- Central Washington University: M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- City University of Seattle: M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
- Eastern Washington University: M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S. in School Counseling
- Gonzaga University: M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling M.A. in School Counseling
- Seattle Pacific University: M.Ed. in School Counseling
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| University of West Alabama
Online Counseling and Psychology Degrees
|
✔ Online
Multiple online counseling degree options |
Programs in experimental psychology, clinical mental health counseling, family counseling Learn More |
| Sacred Heart University
Online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
|
✔ Online
Ask representative |
Social justice focus, Developed with CACREP standards as a foundation. Learn More |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Snapshot: Online CACREP Accredited Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
How to Become a Counselor in Washington State
As you consider options for how to become a counselor in Washington state, a crucial first step is to survey the educational opportunities available in the area.
Master of counseling programs can be found in many different cities throughout the state. If you’re interested in knowing which cities are most popular, you might be intrigued to learn that Seattle and Ellensburg are key locations for master of counseling degree programs.
Central Washington University and Seattle Pacific University both offer reliable degree programs that can help you along your journey to certification and licensure. Students seeking a master of counseling should be familiar with the licensing requirements in their field.
Washington LPC Requirements
The Washington State Department of Health is responsible for licensing new counselors in this state, so you can review Washington LPC requirements on its website.
Online Master in Counseling in Washington
Online degree programs in counseling are growing in popularity as students embrace online learning. Over the past decade or more, the reliability of online degree programs has increased to allow more students to consider online options for their college education. People in the state of Washington who are seeking convenience and flexibility with their learning can take advantage of online degree programs that they can fit into their already busy schedules. Without the requirement of commuting or student housing, this could be a great option to minimize the costs of your education.
The online master of counseling is required to maintain accreditation in order to be a reliable resource of licensing in the state of Washington. To learn which college programs are currently accredited, you should review the list of accredited programs from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Accredited programs are the best option for getting a master in counseling in Washington.
CACREP is the leading agency for accreditation of counseling degree programs in the U.S.. On the agency’s website, you can review both the traditional and online degree programs available. We use the CACREP program directory to help power the listings on this site. If there’s a listing that needs correcting, please contact us, so we can update the listing.
School Counseling Programs in Washington
To become a licensed counselor, individuals, at minimum, must earn a graduate-level degree and gain on-the-job experience under the supervision of a licensed counselor.
With these requirements there is an exam requirement that tests the knowledge of prospective counselors in their degree area. Upon completing any degree, counseling professionals can work in a variety of settings that provide amply for them.
Consider the K-12 school counseling programs in Washington, as well as other counseling career trajectories.
Counseling as a Career
On average, Washington is one of the highest-paying states for counselors. This career path calls upon the most caring and dedicated individuals to ensure the very best of care for clients. Individuals who possess these traits are encouraged to join the field.
As a counselor in Washington, professionals can work in hospitals, schools, or even businesses. Providing care to those in need of emotional guidance is the main priority of counselors, a concern that’s highly regarded as vital throughout the country.
With Washington’s population at 7.6 million and the ratio of counselors per citizen moderate, there’s a strong need for more qualified professionals in this area of the U.S. To begin their journey to becoming a counselor, individuals should decide which college offers the program that best suits their personality.
Grand Canyon University - Bachelor's Degree in Counseling (HLC Accredited)
Grand Canyon University - Master's Degree in Counseling (NASAC Accredited)
Capella University - Master's and PhD in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Northwestern University - Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
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)
University of West Alabama - Online Counseling and Psychology Degrees (SACSCC Accredited)
Sacred Heart University - Online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (NECHE Accredited)
Washington Counseling Licensure: Washington Counseling Licensing Boards
Washington Counseling Licensure
Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists and Social Workers Advisory Committee
P.O. Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7877
360-236-4700
[email protected]
http://www.doh.wa.gov/licensing/
Licensure:
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA)
Certified Counselor (CC)
Certified Adviser (CA)
Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC)
School Counseling Licensure
Professional Education & Certification
PO Box 47200
Olympia, WA 98504-7200
360-725-6400 360-664-3631 (TTY)
[email protected]
www.k12.wa.us/certification
School Counselor [P-12]
School Counselor Salary in Washington State
The School counselor salary in Washington state can vary from one city to the next. For example, PayScale notes that the median annual salary for a counselor in Seattle is $64,925.
If you’re looking for marriage and family therapy (MFT) programs, go to our guide on MFT programs in Washington.
Still Looking for a Counseling Degree?
Here are some of the most popular online counseling programs. On each page you’ll find a detailed write-up of the program, specific courses, and schools that offer that program that currently are accepting applicants.
As you consider careers in counseling, make sure that you assess the educational paths available in the state of Washington.
Sources:
PayScale, Average School Counselor Salary in Seattle, Washington
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
U.S. Census Bureau, Washington
Popular Online Counseling Programs
Grand Canyon University 🗹 Online
Grand Canyon University 🗹 Online
Capella University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters 🗗 Doctorate
Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
NYU Steinhardt 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
NYU Steinhardt 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Our Lady of the Lake University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
University of West Alabama 🗹 Online 🗖 Bachelors 🗗 Masters
Sacred Heart University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Schools With Campus-Based CACREP Accredited Washington 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 Washington. Keep scrolling or jump to all programs for all programs or view online CACREP accredited counseling programs.
Central Washington University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/19/2006 to 10/31/2023
City University of Seattle
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/14/2014 to 3/31/2024
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/14/2014 to 3/31/2024
Eastern Washington University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 3/1/1996 to 10/31/2020
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 11/1/1992 to 10/31/2020
Gonzaga University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/4/2011 to 3/31/2021
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/4/2011 to 3/31/2021
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/20/2005 to 3/31/2021
Seattle Pacific University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/9/2013 to 3/31/2023
Seattle University
Program allows students to pursue the SUDP (Substance Abuse Disorder Professional Certificate) upon graduation.
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/15/2009 to 10/31/2026
Program allows students to pursue the SUDP (Substance Abuse Disorder Professional Certificate) upon graduation.
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/14/2016 to 10/31/2026
Western Washington University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year (Re-Accreditation In-Process)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/1/2017 to 10/31/2020
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 4/1/1992 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 4/1/1992 to 10/31/2023
All Accredited Schools with Counseling Degrees in Washington
View all programs in Washington below, or jump to all Washington CACREP accredited counseling programs.Central Washington University Ellensburg
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
City University of Seattle Seattle
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.A. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
Clark College Vancouver
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Columbia Basin College Pasco
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Eastern Washington University Cheney
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S. in School Counseling
Edmonds Community College Lynnwood
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Gonzaga University Spokane
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.A. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
- M.A. in School Counseling
Highline College Des Moines
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Lower Columbia College Longview
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Northwest Indian College Bellingham
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Olympic College Bremerton
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Peninsula College Port Angeles
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom Lakewood
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Seattle Pacific University Seattle
- Doctorate - School Counseling
- M.Ed. in School Counseling
Seattle University Seattle
- M.A. in School Counseling
Program allows students to pursue the SUDP (Substance Abuse Disorder Professional Certificate) upon graduation. - M.A.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Program allows students to pursue the SUDP (Substance Abuse Disorder Professional Certificate) upon graduation.
Skagit Valley College Mount Vernon
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Spokane Falls Community College Spokane
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Washington State University Pullman
- Doctorate - Counseling Psychology
Wenatchee Valley College Wenatchee
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Western Washington University Everett
- M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.Ed. in School Counseling
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Yakima Valley Community College Yakima
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
