Counseling Degrees and Programs in Indiana
The state of Indiana is home to plenty of colleges and universities offering counseling degree programs in the five major areas: marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling. To start a counseling career in Indiana, you will first need to choose a school that offers a degree program in your preferred area of counseling, because nearly all counseling careers require a degree. Counseling degrees are most often offered at the master’s level because a graduate degree in counseling is required for most types of licensure. In Indiana, you will also find some schools that offer undergraduate majors or minors in counseling (although these programs do not often meet state educational requirements for licensure) and many more graduate degrees in counseling. Students who would like greater flexibility during their studies may be interested in one of the many online or hybrid counseling programs offered at the colleges and universities in Indiana.
Quick Facts
- There are 19 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 Indiana.1,2
- Of the counseling schools in Indiana, 0 offer an associate’s degree, 3 offer a bachelor’s degree, 3 offer a certificate, and 15 offer a master’s or advanced degree.1,2
- 2 schools offer a degree in marriage and family therapy.1,2
- 10 schools offer a degree in mental health counseling.1,2
- 1 school offers a degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling.1,2
- 13 schools offer a degree in school counseling.1,2
- 11 schools offer a degree in substance abuse counseling.1,2
- 5 counseling schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019.3
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Student Counseling Programs2019.4
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs 2019.5
- Across 9 schools, 15 counseling programs are accredited by CACREP.2
Comparison of Indiana Counseling Schools and Programs
Below, we have created a table allowing you to compare the public and not-for-profit four-year colleges and universities in Indiana that offer at least one counseling program in the 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 (*). You can also compare schools by program type offered, graduation rate, and net price per year. You can find more information about Indiana’s counseling licensure requirements by reading our license requirements page.
| School Name | CACREP- Accred Program2 | MH | MF | VR | SC | SA | Grad Rate1 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball State University | Yes | — | — | Yes* | Yes | — | 63% | $13,642 |
| Butler University | Yes | — | — | — | Yes* | — | 82% | $37,954 |
| Grace College and Theological Seminary | Yes | Yes* | — | — | — | — | 57% | $20,577 |
| Indiana State University | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 41% | $11,923 |
| Indiana University-Bloomington | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | 78% | $11,931 |
| Indiana University-East | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 41% | $7,898 |
| Indiana University-Northwest | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 34% | $5,621 |
| Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | 47% | $9,371 |
| Indiana University-South Bend | Yes | Yes* | Yes | — | Yes* | Yes | 32% | $8,486 |
| Indiana University-Southeast | — | — | — | — | Yes | — | 32% | $8,541 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion | Yes | Yes* | Yes* | — | Yes* | Yes | 66% | $20,342 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 37% | $21,492 |
| Martin University | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 4% | $14,095 |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 39% | $10,195 |
| Purdue University Global | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| Purdue University Northwest | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 37% | $9,747 |
| University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 55% | $16,544 |
| Valparaiso University | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes | Yes | 71% | $23,916 |
| Vincennes University | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 28% | $9,937 |
Top-Ranked Schools with Counseling Programs in Indiana
Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019
- Purdue University (#111)
- Indiana University Bloomington (#201)
- Butler University (#281)
- Valparaiso University (#284)
- Ball State University (#379)
US News Best Student Counseling Programs 2019
- Indiana University Bloomington (#16 tie)
US News Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs 2019
- Ball State University (#47 tie)
Schools in Indiana with Counseling Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
Indiana Wesleyan University
At Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU), students can complete an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Addiction Counseling with a faith-based curriculum. The BS is a degree-completion program open to students who have already completed an associate’s degree or other undergraduate study of at least 60 transferable credit hours. The program takes 22 months to complete full-time. Applicants progress through the curriculum with a cohort and complete practicums in their home communities. IWU also offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Addictions and CACREP-accredited concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Marriage and Family Therapy/Therapy; and School Counseling; a Certificate in Addictions Counseling; and a Post-Master’s Degree Certificate for applicants who need to complete additional coursework to become licensed in Indiana.
Martin University
Martin University is a private school located in Indianapolis and is the only institution in Indiana with the Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) designation. The university offers students who are interested in substance abuse counseling the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Addiction Counseling. This degree is comprised of 120 credits and takes four years of full-time study to complete. Students take courses in related topics, such as Abnormal Psychology, Crisis Intervention, and Physiology of Addiction, and complete a practicum and a final capstone project. Graduates of the BS program may look for employment in entry-level counseling and case management roles in mental health and addiction organizations or pursue further studies at the graduate level to be eligible for counseling licensure.
