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Online and On-Campus Counseling Degrees and Programs in Idaho

There are three schools in Idaho 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 traditional, on-campus programs, Idaho schools offer online and hybrid options. Online counseling degrees are delivered primarily or entirely through web-based learning, while hybrid degrees blend online coursework with in-person sessions. Two schools in Idaho offer hybrid and online counseling degrees that make counseling education more accessible to those who can’t attend traditional programs.

Table of Contents

Comparison of Idaho Counseling Schools and Programs

The table below summarizes public and not-for-profit colleges and universities in Idaho 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 Idaho counseling licenses Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), School Counselor (SC), and Advanced Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ACADC). Rehabilitation counselors are typically licensed as LCPCs. 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
Boise State UniversityCACREP————YesYes$12,558
Idaho State UniversityCACREPOnlineYesYesYesYesYes$13,012
Northwest Nazarene UniversityCACREPHybridYesYes—Yes—$23,045

Idaho 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

Schools in Idaho With Counseling Degrees

Traditional Undergraduate Programs

Idaho State University

Idaho State University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in counseling. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Community and Public Health with a concentration in Addiction Studies is a four-year degree of 120 credits. The requirements include at least 37 general education credits, 43 community health core credits, and 32 credits of addiction studies as well as electives. In this program, students learn about theories of addiction; the personal, community, and social impacts of addiction; and how to provide counseling services to those impacted by addiction. Upon completion of the program, students will meet the educational requirements for the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential in Idaho. At the graduate level, Idaho State University offers a Master of Counseling (MCoun) with concentrations in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, School Counseling, and Student Affairs Counseling. Each concentration requires 60 credits and 1,000 hours of supervised work experience. Upon completion of the program, students will meet the educational requirements in Idaho for the counseling license in their area of study. Applicants with a master’s degree in counseling can apply for an Educational Specialist (EdS) in Counseling or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education, which provide additional opportunities to develop expertise in clinical practice, teaching, and research.

Traditional Graduate Programs

Boise State University

Boise State University (BSU) offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling degree with two CACREP-accredited concentrations in either Addiction Counseling or School Counseling. Both concentrations of the degree take three years to complete and comprise 60 credits. The MA in Addiction Counseling teaches students the screening, assessment, counseling, and referral skills needed to work with clients from diverse backgrounds in relation to substance abuse, chemical dependency, and addictive behaviors. Examples of required courses include Foundations of Addiction Counseling; Diagnosis, Assessment, and Treatment Planning; and Addiction and the Family System. Students must complete at least 700 hours of supervised internship, although students who complete 1,000 hours of supervised internship will meet the state academic requirements to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) upon completion of the program. The degree also meets state educational requirements for the Advanced Certified Alcohol and Drug Counseling (ACADC) credential. The MA in School Counseling teaches the skills necessary to work as a school counselor in elementary, middle, and secondary school settings and meets state requirements for licensure upon completion. Students also learn to develop and implement guidance programs and complete 700 hours of supervised internship. BSU also offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision for students with a master’s degree in counseling.

Northwest Nazarene University

Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) is a Christian institution offering a Master of Science (MS) with three CACREP-accredited tracks in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling; and School Counseling. Students complete 60 credits including core and specialized counseling courses. In the MS in Clinical Mental Health, the required coursework teaches students how to assess and diagnose mental health disorders, provide services in mental health settings, and conduct counseling research. The program meets state coursework requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license. The MS in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling focuses on theories of human behavior, sexuality, and family dynamics and teaches students related counseling techniques. Graduates will meet the coursework requirements for the LPC and Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) licenses in Idaho. Those in the MS in School Counseling program will learn counseling skills appropriate for children and youth with a focus on rural populations. The degree meets the state educational requirements to become a K-12 school counselor.

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