What you’ll learn in this article…
- CACREP accredited programs in Minnesota streamline the path from LPC to LPCC and improve career mobility across state lines.
- Annual net prices for ranked counseling programs range from roughly $11,700 to nearly $33,800, with median graduate debt around $21,500.
- Minnesota mental health counselors earn notably more than the national median, and job demand continues to grow through 2026.
- Both online and on campus formats lead to the same Minnesota counseling license, though networking and clinical placement logistics differ.
Minnesota requires a master's degree for licensure as a professional counselor, and the state's Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy enforces that threshold strictly. Demand for licensed counselors has been rising steadily, particularly in child and adolescent mental health services, where vacancy rates at community mental health centers have remained elevated well beyond the pandemic years.
The practical tension for most applicants is balancing cost against credential quality. Net prices among ranked Minnesota counseling programs range from roughly $11,700 to nearly $33,800 per year, and not every affordable option carries CACREP accreditation, which some employers and licensure boards treat as a baseline expectation. Online and hybrid formats have expanded access considerably, but clinical hour requirements still anchor every program to some in-person component.
The field rewards specialization. School counseling, addiction counseling, marriage and family therapy, and clinical mental health counseling each follow distinct licensure tracks in Minnesota, with different supervising boards, credit-hour minimums, and post-degree supervision requirements. Choosing the wrong program structure can add a year or more to the path to independent practice.
Best Online & Affordable Master's in Counseling in Minnesota for 2027
Minnesota's stronger counseling master's programs tend to share three things: CACREP accreditation, a schedule that respects working adults, and tuition that does not require a private-loan conversation. The eight schools below enroll Minnesota students in counseling credentials the state recognizes, from clinical mental health counseling to school counseling and addictions. Formats and costs vary widely, so read the program details before you narrow your list.
Factors considered
- Pell Grant enrollment share
- Net price after aid
- CACREP accreditation status
- Online and hybrid availability
- Minnesota licensure alignment
- Program-level records maintained in house
- Original research on individual programs — cacrep.org
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- Federal College Scorecard outcomes data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- CACREP accreditation directories — cacrep.org
Winona State University
Winona State University runs a compact but complete counselor education department with CACREP-accredited master's tracks in clinical mental health counseling and school counseling, plus a graduate certificate in addictions counseling. The clinical mental health track is built around Minnesota and Wisconsin licensure, and the school counseling track follows the ASCA National Model for Pre-K through 12 settings. Delivery is hybrid, pairing online coursework with in-person practicum and internship work, which keeps the schedule realistic for students already in the workforce. Independent cost comparisons routinely place Winona State among the most affordable counseling master's programs in Minnesota.
- CACREP accredited clinical mental health counseling master's
- Prepares for Minnesota and Wisconsin LPC and LPCC licensure
- Careers in community mental health, social services, and residential care
- Hybrid format with online coursework and in-person practicum
- CACREP accredited school counseling master's
- Prepares for school counselor licensure
- Curriculum built on the ASCA National Model
- Serves Pre-K through grade 12 students
- Prepares for the Minnesota LADC comprehensive exam and board certification
- Online coursework combined with an in-person practicum
- Open to post-bachelor's students and current counselor education master's students
- Fall or summer start dates
- Graduates work in treatment centers, hospitals, corrections, and schools
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S.), Master's — Hybrid
School Counseling (M.S.), Master's — Hybrid
Addictions Counseling Graduate Certificate — Hybrid
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Minnesota State University Moorhead offers one of the clearer hybrid pathways in the state, with a CACREP-accredited M.S. in Counseling that carries clinical mental health, school, and addiction concentrations. Most classes meet after 4:30 p.m., which suits working students, and the clinical mental health track requires 900 clinical hours along with a thesis or capstone. The university also stacks short graduate certificates in addiction counseling and school counseling on top of a master's, and the school counseling track advertises up to $24,000 in grant support for eligible students. Its Moorhead location makes it a practical option for Red River Valley and border-state students who need licensure in both Minnesota and North Dakota.
- CACREP accredited; 60 total credit hours
- Three concentration options within the counseling master's
- 900 clinical hours plus a thesis or capstone option
- Evening classes after 4:30 p.m. in a hybrid format
- Prepares for National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification
- Trauma-informed care focus with a dual emphasis option
- 3.0 GPA minimum for admission
- CACREP accredited school counseling concentration
- Two-year program with full-time and part-time options
- Hybrid online and face-to-face classes, most after 4:30 p.m.
- Small class sizes with frequent faculty-student interaction
- Program advertises a 100% job placement rate
- Partnership with Project Infuse
- CACREP accredited addiction counseling concentration
- 60 total credit hours
- Prepares for the Minnesota LADC credential
- Bridge pathway from the addiction certificate into the master's
- Hybrid delivery with face-to-face and online coursework
- Open only to graduates of the MSUM M.S. in Counseling program
- Meets educational requirements for licensure in Minnesota and North Dakota
- Offered fully online with optional face-to-face classes
- Covers assessment, treatment planning, group counseling, and ethics
- 13 credit hours in an online plus hybrid format
- Requires a prior master's degree
- 300-hour internship and 150-hour practicum
- North Dakota licensure track available without a teaching license
- Adds coursework for students whose master's is outside counseling
Master of Science in Counseling (Clinical Mental Health Counseling) — Hybrid
Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling) — Hybrid
Master of Science in Counseling (Addiction Counseling) — Hybrid
Graduate Certificate in Addiction Counseling — Hybrid
Graduate Certificate in School Counseling — Hybrid
Minnesota State University-Mankato
Minnesota State University, Mankato focuses its counseling master's on school counseling, a CACREP-accredited, 60-credit program that can be finished in about two years. Students train in a dedicated counseling skills facility and get mentoring from faculty who encourage research presentations at regional and national conferences. Admission is competitive and fall-only, with three letters of recommendation and a prerequisite in abnormal psychology, so plan the application early. Mankato is consistently cited among the most affordable counseling master's options in Minnesota, making it a strong fit for future K-12 school counselors.
- CACREP accredited; 60 credits completed in about two years
- Prepares for K-12 school counselor licensure
- Fall start only with a 2.8 GPA minimum
- Three letters of recommendation and an Abnormal Psychology prerequisite
- Training in a dedicated counseling skills facility
- Graduate assistantships and financial aid available
- Faculty mentoring plus opportunities to present at conferences
Professional School Counseling, Master's — Hybrid
Capella University
Capella University is a Minneapolis-headquartered online university built around working adults, with pay-per-credit pricing and multiple start dates. Its M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy is COAMFTE accredited and blends online coursework with two in-person residencies, a practicum, and four internship courses supervised by AAMFT-approved professionals. The university also offers an online M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that holds CACREP accreditation. Because Capella's counseling and therapy programs are not authorized in every state, confirm Minnesota eligibility and licensure alignment before enrolling.
- 72 quarter credits, including 14 core courses
- COAMFTE accredited; meets Minnesota LMFT educational requirements
- Two in-person residency courses, one practicum, four internships
- Internships overseen by AAMFT-approved supervisors
- No GRE or GMAT; bachelor's degree with a 2.5 GPA minimum
- Up to 16 transfer credits accepted
- GuidedPath format with weekly assignments and discussions
- State enrollment restrictions apply, so verify Minnesota eligibility
M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Master's — Online
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota pairs a COAMFTE-accredited Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy with a fully online graduate certificate in addiction studies. The MFT program is hybrid and requires 48 credits, including a supervised practicum with at least 300 clinical hours and 150 relational hours spent working with couples and families. The addiction studies certificate runs 25 online credits across three start dates per year and prepares graduates for LADC, LPC, and LPCC licensure, either on its own or alongside an MA or MSW. Neither path requires the GRE, and conditional admission is considered for applicants slightly below the GPA target.
