Key Takeaways
- UND and NDSU both hold CACREP accreditation, so online and on-campus degrees carry equal weight for North Dakota licensure.
- North Dakota LPC candidates must complete 3,000 supervised hours after earning a qualifying 60-credit master's degree.
- Median graduate debt across top ND counseling programs ranges from roughly $22,000 to $27,000.
- School counseling credentials in North Dakota require an SC03 endorsement through a state-approved program.
North Dakota's rural geography and dispersed population create sustained demand for licensed counselors, particularly in small towns and tribal communities where mental health services remain scarce. The state licenses approximately 1,200 professional counselors, yet workforce studies consistently identify shortages in school-based and clinical mental health roles outside Fargo and Bismarck.
All three ranked programs prioritize online or hybrid delivery, recognizing that most North Dakota students work full time or live hours from campus. Tuition ranges from roughly $12,400 to $16,000 for a full certificate or degree, and two of the three institutions hold CACREP accreditation, the credential most employers and the state board prioritize. Graduate debt at these schools typically falls between $22,000 and $27,000 at completion.
Licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor requires 60 semester hours, 3,000 supervised hours, and passage of the National Counselor Examination. Students exploring the best masters in mental health counseling programs will find that both UND and NDSU design their curricula to satisfy those requirements, but format, specialization options, and residency expectations differ sharply.
Ranked: Best Counseling Master's Programs in North Dakota
North Dakota offers a small but focused set of counseling graduate programs, each with a distinct format and strength. Whether you need a CACREP-accredited clinical track, a flexible school counseling certificate, or a hybrid program you can complete while working full time, the options below are ranked by a combination of institutional outcomes, affordability, and program-level features. Program-level earnings data are not yet available for these specific credentials, so we frame value through institution-wide metrics and tuition comparisons instead.
- Accreditation and licensure alignment
- Tuition and net price affordability
- Institutional graduation and retention rates
- Program format flexibility
- Graduate debt levels
- Independent program research
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
University of Mary
The University of Mary in Bismarck stands out as the only North Dakota institution offering a CACREP-accredited Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling alongside stackable graduate certificates. Its hybrid delivery model, with weekly classes available on campus or via live video conferencing, is purpose-built for working professionals across the state who cannot relocate. The curriculum explicitly maps to all three tiers of North Dakota counselor licensure (LAPC, LPC, and LPCC), and its integration of Benedictine values appeals to students seeking a faith-informed counseling education. With a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio and institution-wide graduation rate of 66.6%, UMary combines personal attention with solid completion outcomes.
- CACREP-accredited program preparing for ND LAPC, LPC, and LPCC licensure
- Hybrid format: attend on campus or via live video conferencing
- Tuition of approximately $665 per credit hour
- Completable in 20 to 32 months depending on pacing
- Practicum and internship built into the curriculum
- Integrates Christian and Benedictine values into counselor training
- Covers diverse therapeutic approaches, ethics, and clinical skills
- 15-credit, five-course hybrid certificate for master's-level counselors
- Designed for both elementary and secondary school settings
- Completable in approximately 9 to 10 months
- Evening class options available for working educators
- Meets North Dakota school counseling credential requirements
- Minimum 2.75 GPA required for admission
- 15-credit hybrid certificate building clinical licensure readiness
- Flexible scheduling with evening and video conferencing options
- Focuses on ethical, legal, and clinical skill development
- Priced at approximately $640 per credit
- Designed for counselors already holding a master's degree
- Supports pursuit of advanced North Dakota licensure tiers
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling — Hybrid
School Counseling Graduate Certificate — Hybrid
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate Certificate — Hybrid
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota brings broad name recognition and a well-established online counseling infrastructure to the table, though its ranked offerings here are graduate certificates rather than a standalone master's degree. UND's online Graduate Certificate in K-12 School Counseling offers two tracks (a 23-credit Re-Specialization Track and a 48-credit Educators Track), both delivered through live synchronous classes with select summer campus visits. The program is tailored to educators and counseling professionals seeking North Dakota school counselor licensure without leaving their communities. UND's in-state tuition of roughly $13,677 and institution-wide median graduate debt of $22,057 make it one of the more affordable public options in the state.
