As a counselor, you will have the opportunity to help individuals and families through some difficult times in their lives. Whether they are suffering from a mental health disorder, addiction, marital troubles, or other challenges, counselors take on the role of reflective listeners and may provide guidance. This role can be complex and challenging, but ultimately rewarding. If you are interested in counseling and are looking into earning a degree, it’s important to start by looking into the highest-quality programs that will best prepare you for this important career. Enrolling in a counseling program that has been accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is an excellent place to start, and will best prepare you to become a licensed counselor. This list will review some of the best CACREP-accredited schools, also known an LPC Degrees or LMHC Degrees, and notate whether they are available online, on campus, or in a hybrid learning model. Additional resources for CACREP-accredited mental health counseling programs, affordable counseling programs, and No GRE Required CACREP Accredited Masters in Counseling programs are available.
Featured Online Master’s in Counseling Programs
Additional Counseling Programs
- Valdosta State University – School Counseling and Counselor Education
VSU offers two counseling degrees: an Education Specialist (EdS), and a Master of Education (MeD). The EdS program is designed to train counselors as leaders who can advocate for students from diverse backgrounds to help them achieve academic success. Students will learn to become counselors who will be able to advocate for issues within schools, collaborate with individuals and organizations related to issues both internally and externally to the educational institution, and utilize data effectively. Graduates will be able to provide consultation services to students to provide them with counseling in academic and personal areas. The MeD degree program offers two-degree track options that include School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This degree program is meant for those who want to enter the mental health field as professionals who can remove barriers and promote equality and well-being for their clients and students.
Tuition: $8,137 per semester, which includes fees - Seattle University – Master of Arts in Education (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
The lmhc degree at Seattle University is designed for students who are passionate about helping adolescents and who have strong academic skills. SU prepares students to be technologically competent, ethical, focused on social justice, and to understand complex issues such as addiction and how to foster well-being and resiliency. The 90 credit program at Seattle University is intended to be completed in three years and is a combination of courses related to education (40 credits) as well as counseling (50 credits). A three-quarter-long internship is also required. This internship will take place at either an elementary, middle, or high school. After all requirements of the program are completed, students may be recommended to the state for the education staff associate certificate which then qualifies them as a school counselor. Seattle University also offers a degree in clinical mental health counseling.
Tuition: $688 per credit hour + fees - Montana State University – Master of Science in Counseling
There are several degree options in the counseling department at Montana State university. Those who hope to earn their degree in counseling can choose to do so with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health, Marriage, Couples, and Family, or School Counseling. The Clinical Mental Health specialization is for those who want to provide mental health counseling to various diverse clients. The Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling specialization is similar to the last, but it is specific to students who want to address family issues from a systems perspective and is particularly for those who want to work with children. In this program, 1500 of the supervised experience hours that one will complete during the program can be applied towards the hours they will need to complete after they earn the degree. In the school counseling option, students take common classes with students of the other two programs, but also special courses that explore aspects of counseling that are relevant to the school setting.
Tuition: $11,328 for two semesters - Oregon State University – Master of Counseling in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Oregon State University offers a part-time hybrid learning format. The goal of this program is to prepare students to become knowledgeable clinicians who take on leadership roles that involve advocating for social change within the communities where they live. This MHC program expects students to have an interest in solving human problems. After taking the program, students will meet the requirements to take The licensing exam to become a counselor in the state. They will also be eligible to become a board certified counselor. Oregon State University stands out as one of the first CACREP-Accredited counseling programs.