- COAMFTE accredited; 48 total credits
- Hybrid delivery combining face-to-face and online learning
- 300-hour practicum including 150 relational hours
- Meets Minnesota licensure requirements
- No GRE or MAT; 3.0 GPA expected, conditional admission possible
- Courses in human development, marital studies, and professional issues
- Capstone with a theory of change paper and oral examination
- 25 credit hours, fully online, three start dates per year
- $670 per credit with employer partnership scholarships
- 880 clinical hours with a practicum in underserved communities
- Prepares for LADC, LPC, and LPCC licensure
- Can be paired with an MA or MSW for dual credentialing
- 2.8 GPA minimum and three letters of recommendation
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy — Hybrid
Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies — Online
Bethany Lutheran College
Bethany Lutheran College offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling built for students who need flexibility without going fully remote. Coursework is asynchronous online with three on-campus residencies, and students complete their practicum and internship in their own community. The 60-credit curriculum covers crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, psychopathology, group counseling, and family therapy, with a Christian worldview woven through the clinical training. Rolling admissions and two- or three-year pathways make it manageable for career changers who have no prior psychology background.
- CACREP accredited clinical mental health counseling master's
- $600 per credit; 60 total credit hours
- Asynchronous online coursework with three on-campus residencies
- Two- and three-year pathways with rolling admissions
- Practicum and internship completed in your home community
- Capstone required; no specific undergraduate major needed
- Christian worldview integrated with clinical training
- Eligible for national certification; federal loans available
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling — Hybrid
Crown College
Crown College is one of the few Minnesota institutions offering a fully online counseling master's, and its M.A. in Counseling carries CACREP accreditation with a clinical mental health counseling concentration. Students complete 700 clinical hours and attend a four-day campus residency each May, with coursework covering trauma, addiction, family systems, and multicultural counseling. Crown also offers an ATS-accredited M.A. in Pastoral Counseling for students heading toward chaplaincy or ministry settings, plus an accelerated bachelor's-to-master's pathway that trims the total time to a counseling credential. Faculty are licensed practitioners, and the program provides state-by-state licensure guidance.
- CACREP accredited; prepares for LPCC licensure in Minnesota and other states
- Fully online with a four-day on-campus residency each May
- 700 clinical hours in community mental health or private practice settings
- Two concentration options, including addictions counseling
- Coursework in trauma, addiction, family systems, and multicultural counseling
- Licensed Christian faculty integrate faith with evidence-based practice
- State-by-state licensure guidance for graduates
- ATS accredited and offered online in eight-week terms
- 70 clinical hours, including 55 hours of counseling practice
- Careers as pastoral counselor or chaplain
- Biblical worldview foundation with evangelical counseling skills
- Financial aid and scholarships available
- Prepares for the Minnesota LADC credential
- Primarily online with eight-week courses
- Onsite internship during the final semesters
- Satisfies LADC licensure requirements
M.A. in Counseling (Clinical Mental Health Counseling), Master's — Online
M.A. in Pastoral Counseling (Christian Counseling), Master's — Online
Alcohol and Drug Counseling (B.S.), Bachelor's — Online
Walden University
Walden University is headquartered in Minneapolis and operates almost entirely online, with a national rather than state-specific enrollment model. Its doctoral programs in counselor education and supervision prepare graduates for faculty, clinical supervisor, and counselor educator roles, and the university's M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling holds CACREP accreditation. The PhD tracks include general, clinical mental health counseling, and trauma and crisis concentrations, with academic residencies and classes capped at 12 students. This is a supervisor and educator path rather than an initial licensure route, so it best suits students who already hold a counseling master's.
- CACREP accredited; prepares for counselor educator and supervisor roles
- $640 per credit with no GRE or entrance exam
- Complete in as few as three years with academic residencies
- Maximum 12 students per class
- Dissertation required with doctoral study support tools
- Up to $5,000 grant available and a $0 application fee
- Clinical mental health counseling concentration
- 100 total credit hours
- $640 per credit with test-optional admission
- Thesis and academic residencies required
- Small class sizes with a doctoral support coach
- Trauma and crisis concentration coursework
- 100 total credit hours with a capstone
- No entrance exam and no essay requirement
- Online delivery with academic residencies
PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision (General Program) — Online
PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision (Clinical Mental Health Counseling) — Online
PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision (Trauma and Crisis) — Online
How We Ranked These Minnesota Counseling Programs
Affordability drives this ranking more than prestige, because the cost of a master's in counseling has a direct impact on how quickly a graduate can build a sustainable practice without crippling debt.
