Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Programs in Nebraska

Alexander BuCher

Written by Alexander BuCher

Licensed Professional Counselor | Youngstown State University

Updated & Fact Checked: 01.27.2025

Nebraska is a state in the Midwestern United States that is large in size but small in population density. The state is well-known for farming but is home to many large corporations in Omaha and other cities. Thanks to state initiatives and a thriving economy, Nebraska is ranked second best for mental health according to U.S. News & World Report.

Although Nebraska ranks high for mental wellness, that does not mean that there still isn’t a growing struggle with mental health in the state. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 257,000 adults in Nebraska have a mental health condition.

The Nebraska Division of Behavioral Health has helped increase positive mental outcomes are advocating for same-day appointments, prevention programs, and treatment and recovery. With an increase in state programs, there is also a growing need for mental health counselors. O*Net Online projects that mental health counselors will increase by 20% by 2030. This is slightly higher than the national growth of 19%.

Thankfully, many programs in the state are educating future counselors. Those hoping to become counselors in Nebraska can join the Nebraska Counseling Association to network with other professionals and continue their education.

Master of Counseling Programs in Nebraska

Becoming a counselor in Nebraska requires that one graduate with a master’s or doctoral degree in clinical mental health counseling that includes a supervised practicum and internship. There are no requirements for the program to be CACREP-accredited but it does help obtain licensure in other states.

Online Master of Counseling Programs in Nebraska

Attending an online master of counseling program has many benefits. Some include the flexibility of courses, continued access to course materials, and the ability to take classes at your own pace.

There are three master’s programs in Nebraska that offer online mental health counseling.

Bellevue University

  • Online + In-person

Program: 
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Accreditation: CACREP

60 Credit Hours

Online and in-person program located in Bellevue, Nebraska

Tuition: $660 per credit hour

Program: 
Master of Arts in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Accreditation: CACREP

60 Credit Hours

Online Program

Tuition: $400 per credit hour

Program: 
Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Accreditation: CACREP

60 Credit Hours

Online and in-person program located in Kearney, Nebraska

Tuition: $337 per credit hour

CACREP-Accredited Master of Counseling Programs in Nebraska

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation is becoming an increasingly popular feature of many master of counseling programs nationwide. Attending a CACREP-accredited graduate program can help you meet the counseling licensure requirements in most states. 

There are six CACREP-accredited master of counseling programs in Nebraska. Three of these programs are under the Online Programs category and are at Bellevue University, Chadron State College, and the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Doane University

  • In-person

Program: 
Master of Arts in Counseling

Accreditation: CACREP

60 Credit Hours

In-person program located in Crete, Nebraska

Tuition: $484 per credit hour

Program: 
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Accreditation: CACREP

60 Credit Hours (2-3 year completion)

In-person program located in Omaha, Nebraska

Tuition: $365 per credit hour

Program: 
Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Accreditation: CACREP

60 Credit Hours

Hybrid Program

Tuition: $245 per credit hour for in-person courses, $400 per credit hour for online courses

Nebraska Online, No GRE & CAREP Accredited Counseling Masters Programs

SpecialtyUniversity NameDegreeCityStateAccreditationModalityGRE Required?Program LengthURL
Clinical Mental Health CounselingBellevue UniversityM.S.BellevueNECACREPOnline & CampusNo GRE Required2 YearsClinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health CounselingUniversity of Nebraska at KearneyM.S.Ed.KearneyNECACREPOnline & CampusNo GRE Required2 YearsClinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health CounselingUniversity of Nebraska at OmahaM.A./M.S.OmahaNECACREPCampusGRE Required1 YearsClinical Mental Health Counseling
School CounselingUniversity of Nebraska at OmahaM.A./M.S.OmahaNECACREPCampusGRE Required1 YearsSchool Counseling
Clinical Mental Health CounselingWayne State CollegeM.S.E.WayneNECACREPHybridNo GRE Required2 YearsClinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health CounselingUNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA OMAHAM.A.OmahaNECACREPCampusNo GRE Required2 YearsClinical Mental Health Counseling
Counseling PsychologyUNIVERSITY of NEBRASKA–LINCOLNM.A.LincolnNECACREPCampusNo GRE Required2 YearsCounseling Psychology
School CounselingConcordia UniversityM.A. SewardNE CACREPOnlineNo GRE Required3 YearsSchool Counseling
Clinical Mental Health CounselingDoane UniversityM.A.CLincolnNE CACREPCampus2 YearsClinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling Doane UniversityM.EdCreteNE CACREPOnline & Campus3 YearsSchool Counseling
School CounselingCreighton UniversityM.S.OmahaNE CACREPOnlineNo GRE Required2 YearsSchool Counseling
Counseling with a concentration in Student Affairs in Higher EducationUniversity of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO)M.SOmahaNE CACREPOnlineNo GRE Required2 YearsCounseling with a concentration in Student Affairs in Higher Education
Genetic CounselingUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)MGC OmahaNE CACREPNo GRE Required2 YearsGenetic Counseling