Tuition: $590 per credit - University of Alabama – Counseling Education Program
University of Alabama offers five different counseling degrees under the umbrella of their Counseling Education Program. These degrees are as follows:- Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
- Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling
- Master’s Degree in School Counseling
- Education Specialist (EdS) Degree in Counselor Education
- PhD in Counselor Education
- Palo Alto University – Master of Arts in Counseling
Palo Alto University offers their counseling degree in a hybrid or on campus format, and can be completed within two years. The program strives to reduce individual and community suffering by educating future counselors on mental health, well-being, social justice, and more. Students can choose between two emphases: Clinical Mental Health, or Marriage, Family, & Child. In the clinical mental health emphasis, students will learn skills that will allow them to work in careers such as mental health or addiction counseling, career and guidance counseling, private practice, school counseling, agency management, and more. In the second emphasis, graduates may find careers in social service agencies, nursing homes, medical centers, schools, mental health centers, and more. Both specializations will need to complete a certain number of counseling experience hours under the supervision of a licensed counselor before obtaining their degree.
Tuition: $544 per unit + fees - The University of Texas at El Paso – Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
The mental health counseling program at the University of Texas El Paso is designed for students who want to work in a setting such as a community agency or private practice in order to provide a mental health service. In this program, students will take courses in subjects such as human development, ethics, counseling theories, research, mental health, counseling techniques, and more. In total, students will take 60 semester hours, and must maintain a GPA of 3.0. The main goal of the University of Texas’s Counseling program is to prepare students to be counselors who can empower individuals and communities who can accomplish their goals and seek wellness.
Tuition: $19,460 per year, which includes fees - Regent University – Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Regent University offers a challenging but rewarding counseling program through their small class sizes and hands-on experiences. The program prepares students to make a hands-on difference when they graduate through their curriculum of core courses and fieldwork. Core courses involve many topics such as research, counseling techniques, psychopathology, mental health, treatment planning, and much more. All of these courses prepare students to become highly knowledgeable counselors. Students will then put their knowledge to practice within a required internship setting. Regent University is unique in that there is also a residency requirement that is offered both on-campus and online.
Tuition: $730 per credit hour + fees - The University of Hawaii at Manoa – Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
The MA in Counseling Psychology at UH integrates theory, research, and practice to provide a broad view of counseling with a sensitivity to multiculturalism that teaches students how to improve the wellbeing of their clients. Improving wellbeing, according to the program, involves alleviating distress, resolving crises, and promoting higher functioning. Graduates of this program will be able to proceed into counseling careers understanding legal and ethical principles of professional counseling conduct as well as awareness of diverse groups and communities. They will also be able to demonstrate their knowledge of assessing, intervening, and treatment planning with clients to help with their health.
Tuition: $5,652 per semester - Bushnell University – Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Bushnell University provides students with a solid foundation of theories and skills to build upon. The program encourages students to build theories of counseling that match their own value system, and then implement the approach when they begin to see clients in the second year of the program. This essentially means that students will build their own specialization in the program. Additionally, students will take part in the 60 credit, 28 month curriculum. This involves an internship that requires 700 hours, 280 of which are direct hours with clients.
Tuition: $750 per credit hour + fees - West Virginia University – Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
At West Virginia University, the 63-credit-hour MA in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling educates students on how to assess, diagnose, and treat diverse clients and help them overcome a number of complex struggles such as mental illnesses, disabilities, and addiction. The program is broad, and graduates work in a wide variety of organizations and environments in a number of counseling roles. This program only requires two visits to the campus, and the rest of the program can be completed online. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required in all courses. There is a full-time and part-time program available.
Tuition: $655 per credit hour + fees - Lindsey Wilson College – Master of Education in Counseling
The Master of Education in Counseling program at Lindsey Wilson College is community centered and notable due to their academic integrity and ethical principles. The program emphasizes multiculturalism as well, which they pass along to their students through their curriculum. Students must fulfill the requirements of completing at least 60 semester hours, which are designed to prepare students for licensure. This program is flexible for students who have full-time employment, as it offers weekend classes. LWC also offers their counseling program online, which can also meet the needs of working professionals. The online course option allows students to choose to earn a certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling as well.
Tuition: $700 per credit hour + fees - North Carolina State University – Counselor Education Program
The counseling program at NC State University operates from a number of values surrounding social justice, advocacy, leadership, and many more that they pass along to their students through their curriculum. They offer four different counseling degrees, which include:- Master of Education (MeD) in School Counseling. This program is designed for students who understand that students have academic, emotional, and career needs and want to help them meet those needs in order for them to grow. Students in this program will receive hands-on experience at K-12th grade schools in a 600 hour internship and 100 hour practicum.
