Counseling Degrees and Programs in Utah
Utah is home to several colleges and universities that offer counseling programs in all of the major categories: mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling. All counseling degrees in Utah are offered at the master’s or doctoral level, which is not surprising given almost all types of professional counseling careers require a graduate degree. Professional certificates are also available in some areas of counseling. One of the first steps you will likely have to take to start your counseling career in Utah is choosing a school and a counseling program in your preferred area of practice. Online and hybrid counseling programs are available at some schools in Utah, which can offer students greater flexibility in their learning experience.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
- There are 6 not-for-profit colleges and universities that offer a program in mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, school counseling, substance abuse counseling, and/or vocational rehabilitation counseling in Utah.1,2
- Of the counseling schools in Utah, 0 offer an associate degree, 0 offer a bachelor’s degree, 2 offer a certificate, and 5 offer a master’s or advanced degree.1,2
- 3 schools offer a degree in mental health counseling.1,2
- 4 schools offer a degree in marriage and family therapy.1,2
- 1 school offers a degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling.1,2
- 2 schools offer a degree in school counseling.1,2
- 2 schools offer a degree in substance abuse counseling.1,2
- No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Student Counseling Programs 2022.3
- No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online M.Ed. Programs for Student Counseling 2022.4
- Across 2 schools, 2 counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).2
- Across 2 schools, 3 counseling programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).5
Comparison of Utah Counseling Schools and Programs
In the table below, we have compiled information that will help you compare the public and not-for-profit colleges and universities in Utah offering counseling programs in the five main areas: mental health counseling (MH), marriage and family therapy (MF), vocational rehabilitation counseling (VR), school counseling (SC), and substance abuse counseling (SA). Use the table to compare each school by program type offered, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation status, graduation rate, and net price per year. Learn more about Utah counseling licensure requirements by visiting our license requirements page.
| School Name | CACREP-Accred Program2 | MH | MF | VR | SC | SA | Grad Rate1 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University-Provo | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | 77% | $13,432 |
| University of Utah | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | 67% | $12,972 |
| Utah State University | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | — | — | 56% | $14,529 |
| Utah Tech University | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | 38% | $14,774 |
| Utah Valley University | — | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | 38% | $9,210 |
| Westminster College | Yes | Yes | — | — | — | — | 63% | $26,956 |
Schools in Utah with Counseling Degrees
Traditional Graduate Programs
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University (BYU) is a private institution in Provo owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The school offers a two-year, 61-credit Master of Science (MS) in Marriage and Family Therapy that meets state educational and clinical requirements for the Associate Marriage and Family Therapy (AMFT) license and is COAMFTE-accredited. The degree is offered with a Research Track that is designed for students who plan to complete a PhD after completing the MS and a Clinical Track for students who plan to enter professional practice. BYU also offers a COAMFTE-accredited Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Marriage and Family Therapy with tracks in Academic/Research and Clinical Administration/Private Practice. Applicants with a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy can complete the PhD in approximately three years. Applicants with a master’s degree program in a counseling-related field must take additional coursework to meet state requirements for the MFT license before beginning the PhD curriculum. Both the MS and PhD degrees admit new students in the fall term.
University of Utah
The University of Utah offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and in School Counseling. The M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is available at the Salt Lake City campus and consists of 60 credits, including a 1,000-hour internship. Students learn how to provide counseling services to clients in mental health facilities, outpatient clinics, and community settings. The degree meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC) in Utah. The 48-credit M.Ed. in School Counseling is available at the Salt Lake City and St. George campuses. The program takes two years to complete and admits new students in the summer term. The degree is designed for working professionals with fall and spring courses offered on weekday evenings and summer courses offered during the day and evening. The University of Utah also offers a Substance Use Disorder Treatment Certificate that can be designed to meet the academic requirements for the Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDC) or the Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counselor (ASUDC) credentials in Utah.
Westminster College
At Westminster College, students can complete a CACREP-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Mental Health Counseling. The MS in Mental Health Counseling consists of 60 credits; 48 credits of required foundation courses, six credits of Counseling Theory courses, and 6 credits of Special Topic Seminars. The degree takes three years to complete over six semesters and has a cohort structure with classes offered on weekday mornings. In the program, students are exposed to a variety of different counseling theories and models, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic, and family systems. Sample courses include Multicultural Counseling; Trauma Treatment; Foundations of Adventure-Based Counseling; and Substance Abuse Counseling. The college also provides students with numerous practicum placement locations and opportunities for paid research jobs. Individuals in the program complete at least 1,000 hours of supervised practicum and will meet coursework requirements for the Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor (ACMHC) credential upon graduation. Students must complete an additional 3,000 hours of clinical practical hours within two years of graduation to receive full Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC) licensure. Graduates of the program have found employment in mental health settings, such as hospitals, agencies, and private practice.
Online and Hybrid Programs
Utah State University
Utah State University is home to counseling degrees in rehabilitation counseling and marriage and family therapy. The CACREP-accredited Master of Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC) is available online as well as at numerous campuses across the state. The degree consists of 52 credits and teaches students to work with clients with various disabilities. Online students travel to the main campus in Logan for three one-week residencies during the program. An online Certificate in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, comprising 16-23 credits, is also available to individuals with a counseling-related master’s degree online, with no residency requirements. The school offers an on-campus, COAMFTE-accredited Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT). Students in the MMFT program complete a culminating experience instead of a thesis, to comprise 47 total credits. While the program does not have specific prerequisite courses, students who do not have an undergraduate degree in family studies or a related subject may be required to take additional courses. The Master of Science (MS) and Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) in Human Development and Family Studies degrees both offer on-campus concentrations in Marriage and Family Therapy. Both the MMFT and the MS in Human Development and Family Studies meet the state coursework requirements for the Associate Marriage and Family Therapy license (AMFT).
Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University (UVU) offers an online Certificate of Proficiency in Substance Use Disorder Counseling requiring 26 credits and an online Certificate of Proficiency in Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counseling requiring 32 credits. Students must first take nine credits in English, psychology, and human development before being admitted to either program. The Certificate in Substance Use Disorder Counseling includes introductory credits in substance abuse and one semester of internship totaling 200 hours. The Certificate in Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counseling builds on this coursework and includes advanced counseling skills, psychopharmacology, and an additional 150 hours of internship totaling 350 hours. Coursework from the certificate programs can be applied towards the state requirements for the Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDC) and Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counselor (ASUDC) credentials. UVU also offers a 54-credit Master of Arts (MA) in Marriage and Family Therapy that meets state coursework requirements for the Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) license.
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), Accredited Programs: https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
3. US News & World Report Best Student Counseling Programs, 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/student-counseling-rankings
4. US News Best Online Master’s in Education Programs Offering Student Counseling and Personnel Services 2022: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/student-counseling-rankings
5. Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), Directory of COAMFTE Accredited Programs: https://coamfte.org/COAMFTE/Directory_of_Accredited_Programs/MFT_Training_Programs.aspx