Online and On-Campus Counseling Degrees and Programs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has 66 schools offering education options in the five major counseling categories: mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling. Prospective students will find traditional programs completed in person as well as online and hybrid options. Fully online counseling programs take place entirely through web-based learning, while hybrid degrees combine online coursework with in-person sessions. For those unable to commit to traditional on-campus study, 30 schools in Pennsylvania offer hybrid and online counseling degrees.
Table of Contents
- Pennsylvania Counseling School Facts
- Counseling Schools Comparison
- Online Counseling Programs
- Top-Ranked Schools
- Select Schools With Counseling Degrees
Pennsylvania Counseling School Facts
- There are 66 not-for-profit colleges and universities that offer a program in mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, school counseling, substance abuse counseling, and/or vocational rehabilitation counseling in Pennsylvania.1
- Of the counseling schools in Pennsylvania, 3 offer an associate degree, 7 offer a bachelor’s degree, 26 offer a certificate, and 53 offer a master’s degree or PhD.1
- 30 schools in Pennsylvania offer at least one hybrid or online counseling program.
- 53 schools offer a degree in mental health counseling.1
- 11 schools offer a degree in marriage and family therapy.1
- 5 schools offer a degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling.1
- 29 schools offer a degree in school counseling.1
- 33 schools offer a degree in substance abuse counseling.1
- 1 school ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Student Counseling Programs 2022.2
- 3 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online M.Ed. Programs for Student Counseling 2022.3
- Across 25 schools, 57 counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).4
- Across 3 schools, 3 counseling programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).5
- Across 7 schools, 8 counseling programs are accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).6
Comparison of Pennsylvania Counseling Schools and Programs
The table below summarizes public and not-for-profit colleges and universities in Pennsylvania with traditional and online counseling programs. The five core counseling careers are abbreviated as mental health counseling (MH), marriage and family therapy (MF), vocational rehabilitation counseling (VR), school counseling (SC), and substance abuse counseling (SA). In Pennsylvania, these correspond to the license types Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), School Counselor (SC), and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). Rehabilitation counselors are typically licensed as LPCs. 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 | Accreditation4-6 | Online/Hybrid Programs? | MH | MF | VR | SC | SA | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alvernia University | CACREP | Hybrid | Yes | — | — | — | Yes | $24,917 |
| Arcadia University | MPCAC | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | $26,994 |
| Cairn University | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | $26,380 |
| Carlow University | CACREP | — | Yes | — | — | — | Yes | $18,638 |
| Chatham University | MPCAC | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | $29,051 |
| Chestnut Hill College | MPCAC | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | $28,583 |
| Clarks Summit University | — | Online | Yes | — | — | — | Yes | $17,216 |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | CACREP | Online | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | N.Av. |
| Community College of Allegheny County | — | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | $8,297 |
| Community College of Philadelphia | — | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | $12,612 |
| Delaware Valley University | MPCAC | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | $28,401 |
| Drexel University | COAMFTE | Online/Hybrid | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | $26,076 |
| Duquesne University | CACREP | — | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | $34,505 |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | — | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | $16,674 |
| Eastern University | MPCAC | Online/Hybrid | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | $24,199 |
| Elizabethtown College | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | $27,019 |
| Gannon University | CACREP | Online/Hybrid | Yes | — | — | — | — | $22,258 |
| Geneva College | CACREP | Online/Hybrid | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | $19,895 |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | — | Online/Hybrid | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $25,843 |
| Holy Family University | — | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $11,935 |
| Immaculata University | CACREP | Hybrid | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | $28,510 |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | CACREP | Online/Hybrid | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | $21,153 |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | CACREP | — | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | $22,418 |
| La Salle University | CACREP, COAMFTE | — | Yes | Yes | — | — | — | $24,130 |
| Lancaster Bible College | — | Online/Hybrid | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | $22,700 |
| Lebanon Valley College | — | Online/Hybrid | Yes | — | — | — | — | $26,944 |
| Lehigh University | MPCAC | Hybrid | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $31,539 |
| Lincoln University | — | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | $12,910 |
| Marywood University | CACREP | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $22,687 |
| Messiah University | CACREP | Online/Hybrid | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | $23,895 |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | — | $17,995 |
| Misericordia University | — | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | $23,822 |
| Montgomery County Community College | — | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | $7,093 |
| Moravian University | — | Online/Hybrid | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $30,720 |
| Mount Aloysius College | — | Online | Yes | — | — | — | Yes | $21,793 |
| Neumann University | CACREP | Hybrid | Yes | — | — | — | — | $28,325 |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology | — | Online | — | — | — | — | Yes | $24,650 |
| Pennsylvania Highlands Community College | — | Online | — | — | — | — | Yes | $7,236 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | CACREP | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | $24,012 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington | — | — | — | — | Yes | — | Yes | $17,561 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois | — | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | $18,960 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie, Behrend College | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | $20,964 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley | — | — | — | — | Yes | — | Yes | $19,070 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | Yes | $20,317 |