- Master of Education (MeD) in College Counseling and Student Development. This program is designed for students who want to help college students develop socially, in their career, and in their academics. This kind of counselor will demonstrate strong cultural competency and work with a diverse community. This program is offered in an online and on-campus format.
- Master of Education (MeD) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This program is designed for students who are passionate about promoting wellness among their clients and want to help them through the individual and familial difficulties they may experience in life due to mental illness, addiction, trauma, or other circumstances. The program can be completed in approximately two years, but there is also a three year online option.
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development. This program is designed for students who wish to become innovative, modern, ethical, and knowledgeable counseling professors. Students who take this program should be experienced in the world of counseling and committed to academia and research.
- George Fox University – Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
At George Fox University, students will enjoy a 10 to 1 student faculty ratio, Let’s give them the opportunity to learn their counseling curriculum in a close-knit environment. GFU offers three counseling degrees, including Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling, and School Counseling. There are two certificates that students can earn: Trauma Counseling and School Counseling. Additionally, students can choose to receive specialized training in Play Therapy or Trauma Counseling. Many classes are offered during evenings and weekends, and there is a part-time and full-time degree option. Students can also select a different path after they have started if they find that the original schedule they chose is too demanding. In the final year of study, all students complete an internship where they apply the knowledge they have gained.
Tuition: $760 per credit hour + fees - Lock Haven University – Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The clinical mental health counseling program at Lockhaven University is offered 100% online to meet the needs of many different students. While completing the required 60 credit degree program, students will take part in a curriculum that prepares them for the licensing exam. This program can be completed in two and a half to three years of full-time attendance. There is also a part-time option as well that takes about a year longer. Coursework consists of topics such as research, addiction, assessment and testing, family therapy, and many more. There are three specialization options that include Child & Adolescent Counseling, Military/Veteran, and Generalized Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Students will have the chance to enjoy one-to-one mentoring in their degree program. LU is passionate about promoting the educational and professional development of their students as well as encouraging lifelong learning.
Tuition: $2,068 per semester, which includes fees
University of Alabama will guide students through their chosen degree. The Counseling Education Program’s framework educates students on learning how to apply realistic approaches to improve the wellbeing of students, families, and clients. The admission deadline for each program is different, so it is important to check the website of the university to determine when the application should be submitted.
Tuition: $5,550 per semester
Each program is designed to adequately prepare students for their licensing examination.
Tuition: $30,181 per year
What is a CACREP-Accredited Counseling Program?
A CACREP-accredited counseling program has gone through a certain process to receive the status of accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). There are many types of CACREP-accredited counseling degrees and specializations such as Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Career Counseling, and many more. Students in a CACREP-Accredited counseling program will typically take courses related to counseling techniques, human behavior and development, research, and other topics that will prepare them for bettering the lives of their diverse clientele.
What is CACREP Accreditation?
CACREP is an agency that accredits a number of specializations within masters and doctoral-level counseling programs. They look at programs within an educational institution, as opposed to the whole institution itself. For example, rather than accrediting West Virginia University as a whole, they accredit the master’s in counseling program that the university offers. This type of accreditation is important to look for because it means that the specific program is being looked at individually, to ensure the best quality of education.
Why Choose a CACREP-Accredited School For My Counseling Program?
CACREP accreditation means that the university has proven that they meet the excellent educational standards set by the counseling profession. As a student attending the program, you can be assured that you will receive all the information you will need to know in order to take the licensing exam that is required to get involved in the career. Additionally, CACREP accreditation proves that the school is stable. Also, many places of employment may prefer or require that you received your education from an accredited university. Accreditation is beneficial to the institution as well, as it often makes it more appealing to students.
