Counseling schools in Michigan offer many benefits, with the state boasting one of the most affordable master’s programs in the Midwest.
Counselors occupy many positions — marriage and family therapists, career counselors, and substance abuse counselors. Regardless of their specific job title, counseling master’s programs in Michigan prepare students in about two years for a growing career field.
Projections Central reports jobs for marriage and family therapists may increase by 15.6% from 2018 to 2028. Nationally, all counseling jobs should grow by 15.7% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
What you get paid in Michigan depends on the specific field. Rehabilitation counselors earn a mean annual salary of $40,360 and substance abuse counselors make a mean annual wage of $48,580 in the Great Lake State.
Explore this list to find the best counseling programs in Michigan.
Top Counseling Degree Programs in Michigan
Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
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Andrews University
Location
Berrien Springs, MI
Department of Graduate Psychology and Counseling
Situated on a 300-acre rural campus in Berrien Springs as the only fully accredited institution in the area offering more than 100 degree programs, Andrews University is a comprehensive private institution committed to the worldwide mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Andrews is currently ranked as the 181st best college in the nation. Within the school recognized for having the 145th best online graduate education programs, the Department of Graduate Psychology and Counseling aims to prepare professional psychologists and counselors who uphold the principles of Scripture as a guide for interpersonal relations.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Based in Christian philosophy to enable students to develop competencies from a Christian worldview of values, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares students to assess, guide, and counsel individuals, couples, families, and groups from early childhood through adulthood. Ideal for students interested in functioning as professional clinical mental health counselors in community agencies, mental health centers, counseling centers, or private practices, the 60-credit program can be completed in two years full-time with the inclusion of supervised practice and an internship in a professional counseling setting.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Counseling
With the mission of preparing professional counselors who are ethical, creative leaders and self-reflective practitioners for working in a multicultural global community, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Counseling program specifically prepares graduate students for providing competent counseling services in elementary and secondary schools. As the program prepares professionals who excel as school leaders and advocates for promoting the biological, psychological, social, educational, and spiritual development of students in K-12 settings, the required 60 credits of coursework and supervised field experiences fulfill all of the requirements that are needed for endorsement as a school counselor in Michigan.
Accreditations
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Bell Hall Room 167
4195 Administration Drive
Berrien Springs, MI 49104
(269) 471-3473
gpc@andrews.edu
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Eastern Michigan University
Department of Leadership and Counseling
As a comprehensive public institution building on a proud tradition of national leadership in the preparation of teachers, Eastern Michigan University is located on a 460-acre wooded campus in the city of Ypsilanti, just 40 miles west of Detroit. Home to a diverse community of more than 19,000 students, EMU is currently ranked as the 77th best college, 26th top public school, and 22nd top university for veterans in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. Within the 149th best education school, the Department of Leadership and Counseling provides top-quality educational experiences for adult learners seeking advancement in their respective fields.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Designed to prepare graduates to deliver counseling services to clients across a spectrum of mental and emotional disorders to promote wellness, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program is intended for students who seek licensure as professional counselors to work in private practices, community-based mental health centers, hospitals, long-term treatment facilities, and other agencies. Along with the 100-hour practicum experience and 600-hour supervised counseling internship in an approved clinical setting, students are required to complete at least 60 semester hours of advanced coursework in counseling theories, life development, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and case management.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in College Counseling
For those who are interested in working as professional counselors in higher education institutions, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in College Counseling (CLCL) program aims to prepare graduate students with the latest and most effective counseling techniques to meet the academic requirements for limited licensure as a professional counselor in the state of Michigan. With an emphasis on the personal dimension of working with college students and families during one of the most critical life transitional experiences, the program requires the completion of at least 48 semester hours of advanced graduate coursework and a 600-clock hour supervised counseling internship on a college or university campus.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Counseling
Focused on the competencies and proficiencies needed to fulfill entry-level positions as school counselors in elementary, middle, and high school settings, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Counseling program is offered to graduate students who have a valid Michigan teaching certificate or have three to five years of documented work experience with school-aged children or adolescents. As a 48-credit program that typically takes two years for completion full-time, the intensive curriculum covers human development, counseling research, counselor development, crisis intervention, assessment, career counseling, group dynamics, counseling with children, post-secondary planning, and a 600-clock hour internship in a K-12 school setting.
