Online and On-Campus Counseling Degrees and Programs in New Mexico
New Mexico is home to 11 schools that offer programs in the five major counseling practice areas: mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling.1 In addition to traditional, in-person programs, New Mexico schools offer online and hybrid options. Online counseling degrees are delivered through web-based learning, while hybrid degrees typically blend online and in-person coursework. In total, seven schools in Mexico 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
- Select Schools With Counseling Degrees
- Related Articles
Comparison of New Mexico Counseling Schools and Programs
The table below summarizes public and not-for-profit colleges and universities in New Mexico 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 New Mexico counseling licenses Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LPCC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), School Counselor (SC), and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central New Mexico Community College | — | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | $5,303 |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Portales | — | Online | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $7,002 |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell | — | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | $5,463 |
| Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College | — | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | $7,633 |
| Navajo Technical University | — | Online | Yes | — | — | — | Yes | $3,128 |
| New Mexico Highlands University | CACREP, MPCAC | Hybrid | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | — | $12,795 |
| New Mexico State University | CACREP | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | — | — | — | $11,397 |
| Santa Fe Community College | — | Online | — | — | — | — | Yes | $8,870 |
| University of New Mexico | CACREP | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $11,396 |
| University of the Southwest | CACREP | Online | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $19,139 |
| Western New Mexico University | — | Online | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | $13,483 |
New Mexico 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
- Eastern New Mexico University-Portales
- Navajo Technical University
- New Mexico Highlands University
- New Mexico State University
- University of the Southwest
- Western New Mexico University
Online Rehabilitation Counseling Degrees
Online School Counseling Degrees
- Eastern New Mexico University-Portales
- Navajo Technical University
- Santa Fe Community College
- Western New Mexico University
Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees
- Navajo Technical University
- Santa Fe Community College
- Western New Mexico University
Select Schools in New Mexico With Counseling Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
Navajo Technical University
Navajo Technical University (NTU) offers undergraduate certificate and degree programs for prospective counseling students. The Certificate Program in Counseling comprises 34 credits and is designed to be completed in one year of full-time study. Students in this program learn about the foundations of counseling theory and behavioral health. An Associate of Arts (AA) in Counseling is also offered with concentrations in Crisis Management and Suicide Prevention as well as Substance Use Disorder. These programs have a specific focus on the needs of the Navajo community and are offered in close collaboration with the Navajo Nation Department of Behavioral Health Services. The AA programs consist of 64-65 credits and include arts, sciences, psychology, and counseling coursework. Graduates from these programs may find employment in entry-level counseling and mental health settings or continue their studies at the bachelor’s degree level. Coursework may be applied toward the requirements to become a Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA) in New Mexico.
Northern New Mexico College
At Northern New Mexico College (NNMC), students can complete an Associate of Arts (AA) in Substance Abuse Counseling comprising 62 credits, including 38 general education credits and 24 substance abuse counseling credits. In this program, students learn about the psychology of addiction and the case management and counseling skills necessary to provide entry-level counseling services in the substance abuse field. Courses required in the program include Basic Counseling Techniques; Family Systems Theory; and Alcohol & Drug Abuse Assessment, Treatment, & Referral. Students also complete either a supervised practicum or an applied learning course in the second year of the program. Graduates of the program will meet the academic requirements to become Licensed Substance Abuse Associates (LSAAs) in New Mexico and/or will be prepared to continue their studies at the bachelor’s degree level.
Traditional Graduate Programs
New Mexico Highlands University
New Mexico Highlands University offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling with four CACREP-accredited concentrations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC), Rehabilitation Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, and School Counseling. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, and School Counseling concentrations require 60 credits, while the Rehabilitation Counseling concentration comprises 48 credits with an optional six-credit vocational evaluation specialization. All four concentrations can be taken at the Las Vegas, Farmington, Santa Fe, Rio Rancho/Albuquerque campuses in combination with synchronous and asynchronous online classes. Graduates of the CMHC and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling concentrations will meet state coursework requirements to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs), while School Counseling graduates will meet state requirements to become school counselors, and graduates of the Rehabilitation Counseling concentration will be eligible to apply for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential. Certificates in Professional Counseling; Rehabilitation Counseling; and School Counseling are also available and enable individuals with a master’s degree in counseling to become licensed in a second area of practice.