Featured Educational Counseling and Psychology Programs
CACREP Accredited Masters in Counseling Programs
The following 75 programs are all accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CAREP) which is the industry standard accreditation for any Master in Counseling program. This list includes general Master in Counseling programs, as well as programs that focus on rehabilitation, school and education counseling, mental health counseling, and professional counseling.| University Name | Program Name | Study Length | GRE Required? | Program URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams State University | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.adams.edu/academics/graduate/counselor-education/masters/clinical-mental-health/ |
| Adams State University | MA in School Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.adams.edu/academics/graduate/counselor-education/masters/school/ |
| Adler University | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.adler.edu/program/rehabilitation-counseling-chicago/ |
| Antioch University | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3+ years | No GRE Required | https://www.antioch.edu/academics/counseling-therapy/clinical-mental-health-counseling-aus/ |
| Asbury Theological Seminary | MA in Mental Health Counseling | 2+ years | No GRE Required | https://asburyseminary.edu/academics/degrees/master-of-arts/mental-health-counseling/ |
| Assumption University | MA in Rehabilitation Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.assumption.edu/graduate/rehabilitation-counseling |
| Auburn University | MEd in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | http://www.education.auburn.edu/graduate-degree-cert/clinical-rehabilitation-counseling-m-ed-m-s/ |
| Bellevue University | MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://onlinedegrees.bradley.edu/counseling/masters-clinical-mental-health-counseling/ |
| Bradley University | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://onlinedegrees.bradley.edu/counseling/masters-clinical-mental-health-counseling/ |
| Bradley University | MA in Professional School Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://onlinedegrees.bradley.edu/counseling/masters-professional-school-counseling/ |
| California State University of San Bernardino | MA in Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 years | No GRE Required | https://www.csusb.edu/rehabilitation-counseling-program |
| Capella University | MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2+ years | No GRE Required | https://asburyseminary.edu/academics/degrees/master-of-arts/mental-health-counseling/ |
| Capella University | MS in School Counseling | 2+ years | No GRE Required | https://www.capella.edu/online-degrees/masters-school-counseling/ |
| Central Connecticut State University | MS in Counselor Education | 3+ years | No GRE Required | https://www.ccsu.edu/ceft/counselorEducation-schoolCounselingMS.html |
| Chicago School of Professional Psychology | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 years | No GRE Required | https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/online/programs/ma-clinical-mental-health-counseling/ |
| College of William & Mary | MEd in Counseling | 2+ years | No GRE Required | https://counseling.education.wm.edu/general |
| Colorado Christian University | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.bellevue.edu/degrees/master/clinical-mental-health-counseling-ms/ |
| Concordia University of Chicago | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.cuchicago.edu/academics/colleges/college-of-health-science–technology/division-of-social-sciences–human-services/Clinical-mental-health-counseling-ma/ |
| Concordia University of Irvine | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2+ years | No GRE Required | https://www.cui.edu/online/degrees/masters/counseling |
| East Carolina University | MS in Clinical Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://gradschool.ecu.edu/find-your-program/?id=44 |
| East Carolina University | MS in Counselor Education | 2 years | GRE Required | https://gradschool.ecu.edu/find-your-program/?id=889 |
| East Carolina University | MS in Rehabilitation Counseling | 2 years | GRE Required | https://gradschool.ecu.edu/find-your-program/?id=43 |
| Fort Valley State University | MS in Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 years | No GRE Required | https://www.fvsu.edu/academics/graduate-studies/ms-rehabilitation |
| Freed-Hardeman University | MS in Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.fhu.edu/academics/graduate/counseling |
| Freed-Hardeman University | MS in Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.fhu.edu/academics/graduate/counseling |
| Grace College | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://online.grace.edu/programs/master-of-arts-in-clinical-mental-health-counseling/ |
