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Online and On-Campus Counseling Degrees and Programs in Hawaii

There are five schools in Hawaii 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. Four schools in Hawaii offer hybrid and online counseling degrees that make counseling education more accessible to those who can’t attend traditional programs.

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Comparison of Hawaii Counseling Schools and Programs

The table below summarizes public and not-for-profit colleges and universities in Hawaii 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 Hawaii counseling licenses Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MHC), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), School Counselor (SC), and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC). Rehabilitation counselors are typically licensed as MHCs. 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
Chaminade University of Honolulu—OnlineYesYes—Yes—$27,695
Brigham Young University-Hawaii——Yes————$13,585
University of Hawaii at HiloMPCACHybridYes———Yes$12,936
University of Hawaii at Manoa—Online——Yes——$14,557
University of Hawaii at West Oahu—Hybrid————Yes$11,881

Hawaii 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

  • Chaminade University of Honolulu
  • University of Hawaii at Hilo

Online Marriage and Family Therapy Degrees

  • Chaminade University of Honolulu

Online Rehabilitation Counseling Degrees

  • University of Hawaii at Manoa

Online School Counseling Degrees

  • Chaminade University of Honolulu

Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees

  • University of Hawaii at Hilo
  • University of Hawaii at West Oahu

Select Schools in Hawaii with Counseling Degrees

Traditional Undergraduate Programs

Brigham Young University-Hawaii

Brigham Young University-Hawaii (BYUH) is located on the island of Oahu and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYUH integrates faith-based courses into its curriculum for all degree programs and students are required to take classes in math, writing, and religious education. BYUH offers a 120-credit Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology with a Clinical/Counseling Emphasis. In addition to the core classes required for all undergraduate majors, the BS in Psychology with a Clinical/Counseling Emphasis consists of 42 credits and includes courses such as Developmental Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Community Mental Health. Students also have the option to complete an internship as part of the nine credits of required Clinical/Counseling Emphasis electives. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to pursue an entry-level job or to pursue a graduate degree in a counseling-related field, as many counseling professions in Hawaii require a master’s or doctorate degree.

Online and Hybrid Programs

Chaminade University of Honolulu

At Chaminade University of Honolulu (Chaminade), graduate students can earn a Master of Science (MS) in Counseling Psychology that emphasizes practice-based work in communities and schools across populations. The MS, which follows an online curriculum that requires 60 credit hours, can be completed in as few as 30 months. Students can concentrate in either Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling. The School Counseling pathway can also be completed as a School Counseling with Community emphasis. Regardless of the pathway, all students take foundational courses such as Personality, Abnormal Psychology, and Ethical and Professional Issues in Counseling.

University of Hawaii at Manoa

The University of Hawaii at Manoa (Manoa) offers a Master of Science in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science with a concentration in Rehabilitation Counselor Education that can be completed online in three years. Courses use both synchronous (real time) and asynchronous formats, with synchronous/real-time courses meeting once per week. Real-time courses are typically held after 4:30 PM local time to accommodate working students. The cohort-based program includes three clinical courses consisting of one practicum and two internships to equip graduates with real-world field experience in their local communities. The 48-credit hour program admits 10 students per year. Students interested in pursuing counselor licensure may have the option to complete an additional 12 credit hours to meet the 60 credit hour license requirement.

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