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Online and On-Campus Counseling Degrees and Programs in Delaware

Four schools in Delaware offer programs in the five major counseling practice areas: mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling.1 In addition to traditional, on-campus programs, there are online and hybrid options to choose from. Online counseling degrees are delivered entirely through web-based learning, while hybrid degrees blend online coursework with in-person sessions. Two schools in Delaware offer hybrid and online counseling degrees that make counseling education more accessible to those who can’t attend traditional programs.

Table of Contents

Comparison of Delaware Counseling Schools and Programs

The table below summarizes public and not-for-profit colleges and universities in Delaware with traditional and online counseling programs. Where applicable, we note schools with one or more programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), and the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).

The five major counseling degree concentrations are abbreviated as MH for mental health counseling degrees, MF for marriage and family therapy degrees, VR for vocational rehabilitation counseling degrees, SC for school counseling degrees, and SA for substance abuse counseling degrees. These correspond to the Delaware counseling licenses Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), School Counselor (SC), and Licensed Chemical Dependency Professional (LCDP). Rehabilitation counselors are typically licensed as LPCMHs. Note that some programs offer degree tracks that can lead to credentialing in more than one specialty. Bold text indicates a program with online or hybrid options.

School NameAccreditation2-4Online/Hybrid Programs?MHMFVRSCSANet Price1
Delaware State University—Online————YesN.Av.
Delaware Technical Community College-Terry——————Yes$8,121
Goldey-Beacom College——YesYes———$17,417
Wilmington UniversityCACREPHybridYes——Yes—$13,780

Delaware Schools With Online Counseling Programs

Programs on the following lists may be online or hybrid. Check with schools for any in-person degree requirements.

Online Mental Health Counseling Degrees

Online School Counseling Degrees

Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees

Select Schools in Delaware With Counseling Degrees

Traditional Undergraduate Programs

Delaware State University

Delaware State University (DSU) is one of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) offering a 21-credit Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling (CADC). This program comprises elective courses that are offered as part of DSU’s Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology degree. These courses may be taken by students in the BS or certificate programs, as standalone continuing education courses, or by Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADCs) who require additional coursework to recertify in Delaware. Courses are offered in an accelerated, eight-week format either at the Dover campus or online. Students may complete the courses in any order and may take a full- or part-time course load. Examples of required courses include Introduction to Drug and Alcohol Counseling; Assessment of Alcohol and Drug Addiction; and Treatment Planning and Relapse Prevention for Alcohol and Drug Addiction. Students must also complete at least 200 hours of supervised work experience that provides at least 10 hours of training in the following areas: screening; assessment; treatment planning and referral; counseling techniques; and professional and ethical duties. This coursework can be applied to the state educational requirements to become a CADC.

Delaware Technical Community College

Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC) offers addiction counseling programs at the Dover and Wilmington campuses. The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Drug and Alcohol Counseling requires 67 credits, including coursework in human services, psychology, and addiction studies. Students will learn to provide substance abuse counseling to clients impacted by addiction as well as related skills, such as assessment, prevention, and community education. Full-time students can typically complete the degree in two years and, upon completion, may look for work in entry-level addiction counseling careers or continue their studies in a bachelor’s degree program. A Certificate in Drug and Alcohol Counseling is also offered to students who have or are working towards an associate degree in a related field. The certificate requires at least 18 credits depending on the student’s prior coursework and plan of study. Both programs include a supervised work experience that provides students with hands-on learning opportunities in a related organization. Coursework from both the AAS and the certificate program can be applied to Delaware’s educational requirements for the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential.

Traditional Graduate Programs

Wilmington University

Wilmington University (WilmU) offers Delaware’s only graduate programs in counseling. The CACREP-accredited, 60-credit Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) takes three years of full-time study to complete, including two years of coursework and one year of supervised clinical experience. The curriculum includes 44 credits in the counseling core curriculum, 12 credits of field experience, and four credits of electives. Examples of required courses include Theories of Counseling and Tools, Techniques, and Strategies of Counseling. The degree is a hybrid program that includes both online and in-person learning and meets state coursework requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH). WilmU also offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling. This degree is available at the campuses in Dover, New Castle, Georgetown, Brandywine, and Gloucester. The program is offered with a 51-credit certification track that meets the requirements to become a K-12 school counselor in Delaware and a 39-credit non-certification track for students planning to work in settings outside the school system. Students learn how to provide counseling and support to children and youth and must take courses in group counseling, child development, and research. A Graduate Certificate in Advanced Study in School Counseling is offered in Dover, New Castle, Georgetown, and online. This program teaches students about new trends and issues in school counseling but does not lead to certification, though courses may be used to meet recertification 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. Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, Directory of COAMFTE Accredited Programs: https://coamfte.org/COAMFTE/Directory_of_Accredited_Programs/MFT_Training_Programs.aspx
4. Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council Accredited Programs: https://mpcacaccreditation.org/accredited-programs/
5. US News & World Report Best Student Counseling Programs 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/student-counseling-rankings
6. US News & World Report 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