Counseling Degree Programs in Maryland

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Updated March 13, 2024

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Baltimore, Maryland skyline at dusk Credit: Davel5957 / E+ / Getty Images

Counseling degree programs in Maryland equip future therapists to treat individuals in professional shortage areas, including the Old Line State. According to state figures, community and social service workers comprise approximately 48,500 positions in Maryland.

After graduation, you can provide therapeutic treatment interventions as an educational, guidance, and career counselor; marriage and family therapy counselor; rehabilitation counselor; or substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselor.

Getting licensed as a counselor in Maryland requires earning a master's in counseling degree of at least 60 semester hours. Maryland also requires three years of clinical experience, including 3,000 hours of supervised counseling experience working with clients.

Discover more about how to become a counselor in Maryland and what career opportunities await graduates.

Popular Online Counseling Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

The Best Counseling Degree Programs in Maryland

Explore our ranking of the top best counseling degrees in Maryland. Graduates of these programs can pursue licensure or further education and training.

Read our ranking methodology

#1 Counseling Degree Programs in Maryland

Johns Hopkins University

  • Baltimore, MD
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs 

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,100
Out-of-State | $1,100

Credits to Graduate: 60

Johns Hopkins University's MS in counseling prepares enrollees for state licensure in two concentrations: school counseling and clinical mental health counseling. Working professionals have up to five years to complete the degree if they choose part-time enrollment. 

The CACREP-accredited curriculum teaches evidence-based counseling theories and techniques and specialized coursework in each concentration. The school counseling concentration gives enrollees the flexibility to pursue clinical mental health counselor licensure. 

Each program provides hands-on experience through a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship. Students can transfer up to six credits from an accredited institution into this counseling degree in Maryland.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$58,720
Out-of-state
$58,720
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$58,720
Out-of-state
$58,720
Retention Rate
96%
Acceptance Rate
8%
Students Enrolled
32,049
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
80% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

#2 Counseling Degree Programs in Maryland

Loyola University Maryland

  • Baltimore, MD
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,041
Out-of-State | $1,041

Credits to Graduate: 60

Loyola University's MS in clinical professional counseling is offered through its distinguished psychology department. During the 28-month program, enrollees receive preparation for licensure and practice in Maryland and other states. Program highlights include a focus on ethics and diversity, applied learning, and strong faculty-student mentorship opportunities.

Participants receive training in group therapy, counseling and psychotherapy, marriage and family therapy, and substance-related and addictive disorders. Students complete a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour off-campus externship. Trainees have access to a large network of externship sites in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. metro area, home to renowned academic medical centers.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$52,130
Out-of-state
$52,130
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$18,540
Out-of-state
$18,540
Retention Rate
88%
Acceptance Rate
84%
Students Enrolled
5,140
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
27% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

#3 Counseling Degree Programs in Maryland

Bowie State University

  • Bowie, MD
  • 4 years
  • Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $448
Out-of-State | $730

Credits to Graduate: 60

Bowie State University's MA in mental health counseling is a CACREP-accredited program delivered on campus in Bowie, Maryland. The program offers full- and part-time enrollment options. Learners develop proficiency in group, family, and multicultural counseling and can take coursework to prepare for initial licensure in the state. 

Participants learn how to treat drug and alcohol addiction and other mental health challenges. Three field experiences totalling 1,000 hours provide extensive clinical training, the maximum number of hours required for licensure in Maryland. The Historically Black College also offers an MA in counseling psychology and an M.Ed. in school counseling.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$5,760
Out-of-state
$16,500
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$7,758
Out-of-state
$12,888
Retention Rate
72%
Acceptance Rate
87%
Students Enrolled
6,308
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
82% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

#4 Counseling Degree Programs in Maryland

Frostburg State University

  • Frostburg, MD
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: Master's in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council 

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $465
Out-of-State | $600

Credits to Graduate: 60

Frostburg State University's MS in counseling psychology offers two areas of emphasis: addictions counseling and child and family counseling. The three-year cohort program prepares enrollees for the licensed clinical professional counselor exam.

The MS develops clinicians skilled in family therapy, group counseling, multicultural counseling, and addictions issues and treatment. Participants can use elective credit for training, such as health psychology and/or physiological psychology. 

Learners complete 1,000 hours of supervised clinical experience during a year-long internship in a mental health setting. This counseling degree in Maryland has a 10-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio that enhances personalized learning and communal support. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$6,834
Out-of-state
$21,320
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$8,028
Out-of-state
$10,332
Retention Rate
70%
Acceptance Rate
86%
Students Enrolled
4,452
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
65% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

#5 Counseling Degree Programs in Maryland

University of Baltimore

  • Baltimore, MD
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: Master's in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council 

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $907
Out-of-State | $907-$1,282

Credits to Graduate: 48-60

The University of Baltimore's MS in counseling psychology offers a general counseling psychology track and a practitioner specialization. Completion of the MS degree and a certificate in professional counseling studies prepares enrollees for counselor licensure in Maryland.

All participants receive training in group, career, and multicultural counseling, and apply their learning during supervised field experiences. The practitioner specialization requires additional training in substance use disorders, family therapy, and anxiety disorder treatment or another issue, and more fieldwork.

Students study in small classes that facilitate personalized learning. This counseling degree in Maryland lauds a 98% first-time pass record on the National Counselor Exam.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$7,154
Out-of-state
$20,340
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$14,094
Out-of-state
$20,430
Retention Rate
68%
Acceptance Rate
89%
Students Enrolled
3,710
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
78% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

#6 Counseling Degree Programs in Maryland

Washington Adventist University

  • Takoma Park, MD
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $625
Out-of-State | $625

Credits to Graduate: 39-60

Washington Adventist University's MA in counseling psychology produces counselors qualified to work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. The degree does not lead to state licensure to practice.