Affordability as the Primary Filter
Net price and financial aid generosity carry the most weight in our scoring. Sticker price alone rarely reflects what students actually pay, so we focus on what programs charge after grants and institutional aid are factored in. Programs with strong financial aid packages for graduate students rank higher, all else being equal.
Online and Hybrid Programs First
Results are filtered to programs that offer coursework online or in a hybrid format. Many prospective counseling students in Minnesota are already working, raising families, or living outside the Twin Cities metro. A program that requires full-time, on-campus attendance several days a week is simply not accessible to a large portion of the people this guide is meant to serve. Fully on-campus programs are noted where relevant for comparison but do not anchor the list.
Graduation Rates and Earnings Data
Graduation rates in this ranking reflect institution-wide figures reported to federal databases. Those numbers cover all students at a given school, not counseling enrollees specifically, so they should be read as a signal of overall institutional support rather than a precise prediction for your program. Where available, program-level earnings and debt figures come from the federal College Scorecard. When that data has not yet been published for a specific program, we say so plainly rather than substitute a proxy.
What Sets This Methodology Apart
Many competing rankings weight reputation surveys and faculty research output heavily. Those factors matter for counseling doctoral programs, but they have limited practical relevance for a student choosing a master's program that leads to clinical licensure in Minnesota. This ranking centers the metrics that actually shape a graduate's financial and professional starting point: cost, format flexibility, accreditation status, and available outcome data. For students comparing options beyond Minnesota, our broader guide to best online master's in counseling programs applies the same methodology at the national level. The sources behind each data point are disclosed so readers can verify figures independently rather than take rankings on faith.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Do you want to work primarily with children, adolescents, or adults?
Does CACREP accreditation matter for the license you are pursuing?
Can you complete your practicum and internship hours close to where you live?
How much scheduling flexibility do you need, and does online delivery actually fit your life?
Child and Adolescent Counseling Specializations in Minnesota
Minnesota does not maintain a single centralized registry of graduate certificates in child and adolescent counseling, which means prospective students need to do targeted outreach rather than rely on one master list. The landscape of specialized training in play therapy, child behavioral health, and adolescent mental health shifts regularly, and program availability for the 2025-2026 academic year is best confirmed directly with each institution.
Why Specialized Training Matters
Clinical work with children and adolescents draws on distinct theoretical frameworks, such as play therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and family systems approaches, that a general clinical mental health counseling curriculum may only touch on briefly. Earning a graduate certificate or completing a formal specialization track signals to employers and licensing boards that you have gone beyond the generalist foundation. Those interested in this population can learn more about the career path in our guide on how to become a child counselor. For counselors pursuing licensure in Minnesota, documented supervised hours with specific populations also factor into the licensing pathway, so choosing a program with structured child-focused practica can make a real difference.
How to Find Current Certificate Programs
Because certificate offerings change from year to year, the most reliable approach combines three strategies:
- Search program websites directly: Go to the graduate or continuing education pages for departments of Counseling, Psychology, and Social Work at institutions such as the University of Minnesota, St. Thomas, Winona State, and St. Cloud State. Use the site search function with terms like "play therapy," "child behavioral health," or "graduate certificate" to surface offerings that may not appear in the main navigation.
- Contact program coordinators by phone or email: Ask specifically about 2025-2026 certificate availability, total credit hours, admission requirements, and whether the certificate can be stacked with or embedded into a master's degree. Stackability matters because completing certificate coursework that counts toward a master's saves both time and tuition.
- Check professional association directories: The Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy lists approved supervisors and recognized training formats that affect licensure. The Minnesota chapter of the American Counseling Association may also point you toward accredited certificate providers and continuing education events focused on child and adolescent populations.
