Iowa's 3 million residents are represented by a modest amount of counseling professionals, but there are opportunities. Counselors are called upon to assist clients with finding solutions to everyday emotional ailments. Life can prove to be hard to manage for some people, especially with increasing work hours.
Iowa Counseling Degrees
- 11 different counseling degrees in Iowa at all degree levels
- 8 CACREP accredited programs in Iowa
- An excellent resource: the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science (IBBS) evaluates applicants for licensure and grants licenses for multiple counseling professions.
- According to the BLS, average salary for Iowa counselors is $36,080 per year
A land that is based around agriculture, all while mixing in the love of art especially in the growing urban areas such as Des Moines, Iowa is a land of opportunity for prospective counseling professionals. The flatlands of Iowa draw in new residents each year, providing great economic growth and job availability.
If you live in or near popular degree cities such as Cedar Falls, you could have quick access to some of the most popular degree programs in this state. Some universities throughout the state of Iowa may offer certain specialty options with their programs, so it is important for you to review these details prior to making your choice.
Here are a few schools in Iowa with CACREP-accredited counseling programs:- Drake University: M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling M.S. in School Counseling
- The University of Iowa: M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling M.A. in School Counseling Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
- University of Northern Iowa: M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.Ed. in School Counseling
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements |
Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
COAMFTE Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required |
The COAMFTE-accredited [email protected] is offered by The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 21 months. No GRE is required, but applicants must hold an undergraduate degree. Full and part-time tracks available. Learn More |
| University of Southern California
Online Master of Education (ME) in School Counseling
Prepares you for school counseling credential |
✔ Live, online classes
No GRE requirement |
Bachelor’s degree and minimum 2.5 GPA required Learn More |
| Capella University
Master's and PhD in Counseling
 CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required |
Choose from Addictions, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Human Behavior. Marriage and Family Therapy, or School Counseling specialties Learn More |
| Northwestern University
Online MA in Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required |
Prepare to pursue licensure in as few as 18 months Learn MoreFull-time, part-time, and accelerated track options available |
| Pepperdine University
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Degrees
LPC/MFT emphases available. |
✔ Online
No GRE Required. Bachelor's Degree Required. |
Choose your path at Pepperdine: pursue licensure as either an LMFT or LPC and serve diverse clients with our online master’s in clinical psychology. GRE scores are not required to apply, and you can earn your degree in as few as 27 months. Take the next step toward creating a positive social impact today. Learn More |
| NYU Steinhardt
Online MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
 MPCAC Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE not required; Bachelor’s degree and minimum 2.5 GPA required |
As few as 21 months to complete Learn More |
| Pepperdine University
Master’s Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor)
|
✔ Online
No GRE Required Bachelor's Degree Required |
Bachelor's holders can prepare to become a licensed professional counselor online. With no GRE scores required to apply, the 24 month online MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine allows you to advance your career and be a catalyst of change. Learn More |
| NYU Steinhardt
Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance: School and Bilingual School Counseling
MPCAC Accredited |
✔ Online
Bachelor's required. GRE scores are not required. |
Prepare to become a school counselor with NYU Steinhardt’s online master’s in Counseling and Guidance program. The online MA degree gives you the knowledge and skills to pursue certification and employment in pre-K–12 schools nationwide in as few as 18 mos. Bachelor’s required: Learn more. GRE scores are not required. Learn More |
| Our Lady of the Lake University
Online Master of Arts in Counseling
|
✔ Online
No GRE required. |
Help students navigate the emotional terrain of getting an education, empower people of all ages to overcome mental health hurdles, or support someone recovering from drug addiction as they obtain or maintain a job, with the Master of Arts in Counseling from OLLU. Learn More |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Snapshot: Online CACREP Accredited Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
Counseling Programs in Iowa
The first step in working to get licensure to practice as a counselor in Iowa is choosing a degree program from the 11 available in this state. The most popular degree programs are those at master's and doctoral levels, which set the learner up on a licensed career path.
Upon graduation with an accredited degree, students will find that there is wealth of job openings available. Marriage counselors are needed to assist couples in having strong bonds. School counselors are needed to help children develop and progress through school efficiently.
Overview of Master of Counseling Degrees in Iowa
As a graduate of a bachelors degree program, you may be seeking opportunities for advancement with your degree and in your career. If you live in the state of Iowa, you could help promote success in your career by enrolling in one of Iowa's 11 counseling degree programs offered at the masters level.
A Master of Counseling degree program can be a great way to get your foot into the door in many mental health organizations within your state and help you to achieve a license to work with individuals in the field. If you would like to have your license in counseling, you should be familiar with the agency responsible for reviewing and approving counseling licenses in this state. The Bureau of Professional Licensure in Iowa can be your resource for ensuring that you have taken every required step along the way.
