Fastest Way To Become a Counselor in Colorado 2025

About 1,260 mental health counseling job positions are expected to open up in Colorado within the next five years. The field of counseling is great for both job security and return on investment. Read on to learn about the quickest way to become a licensed counselor.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Counselor in Colorado?

While the fastest way to become a counselor in Colorado can vary, the average length is about six years. By taking a close look at the steps to become a licensed counselor, you can focus on the shortest path.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Counselor in Colorado?

Already having a bachelor's degree is the fastest way to become a therapist in Colorado. Whether or not you have an undergraduate degree, it's important to know exactly what you need to accomplish before working as a licensed professional counselor. The following steps will help guide you on your career path.

1. Earn a bachelor's degree: Holding a bachelor's degree in psychology, for example, can expedite your academic journey. However, any bachelor's degree allows you to apply to take counseling coursework toward a master's degree.

2. Earn a master's degree: You should expect to get a master's degree with a focus in counseling, psychology, or a related field, depending on the type of counseling you're interested in.

3. Complete supervised clinical experience: Part of your educational requirements will include real-world clinical experience. To put this into perspective, the University of Colorado Denver requires 2,000 hours of supervised post-graduate counseling.

4. Complete Colorado counselor licensure requirements: The final step toward counseling licensure involves passing the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) or a similar exam.

What Is the Fastest Way To Get a Counseling Degree in Colorado?

If you don't have a bachelor's degree in counseling or a similar program, don't worry. Instead, you can apply to a full-time master's program of your choice, whether to become a school counselor, an addiction counselor, or something else.

Keep in mind that becoming an entry-level substance abuse counselor tends to be faster than becoming a career counselor. Be sure to look at specific programs and decide which one meets your needs and timeframe expectations.

Choose an Accelerated Online Master's in Counseling Program

Would you like to attend an accelerated program? You'll be glad to know that universities like Colorado Christian University offer an accelerated master's in counseling online that takes as little as two and a half years. Afterward, you can work toward meeting the final requirements for becoming a licensed professional counselor (LPC).

Earn a Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degree

For those who don't have a bachelor's yet, you can sign up for a program that will earn you both a bachelor's and a master's degree. For example, Colorado State University takes a total of five years and begins with an accelerated addiction counseling undergraduate program. That way, you can meet the necessary licensing requirements and join the workforce as soon as possible.

Utilize Transfer Credits

Sometimes, it's possible to transfer relevant credits toward your bachelor's or master's degree. Doing so can save you both time and money. Still, whether the credits are applicable will vary, so it's worth looking into the precise university's application process and policies. One example is Colorado Christian University, which allows you to transfer as many as a dozen graduate-level credit hours toward a master's in mental health counseling.

Featured Online Counseling Programs in Colorado

One way you can save both time and money is by finding the right online counseling program in Colorado. Instead of commuting several or more times a week, you can do your coursework from the comfort of your home. Every professional counselor candidate should read on to learn about specific online graduate degree options.

Adam State University Colorado

When considering the fastest way to become a therapist in Colorado, don't overlook the program offered by Adam State University Colorado. If you start in the fall, you can complete the program in as little as five semesters. With a degree from this institution, you can work in hospitals, social services, and more.

• Time to completion: two and a half years
• Tuition cost: $492.80 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Specializations: clinical mental health counseling and school counseling

Colorado Christian University

Colorado Christian University's clinical mental health counseling program can be paired with two optional emphases. It's great for students who want a faith-based approach to their education.

• Time to completion: two and a half years
• Tuition cost: $532 each semester
• Accreditation: CACREP
• Specializations: clinical mental health counseling with marriage family therapy or substance abuse disorders

University of Denver

If you love working with children, then consider enrolling in the school counseling Master of Arts program offered by the University of Denver. In fewer than two years, you can find yourself working to help individuals in pre-school through high school. Their history in psychology dates back to the 1970s.

• Time to completion: 22 months
• Tuition cost: $1,070 per credit hour
• Accreditation: CACREP
• Specializations: school counseling

How Much Does It Cost To Become a Counselor?

The exact cost of becoming a counselor will depend on the specific school, program, and more. If you can get scholarships and grants, then that will go a long way toward reducing your overall fees. Private or government loans are also a dependable way of investing in your future counselor license.

The general cost can range from around $36,000 to $72,000 at public universities. If you decide to attend an online professional counseling program, you could pay as little as $4,900 per semester at Aspen University.

An on-campus program tends to cost a bit more than an online one. One of the cheapest in-person programs is offered by the University of Colorado Boulder, which is CACREP-accredited and $6,233 per semester, counting tuition and other fees.

Are There Affordable Counseling Degree Programs?

The fastest way to become a counselor in Colorado can also be the most affordable. By taking an online program, you can reduce your tuition and other fees.

Aside from Aspen University, you can take advantage of the University of Cumberlands' $4,800 annual tuition, assuming you want to pursue school counseling. If you're interested in substance abuse counseling, then consider East Central University, which has a yearly tuition of $9,800.

How Much Can I Earn as a Counselor?

The job outlook for counselors in Colorado is promising. However, the exact project salary depends on various factors, including where you work and which field you choose.

For instance, a school counselor makes a median salary of just over $58,000. With enough experience, you could work your way up to the top 10% of school counselors who make almost $98,000 a year.

Do you see yourself working as a rehabilitation counselor? If so, you could earn anywhere from $40,000 to $65,000 per year with the proper counseling license according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Types of Counseling Career Paths With a Master's Degree

The variety of professional development opportunities in counseling is impressive. Some of the most popular types of counseling careers include mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, school counselors, and substance abuse counselors.

Mental health counselors often work with individuals who are suffering from anxiety, borderline personality disorder, or other related conditions. As a marriage and family therapist, you'll be tasked with helping people nurture healthy and functional relationships.

Colorado is ranked as the fourth state with the highest number of school counselors, according to a news report from KRDO. A school counselor often guides students in their academic careers while also checking in on their social and emotional wellness.

As a substance abuse counselor, you can expect to help people overcome addictive habits and live drug-free lives.

Explore Master's Programs in Counseling

By earning your master's degree in behavior health or a similar concentration, you'll be one step closer to LPC licensure. Whether you start a private practice or opt for social work, you'll know that the investment is worth it.

For more details about online and in-person programs in Colorado and elsewhere, be sure to read more of the high-quality content on Learn.org.