Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Programs in Kentucky

Kentucky, also known as the bluegrass state, is in the southern United States. Located in the Appalachian mountain range, Kentucky has natural beauty and important American history. According to U.S. News & World Report, Kentucky ranks 39/50 overall for “best states” and has a poverty rate of 16.5%. 

When it comes to mental health, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that 746,000 adults in Kentucky struggle with mental illness, and 40,000 school-aged Kentuckians battle with depression. 

NAMI also reports that 3,204,335 people in Kentucky live in areas that do not have enough mental health professionals to keep up with demand. This is alarming to state leaders because this means a majority of the states 4.512 million people do not have adequate access to care. 

One of the recent ways that Kentucky has been working to improve the inadequacy of the mental health system is by expanding state Medicaid benefits. These benefits would allow more people to be seen and offer more services. Some of the services with this expansion include multisystemic therapy (MST), community mental health centers, and mobile crisis teams. 

As a result of the growing need for mental health counselors in the state and the push to improve conditions, O*Net Online expects an increase in the need for counselors by 26% by 2030. This is higher than the national growth rate of 18%. Many mental health counseling graduate programs in the state are working to increase the number of professionals in Kentucky. 

Kentucky counseling professionals have ample opportunity to work in urban or rural settings. They can also join the Kentucky Counseling Association to network with other professionals statewide.

Master of Counseling Programs in Kentucky

Becoming a counselor in Kentucky involves completing a master’s degree in counseling that is CACREP-accredited. The program must have at least 60 credit hours or 90 quarter credits. Many programs in Kentucky meet this requirement and will fall under the categories of Online Programs, CACREP-Accredited Programs, and No GRE Required Programs.

Online Master of Counseling Programs in Kentucky

There are many benefits to attending an online master of counseling program. Some benefits include the flexibility of courses, continued access to course materials, and the ability to take classes at your own pace. There are three master of counseling programs in Kentucky that can be completed online.

CACREP-Accredited Master of Counseling Programs in Kentucky

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation is becoming an increasingly popular feature of many masters of counseling programs nationwide. Meeting the counseling licensure requirements in most states is a benefit to attending a CACREP-accredited graduate program. There are 10 master of counseling programs in Kentucky that are CACREP-accredited. Due to Kentucky law, all programs must be CACREP-accredited to obtain licensure. All programs on this list are accredited according to Kentucky state law.

Kentucky Online, No GRE & CAREP Accredited Counseling Masters Programs

Specialty	University Name	Degree	City	State	Accreditation	Modality	GRE Required?	Program Length	URL
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Asbury Theological Seminary	M.A.	Wilmore	KY	CACREP	Online & Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling	Asbury Theological Seminary	M.A.	Wilmore	KY	CACREP				Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Eastern Kentucky University	M.A.	Richmond	KY	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	Eastern Kentucky University	M.A.Ed.	Richmond	KY	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Murray State University	Ed.S.	Murray	KY	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Northern Kentucky University	M.S.	Highland Heights	KY	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	1 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	Northern Kentucky University	M.A.	Highland Heights	KY	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	1 Years	School Counseling
Rehabilitation Counseling	University of Kentucky	M.A.	Lexington	KY	CACREP				Rehabilitation Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Kentucky	M.A.	Lexington	KY	CACREP				Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of the Cumberlands	M.A.	Williamsburg	KY	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Addiction Counseling	University of the Cumberlands	M.A.	Williamsburg	KY	CACREP				Addiction Counseling
Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling	Western Kentucky University	M.A.E.	Bowling Green	KY	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Western Kentucky University	M.A.E.	Bowling Green	KY	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE	M.S	Louisville	KY	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	Morehead State University	M.A.	Morehead	KY	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
School Counseling	Spalding University	M.A.		KY	CACREP	Online & Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years	School Counseling

No GRE Required Master of Counseling Programs in Kentucky

The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is a standardized test used to determine the aptitude of potential college admittance. However, many people get anxious about standardized tests or do not want their college admission based on test scores. 

Luckily for those who do not like standardized testing, there are nine master of counseling programs that do not require the GRE in Kentucky. The only program that does require the GRE is at Northern Kentucky University and this program requires it for applicants with an undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0.

Most Affordable Master of Counseling Program in Kentucky

Choosing an affordable master of counseling program is just as important to some people as choosing one that meets the criteria for licensure. Under the Online Programs category, the University of the Cumberlands is the most affordable. The price tag of this program is $449 per credit hour. 

