Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Programs in Connecticut

Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the third smallest state by area, but the fourth most densely populated state. While much of the state comprises many commuters to New York City and Boston, Connecticut has many great cities and attractions. 

When looking at the top states for mental health care, Connecticut ranks fourth just behind Vermont, Montana, and Illinois. This high ranking is partly due to state efforts to improve mental health care access and the state’s ranking as one of the wealthiest in the Union. 

Despite efforts to improve access to mental health care and the state’s high rankings, Connecticut still struggles with a mental health crisis that is plaguing much of the Nation. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 531,000 adults and 40,000 youth struggle with mental health issues. The report also mentions that 1,122,563 people live in parts of the state that do not have adequate access to mental health care. 

Although mental health care in Connecticut may be better than most of the country, there is still a growing need for mental health counselors to fill in the gaps in care. According to O*Net Online, the number of job openings for mental health counselors in Connecticut is expected to grow by 20% by 2030. 

Those seeking to become mental health counselors in Connecticut have ample opportunities for education and future employment. Counselors in the state can join the Connecticut Counseling Association to network.

Master of Counseling Programs in Connecticut

Becoming a mental health counselor in Connecticut requires a master’s or doctoral degree in clinical mental health counseling from a regionally accredited university. The program must be at least 60 credit hours and meet all course requirements. Many programs in Connecticut meet these criteria and will be organized in this article based on Online Program availability, CACREP accreditation, and whether the program requires the GRE for admittance.

Online Master of Mental Health Counseling Programs in Connecticut

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 mental health counseling programs offered online in Connecticut. The following programs are offered online:

CACREP-Accredited Master of Counseling Programs in Connecticut

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 seven master of mental health counseling programs in Connecticut that are CACREP-accredited. Two of the CACREP-accredited programs in Connecticut are also offered online. The rest are as follows:

Connecticut Online, No GRE & CAREP Accredited Counseling Masters Programs

Specialty	University Name	Degree	City	State	Accreditation	Modality	GRE Required?	Program Length	URL
School Counseling	Central Connecticut State University	M.S.	New Britain	CT	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years	School Counseling
School Counseling	Central Connecticut State University	M.S.	New Britain	CT	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling	Central Connecticut State University	M.S.	New Britain	CT	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling	Central Connecticut State University	M.S.	New Britain	CT	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
School Counseling	Fairfield University	M.A.	Fairfield	CT	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2.5 Year	School Counseling
School Counseling	Fairfield University	M.A.	Fairfield	CT	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2.5 Year	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Fairfield University	M.A.	Fairfield	CT	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Fairfield University	M.A.	Fairfield	CT	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Southern Connecticut State University	M.S.	New Haven	CT	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Southern Connecticut State University	M.S.	New Haven	CT	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	Southern Connecticut State University	M.S.	New Haven	CT	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
School Counseling	Southern Connecticut State University	M.S.	New Haven	CT	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Bridgeport	M.S.	Bridgeport	CT	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Bridgeport	M.S.	Bridgeport	CT	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	University of Connecticut	M.A.	Storrs	CT	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
School Counseling	University of Connecticut	M.A.	Storrs	CT	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Saint Joseph	M.A.	West Hartford	CT	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	2.5 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Saint Joseph	M.A.	West Hartford	CT	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	2.5 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	University of Saint Joseph	M.A.	West Hartford	CT	CACREP	Online & Campus	No GRE Required	60 credit hours	School Counseling
School Counseling	University of Saint Joseph	M.A.	West Hartford	CT	CACREP	Online & Campus	No GRE Required	60 credit hours	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Western Connecticut State University	M.S.	Danbury	CT	CACREP	Campus			Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Western Connecticut State University	M.S.	Danbury	CT	CACREP	Campus			Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	Western Connecticut State University	M.S.	Danbury	CT	CACREP				School Counseling
School Counseling	Western Connecticut State University	M.S.	Danbury	CT	CACREP				School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of New Haven	M.A.	West Haven	CT	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	60 credit hours	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of New Haven	M.A.	West Haven	CT	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	60 credit hours	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Bridgeport	M.S	Bridgeport	CT	CACREP	not mentioned	No GRE Required	60 credit hours	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Bridgeport	M.S	Bridgeport	CT	CACREP	not mentioned	No GRE Required	60 credit hours	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Counseling	Albertus Magnus College	M.S.	New Haven	CT	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	60 credit hours	Clinical Counseling
Clinical Counseling	Albertus Magnus College	M.S.	New Haven	CT	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	60 credit hours	Clinical Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Sacred Heart University	M.A.	Fairfield	CT	CACREP	Online & Campus	No GRE Required	60 credit hours	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Sacred Heart University	M.A.	Fairfield	CT	CACREP	Online & Campus	No GRE Required	60 credit hours	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Counselor Education and Family Therapy	Central Connecticut State University		New Britain	CT	CACREP	Campus			Counselor Education and Family Therapy
Counselor Education and Family Therapy	Central Connecticut State University		New Britain	CT	CACREP	Campus			Counselor Education and Family Therapy
Mental Health Counseling Concentration	Eastern Connecticut State University		Willimantic	CT	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required		Mental Health Counseling Concentration

