Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Programs in Iowa

Iowa is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. The state has many urban areas but also boasts many rural communities with much of the economy being based around agriculture and manufacturing. With a population of 3,190,369 in the last census, Iowa is the 31st most populous state in the county.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 473,000 adults in the state have a mental health condition and 37,000 Iowans ages 6-17 have depression. A total of 1,821,280 people in the state did not have adequate access to care due to a lack of community care or financial concerns. A report done by the Des Moines Register states that Iowa ranked as the lowest state for available psychiatric beds.

For these reasons, it is safe to assume that the state will be looking to add more mental health providers in the state to fit the growing need for mental health care. O*Net Online reports that mental health counselors in Iowa will grow by 31% by 2030. This is higher than the national rate of growth of 18%.

High rates of professional demand mean that graduate programs must work to attract potential mental health counseling students. Luckily for potential students, many programs around Iowa meet the requirements for counseling licensure and there are ample opportunities for employment beyond graduation.

The University of Iowa program is a standout for both its CACREP accreditation along the ability to finish the program in only 20 months. While in school and upon graduation, counselors can join the Iowa Mental Health Counselor Association to network with others around the state.

Accredited Counseling Programs Accepting Iowa Applicants

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Master of Counseling Programs in Iowa

Becoming a mental health counselor in Iowa requires a master’s or doctoral degree in clinical mental health counseling. While CACREP accreditation is not required, those that are not require additional course and transcript reviews. There are many masters of mental health counseling programs that meet the criteria of Online Programs, CACREP-accredited Programs, and programs that do not require the GRE.

Online Master of Mental Health Counseling Programs in Iowa

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.

Four master of counseling programs in Iowa are based online in Iowa.

CACREP-Accredited Master of Counseling Programs in Iowa

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 five CACREP-accredited master of counseling programs in Iowa. Two CACREP-accredited programs in Iowa are based online and are at Buena Vista University and Grandview University.

Iowa 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	Buena Vista University	M.S.Ed.	Storm Lake	IA	CACREP				Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling	Drake University	M.S.	Des Moines	IA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
School Counseling	Drake University	M.S.	Des Moines	IA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Drake University	M.S.	Des Moines	IA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Rehabilitation Counseling	University of Iowa, The	M.A.	Iowa City	IA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years	Rehabilitation Counseling
School Counseling	University of Iowa, The	M.A.	Iowa City	IA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Iowa, The	M.A.	Iowa City	IA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	University of Northern Iowa	M.Ed.	Cedar Falls	IA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Northern Iowa	M.A.	Cedar Falls	IA	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Upper Iowa University	M.A.	Fayette	IA	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	3 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Counseling Psychology	Iowa State University	M.S	Ames	IA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Counseling Psychology
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Grand View University	M.S	Des Moines	IA	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Northwestern College	M.S	Orange City	IA	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Counseling (with specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling)	University of Northern Iowa	M.A	Cedar Falls	IA	CACREP	Hybrid		60 credit hours	Counseling (with specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling)
Professional School Counseling	Buena Vista University	M.S.Ed	Storm Lake	IA	CACREP	Hybrid	No GRE Required	2 years (48 credit hours)	Professional School Counseling
Counseling Psychology	Morningside University	M.A.T	Sioux City	IA	CACREP	Online		32 credit hours	Counseling Psychology
Clinical Mental Health Counseling and optional addictions counseling	Loras College	M.A.	Dubuque	IA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	60 credit hours	Clinical Mental Health Counseling and optional addictions counseling

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No GRE Required Master of Counseling Programs in Iowa

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. 

Eight programs in Iowa do not require the GRE for admittance. This means that none of the masters of counseling programs in Iowa require the GRE for admittance. However, many programs do require an interview or an essay along with GPA requirements. The following program does not fall under the above categories and does not require the GRE:

Most Affordable Master of Counseling Program in Iowa

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 Iowa is at Buena Vista University. This program costs $475 per credit hour and can be completed in just 24 months, is CACREP-accredited, and based online.

Accelerated Master of Counseling Program in Iowa

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. The master of counseling program at the University of Iowa can be completed in just 20 months. Typical master of counseling programs are completed in two or three years so that makes the program at the University of Iowa a standout.

Required Courses for Licensure in Iowa

According to the Center for Credentialing & Education, the following topics must be taken as courses to obtain counseling licensure in Iowa:

• Professional Orientation
• Social and Cultural Foundations
• Human Growth and Development
• Career and Lifestyle Development
• Helping Relationships
• Groups
• Diagnosis and Assessment Treatment Procedures
• Research and Program Evaluation
• Psychopathology
• Counseling Theories
• Practicum/Internship

Counseling Licensure Requirements in Iowa

The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing sets the state’s mental health counselor licensure requirements.

The first step to obtaining licensure in Iowa is to complete the education requirements. Counseling applicants must graduate from a regionally accredited or CACREP-accredited master of counseling program containing at least 60 credit hours.

Next, complete 3,000 hours of supervised counseling experience with 200 hours of supervision.

Finally, applicants must have taken and passed either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE).

Iowa Counseling FAQs

How many continuing education hours are required to renew my Iowa counseling license?
40 hours of continuing education are required for Iowa counselors every two years. At least three of these hours must be in Ethics.

How Much Do Mental Health Counselors Make in Iowa

According to O*Net Online, a mental health counselor in Iowa makes an average of $59,000 per year. This is higher than the national average of $53,710.

How to Become a School Counselor in Iowa

According to the Iowa Department of Education, to become a school counselor one must have a master’s degree in school counseling with courses in the following:

• Social and Cultural Foundations
• Fostering of Relationships
• Group Work
• Career Development, Education, and Postsecondary Planning
• Assessment and Evaluation
• Professional Orientation
• School Counseling Skills
• Classroom Management
• Curriculum
• Learning Theory
• Teaching and Counseling Practicum (100 hour practicum/500 hour internship)

How Much Does a School Counselor Make in Iowa

According to O*Net Online, the average salary of a school counselor in Iowa is $53,470. This is lower than the national average of $61,710.

How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Iowa

The Iowa Board of Certification states that there are four levels of substance abuse counselor licensure in the state. The four stages of licensure include Temporary Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (tCADC), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), International Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IADC), and International Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IAADC). 

Temporary Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (tCADC):
To obtain this license, one must be a high school graduate or have a GED, 24 credit hours in college coursework in substance abuse, and passage of the IC&RC ADC Examination. 

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC):
To obtain this license, one must have a high school diploma or GED, 24 credit hours in substance abuse, a passing score on the Supervisor’s Counselor Evaluation, and passage of the IC&RC ADC Examination. In addition, 150 hours of relevant education and six months full-time supervised experience in substance abuse counseling are required. 

International Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IADC):
To obtain this license, one must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED, 300 hours of alcohol and drug knowledge, experience in the four domains dependant upon highest level of education, on-the-job supervision, a passing score on the Supervisor’s Counselor Evlauation, and passage of the IC&RC ADC Examination. 

International Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IAADC):
Finally, to obtain the highest level of substance abuse counselor licensure in Iowa, one must have a master’s degree in a behavioral science, 2,000 hours of supervised experience in the four domains, a passing score on the Supervisor’s Counselor Evaluation, and passage of the IC&RC AADC Examination.

How Much Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Make in Iowa

According to O*Net Online, a substance abuse counselor in Iowa makes an average of $59,000 per year. 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.