No GRE Required Master of Counseling Programs in Nebraska

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 recognizing that low GRE scores do not necessarily mean someone will not do well in their program. That is why many programs waive the requirement to take the GRE for admittance. 

For those who do not want to take this examination, you are in luck. Six programs in Nebraska do not require the GRE for admittance. That means that there are not any mental health counseling programs that require the GRE for admittance.

Most Affordable Master of Counseling Programs in Nebraska

Some people consider choosing an affordable master of counseling program just as important as choosing one that meets the licensure criteria. 

Of the programs in Nebraska, the most affordable Online Program is at The University of Nebraska at Kearney. The price for this program is $337 per credit hour. 

Under the CACREP-accreditated master of counseling programs, the most affordable is at Wayne State College. This program is $245 per credit hour for in-person. 

Therefore, the most affordable master of counseling program is at Wayne State College.

Accelerated Master of Counseling Programs in Nebraska

Many people seek out a master of counseling program that is affordable and does not take a long time to finish. While there are not any programs on this list that are advertised as accelerated, there is one that only requires two years to complete. The program at The University of Nebraska Omaha can be completed in two or three years depending on course availability. Most master of counseling programs have a completion time of two to four years.

Required Courses for Counseling Licensure in Nebraska

The Nebraska Administrative Code states that certain courses or course topics be taken to meet licensure requirements. The required courses or topics are: 

  • Theories and Techniques 
  • Professional Ethics
  • Assessment Techniques
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Social and Cultural Diversity

Nebraska Counseling Licensure Requirements

There are two stages of the mental health counselor license in Nebraska: the Provisional Mental Health Practitioner License and the Mental Health Practitioner License.

Provisional Mental Health Practitioner: 
To obtain provisional licensure in Nebraska one must graduate from a master’s or doctoral program in clinical mental health counseling. The program must contain the courses listed above. 

Mental Health Practitioner:
After graduating from a counseling graduate program and obtaining 3,000 hours of supervised experience, one may apply for independent counseling licensure. This is known as the independent Mental Health Practitioner license. After completing those requirements, an applicant has the option to take either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE).

Nebraska Counseling FAQs

How many hours are required to renew a counseling license? 
32 hours of continuing education are required for each two-year renewal period. Four hours of ethics education and six hours of diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders are required in those 32 hours.

How Much Does a Mental Health Counselor Make in Nebraska

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a mental health counselor in Nebraska is $58,320. This is higher than the national average of $53,710.

How to Become a School Counselor in Nebraska

The Nebraska Department of Education states that becoming a school counselor requires a master’s degree in counseling with a specialization in school counseling, 100 hours of field experience in school counseling, a 450-hour school counseling internship, and a previously earned teaching certificate. If one does not have a teaching certificate they must complete 12 additional credit hours of coursework related to core curriculum design, lesson plan development, classroom management strategies, student assessment, and differentiated instructional strategies.

How Much Does a School Counselor Make in Nebraska

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a school counselor in Nebraska is $64,150. This is higher than the national average of $61,710.

How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Nebraska

There are two types of substance abuse counselor licenses in Nebraska: the Provisional Alcohol and Drug Counselor and the Alcohol and Drug Counselor licenses. 

A Provisional Alcohol and Drug Counselor is someone who is working toward the 6,000 hours of required experience to become a full Alcohol and Drug Counselor. 

An Alcohol and Drug Counselor is someone who has met the 6,000-hour requirement and provides the 12 core functions of: screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, reports and record keeping, and consultation with other professionals. 

To become a Provisional Alcohol and Drug Counselor, one must gather an initial 270 hours of education. After gathering the initial education hours, one must complete 6,000 hours of supervised experience and pass the IC&RC/AODA examination to become an Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

How Much Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Make in Nebraska

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a substance abuse counselor in Nebraska is $58,320. 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.