Best Counseling Schools in West Virginia

2026 Best Master's in Counseling Programs in West Virginia

CounselingPsychology.org presents the definitive guide to the best Master's in Counseling Programs across West Virginia. Our comprehensive rankings highlight top-tier academic institutions offering exceptional counseling education, with a special focus on online and distance learning opportunities that provide flexibility for working professionals and students with diverse needs. These programs prepare future counselors through rigorous coursework, practical training, and innovative virtual learning platforms that adapt to modern educational requirements. West Virginia's counseling programs stand out for their commitment to developing skilled mental health professionals who can address complex psychological challenges in various settings. Our rankings consider factors like curriculum quality, faculty expertise, clinical training opportunities, and student success rates. Learn more about our comprehensive ranking methodology.

#1

Marshall University

Huntington, WV - Public 4-Year - marshall.edu

Master's - Master of Arts in Counseling

Concentration: School Counseling - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Marshall University's Master of Arts in Counseling offers a specialized School Counseling concentration designed to prepare aspiring professionals for certification in West Virginia. This innovative hybrid program strategically combines online and on-campus learning, accommodating students with diverse educational backgrounds. Spanning 60-66 credit hours, the curriculum emphasizes comprehensive training in child and adolescent counseling, addressing critical legal and ethical considerations in the field. Candidates benefit from flexible pathways for both education and non-education majors, with a strong focus on current counseling practices. The program requires Praxis II for internship placement and provides alternative certification options, making it an adaptable and thorough professional preparation track for future school counselors.

• Hybrid learning format
• 60-66 credit hours
• WV certification preparation
• For education and non-education majors
• Covers child and adolescent counseling
• Includes legal and ethical issues
• Requires Praxis II for internship
• Alternative certification available
• Advisor approved electives
• Focus on current practices

#2

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV - Public 4-Year - wvu.edu

Master's - Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

West Virginia University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master's program stands out as a rigorous, CACREP-accredited hybrid educational pathway designed for aspiring counseling professionals. Blending online coursework with immersive campus experiences, the program offers unparalleled flexibility for students pursuing comprehensive mental health counseling training. Students benefit from a curriculum emphasizing cultural competence, ethical practice, and practical skill development across diverse counseling settings. The program requires a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA and features a unique two-step admission process that evaluates both academic credentials and interpersonal counseling aptitude. With two annual admission cycles and 63 total credit hours, graduates are thoroughly prepared to meet professional licensure requirements and excel in various counseling roles.

• CACREP fully accredited program
• Hybrid low residency format
• Professional counseling licensure
• Minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA
• Two annual admission cycles
• 63 total credit hours
• Diverse counseling skill development
• Interpersonal interview selection
• Two immersion campus weeks

#3

University of Charleston

Charleston, WV - Private 4-year - ucwv.edu

Master's - Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling

Online Learning - Visit Website

The University of Charleston delivers a robust online Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling that strategically prepares professionals for comprehensive counseling careers. This meticulously designed 60-credit program uniquely positions students for West Virginia counselor licensure through a flexible two-year curriculum. Emphasizing cultural competency and ethical practice, the program accommodates working professionals with its fully digital format. Students benefit from extensive practical skills training, practicum experiences, and engagement with experienced faculty. Prospective students must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA and complete a compelling statement of purpose. The program's CACREP-aligned approach ensures graduates are well-equipped for diverse professional counseling settings, making it an exceptional choice for aspiring mental health practitioners.

• 100% Online Program
• 60 Credit Hours
• 2-Year Completion Time
• Licensure Preparation
• Practicum and Internship
• Minimum 2.5 GPA Required
• Small Class Sizes
• Diverse Career Settings
• CACREP-Aligned Curriculum
• Professional Faculty Experience

*Official IPEDS 2023 data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

How to Find a Counseling Program in West Virginia

You'll likely have several potential counseling programs to choose from. Whichever program you choose should suit your financial needs, personal situation, academic goals, and career aspirations. Whatever these factors are, you should be able to find a suitable counseling program through a West Virginia school.

Counseling Degree Pathways in West Virginia

No matter where you currently are academically, you can find a counseling degree program so long as you've completed high school (or attained a GED). The various degree programs and their requirements are:

• Associate: An associate degree requires high school, and takes two years if studying full-time. You'll be able to apply for entry-level positions once you have graduated.

• Bachelor's: A bachelor's degree requires high school, and takes four years to complete. You'll be able to apply for entry-level positions, and also be well-qualified for promotions as you gain experience. You might work at any level below that of a licensed professional counselor (LPC).

• Master's: A master's degree requires that you've graduated with a bachelor's already, and the master's takes one to two years to complete. You'll have met the academic requirements for licensure after graduating.

• Doctorate: A doctorate degree requires that you have a bachelor's, and takes three to six years in most cases. You may choose to focus on research with a Ph.D. degree or clinical counseling with a Psy.D. degree. Either will qualify you for leadership positions.

• Certificate: A graduate certificate requires that you have a bachelor's, and takes a year or less. You can choose any number of specializations through a certificate, and will then be more qualified for the particular type of counseling work that you study.

Choose a Counseling Specialty

Counselors can specialize in any number of specific counseling therapies, and most begin their specialization through a degree track or certificate program. Examples of available specializations are:

• Clinical mental health counseling

• Addiction counseling

• School counseling

• Student affairs and college counseling

• Community counseling

If you're interested in working with a particular population, specializing may give you advanced knowledge in counseling methods that work well with your preferred clientele.

Accreditation

Regardless of all other considerations, any counseling program you consider should be taught by an accredited college or university. Only accredited counseling degree programs are guaranteed to meet standards and to be accepted by other schools, West Virginia, and future employers.

West Virginia accepts institutions that are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the National Council on Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE), the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Online vs. Traditional Counseling Programs in West Virginia

Whether you attend an online or traditional counseling program should be based on your present needs and academic preferences. Choose online if you need a lower-cost program that has more flexibility, or opt for a traditional program if you want the classroom experience.

Becoming Licensed as a Counselor in West Virginia

To become a licensed counselor in West Virginia, you must complete an accredited master’s or doctorate program. The program must include an internship, and you then must complete 3,000 hours of supervised work. The final steps are an exam and a fee.

Once licensed, you must renew the license every odd-numbered year, by July 1st of the year. Renewing requires 35 continuing education units.

List of Counseling Degree Programs in West Virginia

Are you searching for a counseling degree program in West Virginia? Browse our comprehensive list of schools offering counseling programs, both online and on-campus, and follow the links to learn more about what each program has to offer.