No GRE Required Master of Counseling Programs in Connecticut

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. 

Recently, programs have started to recognize that low scores on the GRE do not necessarily mean someone would not do well in their program. That is why many programs waive the requirement to take the GRE for admittance. 

There are three master of mental health counseling programs in Connecticut under the Online Programs category that do not require the GRE for admittance. In addition, there are five master of mental health counseling programs in Connecticut under the CACREP-accredited Programs category that do not require the GRE. This means that none of the programs on this list require the GRE for admittance. 

The following program does not require the GRE but does allow applicants to submit scores instead of a writing sample:

Most Affordable Master of Mental Health Counseling Program in Connecticut

Choosing an affordable master of counseling program is just as important to some people as choosing one that meets the criteria for licensure. The most affordable master of counseling program in Connecticut is at Western Connecticut State University. This program has a price tag of just $484.22 per credit hour and is CACREP-accredited. So, not only is it affordable, but it also meets the licensure requirements for most states.

Accelerated Master of Counseling Program in Connecticut

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 Connecticut that advertise as accelerated, the program at Fairfield University states that it can be completed in two years. Most master of counseling programs take between two and three years to complete.

Required Courses for Licensure in Connecticut

According to the Connecticut State Department of Public Health, the following topics must be taken as courses in a counseling graduate program to obtain licensure:

• Human Growth and Development
• Social and Cultural Foundations
• Counseling Theories and Techniques or Helping Relationships
• Group Dynamics, Processing, and Counseling
• Career and Lifestyle Development
• Appraisals or Tests and Measurements for Individuals and Groups
• Research and Evaluation
• Professional Orientation to Counseling

Counseling Licensure Requirements in Connecticut

There are two types of mental health counseling licensure in Connecticut. The first is the Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) and the second is the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

According to the Connecticut State Department of Public Health, to become an LPCA, one must graduate from a regionally accredited master of counseling program, complete the above-listed courses, complete a 100-hour practicum, and complete a 600-hour internship. Those with this license must practice under approved supervision and cannot work independently.

The next level of licensure in Connecticut is the LPC. At this stage of licensure, one can work independently without supervision. To obtain this license one must acquire 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised experience in no less than two years, complete 100 hours of supervision with an approved supervisor, and pass either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE).

Connecticut Counseling FAQs

How many continuing education hours are required for license renewal?
15 hours annually. One hour must be completed in cultural competency, two hours must be related to veteran’s affairs, and three hours must be in ethics.

Who can supervise LPCAs?
Licensed professional counselors, physicians certified in psychiatry, advanced practice registered nurses certified in psychiatry and mental health, psychologists, marital and family therapists, and licensed clinical social workers.

How Much Do Mental Health Counselors Make in Connecticut

According to O*Net Online, mental health counselors in Connecticut make an average of $58,710. This is more than the national average of $53,710.

How to Become a School Counselor in Connecticut

According to the Connecticut Bureau of Certification, some requirements must be met to become a school counselor. The steps to becoming a school counselor in Connecticut include:

• A master’s degree
• 30 semester hours of graduate coursework in school counseling services
• A professional educator certificate or an initial educator certificate and 30 school months of successful teaching or a 10-month supervised school counseling internship
• Evidence of supervised laboratory and practicum in school counseling
• A course of study in special education no fewer than 36 clock hours

How Much Does a School Counselor Make in Connecticut

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a school counselor in Connecticut is $65,400. This is higher than the national average of $61,710.

How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Connecticut

The Connecticut State Department of Public Health reports that to obtain Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification one must complete 300 hours of supervised practical training in alcohol and drug counseling, three years of paid work or internship working directly with alcohol and drug patients, 360 hours with at least 240 hours of training related to alcohol and drug counseling, and successful completion of the International Certification Examination for Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Counselors.

How Much Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Make in Connecticut

According to O*Net Online, the average salary of a substance abuse counselor in Connecticut is $58,710. This is higher 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.