Best Counseling Schools in Washington

Seattle University's Online Master's in School Counseling is a comprehensive CACREP-accredited program designed to cultivate transformative K-12 educational professionals. Spanning three years with 90 total credits, students receive intensive training in multicultural counseling, mental health interventions, and social justice advocacy. The program uniquely integrates substance use disorder certification and enables graduates to pursue diverse career paths in educational support services. Through asynchronous online learning and summer campus residencies, students develop advanced counseling skills while maintaining professional flexibility. The curriculum emphasizes ethical practice, data-driven methodologies, and cultural competence.

• CACREP-accredited online program
• 3-year, 90-credit master's degree
• Multicultural, anti-racist curriculum
• Residency ESA Certification
• Substance Use Disorder Certification
• Asynchronous online learning format
• Summer campus residency
• Year-long practicum
• Nationally renowned faculty
• Prestigious fellowship opportunities

Seattle University's online Master of Arts in Education for Clinical Mental Health Counseling provides a robust pathway to professional licensure and Washington State Substance Use Disorder Certification. This innovative 90-credit program caters to working professionals through flexible, asynchronous coursework and personalized success coaching. Students engage in a hybrid learning model featuring summer residencies and comprehensive practicum experiences. The curriculum prioritizes social justice, cultural competency, and ethical counseling practices. Graduates emerge as sophisticated mental health professionals prepared to advocate for systemic change and provide high-quality therapeutic interventions across diverse community settings.

• Online and asynchronous courses.
• Summer residency requirement.
• Prepares for state licensure.
• Eligible for Substance Use Disorder Certification.
• 90 credits over 3 years.
• Flexible scheduling for professionals.
• Personalized Student Success Coordinator.
• Hybrid third-year experience.
• Focus on social justice and equity.
• Nationally renowned faculty.

City University of Seattle's Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling master's program offers a transformative educational experience focused on relationship dynamics and mental wellness. Through a hybrid learning format, students develop advanced therapeutic skills and cultural competence essential for supporting complex interpersonal challenges. The program emphasizes personal growth, ethical foundations, and professional expertise development. With a practitioner-scholar approach, students gain comprehensive training in marriage and family therapy techniques. Graduates are prepared to make meaningful impacts across mental health settings, private practices, and community support systems, equipped with deep self-awareness and empathetic counseling strategies.

• In-person and mixed mode formats
• Culturally attuned therapeutic approach
• Professional expertise development
• Ethically grounded curriculum
• Focus on personal and professional growth

City University of Seattle's Professional School Counseling master's program provides a comprehensive 90-credit pathway to becoming a K-12 school counselor. CACREP-accredited and designed with a social justice focus, the hybrid program meets Washington state educational requirements for the School Counselor K-12 credential. Students receive extensive training in multicultural understanding, ethical practice, and diverse counseling techniques. The practitioner-scholar model emphasizes practical application and case conceptualization, offering multiple internship opportunities. Graduates develop advanced skills to address complex educational and psychological challenges while maintaining a holistic approach to student support and mental health.

• CACREP Accredited Program
• 90 Total Credits
• Hybrid Learning Format
• Washington State Credential
• Social Justice Focus
• $710 Per Credit
• Multiple Internship Opportunities
• K-12 Counseling Specialization
• Multicultural Counseling Emphasis
• Practitioner-Scholar Model

City University of Seattle's Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's program delivers a socially conscious 90-credit curriculum preparing students for licensure and professional practice. Focusing on addressing complex mental health challenges, the hybrid program develops advanced counseling skills and multicultural competence. Students gain practical experience across diverse clinical settings, with opportunities in nonprofit agencies, private practices, hospitals, and correctional institutions. CACREP-accredited and aligned with Washington state licensure requirements, the program emphasizes a social justice curriculum, ethical training, and a practitioner-scholar model. Admission requires a 2.75 undergraduate GPA, professional references, and an interview.

• CACREP Accredited Program
• 90 total program credits
• Hybrid learning format
• Social justice focused curriculum
• Meets LMHC licensure requirements
• Clinical mental health concentration
• Practitioner-scholar model
• Multiple internship opportunities
• Multicultural counseling emphasis
• Comprehensive ethical training

Northwest University's Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling delivers a robust online program uniquely positioning students for professional counseling careers. Through a comprehensive 60-credit curriculum completed in 32 months, students benefit from flexible asynchronous learning complemented by three mandatory on-campus residency experiences. The program distinguishes itself by integrating biological, psychological, spiritual, and cultural perspectives, preparing graduates for Washington state licensure. Notably, the program waives GRE requirements and maintains a competitive tuition rate of $720 per credit. Its Christian worldview foundation and commitment to evidence-based practices create a distinctive educational environment emphasizing culturally responsive counseling techniques and serving diverse populations effectively.

• 60-credit online master's degree
• Meets Washington state licensure requirements
• Three on-campus residency experiences
• Flexible asynchronous program format
• No GRE required for admission
• Christian worldview integration
• $720 per credit tuition
• 32-month program length
• Culturally responsive counseling approach

Northwest University's online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offers a transformative 32-month journey spanning 60 credit hours. Uniquely blending academic rigor with a Christian worldview, the program prepares students for professional counseling licensure through a comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum. Students engage in flexible asynchronous learning with three mandatory on-campus residency experiences. With no GRE requirement, the program attracts diverse learners seeking holistic mental health training. Priced at $720 per credit, the CACREP-pending program emphasizes addressing clients' biological, psychological, spiritual, and cultural dimensions. The cohort-based model supports career changers and aspiring counselors committed to serving diverse populations with compassionate, integrated care.

• Online program with campus residencies
• 60 total credit hours
• $720 per credit
• 32-month program duration
• CACREP accreditation pending
• Washington state licensure preparation
• Christian worldview integration
• Flexible asynchronous format
• No GRE required
• Cohort-based learning model