Counseling Degrees and Programs in Oklahoma
The state of Oklahoma is home to numerous colleges and universities with programs in the major counseling categories: marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling. To begin a counseling career, you will most likely need to choose a school and a counseling program, as most counseling careers in Oklahoma require a degree. Oklahoma offers prospective counselors undergraduate and graduate counseling degree options. Undergraduate programs introduce students to the professional counseling profession, while graduate programs enable students to develop advanced clinical skills. A master’s degree in counseling is required for most types of licensure in Oklahoma. Online and hybrid undergraduate and graduate counseling programs are also offered in Oklahoma, which allow students to complete their counseling education on a more flexible basis.
Quick Facts
- There are 11 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 Oklahoma.1,2
- Of the counseling schools in Oklahoma, 1 offers an associate’s degree, 2 offer a bachelor’s degree, 1 offers a certificate, and 9 offer a master’s or advanced degree.1,2
- 3 schools offer a degree in marriage and family therapy.1,2
- 6 schools offer a degree in mental health counseling.1,2
- 2 schools offer a degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling.1,2
- 6 schools offer a degree in school counseling.1,2
- 4 schools offer a degree in substance abuse counseling.1,2
- 2 counseling schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019.3
- No schools ranked in US News Best Student Counseling Programs 2019.4
- 2 schools ranked in US News Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs 2019.5
- Across 5 schools, 8 counseling programs are accredited by CACREP.2
Comparison of Oklahoma Counseling Schools and Programs
The table below provides you with helpful data to compare the public and not-for-profit four-year colleges and universities in Oklahoma 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 (*). Keep in mind that some schools offer a joint program in clinical mental health counseling and clinical rehabilitation counseling, so check with the school for more information on the programs offered. You can also compare Oklahoma counseling schools by program type offered, graduation rate, and net price per year. You can find out more about the steps to counseling licensure in Oklahoma by reading our license requirements page.
| School Name | CACREP- Accred Program2 | MH | MF | VR | SC | SA | Grad Rate1 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Central University | Yes | Yes* | — | Yes* | Yes | — | 35% | $9,283 |
| Langston University | Yes | — | — | Yes* | — | — | 13% | $13,294 |
| Northeastern State University | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | Yes* | 35% | $9,138 |
| Northwestern Oklahoma State University | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | 30% | $9,158 |
| Oklahoma Baptist University | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | 52% | $20,015 |
| Oklahoma City University | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | 64% | $26,817 |
| Oklahoma State University-Main Campus | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 61% | $15,009 |
| Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 10% | $5,678 |
| Southeastern Oklahoma State University | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes | — | 33% | $8,490 |
| Southern Nazarene University | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | 44% | $18,170 |
| University of Central Oklahoma | — | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | 36% | $16,027 |
Top-Ranked Schools with Counseling Programs in Oklahoma
Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019
- Oklahoma State University (#346)
- Oklahoma City University (#371)
US News Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs 2019
- Langston University (#67 tie)
- East Central University (#80 tie)
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 124-credit degree, including 50 credits of general education credits and 74 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 three tracks: a CACREP-accredited Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) track that meets state coursework requirements for licensure; a Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment (VEWA) track; and an Assistive Technology (AT) track. Students must complete at least 42 of the 48-credit required core curriculum credits before choosing a track and completing the remaining requirements. The LPC track requires an additional 15 credits and supervised work experience, while the VEWA track requires 12 credits and the AT track requires an additional nine 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 Addiction 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
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City University (OCU) offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Applied Behavioral Studies: Professional Counseling that meets state coursework requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license. While the degree is comprised of 60 credits, students first complete the required courses for the 33-credit M.Ed. in Applied Behavioral Studies before completing the additional requirements for the Professional Counseling designation. Courses are offered in eight-week blocks and, while most courses are offered in the evening to accommodate the schedules of working professionals, students must be available during the day for the required practicum and internship. The degree takes two years of full-time study or four years of part-time study to complete.
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.
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 as well as a teaching certificate can apply to 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) or Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) credentials. 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.
Oklahoma State University
At Oklahoma State University (OSU), students can complete a Master of Science (MS) in Counseling with CACREP-accredited specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling at the Stillwater or Tulsa campuses. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is comprised of 60 credits and fulfills Oklahoma’s educational requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The MS in School Counseling requires 57 credits and meets state coursework requirements to become a school counselor. Students in the School Counseling program will need to complete three additional credits to meet state requirements for LPC licensure. 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 that teaches students about mental health and counseling professions with a mandatory field experience component.
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 Aging; Counseling; Rehabilitation; and Services to the Deaf. The degree is comprised of 124 credits and classes are offered in eight-week blocks. A minor is also required and can be taken in a related field, such as human services. 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 (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