According to our research experts, these accredited degree programs are currently accepting new applicants into their program at the University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University, and Northern State University.
The University of South Dakota may be a hot-spot for students that are interested in quality education and attending a beautiful university.
You might also consider an online counseling program - we have multiple online counseling programs throughout the site.
Here are a few schools in South Dakota with CACREP-accredited counseling programs:- Northern State University: M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S.Ed. in School Counseling
- South Dakota State University: M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling M.S. in School Counseling M.S. in Student Affairs and College Counseling
- University of South Dakota: M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A. in School Counseling Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements |
Course Information |
---|---|---|
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor's Degree in Counseling
HLC Accredited |
✔ 100% Online
Affordable with No Out of State Tuition |
Programs include BS in Counseling with an Emphasis in Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse; BS in Psychology; and BS in Behavioral Health Science. Learn More |
Grand Canyon University
Master's Degree in Counseling
HLC and NASAC Accredited |
✔ 100% Online
Over 14 Specializations Available |
Affordable with No Out of State Tuition Learn More |
Northwestern University
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
COAMFTE Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required |
The COAMFTE-accredited MFT@Northwestern 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
Counseling & Therapy
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✔ Online
GRE Not Required |
Offering Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling; and Advanced Studies in Human Behavior and Counselor Education and Supervision (PhD). Learn More |
Northwestern University
Online MA in Counseling
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✔ 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
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✔ 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 |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Snapshot: Online CACREP Accredited Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
Counseling Programs in South Dakota
In order to choose the right degree path is a vital step to determining a future in counseling. Undergraduate degrees provide learners with the opportunity to get entry-level jobs and even provide the essential experience needed to move up in current positions.
Graduate level degrees lead graduate to licensure, which opens doors in private practice and one-on-one counseling. No matter which path is chosen, there are opportunities for advancement by obtaining a counseling degree.
Online Counseling Programs in South Dakota
The University of South Dakota is not the only accredited university in the state; Northern State University is located just a few miles south of North Dakota offering education to residents of both states. At this time, the Master's in Counseling degree is not offered online anywhere in South Dakota, but the on campus programs can be found at three universities across the state.
South Dakota State University in Brookings currently offers students concentrations in four different areas including School Counseling, Student Affairs and College Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Rehabilitation Counseling.
Students have the option of full-time or part-time, and day or night classes. These options are convenient for students who work or have children and need a flexible schedule. These three Universities in South Dakota are accepting applications from students across the globe.






Overview of Master of Counseling Degrees in South Dakota
The University of South Dakota in Vermillion is located just a few miles outside of Nebraska and Iowa offering convenience to students in three states. Counseling degree programs currently offered at the accredited University of South Dakota in Vermillion include specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Master’s degrees in clinical mental health provide students the education they need for top jobs in this field.
Home to the hugely popular Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota is a preservation of American history. The sparse population allows for a great distinction between city life and country life in this large northern state.
In South Dakota, counselors can find a career working with residents in need of direct guidance. Stress, guilt, relationships, and communication are a few of the aspects of counseling that are most dealt with.
South Dakota Counseling Program
The University of South Dakota at Vermillion is a chosen university for college students, due to its diverse atmosphere and knowledgeable staff.
Counselors care for people in all age groups. School children rely on school counselors to assist with educational planning and relationships. Marriage and family counselors help all members of a family find peaceful relationships and understanding. There are no bounds to the responsibilities of counselors when it comes to human emotion.
Career Options in South Dakota
The average salary for individuals in counseling careers is $37,304, making this career meaningful in more ways than just emotionally. The subject matter is some of the most important in the world.
The public should be the number one concerns of counselors, regardless of their specialty. For those needing a career that makes a difference in society as a whole, counseling is the answer.
Still Looking for a Counseling Degree?
Here are some of the most popular online counseling programs. On each page you will find a detailed write-up of the program, specific courses, and schools that offer that program that are currently accepting applicants.South Dakota Counseling Licensure: South Dakota Counseling Licensing Boards
South Dakota Counseling Licensure
Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists
P.O. Box 2164
Sioux Falls, SD 57101
605/331-2927
[email protected]
http://dhs.sd.gov/brd/counselor
Licensure:
Licensed Professional Counselor – Mental Health (LPC-MH)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
School Counseling Licensure
Department of Education Accreditation & Teacher Quality Teacher Certification
800 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501(605) 773-3553
[email protected]
http://doe.sd.gov/
School Counselor [P-12]
CACREP Accredited Programs and Counseling Licensure
CACREP accredited degree programs are great options in the field of counseling, since accreditation is often a requirement of counselors and therapists. A supervised internship component may also be required of students enrolled in this program as their near the end of their program. Students can contact the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists to inquire about the licensing process in the State of South Dakota.
If you are seeking more information about the licensure process in the State of South Dakota, contact the South Dakota Board of Professional Counseling Division of Occupational Licensing.
If you are looking for Marriage and Family Therapy programs, go to our guide on MFT programs in South Dakota.Popular Online Counseling Programs
Grand Canyon University 🗹 Online
Grand Canyon University 🗹 Online
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
Schools With Campus-Based CACREP Accredited South Dakota 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 South Dakota. Keep scrolling or jump to all programs for all programs or view online CACREP accredited counseling programs.
Northern State University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/13/2016 to 10/31/2025
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/13/2016 to 10/31/2025
South Dakota State University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/5/2015 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/1/2017 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 5/1/1993 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 5/1/1993 to 10/31/2023
University of South Dakota
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/14/2014 to 3/31/2024
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 9/1/1991 to 3/31/2024
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 9/1/1991 to 3/31/2024
All Accredited Schools with Counseling Degrees in South Dakota
View all programs in South Dakota below, or jump to all South Dakota CACREP accredited counseling programs.Kilian Community College Sioux Falls
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Northern State University Aberdeen
- M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S.Ed. in School Counseling
Oglala Lakota College Kyle
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Sinte Gleska University Mission
- Associates - Mental Health Counseling
- Bachelors - Mental Health Counseling
- Bachelors - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Sisseton Wahpeton College Sisseton
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
South Dakota State University Brookings
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.S. in School Counseling
- M.S. in Student Affairs and College Counseling
University of South Dakota Vermillion
- Bachelors - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
- Doctorate - School Counseling
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.A. in School Counseling
- Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision