Online and On-Campus Counseling Degrees and Programs in Washington DC
There are six schools in Washington DC 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. Three schools in Washington DC 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 Washington DC Counseling Schools and Programs
The table below summarizes public and not-for-profit colleges and universities in Washington DC 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 Washington DC counseling licenses Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), School Counselor (SC), and Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC). 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 | Accreditation2-4 | Online/Hybrid Programs? | MH | MF | VR | SC | SA | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Washington DC | CACREP | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Gallaudet University | — | Hybrid | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $25,465 |
| George Washington University | CACREP | Online | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | — | $31,240 |
| Howard University | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | $30,028 |
| Trinity Washington University | CACREP | Hybrid | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | $12,815 |
| University of the District of Columbia | CACREP | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | — | $12,354 |
Washington DC 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 Rehabilitation Counseling Degrees
Online School Counseling Degrees
Schools in Washington DC With Counseling Degrees
Traditional Graduate Programs
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Washington DC
The Washington DC campus of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that takes two and a half years to complete through full-time study or five years through part-time study. In this program, students complete 60 credits and learn about the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders, psychopathology, and counseling research. Elective courses are also offered in addiction counseling and marriage and family counseling. During the program, students complete 100 hours of supervised practicum and 600 hours of supervised internship, typically in the same setting. Up to an additional 200 hours of supervised work experience can also be completed to meet the licensure requirements in other nearby states. Graduates will be able to seek employment in public agencies, community organizations, treatment centers, or in private practice and will meet the academic requirements to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in Washington DC and Virginia, as well as Licensed Professional Counselors (LCPCs) in Maryland.
George Washington University
George Washington University (GWU) offers numerous counseling degree programs at the graduate level. The CACREP-accredited Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling is offered with specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and Rehabilitation Counseling. The 60-credit MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares students to provide mental health support and psychotherapeutic services to a wide range of clients in individual and group settings. The program takes approximately two and a half years to complete through full-time study and meets state educational requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential. A 12-credit graduate Certificate in Counseling is available to individuals who have a master’s degree in counseling but require additional coursework to meet LPC licensure requirements. A 30-credit Graduate Certificate in Counseling and Life Transitions is offered to students with a bachelor’s degree who want to gain foundational counseling skills but do not wish to complete the graduate degree. This certificate does not meet state licensure requirements. The 60-credit MA in School Counseling takes two years to complete full-time and meets state requirements to become a K-12 counselor. Students can also customize the program to meet the educational requirements for the LPC credential. In this program, students learn about school counseling theories, age-appropriate intervention strategies, and program evaluation. Students in the 48-credit MA in Rehabilitation Counseling program learn social, cultural, and systemic models of disability in order to provide mental health and rehabilitation support to clients with disabilities. The program is offered as a low-residency on-campus program or online. Students can choose to complete 12 additional credits to meet the educational requirements to become an LPC in Washington DC. GWU also offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counseling accredited by CACREP. Doctoral students take advanced clinical and research coursework and complete a dissertation in an area of specialization in collaboration with an academic supervisor.
Trinity Washington University
Trinity Washington University is a Catholic institution and one of only three private institutions of higher education to be classified by the US Department of Education as a Predominantly Black and Hispanic Serving Institution. The CACREP-accredited Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a 60-credit program integrating counseling theories and models with research and professional ethics. Courses include Principles and Theories of Counseling; Counseling Children and Adolescents; and Trauma and Crisis Intervention in Counseling. The program meets state coursework requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Washington DC. The CACREP-accredited 60-credit MA in School Counseling is offered with tracks in School Counseling and Counseling Urban Students. The School Counseling track focuses on the skills and knowledge needed to work in elementary and secondary school settings. The Counseling Urban Students track is designed for students who want to work with children and adolescents in a wider range of settings, such as community programs and child welfare services. Both tracks can be designed to meet state requirements to become a school counselor. A post-master’s counseling program is also available to applicants with a master’s degree in school counseling. The non-degree, 12-credit program enables students to complete the coursework necessary to become an LPC in Washington DC. Students in this program are eligible for reduced tuition but must complete the four required courses within 12 months of starting the program.
University of the District of Columbia
The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is a Historically Black Institution with graduate degrees in various areas of counseling. A Master of Science (MS) is offered with specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling; a Master of Arts (MA) in Rehabilitation Counseling is also available. Each degree requires 60 credits (or 63 credits if an optional thesis is completed), 100 hours of supervised practicum, and 600 hours of supervised internship. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling teaches students psychological, biological, and social models of mental health as well as psychotherapeutic techniques, treatment planning, and assessment tools. This degree meets state academic requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Washington DC. The MS in School Counseling is accredited by CACREP and graduates will meet state requirements to become a school counselor in K-12 settings. Students learn about trends in the school counseling profession, counseling techniques for school-age children, and guidance program development. The CACREP-accredited MA in Rehabilitation Counseling teaches students how to provide mental health and psychosocial support to individuals with a range of disabilities, particularly those from underserved communities. Examples of required courses include Rehabilitation Counseling Theories; Introduction to Rehabilitation Research; and Cultural Diversity Issues and Multicultural Counseling.
Online and Hybrid Programs
Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University offers post-secondary education for the deaf and hard of hearing. The 61-credit Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires three academic years and two summer residencies to complete. The program trains students to provide counseling services to clients who are deaf and hard of hearing in individual, group, and family settings. This unique program is one of few in the world that specializes in the mental health needs of the deaf and hard of hearing and provides students with an immersive hybrid learning experience. The majority of coursework is completed online with the exception of two weeks on campus required each summer during the first and second years of study. Required courses include Social and Cultural Diversity Foundations and Multicultural Counseling; Principles of Assessment in Counseling; and Family Therapy. Graduates may find employment in settings such as hospitals, community organizations, or rehabilitation clinics.
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