What to Ask When You Reach Out
When contacting programs, come prepared with a short list of questions: How many credit hours does the certificate require? Can those credits apply toward a master's degree if you later enroll? Are practica hours with children built into the curriculum? Is the program offered online, in person, or in a hybrid format? Getting clear answers on these points upfront prevents surprises later and helps you compare options on an apples-to-apples basis.
For students weighing whether to pursue a standalone certificate or a full degree, our overview of counseling graduate certificate programs provides additional guidance on evaluating specialization tracks alongside full degree programs, which can help you map out a coherent path from first enrollment through licensure.
Online Vs. On-Campus Counseling Programs in Minnesota
Choosing between online and on-campus delivery is one of the most consequential decisions you'll make. In Minnesota, both formats can lead to the same license, but the day-to-day experience, networking opportunities, and even employer perception can differ in ways worth thinking through before you enroll.
How the Formats Stack Up in Practice
Minnesota hosts a mix of fully online, hybrid, and traditional counseling master's programs. Capella University, headquartered in Minneapolis, runs CACREP-accredited counseling tracks entirely online with required in-person residencies. St. Mary's University of Minnesota offers a hybrid model with evening and weekend cohorts in the Twin Cities and Rochester. The University of Minnesota's counseling and student personnel psychology program remains primarily on-campus, with strong ties to local school districts and clinics.
- Clinical hours: Both formats require the same supervised practicum and internship hours. Online students typically arrange placements locally, which means more legwork upfront but flexibility on geography.
- Networking: On-campus cohorts naturally build referral networks with Twin Cities supervisors and employers. Online students need to be intentional about attending Minnesota Counseling Association events and local conferences.
- Schedule: Online programs favor working adults and rural students. On-campus programs tend to move through coursework faster with built-in peer accountability.
Doing Your Own Due Diligence
Before committing, pull data from a few sources. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes Minnesota-specific wage and employment projections for school and career counselors, substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors, and mental health counselors. If you're still weighing your broader options, our guide on how to become a counselor walks through the full licensure pathway. Individual university websites should disclose program completion rates, licensure exam pass rates, and graduate employment outcomes (ask directly if these aren't posted).
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education maintains a data portal with enrollment and completion figures broken out by institution and delivery method, which is useful for spotting trends. If employer perception matters to you, the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy and the MCA can offer insight into how online credentials are viewed by local hiring managers, particularly in school districts and community mental health agencies.
CACREP Accreditation: What It Means for Minnesota Counseling Students
The counseling profession increasingly centers on CACREP accreditation as the gold standard for master's programs, shaping both licensure pathways and career mobility. For Minnesota students, understanding this credential and its practical implications can determine how quickly you reach independent practice and which states will honor your education.
What CACREP Accreditation Signals
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) sets curriculum standards, clinical hour requirements, and faculty qualifications for counseling master's programs. When a program holds CACREP accreditation, it has undergone rigorous external review to ensure graduates meet professional competencies. That credential carries weight with employers, state licensing boards, and professional liability insurers. Many counseling positions, particularly in school systems and large mental health organizations, now list CACREP graduation as a preferred or required qualification.
Minnesota Licensing Benefits for CACREP Graduates
Minnesota's Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy recognizes CACREP-accredited programs when evaluating Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) applications. While the state does not explicitly reduce supervised clinical hours for CACREP graduates, the board streamlines transcript review and course-by-course evaluation, often accelerating the approval process. Graduates of CACREP programs typically meet the 60-semester-credit requirement and core content areas without additional coursework, a meaningful advantage if you plan to apply for licensure soon after graduation.
If you intend to practice in multiple states or relocate after earning your degree, CACREP accreditation becomes even more critical. Many states mandate CACREP graduation for full licensure or expedited reciprocity, and portability matters in a mobile workforce. Students interested in the clinical path should explore resources on how to become a mental health counselor to understand how accreditation fits into broader career planning.
Verifying Accreditation Status
Check the official CACREP directory at cacrep.org for the most current list of accredited programs in Minnesota. The directory updates regularly and specifies which tracks within a university hold accreditation (clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, addiction counseling programs in Minnesota, etc.). Not every concentration at an institution may carry the credential.
