Best Counseling Schools in Pennsylvania

How to Find a Counseling Program in Pennsylvania

The many counseling programs offered at Pennsylvania colleges and universities give students the opportunity to choose the right one for them. There are many things that go into finding a good counseling education program in the State of Pennsylvania.

Counseling Degree Pathways in Pennsylvania

Students have the option to complete a certificate program, an associate's degree in counseling program, a bachelor's degree program, or a graduate degree in counseling program in the State of Pennsylvania. Which degree you should strive for depends mostly on the type of counselor you want to become.

• Associate's Degree – The minimum education that a counselor must achieve. Some licenses may accept an associate’s degree, but most do not. They require two years of study.

• Bachelor's Degree – Provides the basic level of education for a counselor. Takes four years to achieve.

• Master's Degree – The typical degree associated with counselors. It requires a bachelor’s degree plus an additional two years of study.

• Graduate Certificate – This non-degree can help you achieve a specific focus in your counseling career. It requires less than one year’s study to acquire.

• Doctorate Degree – The highest 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 some time working as an intern.

Choosing a Counseling Specialty

Students should read the information about a school's counseling program before deciding if it is the school that meets their educational and career plans. Many Pennsylvania universities offer counseling programs with counseling specialties.

Consider the Waynesburg University counseling programs. The Master of Arts in counseling degree features a concentration in clinical mental health counseling or addiction counseling. Students may choose to complete the Integrated BA/MA in Counseling program. 

Students who want to complete a unique counseling program need to look no further than Bloomsburg University. The school offers a medical genomics and counseling certificate program. The University of Pennsylvania offers a master’s program in genetic counseling. 

Check School Accreditation

It is important for students to check school accreditation before they enroll in a Pennsylvania counseling program. If a program is not accredited, students may not qualify to sit for licensing exams or to have a counseling career. Accreditation usually is provided by CACREP (the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs).

Look for accreditation on the counseling program page. The Widener University Alcohol and Drug Counseling Certificate program does not list accreditation information on the graduate certificate program page. Students need to enter "accreditation" in search to determine if the program has accreditation.

The Department of Counseling at Indiana University of Pennsylvania lists accreditation on the department page for counseling programs. Students choose between five graduate counseling programs.

Online vs. Traditional Counseling Programs in Pennsylvania

Students sometimes want to have options in the delivery of counseling programs. Some schools offer programs strictly in a traditional format. Other schools offer online counseling programs.

Students enrolled in the Duquesne University Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision program complete the program by attending classes in person at nighttime.

LeHigh University offers some programs in a hybrid format. The M.Ed. International School Counseling program is taught partially online and partially face-to-face. The International School Counseling Certificate program is also offered in a hybrid format.

Becoming Licensed as a Counselor in Pennsylvania

Students need to follow licensing and credentialing requirements to work as a counselor in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of State provides licensure requirements for counselors.

The Pennsylvania Certification Board provides the application and certification requirements for Pennsylvania Substance Abuse Counselors.

List of Counseling Degree Programs in Pennsylvania

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