Counseling Degrees and Programs in Maryland
If you are a prospective counseling student in Maryland, you will find several colleges and universities offering programs in the major counseling fields: mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, 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. For those seeking more flexibility in their educational journey, online and hybrid graduate degree options are available, albeit not as widely available as traditional face-to-face programs.
Quick Facts
- There are 20 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 Maryland.1,2
- Of the counseling schools in Maryland, 7 offer an associate degree, 3 offer a bachelor’s degree, 13 offer a certificate, and 10 offer a master’s or advanced degree.1,2
- 9 schools offer degrees in mental health counseling.1,2
- 1 school offers degrees in marriage and family therapy.1,2
- 2 schools offer degrees in vocational rehabilitation counseling.1,2
- 9 schools offer degrees in school counseling.1,2
- 13 schools offer degrees in substance abuse counseling.1,2
- 1 school ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Student Counseling Programs 2022.3
- 2 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online M.Ed. Programs for Student Counseling 2022.4
- Across 6 schools, 9 counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).2
- Across 1 school, 1 counseling program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).5
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 colleges and universities in Maryland offering counseling programs in the following five practice 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. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegany College of Maryland | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 33% | $8,472 |
| Anne Arundel Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 28% | $14,188 |
| Baltimore City Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 11% | $6,701 |
| Bowie State University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | 42% | $14,290 |
| Chesapeake College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 26% | $5,468 |
| Community College of Baltimore County | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 16% | $7,639 |
| Coppin State University | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | Yes | 26% | $5,615 |
| Frederick Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 29% | $4,729 |
| Frostburg State University | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | 48% | $16,720 |
| Garrett College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 28% | $5,598 |
| Hagerstown Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 33% | $7,372 |
| Hood College | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 66% | $23,755 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 95% | $20,680 |
| Loyola University Maryland | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 81% | $32,901 |
| Notre Dame of Maryland University | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 59% | $26,574 |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | — | 33% | $12,867 |
| University of Maryland-College Park | — | — | Yes | — | Yes | — | 88% | $17,146 |
| McDaniel College | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 65% | $22,161 |
| Washington Adventist University | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 40% | $13,414 |
| Wor-Wic Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 19% | $7,686 |
Top-Ranked Schools with Counseling Programs in Maryland
US News & World Report’s Best Student Counseling Programs 2022
- University of Maryland-College Park (#1)3
US News & World Report’s Best Online M.Ed. Programs for Student Counseling 2022
- Frostburg State University (#245 tie)
- McDaniel College (#253-329)4
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 as well as an internship in a rehabilitation facility, while the minor consists 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 Addiction Counseling, a CACREP-accredited Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Rehabilitation Counseling, and an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Rehabilitation Program (CMHCRP). The M.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling is 49 credits and takes full-time students two and a half years to complete, while the CMHCRP is 60 credit hours. Students can choose a specialization in Alcoholism Counseling and Addiction Services; Human Resource Management,;or Rehabilitation Research Training, or they can complete 21 additional credits to meet state coursework requirements for licensure as Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPCs).
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 clock 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, which is comprised of 60 credits and takes two and a half years of full-time study to complete. The curriculum includes coursework in counseling techniques, psychological assessment, and medical 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 the 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 Counseling.
Hood College
Hood College offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Counseling with a specialty 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 state-approved LCPC 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). The MS in School Counseling is a 60-credit program that requires a 100-hour practicum, 600-hour internship as well as a passing score on the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE). Although the program is offered part-time, all degree requirements must be completed in five years. 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 Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Counseling (CAGS) 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, Timonium, and Columbia. The school offers a 60-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 who already have a master’s degree can complete additional coursework to meet school counseling requirements and state coursework requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). Loyola also offers a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in School Counseling for post-master’s students 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 60-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 (CFT) is also available. Students in the MS program complete 48-51 credits in coursework, depending on whether a thesis is pursued, 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 (WAU) is a liberal arts institution affiliated with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and is located in Takoma Park. The university offers a 60-hour Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a 39-hour MA in Counseling Psychology (a non-licensure program). The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offers two tracks that meet state educational requirements for licensure: a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) program and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) program. The MA in Counseling Psychology prepares graduates to be counseling psychologists under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. WAU 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.
Online and Hybrid Programs
Frostburg State University
Frostburg State University (FSU) has two campuses through which it offers several counseling degrees. The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling can be completed as a face-to-face or hybrid program through the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown (USM) campus. Upon completion of this 48-credit degree, students will be eligible for school counselor certification at the K-12 level. Coursework includes nine credit hours of Professional Education Core courses, 30 credit hours of Area of Concentration courses, and three credit hours of electives. A spring internship is required, which amounts to 500 hours of full-time work in a school district. The M.Ed. in School Counseling can be completed full- or part-time for added flexibility.
McDaniel College
McDaniel College in Westminster is a private liberal arts school. Two fully-online Master of Science (MS) degrees are offered, in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization is 60 credits and combines the use of research, practice, and theory throughout the program. A 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship are required for graduation in order to prepare students for work in the field. Upon graduation, students will meet the educational requirements for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) licensure in both Maryland and Pennsylvania, but all students should research eligibility in their own state. The MS in School Counseling program is 51 credits of coursework including a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship, both in school settings. Coursework for this specialization familiarizes students with topics covering counseling theories, diversity, special education, and more. Students will be eligible to apply for the Maryland and Pennsylvania School Counseling Certification upon completion of the program.
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. 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 & 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
5. 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