Healthcare & Medical Services, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Those sectors drive the most entry level demand because they carry ongoing federal and state funding mandates for behavioral health services, which keeps hiring active even for candidates still completing licensure hours.