Counseling Degrees and Programs in Ohio
To begin a counseling career in Ohio, one of the first steps you will take is choosing a school with a counseling degree program that fits your interests. In Ohio, there are numerous colleges and universities that offer programs in the five major counseling categories: marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling. While some undergraduate degrees introducing students to the various fields of counseling are offered, more options are available at the graduate level because this is the level of degree required for most types of counseling licenses in the state. Prospective counseling students in Ohio may also be interested in the many online or hybrid degree options available that provide a more flexible learning experience.
Quick Facts
- There are 26 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 Ohio.1,2
- Of the counseling schools in Ohio, 1 offers an associate’s degree, 4 offer a bachelor’s degree, 5 offer a certificate, and 23 offer a master’s or advanced degree.1,2
- 1 school offers a degree in marriage and family therapy.1,2
- 22 schools offer a degree in mental health counseling.1,2
- 5 schools offer a degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling.1,2
- 16 schools offer a degree in school counseling.1,2
- 9 schools offer a degree in substance abuse counseling.1,2
- 7 counseling schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019.3
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Student Counseling Programs 2019.4
- 4 schools ranked in US News Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs 2019.5
- Across 23 schools, 43 counseling programs are accredited by CACREP.2
Comparison of Ohio Counseling Schools and Programs
In the table below, we have provided a summary of the public and not-for-profit four-year colleges and universities in Ohio that offer counseling programs in the five major counseling 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 compare each school by program type offered, graduation rate, and net price per year. To learn more about counseling licensure requirements in Ohio, visit our state licensure page.
| School Name | CACREP- Accred Program2 | MH | MF | VR | SC | SA | Grad Rate1 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland University/Ashland Theological Seminary | Yes | Yes* | — | — | — | — | 61% | $20,231 |
| Bowling Green State University-Main Campus | Yes | Yes* | — | Yes | Yes* | — | 56% | $17,508 |
| Cincinnati Christian University | Yes | Yes | — | — | — | — | 54% | $21,469 |
| Cleveland State University | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | Yes | 45% | $14,356 |
| Franciscan University of Steubenville | Yes | Yes* | — | — | — | — | 77% | $25,908 |
| Heidelberg University | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 50% | $23,411 |
| John Carroll University | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 78% | $28,765 |
| Kent State University at Kent | Yes | Yes* | — | Yes* | Yes* | Yes | 60% | $17,552 |
| Lorain County Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 15% | $3,161 |
| Malone University | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 57% | $19,128 |
| Ohio Christian University | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 25% | $25,075 |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 84% | $18,694 |
| Ohio University-Main Campus | Yes | Yes* | — | Yes* | Yes* | — | 64% | $22,072 |
| Tiffin University | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 29% | $20,474 |
| Union Institute & University | Yes | Yes* | — | — | — | Yes | 11% | $22,360 |
| University of Akron Main Campus | Yes | Yes* | Yes | — | Yes* | Yes | 39% | $16,269 |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | Yes | 68% | $20,085 |
| University of Dayton | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 79% | $34,718 |
| University of Toledo | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | Yes | 47% | $16,588 |
| Ursuline College | Yes | Yes* | — | — | — | — | 44% | $17,054 |
| Walsh University | Yes* | Yes | — | — | Yes* | — | 59% | $19,609 |
| Wilberforce University | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | — | 18% | $13,437 |
| Winebrenner Theological Seminary | Yes | Yes* | — | — | — | — | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| Wright State University-Main Campus | Yes | Yes* | — | Yes* | Yes* | — | 39% | $14,136 |
| Xavier University | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 73% | $31,240 |
| Youngstown State University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes* | — | 37% | $11,033 |
Top-Ranked Schools with Counseling Programs in Ohio
Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019
- Franciscan University of Steubenville (#98)
- Ohio State University (#152)
- John Carroll University (#153)
- University of Dayton (#214)
- University of Cincinnati (#359)
- Bowling Green State University (#391)
- Xavier University (#396)
US News Best Student Counseling Programs 2019
- Ohio State University (#1)
US News Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs 2019
- Kent State University (#20 tie)
- Ohio University (#32 tie)
- Wright State University (#47 tie)
- Wilberforce University (#92)
Schools in Ohio with Counseling Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
Kent State University
Kent State University offers numerous degrees and certificates for prospective counselors, including a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology with a concentration in Counseling Careers. This degree is designed to prepare students for entry-level careers in mental health and counseling settings or for further study at the graduate level. Students can take classes at the main campus in Kent or at eight regional campuses throughout the state. The degree is comprised of 120 credits with 42 upper-division courses and an experiential learning component. Kent State also has CACREP-accredited Master of Education (MEd) degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and Rehabilitation Counseling; undergraduate and graduate certificates in Addiction Counseling; and a CACREP-accredited Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision.
