Counseling Degrees and Programs in North Carolina
Numerous colleges and universities in North Carolina offer counseling degrees and certificates that meet the educational requirements for licensure as a counselor in the major counseling categories: mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling. Most types of counseling licenses in North Carolina require a graduate degree; therefore, many schools offer master’s degrees in counseling or higher. A number of undergraduate degrees are available for individuals who want to train for entry-level careers or are not ready for graduate study. There are also online and hybrid counseling degrees offered in North Carolina, which may appeal to students who require more flexibility.
Quick Facts
- There are 38 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 North Carolina.1,2
- Of the counseling schools in North Carolina, 16 schools offer an associate degree, 2 offer a bachelor’s degree, 8 offer a certificate, and 19 offer a master’s or advanced degree.1,2
- 17 schools offer a degree in mental health counseling.1,2
- 5 schools offer a degree in marriage and family therapy.1,2
- 4 schools offer a degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling.1,2
- 15 schools offer a degree in school counseling.1,2
- 21 schools offer a degree in substance abuse counseling.1,2
- 1 school ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Student Counseling Programs 2022.3
- 1 school ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online M.Ed. Programs for Student Counseling 2022.4
- Across 17 schools, 36 counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).2
- Across 2 schools, 3 counseling programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).5
Comparison of North Carolina Counseling Schools and Programs
We have provided the table below to help you compare the public and not-for-profit colleges and universities in North Carolina that offer counseling programs in the five major 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. If you want to learn more about counseling licensure in North Carolina, read our license requirements page.
| School Name | CACREP-Accred Program2 | MH | MF | VR | SC | SA | Grad Rate1 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian State University | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | 73% | $12,735 |
| Blue Ridge Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 50% | $8,783 |
| Campbell University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 56% | $23,163 |
| Cape Fear Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 27% | $8,266 |
| Catawba College | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | 60% | $19,276 |
| Central Carolina Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 35% | $6,321 |
| Central Piedmont Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 22% | $6,600 |
| Davidson-Davie Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 41% | $6,504 |
| East Carolina University | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 66% | $14,762 |
| Gardner-Webb University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 48% | $20,296 |
| Gaston College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 39% | $9,094 |
| Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary | Yes | Yes | — | — | — | — | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| Guilford Technical Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 29% | $11,158 |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 48% | $21,739 |
| Montreat College | Yes | Yes | — | — | — | — | 29% | $23,083 |
| Nash Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 30% | $6,628 |
| North Carolina A & T State University | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | 53% | $9,145 |
| North Carolina Central University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 51% | $14,496 |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 84% | $14,328 |
| Pamlico Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 82% | $4,836 |
| Pfeiffer University | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | 34% | $19,198 |
| Pitt Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 27% | $4,453 |
| Randolph Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 41% | $6,279 |
| Richmond Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 36% | $5,091 |
| Salem College | — | — | — | — | Yes | — | 67% | $11,408 |
| Southwestern Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 40% | $2,744 |
| Stanly Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 56% | $8,522 |
| Tri-County Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 32% | $6,582 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | — | 90% | $11,508 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | 66% | $15,682 |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | 58% | $9,950 |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 43% | $11,022 |
| Vance-Granville Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 33% | $5,811 |
| Wake Forest University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 90% | $24,643 |
| Wake Technical Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 28% | $4,980 |
| Western Carolina University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 61% | $13,082 |
| Western Piedmont Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 51% | $5,965 |
| Winston-Salem State University | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | — | 46% | $12,976 |
Top-Ranked Schools with Counseling Programs in North Carolina
US News & World Report’s Best Student Counseling Programs 2022
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro (#9 tie)3
US News & World Report’s Best Online M.Ed. for Student Counseling 2022
- North Carolina State University (#30 tie)4
Schools in North Carolina with Counseling Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
East Carolina University
East Carolina University (ECU) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Rehabilitation Services with an optional minor in Alcohol and Drug Studies that teaches entry-level skills and knowledge of rehabilitation counseling and service delivery. The degree includes 120 credits of coursework in disability, mental health, substance abuse, and allied health subjects, along with a supervised internship. ECU also provides several CACREP-accredited graduate degrees. The Master of Science (MS) in Rehabilitation and Career Counseling and the MS in Clinical Counseling with a specialization in Addictions both comprise 62 credits and meet the coursework requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in North Carolina. Additionally, graduates of the MS in Rehabilitation and Career Counseling program are also eligible for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential, and graduates of the MS in Clinical Counseling degree program meet the educational requirements to become Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialists (LCASs) in the state. The College of Education offers an MS in Counselor Education that can meet state requirements for licensure as an LPC or a School Counselor depending on the courses taken. A COAMFTE-accredited MS in Marriage and Family Therapy is offered that is designed to prepare graduates for careers as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) in North Carolina. The university also offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Rehabilitation Counseling and Administration and post-graduate certificates in Addictions Prevention and Treatment Studies; Military and Trauma Counseling; Rehabilitation Counseling; and School Counseling.
