Master of Arts in Mental Health | MA.MH
Degree
- MA (Master of Arts)
Program Type
- Coursework
Delivery
- Online
Entry Terms & Deadlines
- Fall (September): June 15
- Winter (January): October 15
Duration
- Full Time: 12 months
- Part Time: 24 months
Upgrade your career with a master's degree that makes a difference
The Master of Arts in Mental Health is a fully online program designed to give you the best non-clinical mental health training possible in Ontario.
If you're a professional in a field such as teaching, human resources, social work, policing, or nursing, this course-based master's degree is a flexible pathway for you to upgrade or enhance your education so you can address our society's growing demand for mental health support through your existing or future career.
The Master of Arts in Mental Health (MA.MH) does not provide the clinical training necessary to begin a career in psychotherapy. If you're interested in practicing psychotherapy, check out our immersive clinical training programs, the Master of Relational and Family Therapy and the Master of Psychotherapy.
- Completely Online Degree
- Complete your degree anywhere with 100% online delivery
- One of a Kind
- The only non-clinical program in Canada with a systemic relational influence
- Create Meaningful Impact
- Graduate prepared to shape workplace policies or advance social policy
Program Webinar
Interested in applying to the Master of Arts in Mental Health?
Check out our program webinar, in which we review the details of the program, go over what to expect during the application process, and answer your questions!
Recorded August 6, 2026.
Foundations of Mental Health
Our societal landscape is shifting to place greater emphasis on understanding mental health as a distinct yet integral part of a person's overall physical health and wellbeing.
In response, the Master of Arts in Mental Health will provide you with practical knowledge of mental health to take back and apply to your existing or future career path. Infused with systemic thinking and equity, diversity and inclusion, the program will teach you to consider mental health in the context of relationships and broader social systems.
You'll be able to use the ideas learned in the program to influence or shape workplace or social policies or develop programing related to improving mental health within the workplace and community.
The Master of Arts in Mental Health Program Timeline
The MA.MH is a self-directed program, meaning you can complete courses at your own pace and pay tuition on a per-course basis.
Students begin with Foundations and Research in Mental Health and finish with the Transitions in Mental Health Capstone course. All other courses may be taken in any order.
All courses are delivered online and include scheduled virtual classes. Classes are currently offered in the evening, starting at 6 PM or 7 PM, eastern time.
The core courses you'll take in the program are:
- Foundations and Research in Mental Health
- Culture, Identity and Mental Health
- Intentional Communication Skills
- Exploring Human Health and Wellness
- Transitions in Mental Health Capstone
Visit the Graduate Calendar for more information on the program courses.
Meet the Faculty
Kevin VanDerZwet Stafford has over 30 years of experience as a practicing clinician, educator, and advocate for the profession of psychotherapy. Today, he is the Co-Director of the Maplewoods Centre for Family Therapy and Child Psychology.
Rana Khan specializes in how cultural differences impact individuals, relationships and families. He teaches and mentors students as a clinical instructor and supervisor at the Maplewoods Centre for Family Therapy and Child Psychology.
Dr. Robin R. Milhausen has appeared extensively in the media as an expert in sexual and relationship satisfaction. More recently, she has been studying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on long-term couple relationships.
Dr. Orion Neustifter is a researcher, intimacy coach, and anti-oppression trainer. They use decolonizing approaches to study relational mental health, diverse genders and sexualities, and relational impacts of trauma.
Dr. Tuuli M. Kukkonen is an expert in the field of sexual psychophysiology. Her research focuses on the interaction between biological and psychosocial factors involved in sexual health, and aging and sexual health.
Emma Turner has extensive experience working with clients of all ages as a Registered Psychotherapist. She teaches and mentors graduate students as the Manager of Clinical Supervision in couple and family therapy at Maplewoods.
Dr. John Beaton has been training graduate students to be therapists for over 15 years. His research and clinical interests focus on men's health and fatherhood, and families with children with disabilities and chronic health conditions.
Applying to the Master of Arts in Mental Health
Guaranteed Admission Pathway for U of G Students
The Master of Arts in Mental Health program is proud to offer guaranteed admission to eligible University of Guelph and University of Guelph-Humber students.
This pathway reserves spots in the MA.MH program for students who have graduated from one of the following programs with an average of 75% or higher in the last two years of study and who have received a minimum of 70% in a research methods course:
University of Guelph
- Bachelor of Applied Science (any major)
- Anthropology
- Criminal Justice and Public Policy
- International Development Studies
- Psychology
- Sociology
University of Guelph-Humber
- Community Social Services/Social Services and Wellbeing Studies
- Psychology
Deadlines
- Winter 2027 Entry: Apply by October 1, 2026
- Fall 2027 Entry: Apply by June 1, 2027
If You Meet the Criteria
- The application fee will be reimbursed after you start the program
- You do not need to include references, your resume, or a Letter of Interest in your application
Clinical Training Programs
Master of Relational and Family Therapy
The Master of Relational and Family Therapy program is rooted in the practice of relational and systemic psychotherapy, where therapists work with a client in the context of their many relationships and broader social systems.
Master of Psychotherapy
The Master of Psychotherapy program has a more traditional psychotherapy focus. Students complete two in-person practica at the Maplewoods Centre and a one-year externship, gaining direct clinical experience in a placement with a community-based service provider.