The University of Northern Iowa could be a school to consider, since it can offer you a Master of Counseling degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling. Depending on what you plan to do in your career, you may find specializations more closely related to what you are seeking in the field. Colleges offering Master of Counseling programs can be found at multiple areas throughout the state of Iowa.
Online Master of Counseling Degrees in Iowa
Online degree programs can provide you with the type of education that is preferred by busy professionals. If you do not have the free time to travel back and forth to school or attend class in person, you should consider the benefits of online Master of Counseling programs in Iowa.
These programs can be attended via the internet, making your college experience a little more easier to manage alongside a full-time job or busy personal life. If you choose to pursue online programs in lieu of traditional options, you can also enjoy the benefits of reliable and accredited universities.
In recent years, the accreditation of online Master of Counseling programs has made it possible for people seeking a license in counseling to pursue their degree online. Accreditation is a process that involves a regular review of the program's curriculum in order to make sure it covers all necessary topics required for licensing within Iowa.
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is the most prominent agency for reviewing Master of Counseling programs, so you should be familiar with this organization and what is represents. By visiting the CACREP website, you can have access to a list of currently accredited online and traditional schools with Master of Counseling programs.
Northwestern University - Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE Accredited)
University of Southern California - Online Master of Education (ME) in School Counseling Capella University - Master's and PhD in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Northwestern University - Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Pepperdine University - Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Degrees
NYU Steinhardt - Online MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness (MPCAC Accredited)
Our Lady of the Lake University - Online Master of Arts in Counseling (SACSCOC Accredited)
Families may have a hard time spending time together and need a moderator to assist with cooperation and communication. Counselors are the resource for all of these problems.
Mental Health Counseling Programs in Iowa
Mental health counselors use specialized techniques in clinical settings, helping those suffering from mental disorders. The variability of degree programs in this state allows for learners to choose the path that is right for them.
Iowa Counseling Licensure: Iowa Counseling Licensing Boards
Iowa Counseling Licensure
Board of Behavioral Science
Lucas State Office Building, 5th Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
515/281-4422
http://idph.iowa.gov/Licensure/Iowa-Board-of-Behavioral-Science
Licensure:
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
School Counseling Licensure
Board of Educational Examiners
Grimes Building, 3rd Floor
400 East 14th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-3245
www.boee.iowa.gov
Elementary School Counselor
[K-8]Secondary School Counselor [5-12]
Career as a Counselor in Iowa
As a professional counselor in Iowa, graduates earn approximately $36,080 per year. With these possibilities, it is no wonder why this field grows with popularity each year.
Taking the first step to a degree program in counseling is all a student has to do to get motivated. Popular college cities such as Iowa City (especially the University of Iowa) and Cedar Falls (the University of Northern Iowa) welcome new students with open arms.
University programs are designed to provide a positive atmosphere and the most relevant coursework available.
If you are looking for Marriage and Family Therapy programs, go to our guide on MFT programs in Iowa.Popular Online Counseling Programs
Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
University of Southern California 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Capella University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters 🗗 Doctorate
Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Pepperdine University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
NYU Steinhardt 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Pepperdine University 🗹 Online
NYU Steinhardt 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Our Lady of the Lake University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
University of West Alabama 🗹 Online 🗖 Bachelors 🗗 Masters
Schools With Campus-Based CACREP Accredited Iowa Counseling Degrees
CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs) is the top accrediting board for counseling programs. Below, you will find a list of all of the CACREP accredited counseling programs in Iowa. Keep scrolling or jump to all programs for all programs or view online CACREP accredited counseling programs.
Drake University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/9/2013 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/7/2015 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/9/2013 to 10/31/2023
The University of Iowa
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year (Interim Report Required)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/14/2010 to 3/31/2022
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/1/2017 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year (Interim Report Required)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 9/1/1987 to 3/31/2022
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year (Interim Report Required)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 9/1/1987 to 3/31/2022
University of Northern Iowa
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 4/1/1989 to 3/31/2022
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 4/1/1989 to 3/31/2022
All Accredited Schools with Counseling Degrees in Iowa
View all programs in Iowa below, or jump to all Iowa CACREP accredited counseling programs.Drake University Des Moines
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.S. in School Counseling
Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Morningside College Sioux City
- Bachelors - Counseling Psychology
Southeastern Community College West Burlington
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
University of Iowa Iowa City
- Doctorate - Counseling Psychology
- Doctorate - School Counseling
The University of Iowa Iowa City
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.A. in School Counseling
- Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.Ed. in School Counseling