New Mexico State University
At New Mexico State University (NMSU), students can complete a CACREP-accredited Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) with a multicultural focus that meets state coursework requirements to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). The program requires 60 credits and can be completed in two years of full-time study, although part-time study is permitted. Required courses include Counseling Research; Group Work Theory and Technique; and Child and Adolescent Counseling. New students are admitted in the summer term. A nine-credit Graduate Minor is also available in Spanish Counseling, which is comprised of three elements: counseling language development; clinical experience; and sociocultural experiences. Applicants must demonstrate Spanish language skills at the intermediate level or above, complete the required practicum and internship in a bilingual setting, and take a course in Chicano cultural studies.
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico (UNM) offers a 60-credit Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling with two CACREP-accredited tracks in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) and School Counseling. Both tracks have a shared counseling core and take an average of three years to complete. UNM also offers a dual-track option that includes both CMHC and School Counseling concentrations and takes an average of four years to complete, as students must complete the coursework and practicum experiences for both tracks. Students in the MA in CMHC take additional coursework in psychotherapy and mental health, while students in the MA in School Counseling complete additional coursework in child and adolescent counseling. Graduates in both tracks will meet state educational requirements to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) and those in the MA in School Counseling will also be eligible to become school counselors in New Mexico. New students are admitted in the fall and spring terms. UNM also offers a CACREP-accredited Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision that prepares students for advanced research, practice, and teaching careers in counseling.
Online and Hybrid Programs
Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) offers an online Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling degree that requires 60 credits and meets the academic requirements to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New Mexico. Students take classes in counseling techniques, psychopathology, and human development, and learn about mental health diagnosis and assessment. ENMU also offers an online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling comprised of 48 credits that includes a 300-hour supervised work experience. Courses include Trauma and Crisis Counseling; Group Counseling; and Counseling Children and Adolescents. Graduates of this program will meet New Mexico requirements to become school counselors in elementary, middle, and secondary school settings.
Western New Mexico University
Western New Mexico University (WNMU) offers online counseling degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The 120-credit Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Rehabilitation Services is offered online through asynchronous methods and teaches students to provide counseling services to clients with various disabilities. The curriculum has a multicultural focus with specific attention on the needs of rural, Hispanic, and Native American clients. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemical Dependency Counseling are also offered online or at the Silver City campus and require 120 credits. Students should confirm whether the program curriculum will meet substance abuse counseling licensure requirements in New Mexico. A Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling is available online with some synchronous teaching methods. Four tracks are offered in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC), School Counseling, Addiction Counseling, and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling. Students in the CMHC, Addiction Counseling, and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling tracks will meet state educational requirements to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs). Graduates of the Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling track are also eligible for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential and graduates of the Addiction Counseling track will also meet state coursework requirements for the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC) credential. The MA in School Counseling meets state requirements to become a school counselor in New Mexico.
University of the Southwest
The University of the Southwest (USW) is a Christian institution located in Hobbs. The school offers an online Master of Science in Education (MSE) in School Counseling comprising 42 credits and meets state requirements to become a school counselor in elementary, middle, and secondary school settings. Students learn how to provide counseling services to students in K-12 settings and assist with academic, personal, and behavioral challenges. While in the program, students can also take elective courses in related areas of counseling, such as addictions, family therapy, and play therapy. USW offers an online, CACREP-accredited 60-credit Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that takes two and a half years to complete. New students are admitted on a rolling basis for the fall, spring, and summer terms. While the degree is designed to meet educational requirements to become a licensed professional counselor in most states, students should keep documentation to demonstrate the degree meets state requirements when applying for licensure with the Board.
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