Counseling Degrees and Programs in Maryland
If you are a prospective counseling student in Maryland, you will find several four-year colleges and universities offering programs in the major counseling fields: marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling. Choosing a school to complete your counseling education will likely be one of the first decisions you make in your counseling career, as nearly all professional counseling careers in Maryland require a degree. In this guide, you will discover that both undergraduate and graduate degrees in counseling are available in Maryland. An undergraduate degree provides an introduction to the counseling profession; however, a graduate degree is often required for licensure. There are no online or hybrid counseling degree options offered in Maryland, so students looking for this type of flexibility may need to consider programs in other states.
Quick Facts
- There are 8 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 Maryland.1,2
- Of the counseling schools in Maryland, 0 offer an associate’s degree, 2 offer a bachelor’s degree, 3 offer a certificate, and 9 offer a master’s or advanced degree.1,2
- 1 school offers a degree in marriage and family therapy.1,2
- 6 schools offer a degree in mental health counseling.1,2
- 2 schools offer a degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling.1,2
- 7 schools offer a degree in school counseling.1,2
- 3 schools offer a degree in substance abuse counseling.1,2
- 3 counseling schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019.3
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Student Counseling Programs 2019.4
- 2 schools ranked in US News Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs 2019.5
- Across 6 schools, 8 counseling programs are accredited by CACREP.2
Comparison of Maryland Counseling Schools and Programs
We have compiled recent data in the table below to allow you to compare the public and not-for-profit four-year colleges and universities in Maryland offering counseling programs in the following five practice 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. If you would like to find out more about the steps to becoming a licensed counselor in Maryland, read our license requirements page.
| School Name | CACREP- Accred Program2 | MH | MF | VR | SC | SA | Grad Rate1 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowie State University | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | Yes | 42% | $$13,455 |
| Coppin State University | Yes | — | — | Yes* | — | Yes | 24% | $9,689 |
| Hood College | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes* | — | 66% | $23,149 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 93% | $27,868 |
| Loyola University Maryland | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 80% | $39,027 |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore | Yes | Yes | — | Yes* | Yes | — | 39% | $16,606 |
| University of Maryland-College Park | — | — | Yes | — | Yes | — | 86% | $16,790 |
| Washington Adventist University | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | 37% | $16,862 |
Top-Ranked Schools with Counseling Programs in Maryland
Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019
- Johns Hopkins University (#74)
- University of Maryland-College Park (#101)
- Loyola University Maryland (#216)
US News Best Student Counseling Programs 2019
- University of Maryland-College Park (#2)
US News Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs 2019
- University of Maryland-Eastern Shore (#55 tie)
- Coppin State University (#75 tie)
Schools in Maryland with Counseling Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
Coppin State University
Coppin State University (CSU) is a historically black institution located in Baltimore. The university offers a 120-credit Bachelor of Science (BS) with a major or minor in Rehabilitative Services. The major is comprised of 49 credits of core coursework and includes an internship in a rehabilitation facility, while the minor is comprised of 21 credits of coursework. The program teaches students about disabilities, mental health illnesses, and addictions as well as related counseling assessment and intervention techniques. CSU also offers a 39-credit Master of Science (MS) in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling and a CACREP-accredited Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Rehabilitation Counseling. The M.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling is comprised of at least 49 credits and takes two and a half years to complete. Students can complete this degree with a specialization in Alcoholism Counseling and Addiction Services or Rehabilitation Research Training or complete 21 additional credits to meet state coursework requirements for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC).
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
For students interested in rehabilitation counseling careers, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore offers both undergraduate and graduate degree options. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Rehabilitation Services is a four-year undergraduate degree that includes 300 hours of supervised work experience in a rehabilitation, mental health, or addiction services setting. The degree is designed to prepare students for entry-level rehabilitation counseling careers or further study. At the graduate level, students can complete a CACREP-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Rehabilitation Counseling comprised of 48 credits that takes two years of full-time study. The curriculum includes coursework in interviewing, psychological assessment, and social aspects of disability. Up to 15 new students are admitted each fall term. Other degree options include a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling with Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling tracks.
Traditional Graduate Programs
Bowie State University
Bowie State University offers several counseling degrees and certificates for prospective counselors. The CACREP-accredited Master of Arts (MA) in Mental Health Counseling is a 60-credit degree that includes 200 hours of practicum and 800 hours of supervised internship. Students in this program can choose to complete an optional specialization in Adlerian Psychotherapy (a form of psychotherapy) by completing two required courses. The degree meets coursework requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Maryland. The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling is also accredited by CACREP and requires 48 credits. Students complete a comprehensive exam, 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship. Graduates of the M.Ed. in School Counseling will satisfy state requirements to become a school counselor. The university also offers Graduate Certificates in Psychotherapy and Addictions.
Hood College
Hood College offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Counseling with a concentration in either Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling. The 60-credit MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares graduates for professional counseling careers in diverse mental health settings and meets state coursework requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). Students can also complete optional specializations in either gerontology or thanatology. The 60-credit MS in School Counseling meets state requirements to become a school counselor and can be combined with additional coursework to meet LCPC educational requirements. Courses are offered in late afternoons, evenings, and on weekends and the degree can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.
Johns Hopkins University
Students looking to study part-time can earn a Master of Science (MS) in Counseling with tracks in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling through Johns Hopkins University. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a 60-credit program that meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), while the MS in School Counseling can be completed as a 48-credit program to meet Maryland requirements to become a school counselor or as a 60-credit program to meet both school counselor and LCPC requirements. Although the program is offered part-time, all degree requirements must be completed in five years. A full-time, 15-month School Counseling Fellows program is offered for students interested in providing school counseling services in urban and high-risk school environments. For students who already have a master’s degree in counseling, a 15-credit Post-Master’s Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a 30-credit Advanced Graduate Certificate in Counseling are offered that teach students advanced counseling education, leadership, and practice skills.
Loyola University Maryland
Loyola University Maryland is a Christian university with campuses located in Baltimore and Columbus. The school offers a 48-credit Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Master of Arts (MA) in School Counseling, both of which meet state requirements to become a school counselor. In the M.Ed. program, students complete additional elective courses in school counseling, while students in the MA program complete a master’s thesis to meet degree requirements. New students are admitted in the fall and spring terms. In the Master’s Plus in School Counseling program, students can complete additional coursework to meet school counseling requirements and state coursework requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). The university also offers a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in School Counseling for post-master’s individuals to develop advanced knowledge and leadership skills.
University of Maryland-College Park
The main campus of the University of Maryland (UMD) in College Park offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling. The M.Ed. in School Counseling meets Maryland requirements to become a school counselor and prepares graduates to work with students from grades K-12. The 52-credit curriculum focuses on social justice and equity issues as well as urban counseling settings. Students complete 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of supervised internship in Baltimore or nearby schools. Additionally, a Master of Science (MS) in Couple and Family Therapy is also available. Students in the MS program complete 48-51 credits in coursework with an optional thesis and can complete the degree in as little as two years. The degree meets the coursework requirements for Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapists (LCMFTs) in Maryland.
Washington Adventist University
Washington Adventist University is a liberal arts institution affiliated with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and is located in Takoma Park. The university offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Professional Counseling Psychology with two tracks that meet state educational requirements for licensure: the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) track and the Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) track. Both degrees are comprised of 60 credits including a counseling core curriculum, with different elective courses taken depending on the track and type of licensure sought. Washington Adventist University also offers a 48-credit Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling that exposes students to a variety of counseling techniques and meets state requirements to become a school counselor in K-12 settings.
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