| Hodges University | MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2.3+ years | No GRE Required | https://www.hodges.edu/prog-clinical-mental-health-counseling |
| Indiana Wesleyan University | MA in Counseling | 1.5+ years | No GRE Required | https://www.indwes.edu/adult-graduate/programs/ma-counseling/ |
| Indiana Wesleyan University | MA in Counseling | 1.5+ years | No GRE Required | https://www.indwes.edu/adult-graduate/programs/ma-counseling/ |
| Lamar University | MEd in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2.5 years | No GRE Required | https://degree.lamar.edu/programs/master-of-education-in-clinical-mental-health-counseling/ |
| Lamar University | MEd in Professional School Counseling | 2.5 years | No GRE Required | https://degree.lamar.edu/programs/master-of-education-in-counseling-development-professional-school-counseling/ |
| Liberty University | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2.5 years | No GRE Required | https://www.liberty.edu/online/behavioral-sciences/masters/professional-counseling/ |
| Liberty University | MEd in School Counseling | 2.5 years | No GRE Required | https://www.liberty.edu/online/behavioral-sciences/masters/school-counseling/ |
| Lindsey Wilson College | MEd in Counseling and Human Development | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://online.lindsey.edu/programs/chd/ |
| Lock Haven University | MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.lockhaven.edu/cmhc/ |
| Malone University | MA in Education in Counseling | 1.5+ years | No GRE Required | https://www.malone.edu/academics/graduate/programs/counseling-and-human-development/ |
| Malone University | MA in Education in Counseling | 1.5+ years | No GRE Required | https://www.malone.edu/academics/graduate/programs/counseling-and-human-development/ |
| Marshall University | MA in Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.marshall.edu/coepd/graduate/counseling/ |
| Marshall University | MA in Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.marshall.edu/coepd/graduate/counseling/ |
| Messiah University | MA in Counseling | 2+ years | No GRE Required | https://www.messiah.edu/counseling |
| Messiah University | MA in Counseling | 2+ years | No GRE Required | https://www.messiah.edu/counseling |
| North Carolina Central University | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2 years | GRE Required | https://nccuonline.nccu.edu/programs/mental-health-counseling/ |
| North Carolina Central University | MA in School Counseling | 2 years | GRE Required | https://nccuonline.nccu.edu/programs/school-counseling/ |
| North Carolina State University | MEd in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 years | GRE Required | https://online-distance.ncsu.edu/program/clinical-mental-health-counseling/ |
| North Carolina State University | MEd in School Counseling | 3 years | GRE Required | https://online-distance.ncsu.edu/program/master-of-education-in-counselor-education/ |
| Northwestern University | MA in Counseling | 18 months + | No GRE Required | https://counseling.northwestern.edu/requestinfo/mac/?lsrc=onlinecounselingprogramssite&l=cacrep-accredited |
| Oregon State University | Master of Counseling | 3+ years | No GRE Required | https://education.oregonstate.edu/master-counseling-clinical-mental-health-counseling |
| Oregon State University | Master of Counseling | 3+ years | No GRE Required | https://education.oregonstate.edu/master-counseling-clinical-mental-health-counseling |
| Palo Alto University | MA in Counseling | 2+ years | No GRE Required | https://www.paloaltou.edu/academic-programs/ma-counseling |
| Regent University | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2 years | GRE Required | https://www.regent.edu/program/ma-in-clinical-mental-health-counseling/# |
| Regent University | MA in School Counseling | 2 years | GRE Required | https://www.regent.edu/program/ma-in-school-counseling/ |
| Saybrook University | MA in Counseling | 3 years | No GRE Required | https://www.saybrook.edu/areas-of-study/counseling/ma-counseling/# |
| Spring Arbor University | MA in Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.arbor.edu/academic-programs/counseling-ma/ |
| Spring Arbor University | MA in Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.arbor.edu/academic-programs/counseling-ma/ |
| St. Cloud State University | MS in Rehabilitation Counseling | 1.5+ years | No GRE Required | https://www.stcloudstate.edu/graduate/rehab-counseling/default.aspx |
| The University of Alabama | MA in Rehabilitation Counseling | 2 years | GRE Required | https://bamabydistance.ua.edu/degrees/ma-in-rehabilitation-counseling/ |
| Thomas University | Master in Clinical Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling | 2+ years | No GRE Required | https://www.thomasu.edu/majors/graduate-degree/clinical-rehabilitation-and-mental-health-counseling-degree/ |
