Counseling Degree Programs in Minnesota

Winona State University offers three on-campus master's in counseling degrees: clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, and a human services professional master's with a focus in a personal area of interest. The human services degree does not lead to licensure, but the counseling programs do.

Students in both licensure programs must complete a practicum, an internship, and a capstone project. Those on the non-licensure track complete a final evaluation, which may be a thesis, a capstone project, a research presentation, or a minimum score of 65 in six content areas on the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam.

Courses Include

Multiculturalism and Diversity | Development Over the Lifespan | Group Theory and Practice | Research Design | Ethical Practice and Social Change

Unique Features

Cost: $7,700/year (Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota residents); $11,640/year (out of state)
Credits Required: 35-60 credits
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

The public Minnesota State University, Mankato offers a campus-based master of science in counseling and student personnel. Students choose an emphasis in college student affairs, mental health counseling, or professional school counseling K-12.

The college student affairs track prepares students for a variety of campus-based positions, such as career services, residence life, or academic advising. Mental health counseling prepares students for licensure and careers in a variety of inpatient or outpatient therapeutic settings. Professional school counseling focuses on licensure and careers within the K-12 school setting.

All students take the same sequence of core courses, followed by emphasis classes. All tracks require one practicum and two internship placements, as well as a capstone project.

Courses Include

Crisis Intervention Strategies | Human Development Through the Family Life Cycle | Career Development | Counseling Theories | Counseling Procedures and Skills I and II

Unique Features

Cost: $444/credit
Credits Required: 50-60 credits
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Minnesota State University Moorhead offers a hybrid master of science in counseling with an emphasis in addictions counseling, clinical mental health, or school counseling. All three programs offer the option of preparing for Minnesota licensure. Students from other states should check their state licensure requirements. Course delivery occurs after 4:30 p.m. local time to accommodate working professionals.

Students in all three programs take the same set of core courses, including one of three approved electives. All students must also pass a comprehensive written exam, an oral exam, a thesis or research project, and a six-credit internship. Students seeking licensure must take additional courses beyond those required for a basic non-licensure master's degree.

Courses Include

Counseling Research, Statistical Methods, and Program Evaluation | Theories of Individual and Family Counseling | Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling | Trauma-Informed and Crisis Management | Introduction to Substance Use Disorders and Addictive Behaviors

Unique Features

Cost: $459/credit
Credits Required: 54-60 credits
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

A private Christian college in St. Bonifacius, Crown College offers an online master of arts in counseling or an online master of arts in alcohol and drug counseling. The master of arts in counseling requires a four-day on-campus residency each May. Presented from a strong Christian worldview, both programs prepare students for Minnesota licensure. Students from other states should check with their licensing agency for more information.

Both programs require the same core courses, along with classes in the chosen specialization. All students must also complete two three-credit internship experiences.

Courses Include

Orientation to Counseling and Integration of Christian Worldview | Counseling Skills, Methods, and Techniques | Assessment, Testing, and Measurement in Counseling | Alcohol and Drug Case Management | Psychopharmacology for Alcohol and Drug Counseling

Unique Features

Cost: $575/credit
Credits Required: 36-60 credits
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

St. Cloud State University offers four master of science degrees in counseling: clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and rehabilitation and addiction counseling. The university offers rehabilitation counseling with a fully online option, while students in the other three programs must attend classes on campus.

All four programs prepare students for licensure in Minnesota. Those from other states should check their state requirements for details. Regardless of track, all students must complete a practicum and/or internship and either a thesis or a comprehensive exam.

Courses Include

Foundations of Mental Health Counseling | Psychodiagnosis and Treatment Planning | Rehabilitation Orientation and Ethics | Practice in Small Group Process | Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy

Unique Features

Cost: $431/credit (in state and reciprocity states); $455/credit (Wisconsin residents); $646/credit (MSEP compact states); $654/credit (out of state)
Credits Required: 48-63 credits
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission