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Online and On-Campus Counseling Degrees and Programs in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is home to 17 schools with programs in the five major counseling fields: mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling.1 In addition to in-person programs, there are online and hybrid options to choose from. Online counseling degrees are delivered through web-based learning, while hybrid degrees combine online coursework with in-person sessions. There are eight schools in Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma Counseling Schools and Programs

The table below summarizes public and not-for-profit colleges and universities in Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma counseling licenses Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), School Counselor (SC), and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). 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
Cameron UniversityYesYesYes$11,094
East Central UniversityCACREPOnlineYesYesYesYes$11,184
Langston UniversityCACREPYes$10,578
Mid-America Christian UniversityOnline/HybridYesYesYesYes$16,187
Northeastern State UniversityCACREPHybridYesYesYes$9,507
Northwestern Oklahoma State UniversityYesYesYes$10,403
Oklahoma Baptist UniversityYes$23,871
Oklahoma City UniversityOnlineYes$23,143
Oklahoma State University-Main CampusCACREP, COAMFTEYesYesYesYes$14,603
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma CityYes$7,481
Oral Roberts UniversityOnline/HybridYesYesYesYes$24,347
Rogers State UniversityYes$13,953
Southeastern Oklahoma State UniversityOnlineYesYes$10,263
Southern Nazarene UniversityYes$20,535
Southwestern Oklahoma State UniversityHybridYesYes$14,761
University of Central OklahomaMPCACYesYesYesYes$17,477
University of OklahomaCACREPOnlineYesYesYes$19,900

Oklahoma 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 Marriage and Family Therapy Degrees

  • Mid-America Christian University
  • Oral Roberts University

Online Rehabilitation Counseling Degrees

Online School Counseling Degrees

Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees

Select Schools in Oklahoma With Counseling Degrees

Traditional Undergraduate Programs

Langston University

Langston University is a historically black institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs in Rehabilitation Counseling. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Rehabilitation Services is a 128-credit degree, including 41 credits of general education credits and 78 credits of major and elective coursework. The degree prepares students to work with clients with various disabilities and understand how disability impacts daily life. Students will be prepared to provide rehabilitation counseling services in community and non-profit settings or continue studying at the graduate level. The Master of Science (MS) in Rehabilitation Counseling is offered with two tracks: a CACREP-accredited Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) track that meets state coursework requirements for licensure and a Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment (VEWA) track. Students must complete at least 42 of the required core curriculum credits before choosing a track and completing the remaining requirements. The LPC track requires an additional 12 credits and supervised work experience while the VEWA track requires 12 credits.

Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City

For those looking to begin a career in addiction counseling, Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City (OSU-OKU) offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Addictions Counseling. The degree is comprised of 64 credits, including 37 credits of general education core, 18 credits of specialization courses, and nine credits of electives. It takes two years of full-time study to complete, although part-time study is also permitted. The degree prepares students for entry-level careers in the addiction counseling or prevention fields or further study at the bachelor’s degree level. For example, graduates of the AS program are also able to transfer into the University of Central Oklahoma’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology-Substance Abuse Studies Program, which will qualify them for licensure as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) in the state.

Traditional Graduate Programs

Southern Nazarene University

Southern Nazarene University (SNU) is a private Christian institution located in Bethany. A Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling is available with several pathways that can take graduates on a variety of career paths. Concentrations for the MA in Counseling include Professional Counseling, Marital and Family Therapy, Play Therapy, Drug and Alcohol Counseling, or a research tract. This degree is 60 credit hours and students can graduate in two and a half years. Coursework for this program fulfills state requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) credential, and the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).

Northeastern State University

Northeastern State University is home to a Master of Science (MS) in Counseling with three CACREP-accredited tracks: Addiction Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling; and School Counseling. The degree includes a 42-credit counseling core and 18 additional credits in the area of specialization for a total of 60 credits. Students can also choose to complete a research thesis to meet the degree requirements. Each degree takes approximately two and a half years of full-time study to complete or can be taken on a part-time basis. The MS in Addiction Counseling meets state coursework requirements for the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) credential; the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling fulfills state requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential; and the MS in School Counseling enables students to become school counselors and work with students from K-12 as well as meet the educational requirements to become an LPC in Oklahoma.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) offers graduate degrees and certificates in counseling. The 34-credit Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling is open to applicants who already have a teaching certificate. Individuals who already have a master’s degree and are certified teachers can apply for the 24-credit School Counseling Certificate. Both programs meet state requirements to become a school counselor. A Master of Counseling Psychology (MCP) is also offered with licensure tracks for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) credentials, or a combination of both. The MCP core curriculum is comprised of 48 credits, including assessment and intervention strategies, research, and counseling theories. The LPC track requires an additional 12 credits, while the LADC track requires six additional credits. A Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology is also available with a 24-credit minor in Substance Abuse.

Oklahoma State University

At Oklahoma State University (OSU), students can complete a Master of Science (MS) in Counseling with CACREP-accredited specializations in Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling at the Stillwater or Tulsa campuses. The MS in Mental Health Counseling is comprised of 60 credits for the non-thesis option or 66 credits for the thesis option, and fulfills Oklahoma educational requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The MS in School Counseling requires 60 to 66 credits (depending on whether the thesis option is chosen) and meets state coursework requirements to become a school counselor. The MS degree can be completed in a minimum of two years of full-time study, although part-time students have up to seven years to complete all degree requirements. New students are admitted in the fall term. OSU also offers an undergraduate, 15-credit Minor in Pre-Counseling, a Graduate Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling, and an MS in Human Development and Family Science with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Online and Hybrid Programs

East Central University

East Central University (ECU) offers an online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Human Services Counseling with concentrations in Counseling (12 credit hours) and Rehabilitation (21 credit hours). The degree is comprised of 124 credits and classes are offered in eight-week blocks. The degree prepares students to work in entry-level positions with the target populations. At the graduate level, ECU offers a Master of Science in Human Resources (MSHR) with a Specialization in Clinical Rehabilitation and Clinical Mental Health Counseling that is accredited by CACREP and meets coursework requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license in Oklahoma. A Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling that meets state requirements to become a school counselor is also available.

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

At Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SOSU), individuals considering a school counseling career can complete a fully-online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling. The degree is comprised of 42 credits and it takes 12 months to complete the required coursework, with additional time necessary for the required practicum. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree and a teaching certificate are accepted and can apply to begin the degree at several start dates throughout the year. SOSU also offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the Durant campus that meets state academic guidelines for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The degree is comprised of 60 credits, including core counseling topics, such as Theories of Counseling and Groups Counseling, as well as specialized mental health courses and clinical training.

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