What Are the Best Schools for a Counseling Degree?
Review the typical characteristics of a school with a good program in counseling. Read about three top-ranked schools with counseling programs, and explore the degrees each school offers in this field.
What Should I Look for in a Counseling Degree Program?
Counseling degree programs come in many forms, so you'll want to do your research to find out which schools have the programs you're interested in. Mental health counseling, school counseling, marriage and family counseling and community health counseling are all options. Programs that offer multiple options for clinical work will provide you with the opportunity to work with people from many different backgrounds. You should look for schools that offer programs at the graduate level, since all states require you to have a master's degree or higher in order to become licensed as a counselor.
<h2 id="section---WhatAreThreeTopSchoolsOfferingCounselingDegreePrograms">What are Three Top Schools Offering Counseling Degree Programs?</h2><h3 id="section---ColumbiaUniversityInNewYorkNY">Columbia University in New York, NY</h3><p>Columbia University is a private school enrolling more than 30,000 students each year. It is tied at third on <i>U.S. News & World Report</i>'s list of national universities in 2019. Columbia's programs in psychological counseling are administered through its Teacher's College. Once you graduate from the master's degree program in counseling, and achieve any necessary licensure, you can become employed in health centers, colleges, hospitals and a variety of other settings. The Ph.D. program in counseling psychology can provide you with a rigorous grounding in research and practice. The following degree programs are available:
</p><ul><li>Master of Education in Psychological Counseling
</li><li>Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology
</li></ul><h3 id="section---NewYorkUniversity">New York University</h3><p>This private school is tied at 30th on <i>U.S. News & World Report</i> list of national universities for 2019. <i>U.S. News</i> also ranked NYU's graduate psychology program which is tied at 36th in the nation. The Department of Applied Psychology at NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development administers counseling programs that focus on incorporating and disseminating research conducted at the school. Faculty in the department will allow you to contribute to research projects with laboratory and field-based components. The following degree programs are available:
</p><ul><li>Master of Arts in Counseling for Health and Wellness
</li><li>Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance: School and Bilingual Counseling
</li><li>Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology
</li></ul><h3 id="section---NorthwesternUniversityInEvanstonIllinois">Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois</h3><p>Northwestern University tied at 10th on <i>U.S. News & World Report's</i> list of best national universities for 2019. It was also included on <i>The Princeton Review's</i> list of best Midwestern colleges for 2019. Northwestern offers graduate programs in counseling through the Family Institute. The Institute operates a counseling center with specialized programs, including those for anxiety and depression, LGBT clientele and adoptive families, through which you can complete practical hours. Northwestern offers the following counseling degree programs:
</p><ul><li>Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
</li><li>Master of Science in Marriage/Family Therapy
</li></ul><h2 id="section---OtherCounselingSchoolsAndPrograms">Other Counseling Schools and Programs</h2><p></p><table border="1"><tr><th>College/University</th><th>Institution Type</th><th>Location</th><th>Estimated Graduate In-State Tuition*</th></tr>
<tr><td>Boston University</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>Boston, MA</td><td>$53,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Radford University</td><td>4-year, Public</td><td>Radford, VA</td><td>$9,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>University of Northern Iowa</td><td>4-year, Public</td><td>Cedar Falls, IA</td><td>$9,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>La Salle University</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>Philadelphia, PA</td><td>$24,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Westminster College</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>Salt Lake City, UT</td><td>$14,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>National University</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>La Jolla, CA</td><td>$15,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cornerstone University</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>Grand Rapids, MI</td><td>$13,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Huntington University</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>Huntington, IN</td><td>$11,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Johns Hopkins University</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>Baltimore, MD</td><td>$54,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Rowan University</td><td>4-year, Public</td><td>Glassboro, NJ</td><td>$13,000</td></tr>
</table><p><i>*Source: NCES, U.S. Department of Education</i></p>