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.
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.
- Program: Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Accreditation: CACREP
- 60 Credit Hours
- Online or In-person program located in Portland, Oregon
- Tuition: $46,440 for the entire program ($774 per credit hour)
- Program: Master of Counseling
- Accreditation: CACREP
- 60 Credit Hours
- Online and In-person program located in Corvallis, Oregon
- Tuition: $590 per credit hour for the Online Program
- Tuition: $604.11 per credit hour for the in-person program for Oregon residents
- Tuition: $1,173.44 per credit hour for the in-person program for non-residents of Oregon
- Program: Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Accreditation: N/A
- 90 Quarter Credits
- Online Program
- Tuition: $520.80 per credit hour
- Program: Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Accreditation: N/A
- 90 Quarter Credits/60 Semester Hours
- Online Program
- Tuition: $605 per credit hour
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.
- Program: Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Accreditation: CACREP
- 60 Credit Hours
- In-person program located in Eugene, Oregon
- Tuition: $735 per credit hour
- Program: Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Accreditation: CACREP
- 60 Credit Hours
- In-person program located in Salem, Oregon
- Tuition: $605 per credit hour
- Program: Master of Arts in Professional Mental Health Counseling
- Accreditation: CACREP
- 60 Credit Hours
- In-person program located in Portland, Oregon
- Tuition: $63,780 for the entire program ($1,063 per credit hour)
- Program: Master of Arts/Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Accreditation: CACREP
- 90 Credits
- In-person program located in Portland, Oregon
- Tuition: $463 per credit hour for Oregon residents
- Tuition: $690 per credit hour for non-residents of Oregon
- Program: Master of Arts/Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Accreditation: CACREP
- 60 Credit Hours
- In-person program located in Ashland, Oregon
- Tuition: $14,553 per year for Oregon residents(based on 18 credit hours per year)
- Tuition: $17,361 per year for non-residents of Oregon (based on 18 credit hours per year)
- Program: Master of Arts in Counseling
- Accreditation: CACREP
- 68 Credit Hours
- Hybrid program located in Portland, Oregon
- Tuition: $693 per credit hour
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 |
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.