Before you apply, contact the program coordinator at your target university to confirm accreditation status and ask how the curriculum aligns with Minnesota LPCC requirements. Request a licensure pathway map that shows which courses satisfy state board criteria.
The Minnesota Counseling Association offers additional guidance on CACREP and state licensing. Connecting with current students or recent alumni through the association's chapters can provide firsthand insight into how accreditation shaped their licensure timeline and job search.
Minnesota Counseling Licensure: From LPC to LPCC to School Counselor
Minnesota offers two main credentialing tracks for counseling professionals: the clinical counseling ladder (LPC to LPCC) regulated by the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy, and the school counselor pathway overseen by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). Here is how each progression works.
What You'll Pay: Counseling Program Costs and Financial Aid in Minnesota
Graduate tuition for counseling master's programs in Minnesota can range from roughly $10,000 per year at some Minnesota State System campuses to well over $20,000 annually at private or online-focused institutions, so the funding strategy you build around your program choice matters as much as the program itself. The good news: several concrete funding pathways exist for Minnesota counseling students if you know where to look.
Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Waivers
Schools within the Minnesota State System, including Winona State and Minnesota State University, Mankato, commonly offer graduate assistantships that pair a stipend with a tuition waiver.1 These positions typically involve research support, teaching assistance, or departmental administrative work. Capella University, Walden University, and the University of St. Mary's each maintain their own financial aid and assistantship pages with current openings, so check those portals early and often. Assistantship slots are competitive and often filled well before orientation, meaning you should apply the moment you receive your admissions offer.
Named Scholarships and Program-Specific Grants
Some of the most valuable funding is the least visible. The University of Minnesota's Counselor Education program, for example, administers the Sunny Hansen BORN FREE Scholarship Fund for its students.2 The same program offers a Student Support Personnel Pathway Grant reserved for the school counseling track, which carries a one-year service obligation after graduation.2 Awards like these rarely appear on general scholarship aggregator sites. Your best move is to contact the program director or graduate coordinator directly and ask what named scholarships exist for counseling students specifically. Many departments maintain small endowed funds that go undersubscribed simply because applicants never inquire.
State and Federal Loan Forgiveness for Mental Health Counselors
Minnesota has a documented need for mental health professionals, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Graduates who pursue roles as a community mental health counselor are especially well positioned for these programs. Explore loan repayment options through the Minnesota Department of Health and the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), both of which administer programs targeting behavioral health providers who commit to working in shortage areas. Eligibility criteria and award amounts change from cycle to cycle, so bookmark those pages and revisit them each funding season.
Professional Association Resources
The Minnesota Counseling Association (MCA) periodically posts scholarship opportunities, conference funding, and other financial support resources aimed at graduate students in the counseling field. Membership itself is relatively inexpensive and opens the door to networking that can surface additional funding leads, including practicum and internship stipends that programs sometimes negotiate with community partners.
A Practical Funding Checklist
- Assistantships: Review each program's graduate assistantship listings as soon as you are admitted.
- Named scholarships: Email the program coordinator to ask about department-level awards.
- Loan forgiveness: Check the Minnesota Department of Health and HRSA sites for current mental health provider repayment programs.
- Professional associations: Join MCA and monitor their scholarship and grant announcements.
- Employer tuition benefits: If you are already working in a human services agency, ask your employer about tuition reimbursement before you enroll.
Funding a counseling master's degree rarely comes from a single source. The students who graduate with the least debt are typically the ones who layer multiple forms of support, and that process starts months before the first day of class.
Counseling Program Costs at a Glance
Net prices across the ranked Minnesota counseling programs range widely, from roughly $11,700 to nearly $33,800 per year. The median net price sits near $18,000, while median graduate debt across these schools is approximately $21,500, translating to an estimated monthly loan payment around $220.
Career Outlook and Salaries for Counselors in Minnesota
Minnesota counselors earn notably more than the national median, and demand for the profession is growing at a pace that should reassure anyone investing in a master's degree right now.
