Best Counseling Schools in Maryland
Maryland’s population has many different needs, including many different counseling needs. From trauma and addition to school and family, counselors help residents with all types of issues. If this sounds like work you’d enjoy doing, completing a counseling program in Maryland will prepare you for an important, rewarding, and well-paying career.
2026 Best Master's in Counseling Programs in Maryland
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD - Private 4-year - loyola.edu
Master's - Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Counseling
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Loyola University Maryland's Master of Arts in School Counseling stands out as a dynamic hybrid program meticulously designed to cultivate culturally responsive school counseling professionals. Spanning 60 credits with flexible full-time and part-time options, students can complete the program within two years. The CACREP-accredited curriculum emphasizes comprehensive training through extensive practicum and internship experiences, enabling graduates to develop sophisticated evidence-based intervention strategies. With an impressive 97% job placement rate and 100% licensure examination pass rate, the program ensures students are thoroughly prepared to excel in PreK-12 educational settings, supporting student mental health and academic development effectively.
- 60-credit hybrid program
- Full or part-time options
- CACREP accredited program
- 100% licensure exam pass rate
- 97% job placement rate
- Practicum and internship experiences
- Maryland State Department recognized
- 2-5 years completion time
- Leads to school counselor certification
Master's - Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Loyola University Maryland's Master of Education in School Counseling offers a robust hybrid learning experience that transforms aspiring educators into impactful mental health professionals. The comprehensive 60-credit program combines rigorous academic coursework with practical school-based experiences, enabling students to complete their degree within two to five years. With a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement, the curriculum focuses on developing culturally responsive counseling leaders who can implement evidence-based interventions. The program's highlights include a 100-hour supervised practicum, a 600-hour internship, and Maryland State certification, positioning graduates for successful careers in student support and academic development.
- 60-credit hybrid program
- Full-time or part-time options
- CACREP accredited through 2029
- 100% licensure exam pass rate
- 97% job placement rate
- Supervised 100-hour practicum
- Supervised 600-hour internship
- Maryland State certified program
- Two degree options: M.Ed. and M.A.
- 3.0 GPA minimum requirement
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Princess Anne, MD - Public 4-Year - wwwcp.umes.edu
Master's - Counselor Education (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore offers a cutting-edge Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's program that uniquely bridges academic rigor with practical professional development. This 60-credit hybrid program stands out for its innovative approach, integrating social justice principles with advanced clinical training. Students benefit from flexible evening and weekend courses designed for working professionals, enabling seamless career advancement. The concentration emphasizes comprehensive mental health treatment strategies, preparing graduates for Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) licensure. As an HBCU institution, the program provides a diverse and inclusive learning environment with multiple clinical placement opportunities across various mental health settings, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to address complex psychological challenges.
- 60-credit hybrid master's program
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization
- Prepares for LGPC licensure
- Evening and weekend courses
- Strong social justice focus
- Multiple clinical placement settings
- 3.0 GPA admission requirement
- Professional counselor identity development
McDaniel College
Westminster, MD - Private 4-year - mcdaniel.edu
Master's - Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling)
Online Learning - Visit Website
McDaniel College's online Master of Science in Counseling with School Counseling concentration provides a comprehensive pathway for aspiring educational professionals. Designed to meet Maryland's Advanced Professional Licensure requirements, the program uniquely blends theoretical foundations with extensive practical training through a 100-hour practicum and substantial 600-hour internship. Students engage in a flexible 8-week session format, completing the 51-credit curriculum in approximately 36 months. The program distinguishes itself by emphasizing diversity-sensitive counseling, ethical practices, and student developmental strategies. With Fall and Spring admission cycles, the program requires a bachelor's degree, minimum 3.00 GPA, professional resume, goal statement, and an interview, preparing graduates to meaningfully impact educational environments.
- Online 8-week sessions
- 51 credits required
- 100-hour practicum
- 600-hour internship
- Prepares for Maryland licensure
- Average 36-month completion
- Fall and Spring admissions
- Minimum 3.00 GPA required
- Professional resume needed
- Goal statement essay
How to Find a Counseling Program in Maryland
To find a counseling program that's a good fit for you, you must consider what's most important to you. Do you need to prioritize tuition, schedule, or location? Do your future aspirations require specialized knowledge and credentials? Ask these sorts of questions as you evaluate different Maryland counseling programs.
Counseling Degree Pathways in Maryland
Counseling degrees are available at multiple levels of post-high school academia. You may complete one or several of the following degrees:
- Associate: An associate degree makes sense if you want to quickly begin work with patients and/or clients. The degree requires a high school diploma and lasts two years.
- Bachelor's: A bachelor's degree is the most common undergraduate degree, and could prepare you for many different counseling jobs. The degree requires a high school diploma and is four years.
- Master's: A master's degree is the most common graduate degree, and is required for licensure in Maryland. The degree requires first completing a bachelor's and is one to two years usually.
- Doctorate: A doctorate degree is the highest graduate degree, and could prepare you for leadership or other high-level positions. Psy.D. doctorates are heavy on clinical work, while Ph.D. doctorates are heavy on research. Either can take three to six years to complete, and requires either a bachelor's or master’s first
- Graduate Certificate: A graduate certificate is a shorter program that's primarily used to specialize. The certificate will take a maximum of one year, and can help you establish yourself within a particular field of counseling.
Choose a Counseling Specialty
Many counseling programs offer specialization options. Completing one of these programs could set you up for a specific type of counseling work. Specialization options include (but aren't limited to):
- School counseling
- Clinical mental health counseling
- Substance abuse counseling
- Child and adolescent counseling
- Couples and family counseling
Check School Accreditation
Accredited schools' counseling programs are guaranteed to meet standards and to be accepted by other institutions and potential employers. You should only consider accredited programs.
The largest accrediting bodies for counseling programs are the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP), and the American Psychological Association (APA).
Online vs. Traditional Counseling Programs in Maryland
Counseling degree programs can be taught online, or in traditional classrooms. Attending an online degree program will probably reduce your tuition bill, and give you more flexibility with regard to schedule and location. Attending a traditional degree program with in-person classes will give you more access to faculty, fellow students, and library resources. Choose whichever is best for your situation and academic needs.
Becoming a Licensed Counselor in Maryland
Maryland counseling licensure requires a master's degree in counseling or a similar field, and the degree needs to have at least 125 internship hours. You'll also need three years and at least 3,000 hours of supervised experience. This requirement is reduced by one year and 1,000 hours if pursuing a doctorate degree. Finally, a licensing exam and fee are the last steps to licensure.
Renewing a counseling license requires 40 continuing education units (CEUs). This must be done every two years.
2026 Affordable Master's in Counseling Program Options
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
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| Hood College |
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| University of Maryland Eastern Shore |
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| Coppin State University |
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List of Counseling Degree Programs in Maryland
Are you searching for a counseling degree program in Maryland? Browse our comprehensive list of schools offering counseling programs, both online and on-campus, and follow the links to learn more about what each program has to offer.