What you’ll learn in this article…
- Chaminade University of Honolulu offers an online counseling psychology MS with tuition listed at $26,880.
- Hawaii's LMHC licensure requires a CACREP-accredited degree plus five to seven years of supervised experience.
- School and career counselors earn the highest median pay among Hawaii's three main counseling occupations.
- No in-state university currently offers a standalone graduate certificate in child or adolescent counseling.
How many CACREP-accredited counseling master's programs actually exist in Hawaii? Fewer than a handful, which reshapes the entire decision for residents across the islands.
The state's counseling workforce serves a population spread across six inhabited islands, with a cultural mix that includes Native Hawaiian, Filipino, Japanese, and broader Pacific Islander communities. Demand for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) and school counselors continues to outpace supply, particularly on the Neighbor Islands where provider shortages are most acute.
That scarcity pushes many Hawaii students toward online and hybrid programs, but only programs whose curriculum and practicum hours align with Hawaii DCCA rules will actually lead to licensure here. Cost, accreditation, and in-state practicum placement are the constraints that separate viable options from dead ends.
Best Counseling Master's Programs in Hawaii, Ranked by Affordability
Hawaii's options for an affordable master's in counseling are limited but focused. In our 2026 ranking, programs are weighted toward financial accessibility, factoring in tuition, net price, median graduate debt, and institution-level outcomes. Chaminade University of Honolulu stands out as the sole in-state institution offering counseling-related master's degrees in both online and hybrid formats, making it the go-to choice for Hawaii residents and Neighbor Island professionals who want to earn a counseling credential without relocating to the mainland.
- Tuition and net price affordability
- Graduate debt levels
- Institution-level graduation rate
- Earnings after graduation
- Program delivery flexibility
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Independent program research
- Internal program database
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Chaminade University of Honolulu is a private Marianist institution in Honolulu offering two distinct counseling-related master's pathways: one fully online and one hybrid. With a flat tuition rate of $26,880 regardless of residency and no separate out-of-state surcharge for online students, Chaminade removes a common cost barrier that mainland programs impose. The university reports a median graduate debt of $23,250 and median earnings of $52,343 ten years after enrollment (institution-wide figures, not specific to a single program). The school-level graduation rate sits at roughly 55%, and the 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports close mentorship, which is especially valuable during practicum and internship placements across the islands.
- Fully online format designed for Neighbor Island residents
- Completed in approximately 30 months with 10-week terms
- Includes 700 hours of practicum and internship in home communities
- AAQEP-accredited through December 31, 2030
- Multiple start dates aligned with Hawaii DOE school calendars
- Prepares graduates for Hawaii PK-12 school counselor licensure
- Streamlined pathway into Chaminade's EdD in Educational Psychology
- Hybrid format with both online and on-campus components
- 34 credit hours completed in approximately 20 months
- Three terms per year with flexible scheduling
- Rooted in the Catholic and Marianist educational tradition
- Emphasizes service-learning in Hawaii faith communities
- Integrates pastoral counseling into ministry preparation
Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, School Counseling — Online
Master of Pastoral Theology, Pastoral Counseling — Hybrid
How We Ranked Hawaii Counseling Programs
Hawaii is home to fewer than five institutions offering CACREP-accredited master's in counseling programs, making affordability a critical selection factor for students who want to stay in-state. Our rankings prioritize net price and financial aid metrics to help you identify programs that deliver quality training without unnecessary debt. We draw on College Scorecard institution-level data, IPEDS tuition figures, and program-level outcomes published by the U.S. Department of Education to ensure transparency and comparability.
Institution-Wide vs. Program-Level Metrics
Institution-level metrics include overall graduation rates, median earnings for all graduates 10 years after entry, and the share of students repaying federal loans. These figures offer a snapshot of the school's broader performance but may not reflect the counseling program specifically. Program-level metrics, when available, provide a sharper view: 1-year post-completion earnings, median debt at graduation, and employment share for counseling graduates. When program-level data are not yet published, we rely on institution-wide figures as the best available proxy.
