Aspiring students that live in or close to Bozeman, Missoula, or Great Falls will find an accredited university right in their hometown. Although these may be the most popular locations for degree programs throughout the state, students from other states are welcome to apply.
If you might be interested in pursuing specialty fields as part of your degree program, you might be pleased to discover that Montana's counseling programs may consists of concentration options such as Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling and Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling. The state of Montana can be a great place for future professionals to engage in course work and clinicals that can assist them in advancing their professional field and help them to obtain licensure.
Here are a few schools in Montana with CACREP-accredited counseling programs:- Montana State University: M.Ed. in School Counseling M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
- Montana State University Billings: M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
- University of Montana: M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A. in School Counseling Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
- University of Providence: M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- University of Providence (previously University of Great Falls): M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements | Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| University of Denver Online MA in School Counseling Designed to adhere to CACREP standards | ✔ Live, online classes No GRE Required; Minimum GPA 2.5 Required | Earn your degree in as few as 24 months Learn More |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| National Louis University M.S. in Counseling CACREP Accredited | ✔ Online No GRE Required. Bachelor’s Degree Required. Minimum GPA 3.0. | CACREP accredited program prepares you to work as a counselor in schools, private practices and mental health clinics. Concentration in Addictions, School or Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Learn More |
| Capella University MS in School Counseling CACREP Accredited | ✔ Online No GMAT or GRE Required | Our CACREP- and CAEP-accredited MS in School Counseling puts you in control, so you can learn on your own schedule and gain the skills to pursue your professional school counselor credential. Learn More |
| The Chicago School of Professional Psychology M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP Accredited | ✔ Online Bachelor's Degree Required. | This online CMHC program prepares students for a career offering mental health services in a variety of settings; helping diverse clients through issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, stress, relationship difficulties, and suicidal impulses. Learn More |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Snapshot: Online CACREP Accredited Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
Montana has 12 degree programs in counseling, including mostly substance abuse counseling and school counseling. Students tend to prefer universities in Missoula and Great Falls for their education, valuing the dense atmosphere and high educational standards.
Although Montana doesn't offer any accredited online degree programs in Counseling, students in Montana have three reputable universities to choose from. You might also consider a sponsored featured online counseling program from a reputable university currently accepting applicants into their program.
Montana State University: On-Campus Counseling Programs
Montana State University offers an accredited on campus, traditional program in Counseling with concentrations options of School Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Couple, Family and Marriage Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In fact, Montana State University is the only accredited university in the state that offers a specialty in Rehabilitation Counseling and Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling. Located in central southern Montana not far from Yellowstone National Park, this accredited university may have what you are looking for to advance your career and further your education in the counseling field.
University of Montana: Master of Counseling
The other accredited university in Montana that offers a Master's in Counseling is the University of Montana located in the city of Missoula, Montana. This university is just miles from Idaho offering convenience to residents in two states.
This university also offers an accredited MA in Counseling with two concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. Classes are offered on a traditional campus with the flexibility of attending during the day, evening or nights. This makes convenient options for working adults and parents.
University of Providence: MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling
In Great Falls, Montana, north of Yellowstone National Park and closer to the Canadian border is a Roman Catholic College that is accredited, which is the University of Providence. This college offers an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Pepperdine University - Master’s Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor)
University of Denver - Online MA in School Counseling ( Accredited)
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)
Our Lady of the Lake University - Online Master of Arts in Counseling (SACSCOC Accredited)
National Louis University - M.S. in Counseling (CACREP Accredited) Capella University - MS in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology - M.A. in Clinical Mental Health CounselingCounseling Programs in Montana
While enrolled in any counseling degree program, students will be involved in extensive exposure to psychological principles and counseling techniques. Classroom experience and lab projects will get students ready for those seeking guidance in society.
Regardless of whether a student stops with a bachelor’s degree in counseling, or goes forward to doctoral training, clients are eager to accept their services. Counseling has become one of the most popular human services available in the country and job openings are readily available.
As a professional in counseling, individuals will find that people appreciate guidance in everyday life. Those suffering from extreme addiction may not have the willpower to find the light at the end of the tunnel in their fight against drugs or alcohol. Students find it difficult to organize class schedules while dealing with pubescent issues.
Montana Counseling Degrees
- 30 different counseling degrees in Montana
- According to the BLS, average salary for Montana professional counselors is around $31,350 per year
Montana Counseling Licensure: Montana Counseling Licensing Boards
Montana Counseling Licensure
Board of Social Work Examiners and Professional Counselors
301 S. Park, 4th Floor
P.O. Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620
406/841-2391 or 2392
[email protected]
http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/bbh
Licensure:
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
School Counseling Licensure
Office of Public Instruction
Educator Licensure
PO Box 202501
Helena, MT 59620-2501
(406) 444-3150
[email protected]
http://opi.mt.gov/Educators/Licensure/Become-a-Licensed-Montana-Educator
School Counselor [K-12]
Montana Counseling Licensure Information
If students are interested in seeking licensure upon completion of their program, they should contact the Montana Board Social Work Examiners and Professional Counselors at the Department of Labor and Interior.
Life as a Counselor
Counselors provide help in all of these areas. Montana prides itself on its beauty and prestige, growing to a population of over 989,000 in recent years. In order to remain the beautiful and eclectic state that it is, it needs to implementation of counseling techniques for its people.
In a world that is based around busy schedules, counselors are there to provide help. This field provides well for professionals, with the yearly income averaging at $31,350 for mental health counselors alone. This diverse field is destined to withstand the test of time and continue to be a preferred service for the citizens of Montana for years to come.
As a counselor, communication is vital to the success of counseling professionals. Counselors are expected to communicate effectively and empathetically to clients, providing an emotionally supportive foundation for the patient/counselor relationship.
If you are looking for Marriage and Family Therapy programs, go to our guide on MFT programs in Montana.Popular Online Counseling Programs
Pepperdine University 🗹 Online
University of Denver 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
University of Southern California 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Capella University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters 🗗 Doctorate
Our Lady of the Lake University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
National Louis University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Capella University 🗹 Online Masters
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology 🗹 Online
Our Lady of the Lake University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Schools With Campus-Based CACREP Accredited Montana 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 Montana. Keep scrolling or jump to all programs for all programs or view online CACREP accredited counseling programs.
Montana State University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 9/1/1991 to 3/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 9/1/1991 to 3/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 9/1/1991 to 3/31/2023
Montana State University Billings
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/1/2017 to 10/31/2025
University of Montana
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/1/2004 to 10/31/2021
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/1/2004 to 10/31/2021
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/5/2015 to 10/31/2021
University of Providence
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/13/2017 to 10/31/2019
University of Providence (previously University of Great Falls)
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/13/2016 to 10/31/2025
All Accredited Schools with Counseling Degrees in Montana
View all programs in Montana below, or jump to all Montana CACREP accredited counseling programs.Blackfeet Community College Browning
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Dawson Community College Glendive
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Flathead Valley Community College Kalispell
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Fort Peck Community College Poplar
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Montana State University Bozeman
- M.Ed. in School Counseling
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
Montana State University Billings Billings
- M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
Salish Kootenai College Pablo
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Stone Child College Box Elder
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
The University of Montana Missoula
- Doctorate - School Counseling
University of Great Falls Great Falls
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
University of Montana Missoula
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.A. in School Counseling
- Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
University of Providence Great Falls
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
University of Providence (previously University of Great Falls) Great Falls
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