Mental Health Counselor Salaries in Minnesota
According to Minnesota's Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (SOC 21-1018) in the state earned a median annual wage of $59,550 as of early 2025.1 That figure sits well above the national median of roughly $53,490 reported in the most recent comparable BLS data.2 The full wage spread in Minnesota gives you a clear picture of the earning trajectory:
- 10th percentile: approximately $45,800 per year
- Median: $59,550 per year
- 90th percentile: approximately $76,600 per year
With roughly 7,910 professionals employed in this category statewide, the field is sizable, and a projected job growth rate of 18 percent over the 2022 to 2032 period means hundreds of new positions are expected each decade.1
School Counselor and Child Counselor Pay
School and career counselors typically earn somewhat more than their clinical mental health counterparts at the entry and mid-career stages, in part because school districts follow structured salary schedules that reward advanced degrees. In Minnesota, child-focused mental health counselors can expect salaries in the range of roughly $46,000 to $77,000, depending on setting, experience, and credential level.1 Counselors who work within K-12 systems often land in the upper portion of that range sooner, since public-school pay scales, benefits packages, and summer schedules add meaningful total compensation. Programs like the CACREP-accredited school counseling track at Minnesota State University, Mankato are designed to place graduates directly into these roles.
LPC vs. LMFT: Which Credential Pays More?
A common question is whether a Licensed Professional Counselor earns more than a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Nationally, the two credentials land in a very similar wage band; BLS data groups both under closely related occupational codes, and the medians tend to differ by only a few thousand dollars in either direction depending on the state and practice setting. In Minnesota, the practical difference often comes down to specialization demand rather than credential title. An LMFT working in a group practice that bills couples and family sessions may out-earn an LPC in community mental health, while an LPC specializing in trauma or substance abuse counselor work in a hospital setting could surpass a typical LMFT salary. Choosing between the two should hinge on the population you want to serve, not on a marginal wage gap. For a broader look at the options available, our overview of counseling careers breaks down typical paths by specialty.
What Graduates Actually Earn After Completing These Programs
Program-level earnings data shortly after completion, such as one-year and two-year post-graduation median wages, are not yet available for the Minnesota counseling programs featured in this guide. That is not unusual for newer or smaller cohorts; federal reporting timelines often lag by several years. As this data becomes available, counselingpsychology.org will incorporate it so prospective students can compare real graduate outcomes alongside BLS benchmarks.
In the meantime, the BLS figures paint a solid picture: a master's-level counselor entering the Minnesota workforce in 2026 can reasonably expect to start in the mid-$40,000s and reach the high $50,000s to low $60,000s within a few years, with experienced practitioners in high-demand specialties pushing toward $77,000 or above. Paired with strong projected growth, the return on a well-chosen counseling degree in this state remains compelling.
Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Programs in Minnesota
Choosing a counseling master's program involves sorting through admissions criteria, licensure rules, program formats, and career data. Below are answers to the questions prospective Minnesota counseling students ask most often. For the most current details, always confirm directly with the program or licensing board in question.
- What are the typical admission requirements for a master's in counseling in Minnesota?
- Most Minnesota counseling programs require a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, though some will consider applicants with a GPA of 2.75 or above on a case-by-case basis. Common prerequisites include introductory coursework in psychology, statistics, or human development. Many programs also ask for two or three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume. GRE requirements vary widely: some programs still require scores, others have moved to test-optional policies. Because each university sets its own criteria, check the admissions page of each school you are considering for the most accurate and up-to-date list.
- How long does a clinical mental health counseling master's program take in Minnesota?
- Clinical mental health counseling programs in Minnesota typically range from 48 to 60 credit hours, depending on whether the curriculum is aligned with CACREP standards and whether the program includes elective concentrations. Full-time students generally complete their degree in two to three years, while part-time students may need three to four years. Program length can also be affected by required practicum and internship hours, which are often built into the final semesters. For exact credit-hour counts and semester timelines, contact the program coordinator directly or review the university's course catalog.
- Where can I verify Minnesota counseling licensure requirements?
- The Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT) is the authoritative source for all counseling licensure requirements in the state. Its website outlines the education, supervised experience, and examination standards for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credentials. Licensure rules often shape the coursework and clinical hours a master's program must include, so reviewing BBHT requirements early in your program search helps you confirm that a degree will put you on the right path.