- 48-credit online track for professionals holding a master's in education
- Synchronous live online classes with required summer campus visits
- Designed for 9-semester completion at a part-time pace
- Leads to North Dakota K-12 school counselor licensure
- Covers data-driven and culturally responsive counseling strategies
- Practicum and internship completed in your local community
- Nationally recognized faculty in school counseling
- 23-credit online track for counselors already holding a master's degree
- Completable in approximately 5 semesters
- No campus visits required for this track
- Culturally responsive, data-driven curriculum focus
- Prepares for North Dakota state licensure as a school counselor
- Flexible format built for working professionals
Graduate Certificate in K-12 School Counseling, Educators Track — Online
Graduate Certificate in K-12 School Counseling, Re-Specialization Track — Online
University of Jamestown
The University of Jamestown rounds out North Dakota's counseling graduate landscape with a Master of Science in Clinical Counseling delivered in a hybrid online format. At 60 credits, the program meets the credit-hour threshold that many states require for full clinical licensure, and its 8-week course structure is tailored for working adults. Students complete just one week of on-campus residency in Jamestown, with the remainder of coursework online. The 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports the small-cohort environment the university emphasizes, though the institution-wide graduation rate of 49% is notably lower than its peers, a figure worth weighing alongside the program's practical strengths.
- 60-credit hybrid program meeting common licensure credit thresholds
- Only one week of on-campus residency required
- Tuition of $680 per credit hour
- Courses run in accelerated 8-week blocks
- Small class sizes with a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio
- No standardized pre-testing required for admission
- Practicum and internship experiences integrated into the program
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA required, psychology preferred
Master of Science in Clinical Counseling — Hybrid
UND vs. NDSU Counseling Programs: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Choosing between the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University for a counseling master's degree comes down to a few critical factors: accreditation type, delivery format, and how each program aligns with your career goals. Below is a side-by-side breakdown based on publicly available program details for the 2025-2026 academic year. For the most current tuition rates, visit each university's bursar or financial aid page, and confirm accreditation status through the CACREP directory at cacrep.org or the APA accreditation site.
| Feature | UND Counseling M.A. (On-Campus) | UND Counseling M.A. (Online) | NDSU Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.Ed. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Accreditation | APA-accredited (Counseling Psychology) | CAEP-accredited | Typically CACREP-accredited; confirm current status at cacrep.org |
| Degree Awarded | Master of Arts in Counseling | Master of Arts in Counseling | Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 to 66 credits | 60 to 66 credits | Check NDSU's School of Education website for current requirements |
| Delivery Format | Fully on-campus in Grand Forks | Online (check program site for any synchronous session requirements) | Primarily on-campus in Fargo; confirm whether hybrid options are available |
| Best Fit For | Students pursuing doctoral study or seeking APA-recognized training in counseling psychology | Working professionals who need scheduling flexibility while earning a counseling degree | Students focused on clinical mental health counseling and LPC licensure in North Dakota |
| Clinical Practicum Hours | Detailed in UND's program handbook; contact the Department of Counseling Psychology for specifics | Practicum and internship arranged in the student's local community; consult the program coordinator | Outlined in NDSU's practicum and internship manual; reach out to the program coordinator if not publicly listed |
| Where to Verify Tuition | UND's graduate tuition schedule on its bursar page | UND's online program tuition page (rates may differ from on-campus) | NDSU's graduate tuition and fees page on the university's financial aid site |
Questions to Ask Yourself
Online vs. On-Campus Counseling Programs in North Dakota
Choosing between an online and on-campus counseling master's program is less about prestige and more about how you learn best and what your life demands. Both formats can lead to the same licensure outcome in North Dakota, provided the program holds CACREP accreditation. Here is a practical breakdown of each option's strengths and trade-offs.
Pros
- Online programs offer scheduling flexibility that lets working professionals and rural students complete coursework without relocating.
- Students in online programs can choose from a wider pool of CACREP-accredited schools beyond North Dakota's borders, expanding their options.
- Tuition and total cost may be lower online because you eliminate commuting, campus fees, and potential relocation expenses.
- UND's online Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is CACREP-accredited, meaning the ND Board of Counselor Examiners treats it identically to an on-campus degree for licensure purposes.
