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Online and On-Campus Counseling Degrees and Programs in Missouri

Missouri is home to 21 schools that have programs in the five major counseling fields: mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling.1 Prospective students can choose from traditional, in-person programs as well as online and hybrid options. Online counseling degrees are delivered primarily through web-based platforms, while hybrid degrees combine online coursework with in-person classes. There are 9 schools in Missouri that offer hybrid and online counseling degrees, which can make counseling education more accessible to those who can’t attend in-person programs.

Table of Contents

Comparison of Missouri Counseling Schools and Programs

The table below summarizes public and not-for-profit colleges and universities in Missouri with traditional and online counseling programs. Where applicable, we note schools with one or more programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), and the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).

The five major counseling degree concentrations are abbreviated as MH for mental health counseling degrees, MF for marriage and family therapy degrees, VR for vocational rehabilitation counseling degrees, SC for school counseling degrees, and SA for substance abuse counseling degrees. These correspond to the Missouri counseling licenses Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT), School Counselor (SC), and Alcohol Drug Counselor (ADC). Rehabilitation counselors are typically licensed as LPCs. Note that some programs offer degree tracks that can lead to credentialing in more than one specialty. Bold text indicates a program with online or hybrid options.

School NameAccreditation2-4Online/Hybrid Programs?MHMFVRSCSANet Price1
Avila UniversityMPCAC—Yes————$17,482
Central Methodist UniversityCACREPOnlineYes————$18,452
Covenant Theological SeminaryCACREP—Yes————N.Av.
Culver-Stockton College—OnlineYes——Yes—$22,103
Drury University——————Yes$12,998
Evangel UniversityCACREPOnlineYes——Yes—$21,641
Lincoln University——Yes——YesYes$10,889
Lindenwood University——Yes——Yes—$17,654
Missouri Baptist UniversityCACREP—Yes——Yes—$23,356
Missouri State University-SpringfieldCACREPHybridYes——Yes—$16,501
Missouri Valley College——Yes————$17,716
Northwest Missouri State University—————Yes—$13,754
Saint Louis UniversityCOAMFTE——Yes———$30,096
Southeast Missouri State UniversityCACREP—Yes——Yes—$13,291
Stephens College—HybridYes——Yes—$22,487
Truman State University—OnlineYes—YesYes—$11,470
University of Central MissouriCACREP, COAMFTE—YesYes—Yes—$13,852
University of Missouri-Columbia—HybridYes——YesYes$18,249
University of Missouri-Kansas CityMPCACHybridYesYes—Yes—$14,368
University of Missouri-St LouisCACREP—YesYes—Yes—$10,525
Webster UniversityCACREPOnlineYes————$24,884

Missouri Schools With Online Counseling Programs

Programs on the following lists may be online or hybrid. Check with schools for any in-person degree requirements.

Online Mental Health Counseling Degrees

Online Rehabilitation Counseling Degrees

Online School Counseling Degrees

Top-Ranked Schools With Counseling Programs in Missouri

US News &World Report’s Best Student Counseling Programs 2022

US News & World Report’s Best Online M.Ed. Programs for Student Counseling 2022

Schools in Missouri With Counseling Degrees

Traditional Undergraduate Programs

Webster University

Webster University offers counseling-related degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology with an emphasis in Mental Health teaches students about the behavioral and social factors related to mental illness and is designed to prepare graduates for a variety of mental health careers, including counseling. This degree is combined with the Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling, known as a 3-2+ program. Students must complete their undergraduate requirements in the first 90 credits in order to finish the 30 graduate hours of elective credits. The final 30+ credits are applied towards the graduate degree. This program is available at the St. Louis campus. Webster University also offers an MA in Counseling with several concentrations. The Clinical Mental Health emphasis is accredited by CACREP and meets Missouri educational requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC); the MA in Couples, Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling meets state educational guidelines to become a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT); and an emphasis in Community Counseling, which is only available at the Geneva, Switzerland campus, so students will be responsible for checking licensure requirements in the state in which they plan to work.

Traditional Graduate Programs

Lincoln University

Lincoln University is a historically-black university located in Jefferson City. It offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) with three different counseling tracks: School Counseling; Community/Agency Counseling; and Addiction Counseling. Students in the M.Ed. programs complete a core curriculum, specialized counseling courses, and complete an internship. The M.Ed. in School Counseling focuses on the counseling and guidance skills needed to work with students from kindergarten through 12th grade and meets state requirements to become a school counselor. The M.Ed. in Community/Agency Counseling focuses on mental health assessment, diagnosis, and counseling techniques and meets Missouri educational requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure. Graduates of the M.Ed. in Addiction Counseling meet the coursework requirements to become a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) in Missouri.