Winston-Salem State University
Students hoping to provide counseling services to clients with disabilities may be interested in the degrees offered at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). The 120-credit Bachelor of Science (BS) in Rehabilitation Studies degree requires students to complete 54 credits in the major and a related internship. The BS degree introduces students to the main concepts of rehabilitation, disability, and addiction as well as interviewing and case management skills. Undergraduate students can also complete an optional minor in Deaf Studies or Addiction Studies to gain further expertise in these related areas. Students in other WSSU degree programs can also complete a minor in these areas or Rehabilitation Studies. WSSU also offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling (MSRC) with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health; Rehabilitation Counseling; Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Vocational Evaluation; and Transition. WSSU admits new applicants in the fall, spring, and summer terms. This degree prepares graduates to take the national Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam.
Traditional Graduate Programs
Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University (ASU), located in Boone, has numerous graduate degree options for aspiring counselors. The 60-credit Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) comprises 60 credits and graduates will meet the educational requirements to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in North Carolina. ASU also offers a COAMFTE-accredited MA in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) that consists of 51 credits and meets the educational requirements for MFT licensure in North Carolina. The CACREP-accredited MA in School Counseling prepares graduates to provide emotional and academic support to K-12 students as licensed school counselors in North Carolina. ASU also offers graduate certificates in Addictions Counseling, Expressive Arts Therapy, and Systemic Multicultural Counseling, which are open to applicants with a graduate counseling degree.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC Greensboro) offers four CACREP-accredited graduate degrees in counseling including the Master of Science (MS) in Counseling in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC), School Counseling, and Couple and Family Counseling and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counseling and Counselor Education. Each MS degree requires students to complete 60 credits including counseling core courses, specialized counseling courses, and a 600-hour internship. The degree meets coursework requirements in North Carolina for licensure in each specific area of counseling practice. The PhD degree is a full-time, cohort-style program that takes three years to complete and prepares graduates for leadership careers in counseling practice and teaching.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Students who hope to work with clients with disabilities may be interested in the CACREP-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill). The program has specialized tracks in Developmental Disabilities and Psychiatric Disabilities comprised of 68 credits or students can choose to complete both tracks by completing 71 credits. The program admits new students in the fall term and students declare their specialization at the end of their first semester of the program. Full-time students can complete the degree in two years while part-time students may need at least four years due to the timing of supervised placements. An accelerated CACREP-accredited Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling is also offered, which begins in the summer term and takes 14 months to complete. Both degrees meet the educational requirements to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in North Carolina and school counseling graduates are also eligible for school counseling licensure in the state. Graduates of the MS in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program are also eligible to apply for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) credentials.
Online and Hybrid Programs
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) offers two CACREP-accredited online degrees. The Master of Arts (MA) in Mental Health Counseling has a 60-credit curriculum focused on assessment, diagnosis, and counseling skills. The MA degree meets the educational requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in North Carolina; three additional courses can be taken to meet the educational requirements for North Carolina’s Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS) license. NCCU also offers a 60-credit MA in School Counseling that meets state coursework requirements to become a school counselor with students from K-12. Both degree programs include synchronous and asynchronous coursework requirements and students must attend three residencies during the program. The orientation residency is completed online while the second and third residencies are held in Durham.
North Carolina State University
For individuals looking for a part-time cohort-model online degree, North Carolina State University (NCSU) offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) and a CACREP-accredited M.Ed. in School Counseling. These degrees take three years to complete part-time and require students to take two online classes each term; on-campus internship supervision may also be required. On-campus versions of the degrees are available at the Raleigh campus on a full-time or part-time basis and can be completed in as little as two years. New students are admitted to these degree programs during the summer term. Graduates of the M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling will be prepared to provide clinical counseling services, such as mental health diagnosis, assessment, and treatment, and will meet state educational requirements to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). Those in the M.Ed. in School Counseling degree program will learn how to provide age-appropriate counseling help to students from kindergarten through twelfth grade and will meet North Carolina’s educational requirements for school counseling licensure.
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University (WFU) has a fully-online Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) with specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) and School Counseling. Both versions of the degree are accredited by CACREP and meet North Carolina requirements for licensure in their respective areas. Students complete 60 credits including 30 credits of counseling core courses and 30 credits in the area of specialization. The curriculum also includes mandatory coursework in addiction counseling and ethics as well as an internship and a capstone project. WFU has a humanitarian approach to learning that focuses on teaching students how to use their skills and knowledge to better humanity. Graduates of the MAC in CMHC program have found employment in community, government, and private settings, while MAC in School Counseling graduates can work with students from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
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