Students develop competencies in marriage and family counseling, alcohol and drug counseling, career counseling, and multicultural counseling. Participants complete 125 hours of field experience.

Washington Adventist University also offers an MA in clinical mental health counseling that leads to designation as a licensed clinical professional counselor or licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor. The school also offers an M.Ed. in school counseling.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$23,400
Out-of-state
$23,400
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$11,160
Out-of-state
$11,160
Retention Rate
65%
Acceptance Rate
62%
Students Enrolled
785
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
53% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Accredited Counseling Programs in Maryland

Counseling degree programs in Maryland need accreditation to qualify graduates for licensure. Programmatic accreditation status allows you to apply for state licensure. One of the biggest counseling associations, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits programs to ensure that they uphold counseling standards. Here you can find eight CACREP-accredited graduate programs across five schools with three unique specialties in Maryland. Counselors can earn an accredited degree in school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, or rehabilitation counseling.

How to Become a Counselor in Maryland

Counseling degree programs in Maryland serve as the first step to becoming licensed in the state. In addition to paperwork and fees, counselors and therapists must meet educational and clinical work experience criteria. Maryland's Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists offers licenses for counselors and therapists specializing in alcohol and drug addiction, art therapy, marriage and family therapy, and clinical professional counselors.

Education Requirements

Maryland requires most licensed counselors, including therapists, to hold at least a master's degree in health or human services counseling, with a minimum of 60 semester credits. Your degree must be from an institutionally accredited school. A master's in counseling degree takes about 2-3 years to complete. If you qualify for an accelerated full-time program, you could earn a master's degree in as few as 18 months.

A bachelor's degree meets the minimum requirements for alcohol and drug counseling certification but not licensure. Additional training is required to be licensed.

Licensing Requirements

There are two stages of licensing in Maryland. A licensed graduate professional counselor (LGPC) is essentially a credential to work while you complete the required 3,000 clinical hours needed to become a full-fledged licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC).

In the area of alcohol and drug counseling, you can become a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor, licensed graduate alcohol and drug counselor, certificate associate counselor, or alcohol and drug trainee. Art therapists apply for licensure as clinical art therapists or licensed graduate art therapists. Marriage and family therapists can become licensed clinical marriage and family therapists or licensed graduate marriage and family therapists.

Clinical roles need at least three years of work experience with 3,000 clinical hours. If you hold a doctoral degree, you need at least two years of experience and 2,000 professional counseling hours. You also need to complete the National Counselors Exam and the Maryland Law Assessment.

Salary and Career Outlook for Counselors in Maryland

Maryland offers counselors above-average salaries in all counseling and therapy categories. Counseling careers in Maryland also provide considerable job security, as detailed below.

Average Salary for Counselors in Maryland

Salaries for counselors in Maryland far exceed the national averages. Educational, guidance, and career counselors earn a national median annual salary of $60,140. In Maryland, these counselors make a median annual wage of $71,240. Marriage and family therapists earn a national median salary of $56,570, while in Maryland they make a median salary of $81,320 per year.

Counselors earn more with experience and a higher degree. For instance, the lowest 10% of marriage and family therapists earn $36,840 as a national median salary, compared to $98,700 in the top 10%.

Average Annual Salary for Counselors in Maryland
Occupation Median Annual Salary
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $71,240
Marriage and Family Therapists $81,320
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $61,090
Rehabilitation Counselors $43,020
Counselors, All Other $49,410
Source: BLS, 2022

Occupation Outlook for Counselors in Maryland

Across all counseling and therapy roles in Maryland, you can expect to see faster-than-average growth rates. Maryland, as of November 2023, needs 105 practitioners to remove its mental healthcare professional shortage area designation, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). The KFF independently collects health policy research. Shortage areas are determined based on the number of mental healthcare providers to the population size.

Roughly 30.3% of adults in Maryland as of May 2022 could not access therapeutic help for symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder.

Career Outlook for Counselors in Maryland
Occupation Change in Employment 2022-2032
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors +23%
Rehabilitation Counselors +22%
Marriage and Family Therapists +22%
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors +13%
Counselors, All Other +17%
Source: Projections Central

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Degree Programs in Maryland

How long does it take to become a counselor in Maryland?

A bachelor's degree and a graduate-level licensed professional counselor program take about six years of study. This qualifies you to become a licensed graduate professional counselor, a preliminary step before you become a licensed clinical professional counselor. You must also complete a 125-hour supervised clinical experience or internship.

What is the difference between LCPC and LGPC in Maryland?

In Maryland, becoming a licensed graduate professional counselor (LGPC) provides a temporary credential to work while you complete the required 3,000 clinical hours needed to become a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC). LGPCs work under supervision as they accumulate hours toward the goal of full licensure. LGPCs would not be able to open their own practice without contracting with a clinical supervisor.

How often do counselors have to renew their licenses in Maryland?

If you hold a graduate license, you must renew every two years. Clinical counselors must renew their license every year by January 31. You can renew your license online, except for graduate counselors and alcohol and drug trainees. Renewal fees cost between $200 and $275.

How much does it cost to apply for your counseling license in Maryland?

Applying for a license in Maryland costs $200. For certifications and trainees, the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists costs $150 to submit an application.

Page last reviewed on March 6, 2024

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