MARIETTA, Ohio, Aug. 19, 2026 — Marietta College has received grant funding through the Ohio Behavioral Health Scholarship Program (OBHS) to provide 10 full-tuition scholarships to Ohio residents enrolling in its new Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, with the inaugural cohort beginning in January 2027. An additional 10 scholarships, each covering one year of tuition, will be available for the Fall 2027 cohort.
Launched by the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health and Ohio Department of Higher Education, the OBHS Program is a new $18 million initiative designed to increase access to care in rural and underserved communities. It does so by supporting students pursuing behavioral health degrees in Ohio, strengthening the statewide behavioral health workforce, and helping to address critical shortages in mental health and substance use treatment fields.
Through the program, eligible students in Spring 2027 may receive $15,000 of tuition per year across two years, while Fall 2027 students may receive the same funding covering one year of study. Marietta College will provide matching aid to ensure tuition and general fees are fully covered.
The new program will be led by Elisabeth B. Simpson, Ph.D., who brings experience as a counselor educator and practitioner.
“Ohio communities continue to face a significant shortage of clinical mental health professionals, particularly in rural and underserved areas,” Simpson said. “These scholarships provide students with the opportunity to pursue their calling without the burden of tuition costs. It will allow them to focus on developing the knowledge, skills, and clinical experience needed to serve the state of Ohio long-term.”
Marietta’s online, low-residency program gives students a flexible pathway into the profession while allowing them to remain in their communities. Students complete their coursework online and participate in two brief, immersive on-campus residencies during the program, where they engage in community-based learning, build professional networks and work closely with faculty and classmates. Through clinical experiences with agencies and facilities, students will develop foundational knowledge, therapeutic skills and cultural competence while preparing to serve diverse populations across all developmental stages.
“The growing need for behavioral health professionals in rural Ohio is one of the most pressing challenges facing our communities today. Through the Ohio Behavioral Health Scholarship Program, Marietta College has a unique opportunity to help meet that challenge by educating future counselors who will provide critical services where they are needed most,” said Ryan May, Ph.D., associate provost for graduate education and McCoy Professor of Psychology. “This investment not only removes financial barriers for students but also expands access to mental health care for Ohioans. We are honored to partner with the State of Ohio in helping to build a stronger, healthier future for our communities.”
Scholarship recipients must commit to working in an eligible underserved Ohio community for a period equal to the number of years they receive scholarship support. The requirement is part of the state’s effort to encourage graduates to remain in Ohio and serve communities with high behavioral health workforce needs.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors is projected to grow 17% from 2024 to 2034, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. Ohio also ranks among the states with the highest employment levels for mental health counselors.
Marietta’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a two-year, 60-credit-hour graduate program that prepares graduates for state licensure. Near the end of the program, students complete an internship practicum as part of their clinical preparation. The program is currently accepting applications for the January 2027 term. Scholarship applications will open Oct. 1, with applications due Nov. 1.
To learn more about Marietta College’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and scholarship opportunities, visit marietta.edu/counseling or contact Dr. Elisabeth Simpson at ebs004@marietta.edu.
About Marietta College
Located in Marietta, Ohio, at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, Marietta College is a four-year liberal arts college with a strong focus on experiential learning, leadership, and service. Chartered in 1835, the College serves approximately 1,000 full-time undergraduate and graduate students, fostering the confidence, optimism and opportunity needed to build meaningful careers and lives of purpose. Marietta College is consistently recognized among top regional colleges by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes.com, Wall Street Journal/College Pulse and other rankings. marietta.edu/rankings-success.
Media Contact:
Chasity Anderson
Marketing & Public Relations Specialist: Copywriter/Editor
304.210.1464
ca002@marietta.edu
Media Contact:
Chasity Anderson
Marketing & Public Relations Specialist: Copywriter/Editor
304.210.1464
ca002@marietta.edu