Best and Affordable Mental Health Counseling Programs in Washington DC
Across Washington DC, five nonprofit schools confer master’s degrees in mental health counseling (MHC), clinical mental health counseling (CMHC), or a closely related field.1 Some hold classes entirely on campus, while others follow hybrid or fully online models that move much of the coursework into a remote setting. Each program leading to Washington DC’s Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential is compared below, along with DC MHC job outlook, earning potential, and the professional associations active in the field.
Table of Contents
- Washington DC MHC Program Comparison
- Best MHC Programs
- Most Affordable MHC Programs
- Online MHC Programs
- Washington DC MHC Salary and Outlook Information
- Additional Resources
Comparison of Washington DC Schools With Mental Health Counseling Programs
The table below compares the five Washington DC mental health counseling programs on key factors, including accreditation status, institution type, program format, US News & World Report rankings, in-state and out-of-state tuition, and total number of credit hours required. All institutions listed below are not-for-profit. If we’ve missed a Washington DC school with a mental health counseling program, please let us know. For more information on these schools, please visit our Washington DC counseling degrees page, master’s in mental health counseling degree guide, or individual school websites.
| School Name | Accreditation2,3 | MHC Degrees Offered | Program Format | US News National Rank4 | In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour | Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour | Total Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gallaudet University | — | MA CMHC | Hybrid | #198 tie | $1,176 | $1,176 | 61 |
| George Washington University | CACREP | MAEd & Human Development (HD): CMHC | Traditional; Online | #59 tie | $2,000 | $2,000 | 60 |
| The Chicago School at Washington DC | CACREP | MA CMHC | Traditional | — | $1,509 | $1,509 | 60 |
| Trinity Washington University | CACREP | MA CMHC | Traditional | — | $885 | $885 | 60 |
| University of the District of Columbia | CACREP | MS CMHC | Traditional | — | $513 | $580-$986 | 60 |
Best Mental Health Counseling Programs in Washington DC
The school below offers the top-ranked mental health counseling program in Washington DC, as determined by program accreditation and third-party school ratings.
George Washington University
George Washington University offers a Master of Arts in Education and Human Development (MAEd & HD) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC), housed in its Graduate School of Education and Human Development. The 60-credit program carries CACREP accreditation and can be completed on campus or online, with academic coursework paired with supervised practicum and internship placements. Students training in the program have access to clinical sites across the DC metropolitan area, which puts a wide mix of settings and client populations within reach. Graduates meet the educational requirements for Washington DC’s LPC credential.
Other Notable Programs
- The Chicago School at Washington DC
- Trinity Washington University
- University of the District of Columbia
Most Affordable Mental Health Counseling Programs in Washington DC
The following schools offer the most cost-effective mental health counseling degrees, based on their minimum tuition, not including additional fees. Required credit hours may differ depending on the concentration area, so be sure to check with schools of interest for more details on specific program options. For a detailed comparison, you can refer to the comparison table above to find the quality indicators that align with your needs. Tuition shown is the lowest per-credit rate published as of the most recent catalog; confirm totals with each school.
- University of the District of Columbia ($30,780)
- Trinity Washington University ($53,100)
- Gallaudet University ($71,736)
Online Mental Health Counseling Programs in Washington DC
The following schools offer online or hybrid degrees in mental health counseling:
- Gallaudet University (Hybrid)
- George Washington University (Online)
Washington DC Mental Health Counselor Salary and Outlook Information
Job growth for mental health counselors in Washington DC is expected to trail the national pace, with local employment forecast to rise 12.1% through 2034, compared to 16.8% nationwide.5 That growth is expected to produce an average of 90 openings per year in Washington DC over the same period.5 The table below shows salaries by metro area for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, alongside the district-wide average.
| City | Number Employed6 | 10th Percentile Salary6 | 25th Percentile Salary6 | 50th Percentile (Median) Salary6 | 75th Percentile Salary6 | 90th Percentile Salary6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District-wide | 1,260 | $43,060 | $46,920 | $60,450 | $83,570 | $107,980 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 9,030 | $46,520 | $50,870 | $65,270 | $83,370 | $104,170 |
Additional Resources
- Counseling Degrees Guide: Explore counseling degree options by level and specialization, including online and on-campus programs.
- Counseling Interviews and Advice: Read our interviews page for career advice from experienced clinical mental health counselors.
- Counseling School Accreditation Information: Learn about accreditation at both the institutional and program levels.
- Mental Health Counselor Career Guide: An overview of the counseling profession, including job duties, required skills, and common work environments.
- DC Board of Professional Counseling: Part of DC Health, this board licenses professional counselors in Washington DC and maintains the statutes, regulations, application checklists, examination and supervised-experience requirements, and renewal information for the LPC credential and the Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) license that precedes it.
- DC Department of Behavioral Health: The agency that runs Washington DC’s public behavioral health system, providing prevention, treatment, and recovery services for residents with mental health and substance use conditions and operating Saint Elizabeths Hospital, the city’s public psychiatric facility.
- District of Columbia Mental Health Counselors Association (DCMHCA): The citywide professional association for licensed counselors in Washington DC and a chartered branch of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), offering advocacy, professional development, and networking for LPCs and LGPCs.
- Washington DC Counseling Schools: Find counseling programs in Washington DC, including on-campus, hybrid, and online options.
- Washington DC LPC Licensing Process: Step-by-step guidance on becoming licensed in Washington DC, including education, supervised experience, and examination requirements.
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, Accredited Programs: https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
3. Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council Accredited Programs: https://mpcacaccreditation.org/accredited-programs/
4. US News & World Report 2025 Best National University Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities
5. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/longterm
6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm