Oregon Master’s in Counseling Programs

Oregon is a state in the Northwestern United States known for its natural beauty and more recently for being a mecca for innovative mental health treatments. The state is one of the few in the country that offers psychedelic mental health treatment as well as the only state that has decriminalized all substances. Due to the nature of mental health treatment in the state, O*Net Online projects that the need for mental health counselors in the state will increase by 27% by 2030. Many programs based in the state meet the licensure requirements that will help fill the growing need for counselors.

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Master of Counseling Programs in Oregon

According to the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, to meet the requirements for licensure in the State of Oregon, an applicant must have a master’s degree in mental health counseling from a Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited program or a program that is regionally accredited. Programs that are not CACREP-accredited must contain 60 credit hours of coursework and be at least two years in duration.

Online Master of Counseling Programs in Oregon

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 courses at your own pace. Four programs in Oregon are based online and meet the requirements for licensure.

CACREP-Accredited Master of Counseling Programs in Oregon

Accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is becoming an increasingly popular feature of many masters of counseling programs nationwide. Some of the benefits of attending a CACREP-accredited program include meeting the requirements for most states and becoming familiar with other programs that are accredited. Eight programs programs in Oregon are CACREP-Accredited. Two programs are listed above in the Online Programs category and are located at George Fox University and Oregon State University.

Oregon Online, No GRE & CAREP Accredited Counseling Masters Programs

Specialty	University Name	Degree	City	State	Accreditation	Modality	GRE Required?	Program Length
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Bushnell University (previously Northwest Christian University)	M.A.	Eugene	OR	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Corban University	M.A.	Salem	OR	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Lewis & Clark College	M.A./M.S.	Portland	OR	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	3½ Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Oregon State University	M. Coun.	Corvallis	OR	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
School Counseling	Oregon State University	M. Coun.	Corvallis	OR	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
School Counseling	Portland State University	M.A./M.S.	Portland	OR	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	3 Years
Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling	Portland State University	M.A./M.S.	Portland	OR	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	3 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling	Portland State University	M.S.	Portland	OR	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Portland State University	M.A./M.S.	Portland	OR	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	3 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Southern Oregon University	M.A./M.S.	Ashland	OR	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	1 Year
Rehabilitation Counseling	Western Oregon University	M.S.	Monmouth	OR	CACREP	Online & Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Western Seminary, Portland	M.A.	Portland	OR	CACREP
Counseling Psychology (CPSY) Program	University of Oregon	Ph.D	Eugene	OR	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	5 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	George Fox University	Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Portland	OR	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2-4 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling	Oregon State University Cascades	Master of Counseling	Bend	OR	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	90 credit hours
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Southern Oregon University	M.S/ M.A	Ashland	OR	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Eastern Oregon University	M.S	La Grande	OR	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	2 Years
Master's in Counseling with specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling.	Oregon State University (OSU).	M.C	Corvallis	OR	CACREP	Hybrid		3 Years
Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling with an emphasis on Clinical Mental Health Counseling.	Western Seminary	M.A.	Portland	OR	CACREP	Online & Campus	No GRE Required	3 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Eastern Oregon University	M.S.	La Grande	OR	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	2 Years
Professional Mental Health Counseling	Lewis & Clark	M.S.	Portland	OR	CACREP		No GRE Required	62 semester hours
Counseling (with options for Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling)	Oregon State University	M.Coun	Corvallis	OR	CACREP	Hybrid
https://www.oregon.gov/oblpct/pages/education.aspx		LMFT	Salem	OR	CACREP

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No GRE Required Master of Counseling Programs in Oregon

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

Four of those programs are under the Online Programs category. Those programs are at George Fox University, Oregon State University, Eastern Oregon University, and the University of Western States. 

The remaining five programs that do not require the GRE are under the CACREP-Accredited Programs category. Those programs are at Corban University, Lewis & Clark College, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, and Western Seminary in Portland. At Bushnell University, the program admission requirements state that anyone with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0 may submit GRE scores to be considered for admission.

Most Affordable Master of Counseling Program in Oregon

Choosing an affordable Master in Counseling program is sometimes just as important as finding one that is academically sound. Under the Online Programs category, the most affordable program is at Eastern Oregon University with a price tag of $520.80 per credit hour. 

Under the CACREP-Accredited Programs category, the most affordable program is at Portland State University with a price tag of $463 per credit hour. Therefore Portland State University is home to the most affordable Master of Counseling program in Oregon.

Accelerated Master of Counseling Programs in Oregon

Due to the nature of licensing requirements in Oregon, it is required that all programs contain at least 60 credit hours or 90 quarter credits. As a result, most programs are finished in a period of two to four years with a lot of them falling in the three-year range. Two programs on the list above state that they can be completed in two years. Those programs are at the University of Western States and George Fox University.