Weighting Cost and Financial Aid
Because this guide emphasizes affordable options, we weight net price (published tuition minus average grant aid) and the percentage of undergraduates receiving federal aid more heavily than prestige or research output. Programs that report lower median debt and higher 1-year earnings rank higher, provided they maintain CACREP or state-recognized accreditation.
Expanding Options Through Online Programs
The small in-state universe means many Hawaii students turn to regionally accredited best online master's in counseling programs from mainland institutions. Online delivery expands access to specialized tracks, including child and adolescent counseling, trauma-informed care, and Native Hawaiian cultural competence modules. When evaluating online programs, confirm that clinical practicum sites in Hawaii are pre-approved by the program and that licensure coursework aligns with Hawaii's LPC or LMHC requirements. Students interested in online clinical mental health counseling programs should verify that the curriculum meets Hawaii's specific supervised-experience standards.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Counseling Psychology vs. Clinical Mental Health vs. School Counseling in Hawaii
The degree title on your diploma shapes not just your clinical training but the specific licensure pathway and career doors open to you in Hawaii. Choosing among a counseling psychology MA, a clinical mental health counseling MA, and a school counseling MA requires a clear understanding of how each track differs in focus, regulatory requirements, and day-to-day professional life.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
A clinical mental health counseling MA is purpose-built for students who want to diagnose and treat mental health disorders in community agencies, private practice, hospitals, or integrated care settings. The curriculum centers on psychopathology, crisis intervention, evidence-based treatment modalities, and supervised clinical practica. In Hawaii, this degree aligns directly with the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) credential administered by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA).1 Graduates who complete the required supervised post-master's hours can sit for the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination and apply for LMHC licensure. For a broader look at the profession, our guide on how to become a mental health counselor breaks down the national steps involved.
Counseling Psychology MA
A counseling psychology MA emphasizes research methods, psychological theory, and the science of human development alongside clinical practice. Students in these programs often engage in program evaluation, outcome research, or psychometric assessment in addition to counseling skills courses. While the orientation leans more academic, counseling psychology MAs can also qualify graduates for LMHC licensure in Hawaii, provided the program meets DCCA coursework and practicum requirements.1 Prospective students should verify that any counseling psychology program they consider includes the clinical hours and content areas Hawaii mandates, because not every research-oriented program does.
School Counseling
A school counseling MA prepares graduates to work within K-12 settings, addressing academic planning, social-emotional development, college and career readiness, and behavioral interventions. In Hawaii, school counselors are credentialed through the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE), which operates under a separate regulatory framework from the DCCA. The school counseling license is not the same as the LMHC. Graduates work inside public or private school systems rather than in clinical mental health roles. That said, some school counseling programs may also meet the coursework thresholds for LMHC eligibility, though students should confirm this with both the program and the DCCA before enrolling.
Quick Comparison
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA: Designed for LMHC licensure; careers in agencies, hospitals, and private practice.
- Counseling Psychology MA: Blends research and theory with clinical training; may qualify for LMHC if program meets DCCA content requirements.
- School Counseling MA: Leads to DOE school counselor credentialing; careers in K-12 educational settings.
The bottom line: if your goal is to practice independently as a licensed professional counselor in Hawaii, confirm that your chosen program satisfies DCCA requirements for the LMHC before you commit. If school-based work is your calling, the DOE credential is the path, and the licensing body is entirely different. Making this distinction early saves time, money, and frustration down the road.
Related Articles
Child Counseling Specializations and Graduate Certificates for Hawaii Students
Hawaii does not currently host a dedicated graduate certificate program in child or adolescent counseling at any of its in-state universities. Students who want to focus on working with keiki typically build that specialization inside a general counseling master's, then add credentials after graduation. For a broader look at what the child counselor degree pathway involves nationwide, compare your options before committing. Here is how to assemble that pathway from Hawaii.
