Best Counseling Schools in Connecticut

Western Connecticut State University's Master of Science in Counselor Education with School Counseling concentration provides a dynamic 60-credit CACREP-accredited program. Designed for aspiring educators, this hybrid learning experience blends online coursework with intensive on-campus clinical labs. Students receive comprehensive preparation for Initial Educator Certification in Connecticut, developing practical skills through interactive counseling scenarios. The program's flexible format supports working professionals while ensuring high-quality training. Graduates emerge equipped to support K-12 students' holistic development, addressing academic, career, and personal growth challenges with professional expertise.

• 60-credit program
• CACREP-accredited
• Hybrid learning format
• On-campus clinical labs
• Prepares for Initial Educator Certification
• Focuses on School Counseling
• Meets licensure requirements
• Flexible for working professionals
• Practical skills development
• Supports K-12 student development

Western Connecticut State University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration offers a robust 60-credit Master of Science in Counselor Education. This CACREP-accredited hybrid program prepares mental health professionals through a three-year curriculum featuring asynchronous digital learning and hands-on clinical experiences. Students gain comprehensive training meeting licensure requirements for Connecticut and New York, positioning themselves for professional certification. The program's strategic design enables graduates to excel in diverse clinical settings, providing advanced skills in mental health intervention and counseling techniques.

• CACREP accredited program
• Three-year online format
• 60-credit comprehensive curriculum
• Hybrid learning model
• Licensure preparation focus
• Clinical lab components
• Connecticut and New York licensure
• National exam eligibility

Western Connecticut State University's Master of Science in Addiction Studies delivers a transformative educational pathway for substance use disorder treatment professionals. This hybrid program cultivates advanced clinical skills through evidence-based interventions and integrated behavioral health services. Students explore comprehensive strategies for treating diverse populations, with opportunities to become licensed alcohol and drug counselors. Requiring a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, the program offers flexible full-time and part-time options, enabling completion within one to two years. Extensive internship experiences provide practical training in high-demand treatment environments.

• Hybrid program delivery
• Evidence-based interventions focus
• Prepares for LADC licensure
• 200-300 hour internship
• Diverse population training
• 3.0 GPA admission requirement
• Fall and Spring entry
• UCONN LPC pathway option
• Advanced standing available
• Community-based outreach emphasis

Albertus Magnus College offers a distinctive Master of Science in Human Services/Addiction Counseling, strategically designed as a hybrid two-year program targeting addiction counseling professionals. The curriculum provides comprehensive preparation for the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) credential in Connecticut. With 57 credit hours, students explore advanced counseling techniques, psychopharmacology, and clinical assessment, emphasizing specialized addiction treatment approaches. The program's hybrid format enables flexible learning, while maintaining intimate class sizes and personalized faculty mentorship. Students benefit from multicultural counseling perspectives and substantial internship opportunities, ensuring graduates are thoroughly prepared to address complex addiction challenges across diverse populations. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA and offers a robust pathway into professional counseling practice.

• Two-year master's degree program
• Hybrid learning format
• LADC credential preparation
• Small class sizes
• 57 total credit hours
• Comprehensive counseling curriculum
• Experienced faculty
• Internship opportunities
• 3.0 GPA admission requirement
• Multicultural counseling focus

Central Connecticut State University's Marriage & Family Therapy Master's program offers a dynamic, professional-oriented curriculum designed to transform aspiring therapists. The comprehensive 63-credit program uniquely accommodates working professionals through flexible evening classes, enabling students to advance their clinical skills without disrupting current careers. With no GMAT or GRE entrance exam requirements, the program emphasizes accessible graduate education. Students receive extensive hands-on training, completing 400 clinical training hours and benefiting from COAMFTE accreditation. The hybrid program format provides versatility, allowing learners to balance academic pursuits with professional responsibilities while preparing for comprehensive marriage and family therapy licensure in Connecticut.

• 63-credit MS program
• Flexible evening track
• No GMAT/GRE required
• COAMFTE accredited
• Two-year supervised training
• Starts every August
• Full-time study option
• Clinical counseling lab
• Financial aid available
• 400 clinical training hours

Sacred Heart University's online Master of Arts in School Counseling offers a transformative educational journey for aspiring school counselors. The comprehensive 60-63 credit hour program provides rigorous training in academic development, college readiness, and social-emotional learning strategies. Students benefit from a flexible online format with interactive virtual classrooms and essential in-person residencies. No GRE or GMAT is required for admission, making the program accessible to motivated professionals. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on practicum experiences and internships, preparing graduates for licensure and certification. With expert faculty and a focus on culturally relevant counseling approaches, students develop advanced skills to support student success across diverse educational environments.

• Online format
• 60-63 credit hours
• $800 per credit
• 2.5 years completion
• Hands-on practicum
• Internship included
• No GRE/GMAT required
• Small class sizes
• Expert faculty
• Flexible learning pace

Sacred Heart University's online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling delivers a robust, CACREP-accredited program designed for aspiring mental health professionals. The two-year curriculum provides comprehensive training in addressing complex psychological challenges like anxiety, depression, and interpersonal dynamics. Students engage in a flexible online learning environment supplemented by two strategic in-person residencies. With no standardized testing requirements and a competitive $900 per credit hour tuition, the program maintains accessibility while ensuring high-quality professional preparation. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills, licensure readiness, and evidence-based interventions, positioning graduates for meaningful careers in mental health counseling across diverse clinical settings.

• CACREP-accredited program
• Complete in 2-3 years
• No standardized testing required
• 60 total credit hours
• Online with two residencies
• $900 per credit hour
• Licensure preparation focus
• Two professional recommendations needed
• Diverse faculty with real-world experience

University of Bridgeport's Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offers a robust 60-credit online and hybrid program tailored for aspiring mental health professionals. The curriculum emphasizes trauma-informed, evidence-based training with comprehensive practical experiences including a 100-hour practicum and two 300-hour internships. CACREP-accredited and designed for flexible completion in 2-3 years, the program prepares students for the National Counselor Examination and licensure. Uniquely focused on cultural humility, the program attracts students committed to addressing diverse community mental health needs through expert faculty guidance and a holistic approach to counseling education. Entrance exam requirements may apply, with a military-friendly learning environment.

• 100% online degree option
• 60-credit trauma-informed curriculum
• CACREP accredited program
• 2-3 year completion time
• Practicum and internship experiences
• Prepares for NCE exam
• Expert faculty guidance
• Focus on cultural humility