Accreditations
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
John W. Porter Building Suite 304
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 487-0255
coe_ldcn_coun_info@emich.edu
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Oakland University
Location
Rochester Hills, MI
Department of Counseling
Eastern Michigan University, located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, enrolls more than 17,000 students and has nearly 1,300 faculty members. Its Department of Leadership and Counseling, part of its College of Education, seeks to provide top-quality education targeted at adult learners who have already secured full-time employment. Its programs primarily serve those who want to improve their marketability as school, college, or community counselors through certifications, endorsements, and counselor licensure. Its offerings include graduate certificates, post-master's certificates, and multiple graduate degree programs, as well as a Specialist of Arts in Educational Leadership.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Community Counseling
Intended to prepare skilled, perceptive, and broadly educated professionals to assist clients in identifying areas for improvement and in carrying out changes that promote increased well-being, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Community Counseling program draws upon a strong foundation of research and theory in philosophy, psychology, and education to develop the therapeutic skills needed to work with either individuals or groups. Within the 48-credit curriculum, graduate students are actively engaged in coursework on counseling theories, multicultural counseling, developmental counseling, testing and assessment, career development, counseling research, diagnosis, group counseling, and supervised field practice.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Counseling
Built upon the theoretical and professional components of the field to emphasize the development of counseling and consultation techniques needed to work with students in elementary, middle, and high schools, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Counseling program aims to foster the personal development and acquisition of counseling knowledge to help children or adolescents reach their fullest academic, social, and career potential. Along with the required 48 semester credits of advanced graduate counseling coursework, aspiring school counselors are supervised intensively as they begin applying their knowledge and skills at on-campus laboratory facilities and approved school training sites.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education: Counseling
Designed for individuals who are qualified to become leaders in the field areas of advanced clinical practice, mental health care administration, counseling supervision, or counseling research, the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education with a concentration in Counseling program provides rigorous training in the principles and practice of individual counseling, group work, consultation, and counselor supervision to achieve these career goals. Within the 84-credit hour program, doctoral students have the opportunity to select a specialization inAddiction Counseling, Advanced Career Counseling, Child and Adolescent Counseling, Couple and Family Counseling, or Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Accreditations
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Pawley Hall Room 450A
2200 North Squirrel Rd.
Rochester, MI 48309
(248) 370-2018
johnsto2@oakland.edu
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University of Detroit Mercy
Department of Counseling and Addiction Studies
The University of Detroit Mercy, situated in the heart of downtown Detroit, offers four graduate programs in counseling as well as two post-graduate endorsement and licensure programs. All of these programs prepare students for licensure as a professional counselor in the state of Michigan, and include both a practicum in the school's Counseling Clinic and a 600-hour clinical field internship. Nearly 90% of its counseling program graduates find employment within 6 months of graduation. The University of Detroit Mercy offers Michigan's only Addiction Counseling program, which was one of the first of its kind in America.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Community Counseling
For those interested in working as Master's-level clinicians in community-based agency settings like human service organizations, child welfare services, correctional facilities, healthcare systems, psychiatric facilities, and outpatient clinics, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Community Counseling program is grounded in counseling theory with a strong emphasis on the counseling skills to complement assessment practices, cultural competence, and human development. With a semester-long practicum experience at the on-campus UDM Counseling Clinic followed by a 600-hour internship at a community-based organization for valuable hands-on experience, community counselors-in-training must complete at least 48 credits within two or three years.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Counseling
As a training program for certified teachers who are planning to work in a school setting as professional school counselors, guidance directors, pupil personnel directors, or teachers interested in school counseling principles, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Counseling program places an emphasis on the counseling theory, counseling skills, assessment practices, and issues specifically related to counseling in elementary or secondary schools. After completing the required 48 credit hours, successfully finishing the 600-hour internship, and passing the Michigan Guidance Counselor Test, graduates are qualified for obtaining the school counselor endorsement for practice in K-12 settings.
Accreditations
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Reno Hall Room 234
4001 West McNichols Rd.
Detroit, MI 48221
(313) 578-0436
calleyng@udmercy.edu
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Department of Counselor Education
One of the country's 50 largest public universities, Wayne State University has high research activity and partners with other institutions in Michigan to enable stronger research. It also has the most diverse student body in Michigan. Its College of Education offers three counseling programs at the master's degree level, as well as a EdD or PhD in counselor education. Students can pursue degrees in clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, or clinical rehabilitation counseling. The clinical mental health counseling program also includes an art therapy concentration option. Almost all graduates secure employment on graduation.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Community Counseling
With the goal of preparing professional counselors who are knowledgeable in counseling techniques and can translate counseling theories into effective practice, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Community Counseling program is primarily for training generalists in the field of counseling for employment in mental health centers, community agencies, youth service bureaus, hospice organizations, correctional facilities, employee assistance programs, and more. After completing the basic foundational courses, students have the option to select an area of interest to gain addition knowledge and credentials in Art Therapy or Rehabilitation. In order to receive the M.A. degree, community counseling students are required to complete at least 59 semester credits of advanced graduate coursework.
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling
Designed to prepare licensed professional counselors with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver counseling services in culturally diverse K-12 public or private settings, the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling program follows a comprehensive developmental approach to fulfilling the state requirements for being employed in elementary or secondary schools with a School Counselor License (SCL) or School Counselor Endorsement (NT) in Michigan. Within the 58-credit program focused solely on serving children, adolescents, their families, and educators, students are required to successfully complete counseling practicum, a clinical internship experience, terminal Master's seminar, and a culminating capstone project.
