Counseling Degrees and Programs in Michigan
The state of Michigan has several colleges and universities offering programs in counseling in the major fields of practice: mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling. If you are interested in starting a career as a counselor in this midwestern state, choosing the right school and the right program will be some of your first steps, because nearly all counseling careers require a degree. Most institutions in Michigan offer master’s degrees in counseling because this level of degree is required for most licenses; however, a handful of undergraduate programs are available. Many Michigan schools also offer online or hybrid program formats that enable working professionals and busy students to complete degree requirements in a more flexible way.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
- There are 18 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 Michigan.1,2
- Of the counseling schools in Michigan, 1 offers an associate degree, 1 offers a bachelor’s degree, 4 offer a certificate, and 13 offer a master’s or advanced degree.1,2
- 9 schools offer a degree in mental health counseling.1,2
- 1 school offers a degree in marriage and family therapy.1,2
- 3 schools offer a degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling.1,2
- 8 schools offer a degree in school counseling.1,2
- 9 schools offer a degree in substance abuse counseling.1,2
- No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Student Counseling Programs 2022.3
- No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online M.Ed. Programs for Student Counseling 2022.4
- Across 9 schools, 22 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 Michigan Counseling Schools and Programs
Below you will find a table that summarizes the public and not-for-profit colleges and universities in Michigan that offer counseling programs in the five main counseling 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. To learn more about counseling licensure requirements in Michigan, visit our license requirements page.
| School Name | CACREP-Accred Program2 | MH | MF | VR | SC | SA | Grad Rate1 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrews University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 72% | $23,719 |
| Aquinas College | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | 60% | $19,447 |
| Central Michigan University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | 62% | $16,880 |
| Eastern Michigan University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 48% | $16,311 |
| Grand Rapids Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 20% | $9,168 |
| Grand Valley State University | — | — | — | — | Yes | — | 67% | $16,947 |
| Lake Superior University | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 52% | $13,583 |
| Madonna University | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 64% | $$18,469 |
| Michigan State University | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | — | 82% | $8,738 |
| Mott Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 15% | $6,083 |
| Northern Michigan University | — | — | — | — | Yes | — | 49% | $17,686 |
| Oakland University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 56% | $14,316 |
| Siena Heights University | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | 51% | $18,931 |
| Spring Arbor University | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 64% | $21,441 |
| University of Detroit Mercy | Yes | Yes | — | — | — | Yes | 67% | $17,911 |
| Wayne County Community College District | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 10% | $3,709 |
| Wayne State University | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 56% | $15,710 |
| Western Michigan University | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 56% | $19,749 |
Schools in Michigan with Counseling Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
University of Detroit Mercy
The University of Detroit Mercy (UD Mercy) offers several options for individuals interested in addiction counseling. At the undergraduate level, Addiction Studies is offered as a 120-credit Bachelor of Science (BS), an 18-credit minor, or an 18-credit Post-Bachelor’s Degree Certificate. These programs prepare graduates for entry-level careers in the addiction field or for further study in counseling or addiction studies. The 60-credit CACREP-accredited Master of Arts (MA) in Addiction Counseling and the 18-credit Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies enable students to meet the training requirements to become Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CAADCs). UD Mercy also offers a 60-credit CACREP-accredited MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; a 57-credit CACREP-accredited MA in School Counseling for students who are not certified teachers; a 48-credit CACREP-accredited MA in School Counseling for certified teachers; an 18-credit Post-Graduate School Counseling License for licensed counselors; and a 30-credit Post-Graduate School Counseling Endorsement for certified teachers who have a master’s degree in education.
Mott Community College
For students interested in substance abuse counseling, Mott Community College (MCC) offers a 30-credit Substance Abuse Services Certificate. This program is designed to be completed in 10 months and the curriculum includes courses such as An Introduction to the Study of Substance Abuse; Substance Abuse Services and Policy; and Overview of Substance Abuse. All students take 21 credits of occupational specialty courses and then choose an option for the remaining nine credits. Option 1 focuses on social welfare and community development; Option 2 focuses on general and adolescent psychology; and Option 3 focuses on law enforcement and the juvenile justice system. MCC’s Substance Abuse Services Certificate satisfies the educational requirements for the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential from the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) and prepares graduates to take the CADC certification exam.