Traditional Graduate Programs
Ball State University
At Ball State University, a Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling is offered with two tracks: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and CACREP-accredited Rehabilitation Counseling. The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling teaches students mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment skills. The degree is comprised of 60 credits and meets the state educational requirements for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs). The MA in Rehabilitation Counseling is comprised of 48 credits and covers topics such as the social and medical aspects of disability, psychopathology, and case management. Students in both tracks complete a supervised internship at a local organization to develop counseling experience. Ball State University also offers the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling as a 60-credit dual degree in combination with an MA in Social Psychology.
Indiana University-Bloomington
The Bloomington campus of Indiana University offers prospective counselors a Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Counseling and Counselor Education with a School Counseling track and an M.S.Ed in Mental Health Counseling and Counselor Education with a Mental Health track and an Addictions track. The MSEd in School Counseling is a 48-credit degree that prepares students to work in elementary, middle, and secondary school settings with students from PreK-12. Graduates will meet state requirements to become a school counselor. The MSEd in Mental Health Counseling and the MSEd in Addictions Counseling are 60-credit programs that include 45-48 credits in the major area, additional electives and research training, and an internship. Graduates in the MSEd in Mental Health Counseling program will satisfy state educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Students in the MSEd in Addictions Counseling should confirm whether the coursework meets state requirements for any addictions counseling credentials they may seek. New students are accepted into the MSEd programs in the fall, spring, and summer terms.
Indiana University-South Bend
At Indiana University-South Bend, students can choose to complete a 60-credit Master of Science (MS) in Counseling with one of four concentrations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP-accredited); School Counseling (CACREP-accredited); Addiction Counseling; and Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling. Graduates of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration will meet the educational requirements to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) in Indiana, while students in the MS in School Counseling program will meet state requirements to become school counselors upon graduation. The MS in Addiction Counseling concentration is designed to meet Indiana educational requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor (LCAC); however, graduates may also meet the LMHC educational requirements depending on the courses taken. Students in the MS in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling degree will satisfy state coursework requirements to become Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) upon graduation. The university also offers a 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling that meets many of the state requirements for the Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADAC) credential and a 15-credit minor in Counseling and Human Services for undergraduate students.
Online and Hybrid Programs
Indiana State University
Indiana State University offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling with a hybrid structure that meets coursework requirements in Indiana to become a school counselor. Students meet one weekend per month at the Terre Haute campus and complete coursework online during the fall and spring terms. In the summer term, students must attend classes during the week. New students are admitted to the M.Ed. program in the spring term. ISU also offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that meets state educational requirements to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Students at the undergraduate level can complete an 18-credit minor in Counseling as part of a bachelor’s degree and may choose a major in a complementary area, such as human services. Individuals who already have a master’s degree in counseling can apply to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Guidance and Psychological Services with a specialization in Counselor Education, which prepares graduates to conduct counseling research or provide mentorship and leadership in counseling practice or education.
Purdue University
Students looking for a flexible, online degree in addiction counseling may be interested in the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology with a concentration in Addiction offered through Purdue University-Global. In the BS program, students complete 180 quarter credits including 121 credits in the addiction studies core. Courses are offered in 10-week blocks with multiple start dates throughout the year. Students who already have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in another subject may be eligible for advanced start credit, shortening the time it takes to earn the BS. While the BS does not guarantee state-level licensure, it can qualify graduates for voluntary national certification through the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP). Counseling degrees in other areas of specialization offered at other Purdue campuses include a CACREP-accredited Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in School Counseling and a CACREP-accredited MSEd in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at through Purdue University-Northwest in Hammond and Westville; and an MSEd in School Counseling and an MSEd in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Purdue University-Fort Wayne campus.
Vincennes University
Vincennes University offers an online undergraduate-level Substance Abuse Certificate of Completion (CPC) designed to help students gain a better understanding of addiction and related behavioral health issues. The program consists of 24 credits and takes at least two semesters to complete with full-time study. The program teaches students to identify signs of addiction, addiction treatment options, and prevention and recovery strategies applicable to anyone impacted by substance abuse. Students also complete liberal arts and sciences courses, such as English Composition and Psychology. While the certificate provides a basic foundation of substance use knowledge and skills, students should confirm whether the content will meet state requirements for any substance abuse counseling credentials they intend to seek.
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