Required Courses for Licensure in Oregon

According to the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, all mental health counseling programs in Oregon must contain a minimum of 60 credit hours or 90 quarter credits. There is a list of required courses for licensure that all programs must contain. Those programs include: 

• Counseling Theory
• Human Growth & Lifespan Development
• Social & Cultural Foundations
• Helping Relationship 
• Group Dynamics
• Lifestyle & Career Development
• Diagnosis & Appraisal of Individuals
• Research & Evaluation
• Professional Orientation

Counseling Licensure Requirements in Oregon

There are two levels of licensure for mental health counselors in Oregon. The first stage is the Professional Counselor Associate license and the second is the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license. The Oregon Secretary of State gives the requirements for licensure. 

Professional Counselor Associate: 

This licensure requires a master’s degree from an accredited university in mental health counseling. This licensure requires supervision and anyone with this license is not able to practice independently. 

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): 

To obtain the LPC license in Oregon, one must have held the Professional Counselor Associate license for 36 months with supervision. Included in these 36 months must be 1,900 hours of supervised experience (400 hours may be carried over from graduate school internship). It is also required that anyone applying for this license pass either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) along with the Oregon laws and rules examination.

Oregon Counseling FAQs (Obtained via the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists)

How many hours of continuing education credits are required for renewal of LPC license?

According to the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, those seeking to renew their license must obtain 80 continuing education hours over two years. 12 hours must be in ethics or Oregon laws, eight hours must be in cultural competency, and two hours must be in suicide prevention. Those who hold the supervision designation must have six hours of supervisor-related training. 

What is considered “direct clinical hours?”

These are hours that are direct client contact in a therapeutic setting including a one-on-one counseling session/group or a diagnostic assessment session. These hours can be completed telephonically or in person. 

What is not considered “direct clinical hours?”

Intake only (completion of intake paperwork), case management, casual contact, research, administration work, advocacy, instruction, attending a training/workshop, or supervision hours.

How Much Does a Mental Health Counselor Make in Oregon

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for mental health counselors in Oregon is $57,570. This is higher than the national average of $49,710 per year.

How to Become a School Counselor in Oregon

According to the State of Oregon, there are two steps to school counselor licensure for those who have completed a master’s degree in school counseling. The first step is the School Counselor License and the Professional School Counselor License. 

School Counselor License: 

To obtain this credential, an applicant must have completed a master’s program in school counseling. This stage of licensure has not obtained the full competencies needed to qualify as a Professional School Counselor License. 

Professional School Counselor License: 

This applicant must have completed a master’s degree in school counseling and obtained national certification as a school counselor through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) or completed advanced coursework in the topic of school counseling.

How Much Does a School Counselor Make in Oregon

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a school counselor in Oregon is $63,320 per year. This is higher than the national average of $60,140.

How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Oregon

There are three levels of substance abuse counselor licensure in Oregon. Those three stages are Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor I (CADC I), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II (CADC II), and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor III (CADC III). The Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon provides information on how to obtain each stage of licensure. 

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor I:

An applicant applying for this licensure must have a minimum of an associate’s degree and complete 150 hours of addiction-specific education which includes:

• Basic Counseling Skills
• Group Counseling Skills
• A&D Pharmacology
• HIV/AIDS Risk Assessment Risk Reduction
• Counseling Ethics
• Clinical Evaluation (ASAM)

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II:

An applicant applying for this licensure must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and complete 300 hours of addiction-specific education which includes:

• Basic Counseling Skills
• Group Counseling Skills
• A&D Pharmacology
• HIV/AIDS Risk Assessment Risk Reduction
• Counseling Ethics
• Clinical Evaluation (ASAM)
• Cultural Diversity
• Co-occurring Disorders

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor III:

An applicant applying for this licensure must have a minimum of a master’s degree and complete 300 hours of addiction-specific education which includes:

• Basic Counseling Skills
• Group Counseling Skills
• A&D Pharmacology
• HIV/AIDS Risk Assessment Risk Reduction
• Counseling Ethics
• Clinical Evaluation (ASAM)
• Cultural Diversity
• Co-occurring Disorders
• Addiction Treatment Evidence-Based Practices

How Much Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Make in Oregon

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a substance abuse counselor in Oregon is $57,570 per year. This is higher than the national average of $49,710 per year.

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

The skills learned in a Master of Counseling program open the door for many positions outside of the counseling profession. Some of the positions opened up with this degree include human resources, governmental social services, education, and non-profit leadership.