| Pennsylvania Western University | CACREP | Online | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | $19,579 |
| Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Reading Area Community College | — | Online | — | — | — | — | Yes | $8,920 |
| Robert Morris University | MPCAC | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | $26,215 |
| Rosemont College | CACREP | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | $25,644 |
| Saint Vincent College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | Yes | $23,361 |
| Seton Hill University | — | Online | Yes | — | — | — | Yes | $22,424 |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | CACREP | Hybrid | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | $21,077 |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | CACREP | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | $12,364 |
| Temple University | — | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | $29,641 |
| Thiel College | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | $22,883 |
| Thomas Jefferson University | CACREP, COAMFTE | Online/Hybrid | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | $24,227 |
| University of Pennsylvania | — | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $14,578 |
| University of Pittsburgh | CACREP | — | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | $22,996 |
| University of Scranton | CACREP | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | — | $35,913 |
| University of Valley Forge | — | Online | Yes | — | — | — | — | $27,854 |
| Villanova University | CACREP | Online | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | $33,123 |
| Waynesburg University | CACREP | Online/Hybrid | Yes | — | — | — | Yes | $22,070 |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania | CACREP | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $14,133 |
| Westminster College | — | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $20,258 |
| Westminster Theological Seminary | — | Online | Yes | — | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Widener University | — | Online/Hybrid | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | $25,343 |
Pennsylvania 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
- Alvernia University
- Chestnut Hill College
- Clarks Summit University
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
- Eastern University
- Gannon University
- Geneva College
- Gwynedd Mercy University
- Lancaster Bible College
- Lebanon Valley College
- Lehigh University
- Messiah University
- Moravian University
- Mount Aloysius College
- Neumann University
- Pennsylvania Western University
- Thomas Jefferson University
- University of Valley Forge
- Waynesburg University
- Westminster Theological Seminary
- Widener University
Online Marriage and Family Therapy Degrees
- Drexel University
- Eastern University
- Geneva College
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Lancaster Bible College
- Messiah University
Online School Counseling Degrees
- Chestnut Hill College
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
- Eastern University
- Geneva College
- Gwynedd Mercy University
- Lancaster Bible College
- Lehigh University
- Messiah University
- Pennsylvania Western University
- Widener University
Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees
- Chestnut Hill College
- Clarks Summit University
- Drexel University
- Immaculata University
- Pennsylvania College of Technology
- Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
- Pennsylvania Western University
- Reading Area Community College
- Seton Hill University
- Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
- Villanova University
- Waynesburg University
- Widener University
Top-Ranked Schools With Counseling Programs in Pennsylvania
US News & World Report’s Best Student Counseling Programs 2022
- Pennsylvania State University-University Park (#4 tie)2
US News & World Report’s Best Online M.Ed. Programs for Student Counseling 2022
- Pennsylvania State University-World Campus (#16)
- Drexel University (#43 tie)
- Eastern University (#253-329)3
Schools in Pennsylvania With Counseling Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
Alvernia University
For those interested in the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certification in Pennsylvania, Alvernia University offers a 123-credit Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Addictions and Mental Health Treatment that can be completed fully-online or at the Reading, Philadelphia, or Pottsville campuses. Students learn about mental health and behavioral disorders, counseling techniques, and the prevention and treatment of substance abuse disorders. The degree also includes 400 hours of on-site practicum in a related setting. Individuals who already have a college degree can complete the certificate program in Addiction and Mental Health Treatment, which includes the necessary coursework for the CADC certification. Alvernia University also offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling (MACC) at the Reading campus that takes three years of full-time study to complete, although part-time study is permitted. The MACC program meets the educational requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania.
Drexel University
At Drexel University, students can complete a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Behavioral Health Counseling. The program is comprised of 181 quarter credits (equivalent to 120 semester credits), including the core curriculum, electives, and behavioral health credits, and takes four years to complete. This degree program prepares students for entry-level careers in mental health and addiction settings. As part of the program, students can choose to complete a six-month co-op to gain real-world experience. A 24-credit undergraduate minor and an online Master of Science (MS) in Addictions Counseling are available as well. Drexel also offers numerous degrees for aspiring Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs). The 90-credit Master of Family Therapy (MFT) meets the educational requirements for licensure in Pennsylvania and includes two practicum experiences. Two doctoral degrees are also offered: a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Couple and Family Therapy, focused on research and teaching skills, and an online Doctor of Couple and Family Therapy (DCFT), designed for experienced practitioners looking to develop advanced clinical and leadership skills. Finally, several creative arts therapy degrees are available including MA degrees in Art Therapy and Counseling, Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling, and Music Therapy and Counseling.
