Online and On-Campus Counseling Degrees and Programs in Kentucky
There are 18 schools in Kentucky with programs in the five major counseling categories: mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling.1 In addition to traditional programs completed in person, there are online and hybrid options to choose from. Online counseling degrees are delivered primarily or entirely through web-based learning, while hybrid degrees blend online coursework with in-person sessions. In total, 10 schools in Kentucky 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 Kentucky Counseling Schools and Programs
The table below summarizes public and not-for-profit colleges and universities in Kentucky 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 Kentucky counseling licenses Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), School Counselor (SC), and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCDC). Rehabilitation counselors are typically licensed as LPCCs. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbury Theological Seminary | CACREP | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Big Sandy Community and Technical College | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | $5,584 |
| Campbellsville University | COAMFTE | Online | — | Yes | — | Yes | — | $23,074 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | CACREP | Hybrid | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $14,271 |
| Hazard Community and Technical College | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | $4,602 |
| Kentucky Christian University | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | $22,209 |
| Lindsey Wilson College | CACREP | Online | Yes | — | — | — | — | $16,316 |
| Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary | COAMFTE | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Morehead State University | — | Online | — | — | — | Yes | — | $10,471 |
| Murray State University | CACREP | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $11,237 |
| Northern Kentucky University | CACREP | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $7,443 |
| Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College | — | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $4,614 |
| Spalding University | — | Online | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $24,822 |
| Union Commonwealth University | — | Online | — | — | — | — | Yes | $15,690 |
| University of Kentucky | CACREP, COAMFTE | Online | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | $20,043 |
| University of Louisville | COAMFTE | — | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | $18,582 |
| University of the Cumberlands | CACREP | Online | Yes | — | — | — | Yes | $13,631 |
| Western Kentucky University | CACREP | Online | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | $12,395 |
Kentucky 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
- Asbury Theological Seminary
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Lindsey Wilson College
- University of Kentucky
- University of the Cumberlands
- Western Kentucky University
Online Marriage and Family Therapy Degrees
- Asbury Theological Seminary
Online Rehabilitation Counseling Degrees
Online School Counseling Degrees
- Campbellsville University
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Morehead State University
- Spalding University
- Western Kentucky University
Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees
- Union Commonwealth University
- University of the Cumberlands
- Western Kentucky University
Top-Ranked Schools With Counseling Programs in Kentucky
US News & World Report’s Best Online M.Ed. Programs for Student Counseling 2022
- University of the Cumberlands (#204 tie)
- Campbellsville University (#214 tie)
- Morehead State University (#219 tie)5
Schools in Kentucky with Counseling Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) offers several in-person counseling degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Those interested in substance abuse counseling can pursue EKU’s Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology with a concentration in Substance Abuse that consists of 120 credits, including 36 credits of psychology major requirements and 12 credits of substance abuse coursework. The Substance Abuse concentration, which can also be completed online, includes courses such as Psychology of Personality, Introduction to Behavior Therapy, and Psychological Perspectives on Substance Abuse. At the graduate level, students can complete a CACREP-accredited Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or a CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) in School Counseling. The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a 60-credit program that meets the academic requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Kentucky. The MAEd in School Counseling can be completed as a 48-credit degree leading to a Provisional School Counselor Certificateor as a 60-credit degree leading to Rank I Certification. A Doctor of Education (EdD) in Counselor Education and Supervision is also available and is open to students with a master’s degree in counseling and at least three years of experience. This degree is designed for students who wish to pursue advanced clinical, teaching, or research opportunities in a specific area of counseling.
Lindsey Wilson College
Lindsey Wilson College is a United Methodist college with numerous campuses in Kentucky and surrounding states. The college offers a 120-credit Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Human Services and Counseling degree with an interdisciplinary curriculum combining courses in psychology, sociology, and social work along with general education coursework. Students must successfully complete at least one semester of coursework before applying to the Human Services and Counseling major. In Kentucky, the degree is available at the Ashland, Cumberland, Hazard, London, Louisville, Prestonsburg, Scottsville, and Somerset campuses as well as online. Lindsey Wilson College also offers a 60-credit, CACREP-accredited Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at numerous campuses and online. The degree meets the coursework requirements in Kentucky for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credential, as well as the academic licensure requirements for most surrounding states. Students who already have a master’s degree in counseling can apply to the CACREP-accredited Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision (CES).
Traditional Graduate Programs
Murray State University
Murray State University offers three counseling programs: a Master of Arts (MA) in School Counseling; a Specialist in Education (EdS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; and an EdS in School Counseling. The MA and EdS in School Counseling both include 42 credits of counseling coursework, and the EdS also requires additional credits for a total of 60 credit hours. The CACREP-accredited EdS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires 60 credits. The MA in School Counseling meets state coursework requirements for the Provisional School Counseling Certification, while the EdS in School Counseling meets the coursework requirements for the Rank I in School Counseling in Kentucky. Students in the EdS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling will meet state academic requirements for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) license.
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) with two tracks in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. The M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling consists of 60 credits and fulfills the coursework requirements for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credential. The M.Ed. in School Counseling is a 48-credit degree that meets the educational requirements for Kentucky’s Provisional Certificate in School Counseling. Students also have the option of completing a 60-credit hour program that qualifies them for a Rank 1 Certification in School Counseling upon graduation or a Standard Guidance Certificate if they hold a teaching license in Kentucky. Individuals interested in marriage and family therapy may apply to the COAMFTE-accredited Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy (MSCFT), a 60-credit, two-year program that meets Kentucky’s academic requirements to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). The school also offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counseling and Personnel Services with a specialization in Counselor Education and Supervision. This degree provides experienced counselors with opportunities to develop leadership, teaching, and research skills.
Online and Hybrid Programs
Morehead State University
Morehead State University (MSU) offers prospective school counselors two online degree choices. The Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling prepares students to become certified as school counselors in elementary, middle, and secondary school settings. The degree comprises 36 credits including a counseling core and a professional education core. Individuals who would like to study school counseling in more depth can apply for the Rank I credential in School Counseling, which builds on the MA curriculum and requires students to complete 60 credits. MSU also offers a 30-credit online Specialist in Education (EdS) with a specialty in Counseling that is open to students who have a master’s degree in counseling and are already certified as school counselors in Kentucky. The EdS is designed to train students on school counseling theory, clinical skills, and research to provide greater career advancement opportunities.
Union Commonwealth University
Union Commonwealth University (Union) offers online and on-campus counseling programs. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Substance Abuse Counseling is a 120-credit degree including a liberal education core, electives, and 39 credits in the Substance Abuse Counseling major area. Students also complete a substance abuse counseling internship. At the graduate level, an online 21-credit Chemical Dependency Counselor Certificate is offered, which prepares students to work in the substance abuse counseling field and may be completed concurrently with the BS degree. Graduates of the BS or Certificate programs may continue their studies in the 60-credit online Master of Science (MS) in Substance Abuse Counseling. Coursework completed in the certificate and MS degree program can be used to meet the academic requirements for the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential in Kentucky.
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky (UK) offers the CACREP-accredited Master of Arts (MA) in Counselor Education (CE) program with specialties in Rehabilitation Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Most students graduate from the 100% online CE program in two years, which requires them to complete 43 credits of Counseling Core and 17 credits in a chosen specialty for a total of 60 credits. UK offers two start dates each year with courses delivered in eight-week blocks. All coursework is delivered via asynchronous formats with the exception of field supervision. UK also offers an on-campus, CACREP-accredited Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision designed for individuals with a counseling-related master’s degree.
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