Counseling Degrees and Programs in Idaho
To begin a counseling career in Idaho, one of your first decisions will likely be where to study, as most counseling careers require a degree. In Idaho, there is at least one undergraduate or graduate counseling degree option in each of the five major counseling fields: clinical mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling. Most types of professional counseling licenses in Idaho require a master’s degree; therefore, you will find that many of the degrees in this midwest state are offered at the graduate level, although some undergraduate degrees in counseling-related fields may be available and can help students learn some of the fundamental aspects of the profession. Only one program in Idaho offers a hybrid format and there are no fully-online counseling programs available. Students interested in this type of degree format or who wish to study an area of counseling not widely available in Idaho may need to consider on-campus or online counseling programs offered in other states.
Quick Facts
- There are 4 not-for-profit four-year colleges and universities that offer a program in marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, school counseling, substance abuse counseling, and/or vocational rehabilitation counseling in Idaho.1,2
- Of the counseling schools in Idaho, 0 offer an associate’s degree, 2 offer a bachelor’s degree, 0 offer a certificate, and 4 offer a master’s or advanced degree.1,2
- 2 schools offer a degree in marriage and family therapy.1,2
- 2 schools offer a degree in mental health counseling.1,2
- 1 school offers a degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling.1,2
- 3 schools offer a degree in school counseling.1,2
- 2 schools offer a degree in substance abuse counseling.1,2
- No counseling schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019.3
- No schools ranked in US News Best Student Counseling Programs 2019.4
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs 2019.5
- Across 4 schools, 9 counseling programs are accredited by CACREP.2
Comparison of Idaho Counseling Schools and Programs
Below, we have compiled a table with useful data that will help you compare the public and not-for-profit four-year colleges and universities in Idaho offering counseling programs in these five main areas: mental health counseling (MH), marriage and family therapy (MFT), vocational rehabilitation counseling (VR), school counseling (SC), and substance abuse counseling (SA). The table indicates the schools that offer programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); CACREP-accredited programs are denoted with an asterisk (*). Use the table to compare each school by program type offered, graduation rate, and net price per year. You can learn more about the steps to counseling licensure in Idaho by visiting our license requirements page.
| School Name | CACREP- Accred Program2 | MH | MF | VR | SC | SA | Grad Rate1 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise State University | Yes | — | — | — | Yes* | Yes* | 46% | $12,558 |
| Idaho State University | Yes | Yes* | Yes* | — | Yes* | Yes | 33% | $13,349 |
| Northwest Nazarene University | Yes | Yes* | Yes* | — | Yes* | — | 59% | $18,786 |
| University of Idaho | Yes | — | — | Yes* | — | — | 59% | $15,061 |
Top-Ranked Schools with Counseling Programs in Idaho
US News Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs 2019
- University of Idaho (#55 tie)
Schools in Idaho with Counseling Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
Idaho State University
Idaho State University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in counseling. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Community and Public Health with a concentration in Addiction Studies is a four-year degree comprised of 120 credits. The requirements include at least 36 general education credits, 27 community health core credits, and 32 credits of addiction studies as well as electives. In this program, students learn about theories of addiction; the personal, community, and social impacts of addiction; and how to provide counseling services to those impacted by addiction. Upon completion of the program, students will meet the educational requirements for the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential in Idaho. At the graduate level, Idaho State University offers a Master of Counseling (MCoun) with concentrations in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling; and School Counseling. Each concentration requires 60 credits and 1,000 hours of supervised work experience. Upon completion of the program, students will meet the educational requirements in Idaho for the counseling license in their area of study. For applicants with a master’s degree in counseling, an Educational Specialist (EdS) in Counseling and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education provide additional opportunities to develop expertise in clinical practice, teaching, and research.
Traditional Graduate Programs
Boise State University
Boise State University (BSU) offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling degree with two CACREP-accredited concentrations in either Addiction Counseling or School Counseling. Both concentrations of the degree take three years to complete and are comprised of 60 credits. The MA in Addiction Counseling teaches students the screening, assessment, counseling, and referral skills needed to work with clients from diverse backgrounds in relation to substance abuse, chemical dependency, and addictive behaviors. Examples of required courses include Foundations of Addiction Counseling; Diagnosis, Assessment and Treatment Planning; and Addiction and the Family System. Students must complete at least 700 hours of supervised internship, although students who complete 1,000 hours of supervised internship will meet the state academic requirements to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) upon completion of the program. The degree also meets state educational requirements for the Advanced Certified Alcohol and Drug Counseling (ACADC) credential. The MA in School Counseling teaches the skills necessary to work as a school counselor in elementary, middle, and secondary school settings and meets state requirements for licensure upon completion. Students also learn to develop and implement guidance programs and complete 700 hours of supervised internship. Boise State also offers a CACREP-accredited Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision for students with a master’s degree in counseling.
Northwest Nazarene University
Northwest Nazarene University is a Christian institution offering a Master of Science (MS) with three CACREP-accredited tracks in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy; and School Counseling. Students complete 60 credits including core and specialized counseling courses. In the MS in Clinical Mental Health, the required coursework teaches students how to assess and diagnose mental health disorders, provide services in mental health settings, and conduct counseling research. The program meets state coursework requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license. The MS in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy focuses on theories of human behavior, sexuality, and family dynamics and teaches students related counseling techniques. Graduates will meet the coursework requirements for the LPC and Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) licenses in Idaho. Those in the MS in School Counseling program will learn counseling skills appropriate for children and youth with a focus on rural populations. The degree meets state requirements to become a K-12 school counselor upon graduation. Northwest Nazarene University also offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology with a Pre-Counseling emphasis. This degree requires students to complete a general education and a psychology core while introducing foundational theories in counseling and addiction.
Online and Hybrid Programs
University of Idaho
At the University of Idaho, students can complete a hybrid CACREP-accredited Master of Education (M.Ed.) or a Master of Science (MS) in Rehabilitation Counseling at the Boise or Coeur d’Alene campuses. The degree is comprised of 60 credits and takes two years of full-time study to complete. The degree focuses on teaching students about diverse theories of disability, assessment methods, and vocational and clinical counseling techniques. Courses are offered on campus, through asynchronous online classes, or through collaborative, synchronous online methods, such as video-conferencing. During the fall and spring terms, courses are offered in the evenings, while in the summer term, classes may be offered during the day or on evenings and weekends. The program has a cohort structure and admits new students biennially in the summer term. Graduates will meet state educational requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Idaho and may find employment in mental health or rehabilitation settings, such as hospitals, residential facilities, and community clinics.
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. Kiplinger’s Best College Values, 2019: https://www.kiplinger.com/fronts/special-report/college-rankings/index.html
4. US News & World Report Best Student Counseling Programs, 2019: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/student-counseling-rankings
5. US News & World Report Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs, 2019: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/rehabilitation-counseling-rankings