In-State Options for Child-Focused Coursework
Both Hawaii master's programs allow students to shape a child and adolescent focus through electives, practicum site selection, and internship placements rather than a formal child track.
- University of Hawai'i at Hilo M.A. in Counseling Psychology: A 60-credit program that meets Hawaii LMHC educational requirements and covers the nine content areas mandated by the state. With 9 elective credits and flexible practicum placement, students can concentrate hours in school, community, or pediatric mental health settings.1
- Chaminade University of Honolulu M.S. in Counseling Psychology: A 60-credit program offered in online and in-person formats, with 700 practicum and internship hours. The curriculum explicitly includes work with children and adolescents and serves as a pathway to Hawaii licensure.2
Online Graduate Certificates Open to Hawaii Students
For a formal credential, Hawaii students typically look out of state to fully online counseling graduate certificate programs that can be completed remotely.
- University of Missouri-St. Louis Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Counseling: A 12-credit standalone certificate. It does not substitute for the master's degree required for LMHC, but it documents focused training for employers and supervisors.3
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Children's Mental Health for School Professionals: A 15-credit add-on specialization aimed at practicing counselors, social workers, and school staff who want deeper grounding in child mental health.4
How a Certificate Stacks With Hawaii Licensure
Hawaii LMHC licensure requires at least 48 graduate semester hours, a 300-hour practicum, passage of the NCE, and 3,000 post-degree supervised hours including 100 hours of face-to-face supervision.5 A child counseling certificate generally does not count toward those supervised hours unless the coursework was embedded in the qualifying master's. Treat the certificate as a specialty credential that signals expertise, not as a shortcut on the licensure clock.
Play Therapy and the RPT Credential
After licensure, many child-focused clinicians in Hawaii pursue the Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential through the Association for Play Therapy. RPT requires an active mental health license, specific play therapy coursework, and supervised play therapy hours. It is a post-master's credential that pairs naturally with a Hawaii LMHC and is recognized by Hawaii agencies and private practices serving children.
How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Hawaii
Hawaii's Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) credential is issued by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division. The path from graduate student to fully licensed counselor typically takes five to seven years, including your master's program and post-graduate supervision period.
Online vs. On-Campus Counseling Programs for Hawaii Students
Hawaii students weighing online and on-campus counseling master's programs face a unique set of tradeoffs. Geographic isolation, limited local program options, and strict licensure rules from the Hawaii DCCA all shape the decision. Before enrolling in any program, whether based in Honolulu or on the mainland, confirm that it meets Hawaii's specific LMHC educational requirements, including CACREP accreditation and minimum credit hours.
Pros
- Online mainland CACREP programs (such as William & Mary, Walden, and others) open dozens of accredited options beyond Hawaii's limited local choices.
- Online formats offer critical flexibility for neighbor island students who cannot relocate to Oahu for a full-time on-campus program.
- Out-of-state online tuition is often lower than Hawaii on-campus rates, and students avoid Honolulu's high cost of living.
- On-campus programs in the UH system and at Chaminade University provide established local practicum and internship site networks across the islands.
- Hawaii-based faculty bring deep expertise in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander cultural contexts, strengthening clinical training for local practice.
- In-state tuition at UH Hilo keeps total degree costs manageable, and the curriculum is designed to meet Hawaii LMHC educational requirements.
Cons
- No out-of-state online program currently confirms practicum placement support in Hawaii, so online students must secure supervised clinical sites independently.
- Online cohorts offer limited face-to-face networking, which can be a real disadvantage when building referral relationships in Hawaii's close-knit professional community.
- On-campus options are essentially restricted to one university system and Chaminade, leaving students with few local choices if those programs are not a fit.
- Rigid on-campus class schedules can conflict with work or family obligations, especially for students commuting from rural areas.