- What is the difference between LPC and LPCC in Minnesota?
- In Minnesota, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is an entry-level independent license that requires a master's degree in counseling, completion of specified coursework, and passing a national exam. A Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) requires additional post-master's supervised clinical experience, typically 4,000 hours, and passing an advanced clinical exam. The LPCC credential allows practitioners to diagnose and treat mental health conditions independently, which can open doors to a wider scope of practice and, in many settings, higher compensation.
- Where can I find salary and career outlook data for counselors in Minnesota?
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) publishes national and state-level wage data for counseling occupations, including substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors as well as marriage and family therapists. Keep in mind that BLS national medians are not the same as Minnesota-specific figures, so look for the state-level tables when comparing local earning potential. For broader education and employment trends, BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook pages are a useful starting point. For program-specific salary outcomes, check each school's published gainful-employment disclosures when available.
- How do I become a licensed child counselor in Minnesota?
- Minnesota does not issue a separate child counselor license. Instead, practitioners who want to work with children and adolescents typically earn an LPC or LPCC and pursue specialized training in child and adolescent counseling through elective coursework, graduate certificates, or targeted clinical placements. Some universities in the state offer child and adolescent counseling concentrations within their master's programs. After graduation, seeking supervision focused on youth populations further builds clinical competency in this area.
- Are online master's degrees in counseling respected by employers and licensing boards?
- Yes, provided the program holds appropriate accreditation. CACREP-accredited online programs meet the same curricular and clinical training standards as their on-campus counterparts, and the Minnesota BBHT does not distinguish between online and in-person delivery when evaluating degree qualifications for licensure. Employers generally focus on accreditation status, clinical experience, and licensure credentials rather than delivery format.
- Where can I find a directory of accredited counseling programs in Minnesota?
- The Minnesota Counseling Association (MCCA) maintains updated information on accredited counseling programs and their typical structures, including admission tips and professional development resources. The CACREP directory (cacrep.org) also lets you search by state to identify programs that hold current accreditation. Between these two resources and individual university websites, you can build a comprehensive comparison of your options.
Schools by State
Northeast
Southeast
Southwest
DC & Territories
Explore More Schools Topics
- Army Behavioral Health Specialist (MOS 68X)
- Best Christian Counseling
- Best Counseling Schools Near Me
- Best Gerontology Counseling
- Best Online Addiction Counseling Degree
- Best Online Addiction Psychology Degree
- Best Online Bachelor's in Counseling Degrees
- Best Online Biblical Counseling Degree
- Best Online Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Best Online Counseling Degree
- Best Online Couples Counseling Schools
- Best Online Graduate Certificate in Counseling
- Best Online Grief Counseling Schools & Certificates
- Best Online Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling
- Best Online Master's in Counseling
- Best Online MFT
- Best Online Pastoral Counseling
- Best Online Ph.D. in Counseling
- Best Online School Counseling
- Best Spiritual Counseling
- Counseling Careers
- Counseling Degrees
- Counseling Licensure Acronyms
- Counseling Master's Textbooks
- Counseling vs Psychology vs Social Work
- Counselor Resume Guide
- Counselor Salary
- Career Counselor
- Child Abuse Counselor
- Child Counselor
- Christian Counselor
- Community Mental Health Counselor
- Conflict Resolution Counselor
- Couples Counselor
- Crisis Intervention Specialist
- Depression Counselor
- Domestic Violence Counselor
- Geriatric Counselor
- Grief Counselor
- Licensed Pastoral Counselor
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT Guide)
- Mental Health Counselor
- Multicultural Counselor
- Rehabilitation Counselor
- School Counselor
- Spiritual Counselor
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Suicide Counselor
- Transformational Counselor
- Veterans Counselor
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
- Army Behavioral Health Officer
- Online Counselor
- How to Get a Counseling License
- LCPC Salary by State, Setting & Experience
- Online Genetic Counseling
- Should I Become a Therapist? How to Know If It's Right
