Best Counseling Schools in Ohio

How to Find a Counseling Program in Ohio

Students need to make sure that a college or university counseling program meets the requirements for licensure if the student wants to practice in the state. Aside from this, there are several other factors that go into finding the right program, such as class size, reading materials, cost, and others.

Counseling Degree Pathways in Ohio

The counseling programs in Ohio provide students with a variety of counseling pathway options. Choosing a counseling degree or certificate program pathway allows students to begin their counseling career or to expand their counseling career opportunities.

• Associate's Degree – Typically takes two years of study and serves as an entryway into counseling, but typically is not enough to secure a career in counseling.

• Bachelor's Degree – A four-year degree providing a basic level of counseling.

• Master's Degree – The minimum level of education for a licensed counselor. It requires a bachelor’s degree and an additional two years of study.

• Graduate Certificate – A graduate certificate is a non-degree that helps provide a focus on a counseling specialization. It typically takes less than one year to complete.

• Doctorate Degree – A doctorate degree is the maximum level of education a counselor can achieve. It will require a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree, an additional three to six years of study, and a number of hours working as an intern.

Choosing a Counseling Specialty

The variety of counseling programs in Ohio provides students with the opportunity to choose from many counseling specialties. Choosing the specialty that best meets a student's educational and professional goals is likely to lead to an enjoyable counseling career.

Wright State University features several counseling degree programs. Choose the master of rehabilitation counseling program, the master of science in clinical mental health counseling or master of clinical rehabilitation counseling.

The University of Toledo offers both master's degree and doctoral degree programs in Counseling. Students have the option to choose the Master of Arts Degree with a concentration in school counseling or the clinical mental mealth concentration. Students who complete a master's degree may choose to pursue the doctoral program in counselor education program.

The Master's of Education in Counselor Education program at Ohio University features three specializations.

Accreditation

Check school accreditation to make sure that the program is accredited by the proper Ohio boards or other entities. Failure to check school accreditation may mean that students cannot take credentialing exams or work in a counseling job in Ohio. This is usually done through CACREP (the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs).

Many schools list accreditation on the counseling program page. One example is that Ohio State University indicates on its Counselor Education page that the programs hold accreditation from the Counseling for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP).

Cleveland State University also lists the accreditation for its Doctoral Studies – Specializations – Counseling Psychology degree on the program page.

Online vs. Traditional Counseling Programs in Ohio

Colleges and universities often provide both the traditional on-campus format and the online format for their counseling programs. Deciding what’s right for you depends on several factors including affordability, location preference, and transportation.

Walsh University offers an online master's in counseling program. Students choose from three specializations, including school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, or the dual mental health and school counseling degree. Students complete classes in a completely online format.

Kent State University, offers an addiction counseling certificate program. Students complete the program in 12 months in person at the university.

Becoming Licensed as a Counselor in Ohio

The Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board provides the tools and resources for students to apply for licensure as a counselor in Ohio.

Students submit an application to become a licensed chemical dependency counselor to the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board.

List of Counseling Degree Programs in Ohio

Are you searching for a counseling degree program in Ohio? 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.