- On-campus cohorts provide structured clinical training environments where practicum and internship placements are coordinated directly by the program.
- In-person students often build stronger faculty mentorship relationships and peer networks through daily interaction in classrooms and clinics.
- Campus-based programs typically embed hands-on skill labs and live supervision into the weekly schedule, reinforcing counseling competencies in real time.
Cons
- Online students frequently must identify and arrange their own local practicum sites, which can be challenging in less populated areas of North Dakota.
- Limited face-to-face networking in online programs may reduce access to informal mentorship and professional referral relationships during graduate school.
- On-campus programs demand a physical commute and fixed class times, creating logistical strain for students balancing employment or family responsibilities.
- Campus-based formats offer less schedule flexibility, making it harder to maintain full-time work while completing a 60-credit counseling degree.
- Some employers or supervisors still perceive online degrees skeptically, though CACREP accreditation effectively neutralizes this concern in counseling fields.
- On-campus options in North Dakota are geographically limited, which may require relocation for students outside the Fargo or Grand Forks metro areas.
North Dakota Counseling Licensure Requirements: LPC & LPCC Step-by-Step
Earning your counseling license in North Dakota is a structured, multi-stage process. Both UND and NDSU design their CACREP-aligned curricula to satisfy the coursework and practicum requirements below, so graduates can move directly into supervised practice. Here is the credentialing ladder from master's student to fully licensed clinical counselor, plus a quick note on the separate school counselor track.
Child Counseling & School Counseling Specializations in North Dakota
North Dakota offers more structured pathways into school counseling than most students realize, but the landscape is narrow enough that knowing which programs count toward state credentials can save you significant time and money.
State-Approved Programs and the SC03 Credential
As of 2024, only three programs in North Dakota hold state approval for the School Counselor Credential (SC03), the credential required to work as a school counselor in K-12 settings.1 That small number matters: completing a school counseling program that lacks this approval means you may finish your degree and still be ineligible for the credential. Minot State University, for example, offers counseling-related coursework, but its school counseling program does not currently carry DPI approval, so prospective school counselors should verify program status directly with the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction before enrolling.1
North Dakota State University offers a Master of Science or Master of Education in Counselor Education with a school counseling emphasis, placing it among the approved options.3 The 450-hour supervised internship requirement for the SC03 credential is baked into these approved programs, so students should confirm that any program they consider explicitly satisfies that threshold.1
UND's Certificate Pathways
The University of North Dakota takes a different approach, offering two certificate options for students who already hold relevant graduate degrees. The School Counseling for Educators Certificate is a 48-credit online program designed for students who already hold a master's in Education, with a minimum 3.0 GPA required for admission.4 Separately, UND offers a K-12 School Counseling Certificate.5 Both are positioned as add-on credentials rather than standalone master's programs, which makes them valuable for working educators looking to shift into a counseling role without starting a degree from scratch.
For students who hold a master's in counseling and want a post-degree credential, the University of Mary offers an online School Counseling Certificate that is designed to be licensure-eligible in North Dakota.2
Building a Child Counseling Focus Without a Formal Certificate
No North Dakota institution currently advertises a freestanding graduate certificate in child or adolescent counseling specifically. Students at NDSU or UND who want to build this focus can do so through elective coursework in child development or adolescent psychology and by requesting practicum and internship placements at school-based or youth-serving sites. Supervisors at community mental health centers that serve minors, school-embedded counseling programs, or juvenile services agencies can provide the direct clinical hours with young clients that a formal certificate would otherwise signal to employers. For a broader look at careers serving younger populations, our guide on how to become a child abuse counselor explores related credential pathways.
The 80/20 Rule and Why It Shapes Your Specialization Choice
If you are drawn to school counseling as a career, the American School Counselor Association's 80/20 guideline is worth understanding before you commit to a track. The guideline calls for school counselors to spend roughly 80 percent of their time on direct services to students, including individual counseling, group work, and classroom instruction, and no more than 20 percent on indirect activities like coordination, consultation, and administrative tasks. This standard exists because research consistently ties higher rates of direct student contact to better academic and social outcomes.