Missouri State University

Missouri State University (MSU) offers CACREP-accredited Master of Science (MS) degrees in Counseling in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. The degree curriculum is comprised of 60 credits including 47 core courses and 13 specialized counseling credits. Graduates of the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling meet coursework requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license in Missouri. The MS in School Counseling satisfies state requirements for school counselors; however, students who do not have a teaching degree and are not certified teachers in Missouri must complete additional coursework in Psychology of the Exceptional Child, Teaching Methods, and Classroom Management in addition to the core counseling degree requirements. Students in MSU’s counseling programs have access to academic and experiential opportunities, such as study abroad classes to destinations such as Belgium and Argentina and work experience at the Center City Counseling Clinic.

Northwest Missouri State University

At Northwest Missouri State University, individuals interested in a career in school counseling can complete a Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in School Counseling. The degree is comprised of 45 credits and takes two years of full-time study to complete. The program has a cohort structure in which students progress through the curriculum with the same group of peers and new students are admitted in the fall term. Students learn how to provide age-appropriate counseling services in elementary or secondary school settings depending on the courses taken. Dual certification in K-12 settings is possible but requires additional coursework. Students who are not certified teachers will need to complete additional coursework to meet state requirements for school counselor licensure; however, the MSEd degree curriculum meets Missouri educational requirements to become a school counselor for students with a teaching degree and teacher certification.

Southeast Missouri State University

At Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO), prospective counselors can complete CACREP-accredited Master of Arts (MA) degrees in Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. In the MA in Mental Health Counseling degree, students complete 60 credits including courses such as Social and Cultural Aspects of Counseling and Mental Health Systems and Prevention. The MA in Mental Health Counseling meets state coursework requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure in Missouri. Students in the MA in School Counseling complete 60 credits, including 150 hours of practicum and 600 hours of a supervised internship; although additional coursework is required for students who are not certified teachers. The program meets state requirements to become a K-12 school counselor.

University of Central Missouri

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) offers CACREP-accredited Master of Science (MS) degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling at the Lee’s Summit and Warrensburg campuses. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a 60-credit degree focused on mental health, wellness, and personal development skills and meets Missouri’s educational requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The MS in School Counseling offers Elementary School Counseling or Secondary School Counseling tracks comprised of 54 credits. Upon completion of the degree program, graduates will meet state requirements to become school counselors in either elementary or secondary school settings in Missouri. Students may be required to pursue additional coursework if they do not already hold a teaching certificate or undergraduate degree in education. UCM also offers a Professional Leadership Education Specialist (Ed.S.) program in Counseling with Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling tracks that build on the skills of master’s-level counseling degrees.

Online and Hybrid Programs

Truman State University

Truman State University (Truman State) offers an online Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling with concentrations in Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, or Rehabilitation Counseling. The MA in Counseling is a 60-credit degree that is designed for working professionals, with flexible online courses complemented by professional field experience. The program emphasizes research and reflective practice across the curriculum. Students follow a cohort model, allowing them to build relationships with their peers. Students residing in other states should check to ensure the coursework meets the educational requirements for certification or licensure in their state.

University of Missouri

The University of Missouri (MU or Mizzou) offers a 60-credit fully-online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology with an Emphasis in School Counselor, Elementary and Secondary, Certification. Students take courses in eight-week blocks and the degree takes approximately three years to complete. The degree also requires students to complete 12 credits of supervised counseling practicum in a local setting. Graduates of the M.Ed. degree will meet Missouri requirements to become school counselors in elementary and secondary school settings from kindergarten through 12th grade. Students who are not already certified as teachers are required to take six credits of teacher preparation courses (as part of the 60 total credit hours) to obtain their certification. Mizzou also offers CACREP-accredited M.Ed. degrees in School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the St. Louis campus; and an M.Ed. in School Counseling at the Columbia and Kansas City campuses.

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. 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
4. Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council Accredited Programs: https://mpcacaccreditation.org/accredited-programs/
5. US News & World Report Best Student Counseling Programs 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/student-counseling-rankings
6. 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