Doctor of Education (Ed.D) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling
Intended to prepare counselor educators, supervisors, and advanced practitioners for professional leadership roles in counselor education and supervision with a doctorate degree, the Department offers both a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling degree programs to promote the scholarly inquiry needed to extend the knowledge and skill bases of the counseling profession. While the Ed.D. program is designed for individuals who wish to become guidance directors, pupil personnel coordinators, or consultants in K-12 school districts, the Ph.D. program is generally intended for those intending to teach, conduct research, or provide counseling services in universities and colleges.
Accreditations
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
College of Education Room 327
656 West Kirby Rd.
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-1659
aa1212@wayne.edu
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Western Michigan University
Department of Counselor Education
Western Michigan University sits between Detroit and Chicago, with a 1,200-acre campus in Kalamazoo. It strives to meet student needs like a smaller college might while still participating in nationally-relevant research, and is Michigan's most affordable public university. The Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology offers five program options, covering college counseling, clinical mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and marriage, couple, and family counseling. The rehabilitation program also offers a specialization in blindness and low vision issues. Western Michigan University considers diversity a priority, and seeks to recruit from many racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Fully accredited by the CACREP as a Community Counseling program, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree is designed to prepare graduate students to function as professional counselors in a variety of clinical mental health counseling settings. Meeting the educational and experience requirements for the licensed professional counselor credential in the state of Michigan, the program requires to completion of at least 53 semester credits with a 600-hour supervised clinical mental health counseling internship at any local hospital, psychiatric facility, community outpatient clinic, substance abuse treatment facility, or other mental health center to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in College Counseling
With a strong emphasis on the counseling knowledge, skills, values, and dispositions needed to provide direct services to college students, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in College Counseling program prepares graduates for professional careers as counselors at community colleges, four-year universities, technical/vocational schools, or other academic higher education settings. Meeting the educational requirements for the licensed professional counselor credential in Michigan and for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation, the program consists of 48 semester credits, supervised practicum field experience, and a 600-hour full-time internship in a college community.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Counseling
Designed to prepare individuals with a valid initial or professional teaching certificate in Michigan for functioning as school counselors, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Counseling program is offered at three levels, which are Elementary School Counseling for grades K-8, Secondary School Counseling for grades 6-12, and K-12 School Counseling for all grades. In accordance with the Endorsement Rules and Teacher Certification Code of the State of Michigan and Public Act, the 51-credit program meets educational requirements for the school counselor endorsement. However, the program also is open to individuals without teacher certification for earning the School Counselor License (SCL) with a few additional requirements.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counselor Education and Supervision
Focused on providing advanced preparation for professional counselors in various mental health and school settings who want to assume counselor education positions at colleges and universities, the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program is exclusively available to individuals who have or will have a master's degree in counseling and licensure in the state of Michigan. Doctoral students can choose to specialize their studies in School Counseling, Community Counseling, or Student Affairs. At the completion of the 69-credit program, graduates will demonstrate a wide range of individual or group counseling skills, sound theoretical foundations for counseling practice, research skills, teaching and supervision competencies, and an understanding of academic program curriculum development.
Accreditations
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Sangren Hall Room 3521
1903 West Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 387-5100
stephen.craig@wmich.edu
Applying to a Counseling Degree Program
Earning a master’s degree prepares students for counseling careers that offer greater independence and responsibility. Individuals need a master’s degree — plus additional credentials — to become licensed clinical professional counselors, school counselors, and mental health counselors.
Counseling schools in Michigan only admit master’s applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. Programs sometimes prefer, if not require, applicants with undergraduate backgrounds in counseling, social work, or psychology. What applicants must submit for admission depends on the school and the degree.
For instance, students applying to a master’s in school counseling program typically need a valid Michigan teaching certificate.
In addition, applicants might need current GRE scores and transcripts showing at least a 2.75 GPA. Standard admission materials also include three recommendation letters, a resume, and a personal essay.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What types of classes are required for a master's degree in counseling?
Counseling master’s programs in Michigan on average require 60 credits. Core classes focus on counseling research, counseling theories, crisis intervention, and group processes. Students may specialize in specific areas and take additional classes in case management, school counseling, or substance abuse counseling. All participate in an internship and/or practicum in their last year.
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What is accreditation and why is it important?
Reputable counseling schools in Michigan hold accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). When a school holds accreditation, that means the curriculum matches CACREP’s standards. Knowing a potential employee graduated from a CACREP-accredited program gives employers a vote of confidence.
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What are the top paying counseling careers?
Individuals who pursue counseling do it for the personal satisfaction gained from helping others. That said, certain counseling careers do pay more than others. Those careers include mental health counselors, marriage and family counselors, school counselors, and gerontology counselors. Respectively, these jobs pay around $38,000-$60,000, according to the BLS.
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How long does it take to earn a counseling degree?
It takes about two years to graduate from a counseling master’s program in Michigan. Taking the maximum credits per semester may help students graduate faster, especially when schools offer shortened eight-week terms. Attending classes part time might delay graduation.
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