Traditional Graduate Programs
Carlow University
Carlow University is a Catholic school based in Pittsburgh that offers CACREP-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Professional Counseling degrees in Addictions Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling, the latter of which offers clinical concentrations like child and adolescent, trauma-informed, or forensic counseling. Both 60-credit programs meet Pennsylvania educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and offers students the opportunity to complete a graduate assistantship. Students in the Addictions Counseling program will also be eligible for Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) certification. Undergraduate students interested in counseling can apply for the accelerated MS in either Addictions Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling during their sophomore year and begin coursework during their junior and senior years. A 12-credit, online Post-Master’s certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling is available as well as an 18-credit minor in Counseling, open to Carlow students in non-psychology majors. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology Counseling familiarizes students with pre-professional level counselor training with a more scientific approach. This degree can be completed in three years including summer terms, or fast-tracked into an accelerated master’s degree in counseling.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
At Pennsylvania State University, students can complete a CACREP-accredited Master of Education (MEd) in Counselor Education with concentrations in Career Counseling; Elementary and Secondary School Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling in Schools and Communities; Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling; or Rehabilitation Counseling. The MEd in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed to prepare graduates for mental health counseling careers with children, families, groups, and individuals and licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania; it does not meet Pennsylvania licensure requirements for school counseling. A minor in Addictions and Recovery is offered for students wishing to work with those struggling with substance use disorder. For students completing their major in Behavioral Science, this minor provides a pathway toward certification as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) in Pennsylvania. Penn State also offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Counselor Education preparing graduates to work in professional leadership roles and as advanced practitioners.
Shippensburg University
Shippensburg University has several master’s and doctoral degrees in counseling as well as counseling certificates. The Master of Science (MS) in Counseling offers three areas of emphasis: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, College Counseling, and College Student Personnel. The Clinical Mental Health emphasis is 60 credit hours and is designed to prepare students for mental health counseling careers and teaches students diagnostic, assessment, and treatment skills for mental health disorders. The degree includes the required coursework for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania. The other two specialties are 48 credit hours. The 60-credit Master of Education (MEd) in Counseling prepares graduates for school counseling work with students in pre-K through twelfth grade and meets state coursework requirements for school counseling certification. A part-time Doctor of Education (EdD) in Counselor Education and Supervision is open to licensed counselors or those eligible for licensure who want to develop advanced skills in counseling, clinical supervision, and teaching. Certificates in Couples and Family Counseling, Drug and Alcohol Studies, and Clinical Mental Health Counseling are available to applicants with counseling degrees who wish to gain competency in an additional area of practice.
Online and Hybrid Programs
Clarks Summit University
Clarks Summit University (CSU) offers a range of counseling degrees with a Christian worldview, all available on-campus or online. The Associate of Arts (AA) in Addictions Counseling is a 61-credit degree in which students take classes in biblical and addictions studies to develop a spiritually-based understanding of addiction and substance abuse. Addictions Counseling can also be completed as a minor in the Bachelor of Science in Counseling (BSC) program, a 123-credit, four-year undergraduate degree that focuses on mental, emotional, physical, and behavioral disorders with additional biblical and psychological studies. An accelerated combined BSC and Master of Science in Counseling (MSC) program is available and takes five years to complete. The MSC degree is comprised of 60 credits and takes two years of full-time study if not completed as part of the accelerated program. Coming soon to CSU is a BS in Addictions Counseling and an associate degree in Counseling Ministries. An online Master of Arts (MA) with a Counseling concentration is available as well.
Eastern University
A Master of Arts (Ma) in Clinical Counseling is offered at Eastern University, either online or on-campus in the evening. Students can choose from three tracks: General, Trauma Studies, or Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Certification. Only the General and ABA tracks are offered online. This program can be completed in three years of full-time coursework or four years of part-time coursework. The included coursework meets the educational requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) in Pennsylvania. A 48-credit Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in School Counseling is also available either online or through a blended online/on-campus format. This program caters to master’s-level students who are interested in obtaining their School Counseling Certification and meets the educational requirements for the Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS) and LPC credentials. A hybrid Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in School Counseling is also available to those students who already have a graduate-level degree in a related field. Two doctoral programs are also available at Eastern in the area of Marriage and Family Therapy. The first is a 60-credit Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Marriage and Family Therapy, designed for prospective scholars/practitioners and the second is a 48-credit Doctor of Arts (DA) in Marriage and Family Therapy, designed for those interested in practicing with a theological outlook.
Messiah University
At Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, students can choose from several CACREP-accredited online counseling degrees with a Christian worldview. The Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling has concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling; and School Counseling. Students must declare their preferred area of concentration after completing a maximum of nine credits. If taken on an accelerated full-time basis, the program can be completed within two years. Students can also choose to complete the program at a more relaxed pace following three- or four-year degree plans, but all degree requirements must be completed within six years. While all coursework is completed online, students must attend week-long, on-campus residencies in January and July. An online Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Counseling is also available to individuals who already have a graduate degree in counseling. Additionally, a 21-credit minor in Pre-Counseling and Therapy is offered that exposes undergraduate students to counseling fundamentals in mental health, marriage and family therapy, and psychology.
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. US News & World Report Best Student Counseling Programs 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/student-counseling-rankings
3. 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
4. Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, Accredited Programs: https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
5. 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
6. Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council Accredited Programs: https://mpcacaccreditation.org/accredited-programs/