Traditional Graduate Programs
Andrews University
Andrews University, located in Berrien Springs, offers CACREP-accredited graduate-level counseling education with a Christian worldview. The Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares students to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and work in community, mental health, and private practice settings. The MA in School Counseling meets state educational requirements to provide academic, emotional, and social support to students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Both degrees consist of 60 credits including nine credits of practicum at the Andrews Community Counseling Center and an internship completed in a community setting. Each degree takes two years of full-time study to complete and admits students five times throughout the year. While transfer credit may be accepted, students must complete at least 80% of the required credits at Andrews University.
Eastern Michigan University
At Eastern Michigan University (EMU), prospective counselors can complete either a master’s degree or a Post-Master’s certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) or School Counseling to meet the state coursework requirements for licensure. The CACREP-accredited Master of Arts (MA) in CMHC is a 60-credit degree comprising 33 counseling core credits, 14 specialization credits, eight practicum and internship credits, and five credits of electives. The Post-Master’s Certificate in CMHC is designed for individuals who already have a 48-credit degree in counseling and require additional coursework to meet state requirements. The certificate consists of 21 credits, but the university can waive coursework that has already been completed as part of the applicant’s degree. EMU also offers a CACREP-accredited MA in School Counseling (60 credits) and a 14-30-credit Post-Master’s Certificate for School Counseling Licensure designed for individuals with graduate counseling degrees.
Oakland University
Oakland University provides prospective counselors with CACREP-accredited Master of Arts (MA) degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) and School Counseling. The MA in CMHC encompasses 60 credits that meet state requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Students in the MA in School Counseling complete 50 credits and are prepared to become certified as school counselors in Michigan. They also have the option to complete an additional 12 credits in order to meet the educational requirements to become a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC) in Michigan. A CACREP-accredited Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education with a major in counseling degree that prepares students for leadership roles in clinical practice, teaching, and research is also offered.
Online and Hybrid Programs
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University (CMU) offers a hybrid Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling with specializations in Addiction Counseling, Clinical Mental Health, and School Counseling. Students can complete their degree programs in two and a half years on a full-time basis or in three and a half years on a part-time basis and have the option of choosing an in-person/online hybrid program or a fully online program. Each degree consists of 60 credits with a 42-credit counseling core and the remaining 18 credits consisting of coursework in the area of specialization, electives, and internship. New students are admitted in the fall and spring terms. The MA in Clinical Mental Health is designed for students who wish to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in Michigan, while the MA in Addiction Counseling can be used to meet the education requirements to become Limited Licensed Counselors (LLCs) or Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CAADCs). Students with or without teacher certification in Michigan who complete the MA in School Counseling meet state educational requirements for school counselor licensure and may meet the educational requirements to become LLCs.
Wayne State University
At Wayne State University (WSU), prospective students can choose from numerous CACREP-accredited degree programs in counseling offered through hybrid methods. The Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling offers specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an optional concentration in Art Therapy; School Counseling; Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; combined Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling and School Counseling; and combined Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. Students must follow a structured curriculum and take 60 credits online and at the Detroit campus. All the specializations meet Michigan educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). WSU also offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) for individuals who already have a master’s degree and are interested in a career in research and/or teaching.
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University (WMU) offers an 18-credit Clinical Addiction Certificate and a 9-credit Addiction Specialization Certificate that can be completed online or in a hybrid, weekend format. The Clinical Addiction Certificate s designed for individuals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and wish to obtain a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential in Michigan. The Addiction Specialization Certificate is for students enrolled in a graduate program or for individuals who have already earned a master’s degree and need additional education hours to be eligible for the Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) credential. These certificates can also be used to meet the educational requirements for Master Addiction Counselors (MACs). Undergraduate students can complete a 21-credit minor in Addiction Studies as part of their degree either online or at the Kalamazoo campus. These credits are accepted towards state educational requirements for the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certification. WMU also offers numerous on-campus CACREP-accredited graduate degrees that meet state educational requirements for counseling licensure, including a Master of Arts (MA) in Counselor Education with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Marriage and Family Counseling; and School Counseling. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision is also available.
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