- CACREP accreditation alone does not guarantee Hawaii LMHC licensure eligibility; the state licensing board makes the final determination regardless of program format.
- Licensure portability is not confirmed for all programs. Chaminade, for example, explicitly warns that its degree may not satisfy requirements in other jurisdictions, and out-of-state programs carry the same risk in reverse.
- Hawaii requires 3,000 post-graduate supervised hours for LMHC licensure, so students in any format must plan well beyond graduation to reach full licensure.
Counseling programs based in Hawaii frequently weave Native Hawaiian healing traditions like hoʻoponopono and Pacific Islander cultural frameworks directly into coursework and practicum, an immersive training advantage that mainland programs rarely match. While CACREP accreditation requires multicultural competency across the board, Hawaii programs typically go further with place-based, community-rooted approaches that prepare graduates to serve the islands' diverse populations with genuine cultural humility.
Cost and Financial Aid for Counseling Programs in Hawaii
Chaminade University of Honolulu lists tuition for its online Master of Science in Counseling Psychology at $26,880, and the institution-wide average net price after grants and scholarships runs closer to $28,856 per year for private-pay students. That gap matters: the net price figure reflects what a typical enrolled student actually pays, not the sticker rate, and it shifts depending on your financial profile.
In-State, Out-of-State, and the Western Regional Graduate Program
For Hawaii residents eyeing mainland programs, the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) administered by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education can significantly reduce costs. Participating schools charge Hawaii residents 150 percent of their in-state tuition rate rather than the full out-of-state rate.1 Oregon State University, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and Metropolitan State University of Denver are among the participating institutions.234 WRGP covers on-campus and hybrid graduate programs at the master's, doctoral, and graduate certificate levels; fully online-only programs are excluded from the benefit.1 You must establish legal Hawaii residency before your program begins and hold U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible refugee or asylum status.1 WICHE publishes a WRGP Savings Finder tool to help you identify participating programs before you apply.
Note that University of Hawaii at Hilo's Counseling Psychology M.A. is WRGP-approved as a receiving institution, but Hawaii residents attending UH Hilo do not need the WRGP designation since they already qualify for in-state rates there.5 Students interested in advancing beyond the master's level may also explore counseling doctoral programs offered through WRGP-participating schools.
Federal Aid and Loan Repayment
Most students fund graduate counseling study through a combination of federal Stafford loans and Grad PLUS loans. Median graduate debt for Chaminade completers runs around $23,250, a figure worth weighing against expected starting salaries before you borrow. Licensed professional clinical counselor degree holders who practice in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas can apply for National Health Service Corps loan repayment.5 Hawaii has numerous mental health shortage areas across its islands and rural communities, making NHSC repayment a realistic option for graduates willing to work in underserved settings. The Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program similarly targets behavioral health professionals and can supplement or follow an NHSC award.5
Hawaii-Specific Scholarships
Several local funding sources are worth researching early:
- Hawaii Community Foundation: Offers multiple graduate scholarships with varying eligibility criteria, some targeted to health and human services fields.
- Kamehameha Schools: Provides educational grants for Native Hawaiian students at the graduate level.
- Native Hawaiian education grants: Federal Title VII programs and state-administered funds support Native Hawaiian students in health-related graduate programs.
Applying to these sources before your first semester begins is advisable, as many have spring deadlines for the following academic year.
Career Outlook and Salaries for Counselors in Hawaii
Hawaii counselors earn competitive wages, with school and career counselors commanding the highest median pay among the three main counseling occupations. Both mental health counseling and substance abuse counseling roles are projected to see double-digit job growth through the decade, reflecting strong demand across the islands. Below is a side-by-side look at Hawaii median annual wages compared to national medians, based on BLS data.
Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Degrees in Hawaii
Choosing the right counseling degree in Hawaii involves understanding licensure paths, program formats, and specialization options. Below are answers to some of the most common questions prospective students ask when exploring a master's in counseling in Hawaii.