On the other hand, the most affordable master of counseling program under the CACREP-accredited Program category is at Eastern Kentucky University. This program is priced at $541 per credit hour. 

Overall, the University of the Cumberlands offers the most affordable master of counseling program in Kentucky.

Accelerated Master of Counseling Programs in Kentucky

After completing a four-year undergraduate degree or working for many years, the last thing some people want to do is spend a long time in school. While there are not any master of counseling programs in Kentucky that are advertised as “accelerated,” the program at Spalding University can be completed in two years. For comparison, most master of counseling programs that are CACREP-accredited takes two to four years to complete. Therefore, the program at Spalding University is on the lower end of that spectrum.

Required Courses for Licensure in Kentucky

The Kentucky General Assembly requires that all master of counseling programs be CACREP-accredited. Therefore, it is likely the program you attend will meet all licensure course requirements. The following courses are required by the General Assembly to be taken before obtaining licensure: 

• The Helping Relationship
• Human Growth and Development
• Lifestyle and Career Development
• Group Dynamics, Process, Counseling, and Consulting
• Assessment, appraisal, and Testing of Individuals
• Social and Cultural Foundations
• Principles of Etiology, Diagnosis, Treatment Planning, and Prevention of Mental and Emotional Disorders
• Research and Evaluation
• Professional Orientation to Counseling
• Practicum/Internship Experience

Counseling Licensure Requirements in Kentucky

There are two stages of counseling licensure in Kentucky. According to the Kentucky General Assembly, the first stage is the Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) license and the second is the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) license. 

The Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) license is the initial form of licensure one would receive after graduation. One must graduate from an accredited graduate program containing 60 credit hours for this license. 

The next licensure step is the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) license. This is obtained by completing 4,000 hours of experience and 100 hours of supervision. Although not required, the Board recommends counselors obtain 10 hours of counseling in a correctional setting. One must also pass the National Counselor Examination or National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination. Those with this license can practice independently.

Kentucky Counseling FAQs

The Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors lists some frequently asked questions on their site. 

Do I have to submit transcripts when applying for licensure?
Yes. This ensures that all required courses are taken. 

How many continuing education hours are required for licensure renewal?
Ten hours of continuing education hours for each renewal period. Three hours of domestic violence education is required within three years of initial licensure. Six hours of suicide prevention training is required within three years of the initial license and every six years after. Three hours of continuing education on counseling law is also required within three years of the initial license.

How Much Does a Mental Health Counselor Make in Kentucky

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a mental health counselor in Kentucky is $47,060. This is less than the national average of $53,710.

How to Become a School Counselor in Kentucky

School counselors are professionals educated to support students’ overall well-being mentally and in the classroom.  Some of the ways school counselors may encourage students is through individual counseling along with academic and peer support. 

The American School Counselor Association reports those in Kentucky must complete a master’s degree in guidance counseling from an approved program. To obtain provisional licensure, one does not need any work experience. However, one year of teaching or two years of being a school counselor and three to six additional graduate credits are required for standard licensure. Becoming a school counselor in Kentucky does not require passing a standardized exam like in other states.

How Much Does a School Counselor Make in Kentucky

O*Net Online reports the average salary for school counselors in Kentucky is $58,490. This is lower than the national average of $61,710.

How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Kentucky

Substance abuse counselors are professionals who provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to those who are suffering from a substance use disorder. These professionals may work in inpatient, outpatient, and group counseling facilities. 

In Kentucky, the Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors reports the requirements for licensure. There are two types of substance abuse counseling licensure. The first type is the Certifed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC) and the second is the Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LCADC). 

To become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) one must have a bachelor’s degree in any field, a temporary CADC license, and be ready to take the CADC exam. One must also have 2,700 education hours, 6,000 hours of experience, and 300 hours of supervision. 

On the other hand, one must have a master’s degree in behavioral science with a clinical focus to become a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC). Applicants must have 2,000 hours of experience working with people with substance use disorders, 180 classroom hours, and 300 hours of clinical supervision. Those seeking this license must also pass a licensure examination.

How Much Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Make in Kentucky

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a substance abuse counselor in Kentucky is $47,060. This is less than the national average of $53,710.

What Other Career Options Are Available to Those with a Degree in Mental Health Counseling

The skills learned in a Master’s of Counseling program open the door for many positions outside the counseling profession. Some important skills learned in a graduate program and the counseling field include communication, problem-solving, and crises. Positions one can hold with this degree include human resources, governmental social services, education, and non-profit leadership. Many mental health counselors also get into counseling consulting to provide business support and training to other counselors.