In practical terms, the 80/20 framework means that school counseling is a high-contact, direct-service role. If you prefer a clinical setting with more autonomy over caseload composition or longer-term therapeutic work, a clinical mental health counseling online program with child and adolescent electives may suit you better than a school counseling emphasis. Both paths can serve young people well; the difference lies in setting, daily structure, and the credential you pursue.
When evaluating counseling programs in North Dakota, focus on CACREP accreditation rather than delivery format. The state licensure board and most employers treat CACREP-accredited degrees identically, whether completed online or on campus. A distance degree from UND holds the same weight as an in-person NDSU credential when applying for LPC licensure.
Cost, ROI & Financial Aid for ND Counseling Graduate Students
Choosing a counseling program is a financial decision as much as an academic one. Across North Dakota's three ranked programs, median graduate debt ranges from roughly $22,000 to $27,000, while institution-wide median earnings ten years after enrollment span $56,621 to $63,552. The University of North Dakota delivers the strongest return-on-investment ratio at 2.88, followed by the University of Mary at 2.54 and the University of Jamestown at 2.10. Program-level earnings data are not yet available for these counseling programs, so the figures below reflect institution-wide medians. To offset costs, North Dakota graduate students should explore federal Direct Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS loans, the North Dakota State Grant, employer tuition reimbursement programs, and graduate assistantships offered by individual departments.
Career Outcomes & Salary Outlook for Counseling Graduates in North Dakota
As mental health needs diversify across North Dakota's rural and tribal communities, the role of master's-level counselors has evolved well beyond the therapy room, bridging school systems, telehealth, and integrated care.
North Dakota Counselor Salaries: What the Numbers Show
Nationally, the median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (the combined occupation tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics) was $59,190 in 2024.1 The lowest 10% earned less than $36,700, while the top 10% made over $89,920.2 State-specific figures for North Dakota were not yet available for the 2026 reporting period, but these national benchmarks offer a realistic salary baseline. In a sparsely populated state, actual earnings can shift noticeably between urban centers like Fargo and more remote rural counties, where lower living costs often accompany lower starting wages.
How Program Graduates Fare in the Workforce
While program-level earnings outcomes are not yet reported for the newest counseling master's tracks, broader institutional data from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard provides a useful reference. Across all degree recipients, median earnings 10 years after enrollment were $63,552 for University of North Dakota graduates, $60,909 for University of Mary graduates, and $56,621 for University of Jamestown graduates. These figures place alumni from North Dakota institutions comfortably within the range of national counselor salaries, with UND and UMary graduates exceeding the national median. Although individual earnings vary by field, the data indicate that master's completers from these schools are well positioned in the regional job market.
Where Counselors Work: Settings Across the State
North Dakota's counselor workforce is distributed across several distinct practice environments. Community mental health centers serve as the backbone of public behavioral health, especially in counties with limited private services. School counseling positions, supported by graduate certificates like the University of Mary's blended program, fill critical gaps in academic and social-emotional support. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs operates clinics in Fargo and rural areas, creating dedicated roles for licensed professional counselors. Tribal health services, serving the state's five federally recognized tribes, frequently seek culturally competent mental health providers with trauma-informed training. Private practice continues to expand, fueled by telehealth platforms that connect counselors with clients in the most remote corners of the state.
The Fastest Path to Becoming a Therapist in North Dakota
For students who ask, "What is the best master's degree to get to be a therapist?" the most direct route is a master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This degree is designed to satisfy the educational requirements for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credential, which authorizes independent diagnosis and treatment. North Dakota's LPCC licensure requires completion of a 60-credit CACREP-accredited program, making a dedicated clinical mental health counseling degree the most efficient option. Students exploring counseling master's programs online should verify that any prospective program meets these credit and accreditation thresholds. Other specialties, such as school counseling or rehabilitation counseling, lead to separate credentials and do not automatically qualify graduates for the full LPCC. Programs like the University of Jamestown's MS in Clinical Counseling offer a clear, curriculum-aligned path to licensure, preparing students to become a mental health counselor and practice autonomously across the state's diverse clinical settings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Programs in North Dakota
Prospective counseling students in North Dakota often have practical questions about licensure exams, tuition costs, specialty certificates, and career data. Below are answers to the most common questions, along with guidance on where to verify details that change from year to year.
