Master of Arts in Mental Health
Upgrade your career with a master's degree that makes a difference
The Master of Arts in Mental Health (MA.MH) is a fully online program at the University of Guelph 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 does not provide the clinical training necessary to begin a career in psychotherapy. If you're interested in practicing psychotherapy and registering with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), 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
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
- Full-time option: Delivered over three consecutive semesters from September to August.
- Part-time option: The program can be taken on a part-time basis over a longer time period for added flexibility.
The MA.MH is a course-based graduate degree. You will start the program with Foundations and Research in Mental Health and finish with a Transitions in Mental Health Capstone course. The other courses can be taken in any order.
All courses are delivered online – your class will meet virtually at scheduled times to learn together. Courses are currently offered in the evenings, 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
Meet the Faculty
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 the University of Guelph's Bachelor of Applied Science program or the University of Guelph-Humber's Psychology or Community Social Services/Social Services and Wellbeing Studies 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.
If you meet the guaranteed admission 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
Apply for the Guaranteed Admission Pathway by December 18, 2025.
Applying to the Master of Arts in Mental Health
Program Webinar | Fall 2026 Entry
Interested in applying to the Master of Arts in Mental Health?
Check out our recent webinar, in which we review the details the program, go over what to expect during the application process, and answer your questions! Recorded July 28, 2025.
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.
Get in Touch
Questions about the Master of Arts in Mental Health program? Contact:
Shauna Porter
Graduate Program Assistant
Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition
Email: mamh@uoguelph.ca