Mental health counselors work with individuals and families to help manage emotional disorders and address issues that are affecting relationships. To become a licensed mental health counselor, most states require a master's degree. Below are some of the top colleges for counseling graduate degrees in the United States.
University of Wisconsin - Madison
This top-ranked school offers a master's degree in counseling that's accredited by the American Psychology Association. This program is internationally renowned, particularly for its devotion and commitment to multicultural diversity in counseling. The Masters of Science in Counseling requires 48 course credits that focus primarily on community counseling, but classes also include modules on drug and alcohol dependence, professional behavior and ethics, and counseling fundamentals.
University of Iowa
This master's program in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling has existed for almost 60 years and prepares students to improve the lives of those with mental health disorders. The program has a very small class size, with only about 12 students admitted each year. During the past three years, 100% of graduates have obtained full-time employment within six months of graduation. The University of Iowa counseling program can be completed in two semesters.
George Washington University
George Washington University in Washington, DC, offers a Master of Arts degree in clinical mental health counseling. The intensive program requires 60 classroom credit hours as well as 100 hours of practicum and two 300-hour internships. Graduates are prepared to practice counseling in a variety of settings; in addition to working as a professional counselor in the field, former students are also encouraged to conduct research.
Illinois Institute of Technology
This school's nationally ranked Master of Science in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling is available in two tracks: one standard and one streamlined program for working professionals who are already serving in the field. The two-year, full-time program prepares students to work with patients in a variety of settings, with internships and field work beginning in the second year. The part-time program is designed for students to be able to graduate in three years while taking classes during the evening and on weekends.
San Diego State University
?This highly ranked and affordable program offers a master's degree with concentrations in either community-based counseling or marriage and family therapy. Both two-year programs prepare students to become Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors in the state of California, with 60 credits that can be completed during a two-year period.
