Online and On-Campus Counseling Degrees and Programs in West Virginia
There are seven schools in West Virginia offering programs in the five major counseling categories: mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling.1 Students can choose from traditional, on-campus study as well as hybrid and online options. Online counseling degrees are delivered primarily or entirely through web-based learning, while hybrid degrees blend online and in-person courses. In total, five schools in West Virginia offer hybrid and online counseling degrees that make counseling education more accessible to those who can’t attend traditional programs.
Table of Contents
- Counseling Schools Comparison
- Online Counseling Programs
- Top-Ranked Schools
- Select Schools With Counseling Degrees
- Related Articles
Comparison of West Virginia Counseling Schools and Programs
The table below summarizes public and not-for-profit colleges and universities in West Virginia 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 West Virginia counseling licenses Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), School Counselor (SC), and Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC). Rehabilitation counselors are typically licensed as ABBRs. 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 Name | Accreditation2-4 | Online/Hybrid Programs? | MH | MF | VR | SC | SA | Net Price1 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | — | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | $6,013 |
BridgeValley Community & Technical College | — | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | $6,367 |
Huntington Junior College | — | Online | — | — | — | — | Yes | $10,729 |
Marshall University | CACREP | Online | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $8,730 |
Mountwest Community and Technical College | — | Online | — | — | — | — | Yes | $10,103 |
West Virginia Northern Community College | — | Online | — | — | — | — | Yes | $4,398 |
West Virginia University | CACREP | Online/Hybrid | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $13,422 |
West Virginia 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
Online School Counseling Degrees
Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees
- Huntington Junior College
- Mountwest Community and Technical College
- West Virginia Northern Community College
Top-Ranked Schools With Counseling Programs in West Virginia
US News & World Report’s Best Online M.Ed. Programs for Student Counseling 2022
- Marshall University (#157 tie)6
Select Schools in West Virginia With Counseling Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
BridgeValley Community & Technical College
BridgeValley Community & Technical College (BVCTC) is located in South Charleston and offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies (HSRS): Addiction Counseling. This program prepares students to become Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ADCs) according to the standards set by the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP). This 60- to 62-credit degree includes coursework such as Psychiatric Rehabilitation; Substance Use Disorders; and Treatment and Support for Addiction. To enroll in this program, students must submit to at least two drug tests, one of which will be randomly given during the course of any practicum or clinical experience. New students must also attend one of the annual Welcome Day sessions, where they will learn more about admissions, financial aid, and preparing for the fall semester.
West Virginia Northern Community College
West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) has two options for those interested in pursuing the field of substance abuse intervention. The 60- to 61-credit Substance Abuse Intervention Specialist Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree prepares students to work with both individuals and families struggling with the effects of addiction. Students will need at least a 2.0 GPA in order to enroll in this program and upon graduation can be employed in a variety of environments for addiction-related positions which do not require a bachelor’s degree. This program does not satisfy the educational requirements to become a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CDAC); students interested in becoming certified will continue their education elsewhere. WVNCC also offers a certificate in Substance Abuse Intervention Technician, Advanced Skill Set that prepares graduates to work in the substance abuse, mental health, or social work fields. This program lays a foundation for students seeking further education in counseling or a related field and fulfills some requirements for those interested in the AAS for Substance Abuse Intervention Specialist degree. Like the AAS, this program does not meet the requirements for counseling licensure. For students who have successfully recovered from drugs or alcohol, the program does fulfill the educational requirements to become Peer Recovery Support Specialists (PRSSs) in the state.
Traditional Graduate Programs
West Virginia University
West Virginia University (WVU) offers on-campus and hybrid CACREP-accredited counseling degree programs. The Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling is a 63-credit program that teaches students about mental health illnesses, disabilities, and substance use disorders. This program may appeal to individuals who want to provide clinical counseling services to clients with complex challenges, such as dual diagnoses, chronic health conditions, or cognitive disorders. The majority of this degree can be completed online, with two required on-campus residencies. The program takes two years of full-time study to complete, although part-time study is permitted. New students are admitted in the fall and spring terms. An on-campus Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling is also offered with specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares students to work with adolescents and adults with issues related to mental health illnesses and substance abuse disorders. Students in the MA in School Counseling learn how to provide age-appropriate counseling and guidance services to students from PreK-12. Approximately 25 students are admitted into each track each year, with new students admitted in the fall, spring, and summer terms. Graduates of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track will meet LPC academic requirements, while those in the School Counseling track will be prepared to become school counselors in West Virginia. WVU also offers a 60-credit Associate of Arts (AA) and a 120-credit Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Mental Health and Addiction Studies.. An on-campus 15-credit Minor in Addiction Studies can also be combined with any undergraduate major.
Online and Hybrid Programs
Marshall University
Marshall University offers a 60-credit Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling with CACREP-accredited emphases in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling, which can be completed in a hybrid format that is campus-based or distance education-based. Students in the distance education program option complete asynchronous coursework as well as participate in synchronous virtual classes via webcam in the evening. In the hybrid program, students complete online coursework and attend classes at the Huntington or South Charleston campuses. Even on-campus classes in the program may have a hybrid format, requiring only three to five on-campus meetings during the semester with the remaining coursework completed online. All students must complete 100 hours of on-site supervised practicum with at least 40 direct service hours and 600 hours of supervised clinical internship with at least 300 hours of direct service delivery. New students are admitted on a rolling basis for the fall, spring, and summer terms. Graduates in the MA in Clinical Mental Health program will meet state coursework requirements to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and graduates in the School Counseling track will meet state requirements to become school counselors. The school also offers pathways to dual licensure. Students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track must complete up to six additional courses to qualify for school counseling licensure, while those in the School Counseling track must complete an additional supervised clinical mental health internship to qualify for mental health counseling licensure. Marshall also offers a Graduate Certificate of Advanced Studies in Violence, Loss, and Trauma Counseling as well as a 15-credit interdisciplinary minor in Addiction Studies.
Related Articles
- Associate Degree in Counseling Guide
- Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling Guide
- Certificate in Counseling Guide
- Guide to Earning a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Online
- Master’s Degree in Counseling Guide
- PhD in Counseling Guide
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