Tiffin University
Tiffin University offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology with a concentration in Addiction Counseling comprised of 121-123 credits including core arts and science courses, foundational psychology courses, and specialized addiction and intercultural counseling coursework. This degree program provides graduates with a solid foundation in addiction and mental health theories and counseling techniques that can be used to help individuals struggling with or impacted by addiction. Students in the program complete 220 hours of practical work experience and meet the educational requirements to become a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in Ohio. New applicants are accepted for August and January start dates with 15-week courses offered on-campus each semester. The program also provides opportunities to learn about the relationship between addiction and the criminal justice system thanks to a partnership with the Ohio Police Officer Training Academy.
University of Akron
At the University of Akron, students interested in a counseling-oriented undergraduate degree can pursue the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology with a concentration in Mental Health/Counseling. Students must complete at least 120 credits, including the arts, science, and foreign language core, the psychology core, and mental health and counseling electives. Numerous scholarships and research opportunities are available as the psychology program is one of the largest undergraduate programs at the university. The School of Counseling also offers CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling; a CACREP-accredited Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; and a Master of Arts (MA) in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy (MFC/T), all of which meet state educational requirements for counseling licensure.
Traditional Graduate Programs
Ohio State University
Three CACREP-accredited graduate degrees in counseling are offered at Ohio State University (OSU), located in the state capital of Columbus. The Master of Arts (MA) in Education Studies is a 62-67-credit program with a practicum, an internship, and an optional thesis component and is offered with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling. Both degree options meet the state educational requirements for licensure in the area of concentration. Prospective students can attend information sessions throughout the year at the OSU campus or online to learn more about the programs, which admit new students in the fall term. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Studies with a specialization in Counselor Education and Supervision is also available for individuals with a master’s degree in counseling who are interested in leadership roles within the counseling profession.
Ohio University
Located in Athens, Ohio University has several CACREP-accredited graduate degrees in counseling: a Master of Education (MEd) with specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling/Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, and School Counseling; and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision. The MEd degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling/Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling prepare students for licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in Ohio with a specific focus on clients with disabilities in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling/Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling program. The MEd in School Counseling degree teaches the skills necessary to work with students from pre-K through twelfth grade and meets the educational requirements for licensure as a school counselor in the state.
University of Toledo
At the University of Toledo, students can complete a Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling in two-and-a-half years of full-time study or longer through part-time studies. The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares graduates for careers as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs), or Chemical Dependency Counselors (LCDCs) in Ohio with coursework in counseling theories, psychopathology, and statistics. The MA in School Counseling provides students with a broad knowledge base so that graduates can work with students of all ages from pre-K-12. New students are admitted to the MA programs in the fall, winter, and spring terms. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) accredited by CACREP is available to individuals who are interested in developing teaching, research, and leadership skills. The University of Toledo also offers an undergraduate certificate in Chemical Dependency Counseling that meets the educational requirements to become an LCDC in Ohio.
Online and Hybrid Programs
Malone University
Malone University offers counseling degrees with a Christian worldview both online and at the Canton campus. The CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling includes 60 credits of courses that can be taken fully-online or in combination with on-campus courses. Students complete on-site practicum and internship components to gain supervised experience to qualify them for licensure, and the degree takes at least three years to complete. Up to 15 transfer credits may be accepted towards the degree requirements. The CACREP-accredited MAEd in School Counseling is also available in a hybrid format with practicum and internship components that prepare graduates for licensure as school counselors. Students can also complete both MAEd degrees together in a hybrid format as part of the dual degree program, which meets the state educational requirements for both counseling areas.
Union Institute and University
The Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Union Institute and University is a CACREP-accredited online degree with two to three required residencies in Brattleboro, Vermont, or Cincinnati each year. This 60-credit degree program admits new students in January, May, and August for full-time or part-time study with a minimum completion time of two years and meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Ohio. Students learn about mental health assessment and diagnosis as well as counseling models and techniques that can be used with diverse populations. Electives can be taken in areas such as family therapy and substance abuse disorders. Students also complete a practicum, an internship, and a capstone project. Those interested in addiction counseling can complete an online Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Abuse as part of the MA program or on its own in approximately one year. The certificate meets the educational requirements in Ohio for licensure as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC).
Wright State University
Wright State University (WSU) offers an online CACREP-accredited Master of Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC) degree with concentrations in Addiction Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling. Both concentrations prepare graduates to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in Ohio and Addiction Counseling graduates are also eligible to become Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselors (LICDCs). Students complete all coursework online with an on-site practicum and internship. An on-campus Bachelor of Science (BS) in Rehabilitation Studies with optional minors in Rehabilitation Studies, Disability Studies, and Veteran Studies provides undergraduate students with an introduction to the field of rehabilitation counseling and an opportunity to learn more about entry-level positions. Other on-campus offerings at WSU include a Master of Science (MS) in Counseling; a Master of Education (MEd) in School Counseling; and Certificates in Marriage and Family Therapy and Trauma-Informed Counseling.
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