| Thomas UniversityMaster in | Clinical Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling | 2+ years | No GRE Required | https://www.thomasu.edu/majors/graduate-degree/clinical-rehabilitation-and-mental-health-counseling-degree/ |
| Union Institute and University | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2+ years | No GRE Required | https://myunion.edu/academics/masters/clinical-mental-health-counseling/ |
| University of Arkansas Little Rock | MA in Rehabilitation Counseling | 2 years | GRE Required | https://ualr.edu/academics/program/graduate/counseling-rehabilitation-counseling/ |
| University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa | MS in Rehabilitation Counselor Education | 3 years | No GRE Required | https://coe.hawaii.edu/krs/programs/ms-rehab-counseling/ |
| University of Houston in Victoria | MS in Professional Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.uhv.edu/education/graduate-degrees/professional-counseling/ |
| University of Houston in Victoria | MS in Professional Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.uhv.edu/education/graduate-degrees/professional-counseling/ |
| University of Kentucky | MA in Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://education.uky.edu/edsrc-programs/counselor-education-masters/ |
| University of Kentucky | MA in Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://education.uky.edu/edsrc-programs/counselor-education-masters/ |
| University of Louisiana Monroe | MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.ulm.edu/counseling/counseling_cmhc.html |
| University of Louisiana Monroe | MS in School Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.ulm.edu/counseling/counseling_school_counseling.html |
| University of Massachusetts in Boston | MS in Rehabilitation Counseling | 2+ years | No GRE Required | https://globalinclusion.umb.edu/academics/graduate-programs/rehabilitation-counseling-ms |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | MA in Education in Professional School Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.uncp.edu/departments/department-counseling/about-our-programs/professional-school-counseling |
| University of the Cumberlands | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2 years | No GRE Required | https://www.ucumberlands.edu/academics/graduate/programs/masters-addiction-counseling |
| Utah State University | Master in Rehabilitation Counseling | 2+ years | No GRE Required | https://www.usu.edu/online/degrees/masters/rehabilitation-counseling |
| Wake Forest University | MA in Counseling | 2 years | GRE Required | https://counseling.online.wfu.edu/academics/mental-health-counseling/ |
| Wake Forest University | MA in Counseling | 2 years | GRE Required | https://counseling.online.wfu.edu/academics/mental-health-counseling/ |
| Western Washington University | MA in Rehabilitation Counseling | 2+ years | No GRE Required | https://gradschool.wwu.edu/rehabilitation-counseling |
| Winston-Salem State University | MS in Rehabilitation Counseling | 2 years | GRE Required | https://www.wssu.edu/admissions/programs/rehabilitation-counseling-msrc-.html |
Masters in Counseling Programs by State
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington DC
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Requirements to Enroll in a CACREP-Accredited Counseling Program
While the requirements to enroll in a CACREP-accredited counseling program may differ slightly between universities, the same general requirements persist. So, if you are wanting to prepare to apply, here is what to expect.
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution in the field of psychology or another related field, with a GPA of 3.0 (cumulative)
- Some universities: At least one course in Statistics and one course in Research Methods.
- Application Fee (varies)
- Personal Statement (prompt given by schools)
- Professional Resume
- Three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references
- Official transcripts
CACREP-Accredited Counseling Program Scholarships and Grants
When considering how to finance your education, grants are scholarships are an excellent option to explore, as they don’t require you to pay them back. There are many websites online that gather scholarships for counseling students specifically, as well as college students in general. One of the first options to look into is any financial assistance opportunities that may be offered by your university of choice. To find these options, you can explore the university website or contact the financial aid office.
Another source of financial aid is remembering to fill out the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, as this can possibly provide you with grants based on your income, family size, financial resources, and more. The FAFSA is one of the most important tools you can use for working towards afford your counseling program.
Some other grants and scholarship websites available for counseling students include:
