Choosing a counseling program in Pittsburgh means looking beyond the degree title: clinical practice, school counseling, and addiction treatment can lead to different credentials and workplaces. This guide explains how to compare training, Pennsylvania requirements, costs, and career prospects before you commit. It will feature the 2027 Best Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Pittsburgh, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about which programs are worth considering. Use the ranking alongside the program-specific checks below to find a degree that fits your goal and budget.
Key findings about Counseling degrees in Pittsburgh
Match the degree to the credential first: Pennsylvania clinical counseling licensure and school counselor certification follow different requirements, so a program's title alone is not enough to establish eligibility (Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors; Pennsylvania Department of Education).
The national median annual pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025, with employment projected to grow 18% during 2025-2035. These U.S. figures describe occupations, not guaranteed Pittsburgh graduate outcomes (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Compare the total cost to become employable, not tuition alone: required fieldwork, schedule, financial aid, and any post-degree supervised experience can change both borrowing needs and the time until independent practice.
What can I expect from a Counseling degree in Pittsburgh?
A counseling degree prepares students to assess client needs, build therapeutic relationships, use evidence-informed interventions, document care, and work within ethical and legal boundaries. For someone pursuing independent clinical practice, a relevant master's degree is generally the educational starting point - not the license itself. School counseling instead centers on student development and school-based services, with a separate Pennsylvania certification route (Pennsylvania licensing board; Pennsylvania Department of Education).
The distinction matters when comparing Pittsburgh options. Pitt and Duquesne list clinical mental health counseling master's programs; Carlow lists mental health and addiction counseling programs; Duquesne also lists marriage, couple, and family counseling and school counseling programs (institutional program pages). A prospective student exploring options can use the most popular counseling programs as a starting point, then check each program's curriculum and intended credential rather than treating popularity as evidence of personal fit.
A clinical track is worth considering if you want sustained client-facing work and can accommodate supervised training. If your goal is a school role, compare school-counselor certification pathways instead. If you want to provide support services but not pursue graduate-level counseling practice, investigate relevant entry-level roles before taking on a master's degree.
Where can I work with a Counseling degree in Pittsburgh?
Depending on specialization and credentials, counseling graduates may pursue roles in behavioral health agencies, hospitals, addiction treatment organizations, community programs, private practices, colleges, or schools. Pittsburgh offers potential placement and employment settings across health care, community services, and education; a nearby site can make recurring practicum or internship travel more manageable for students balancing work and classes.
Do not assume that a degree qualifies you for every setting. A school position may require Pennsylvania Department of Education certification, while independent professional counseling practice requires the appropriate state license. Ask programs which local sites accept their students, whether placements are arranged or student-sourced, and whether the available hours and supervision suit your intended credential (Pennsylvania Department of Education; Pennsylvania licensing board).
Pay depends on occupation, setting, experience, and credential. The table uses national occupational medians - not Pittsburgh starting salaries or program-specific earnings - to show why choosing a specialization matters. Figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: May 2025 wages and 2025-2035 employment projections.
Career direction
National median annual pay, May 2025
Projected U.S. employment growth, 2025-2035
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counseling
$59,350
18%
School counseling
$64,330
3%
Marriage and family therapy
$66,940
14%
Rehabilitation counseling
$46,850
2%
The higher school-counseling median does not mean every school job pays more than a clinical role. These are different national occupations with different employers and career ladders (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). For a Pittsburgh budget, compare current local job postings' pay ranges and credential requirements with your likely debt and existing earnings; do not use a national median as a promised first-year salary.
The Pittsburgh programs below differ most clearly in the professional role they target. Their published program descriptions and Duquesne's 2026-2027 graduate catalog are useful starting points, but students should confirm current credit requirements, fieldwork arrangements, accreditation status, and credential eligibility before accepting an offer (Pitt, Carlow, and Duquesne program information).
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Pitt identifies this as a clinical mental health counseling master's program. It is a more direct program to investigate for prospective clinical counselors than a school-focused degree; request its current fieldwork plan and Pennsylvania licensure-alignment statement before deciding.
Carlow University, master's in Addiction Counseling: Its explicit addiction focus distinguishes it from the broader mental health titles in this set. Students interested in substance use treatment should compare its coursework and placement sites with the requirements of the particular counseling credential they intend to seek.
Carlow University, master's in Mental Health Counseling: This is Carlow's broader mental health option rather than its addiction-designated program. It may fit applicants who want to explore clinical settings without making substance use treatment their primary curricular focus.
Duquesne University, MS in Counseling - Clinical Mental Health: Duquesne identifies a clinical mental health route within its counseling offerings. Applicants comparing it with Pitt's and Carlow's clinical options should ask for the current course sequence, supervised training requirements, and outcomes using the same definitions.
Duquesne University, MS in Counseling - Marriage, Couple, and Family: The named focus on couples and families makes this a distinct comparison for students drawn to relational work. Verify which Pennsylvania license the curriculum is designed to support; a program emphasis and a state license are not interchangeable.
Duquesne University, MSEd in School Counseling: Its school-counseling degree and education designation distinguish it from the clinical MS options. It is the relevant option to investigate for school-based work, subject to confirmation of current Pennsylvania educator-certification eligibility.
Duquesne University, 2026-2027 Counselor Education graduate catalog: The dated catalog provides an academic-year-specific source for checking official requirements across Duquesne's counselor education offerings, rather than a separate degree choice. Use it to reconcile a program webpage with the requirements that would apply to your entering cohort.
These distinctions identify sensible programs to investigate; they do not establish that any program has better placement results, lower costs, or automatic licensure eligibility. Request comparable, recent program-level figures directly from admissions when those outcomes matter to your choice.
A full-time counseling master's commonly takes about two to three years; part-time study generally takes longer. Your actual timeline depends on the program's course sequence, when required classes run, and how quickly you can complete supervised fieldwork. Ask for a term-by-term plan rather than assuming that an advertised minimum applies to working students.
Separate time to graduation from time to independent practice. Pennsylvania may require additional supervised experience and an examination after graduate study for a professional counseling license; school counselor certification follows its own rules (Pennsylvania licensing board; Pennsylvania Department of Education). An accelerated academic schedule may reduce time in class without removing those later steps.
Online study can reduce commuting and make coursework easier to combine with work. Campus study may make scheduled face-to-face instruction and local professional connections more convenient. Neither format eliminates the need to determine how required practicum or internship experiences will be completed and supervised.
The practical comparison is where and when training occurs. Ask whether online classes are live or asynchronous, whether any campus visits are mandatory, who secures a Pittsburgh-area placement, and whether that placement meets Pennsylvania's requirements for your target credential. Students planning to move should also check the rules of the state where they expect to practice; online delivery does not make licensure requirements uniform across states (Pennsylvania licensing board; Pennsylvania Department of Education).
There is no single reliable Pittsburgh-wide price for a counseling degree: programs differ in credit requirements, tuition schedules, fees, aid, and time to completion. A quoted per-credit rate is not a total program cost. Federal IPEDS cost data can help establish institutional context, but students should obtain a current graduate-program estimate from each school rather than treating an institution-wide average as the price of a specific counseling degree (National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS).
Request tuition for every required credit, mandatory fees, expected tuition changes, placement-related travel, and the cost of any additional term. Then subtract confirmed grants or scholarships - not aid you merely hope to receive. The most affordable counseling programs can narrow the search, but compare their net total cost alongside graduation timeline and credential fit. A cheaper program is a poor bargain if it does not support your intended practice route.
Potential sources include institutional scholarships or assistantships, employer tuition support, and federal graduate student loans for eligible students. Complete the FAFSA and obtain each school's graduate aid offer; federal loan eligibility and borrowing limits depend on current Federal Student Aid rules and the student's circumstances (Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education).
Ask whether an award renews, requires a minimum course load, or continues during internship terms. If you must reduce paid work to complete placements, include that lost income in your financing plan. Borrowing to cover living expenses can make two similarly priced programs substantially different investments.
View the chart data as a table
Best score distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
80–81
1
82–83
0
84–85
0
86–87
1
88–89
2
90–91
3
Applicants to a counseling master's generally need a bachelor's degree; individual programs set their own rules for prerequisite coursework, grades, recommendations, personal statements, interviews, and background checks. A psychology major is not necessarily required. Check each program's current admissions page rather than assuming requirements transfer between Pitt, Carlow, and Duquesne (institutional admissions information).
Before applying, ask the program to review any prior graduate credits in writing. Transfer limits and course equivalencies can affect both cost and graduation time. If licensure is your goal, also ask how transferred coursework will be documented against Pennsylvania's educational requirements; admission or transfer approval alone does not establish license eligibility (Pennsylvania licensing board).
Clinical counseling curricula commonly cover counseling theories, assessment, ethics, research, group work, multicultural practice, and supervised clinical training. School-focused programs add preparation relevant to students and educational settings; addiction-focused programs place greater emphasis on substance use concerns. Exact course titles and requirements vary, so compare current degree plans, not just program names (Pitt, Carlow, and Duquesne program information).
Give particular attention to the supervised training sequence: when it begins, how sites are approved, and whether you can complete it while employed. That sequence often determines whether a seemingly convenient program actually fits your schedule.
The named Pittsburgh options include clinical mental health, addiction, marriage, couple and family, and school counseling (Pitt, Carlow, and Duquesne program information). These are not merely interchangeable electives: each can point toward different clients, placements, employers, and credential checks.
Choose a specialization by working backward from the job you want. For example, compare school counseling programs against Pennsylvania educator-certification requirements, and compare clinical or family-focused programs against the appropriate professional licensing board requirements. If you are undecided between school and clinical practice, ask whether switching tracks would require additional coursework or a new application before paying a deposit.
The best fit is the program that supports your intended credential at a cost and pace you can sustain. A ranking can identify candidates, while the most valuable counseling programs offer another comparison lens; neither replaces a review of your own career goal and finances.
Use these checks to make competing offers comparable:
Name your intended role and practice state, then obtain written confirmation of how each program's curriculum aligns with the relevant licensing or certification requirements.
Check the institution's recognized accreditation, any applicable programmatic accreditation, and current status directly with the accreditor and program; do not assume that institutional and programmatic accreditation mean the same thing.
Request a complete degree plan and ask who finds placements, where students train, and what happens if a placement is delayed.
Compare net program cost, likely borrowing, time away from work, completion prospects, and plausible post-degree earnings over a time horizon that matters to you.
Ask for recent program-level completion, employment, and licensure-exam results, including the reporting year and how each measure was defined.
A common mistake is choosing the lowest tuition or highest-ranked name before checking credential alignment. Another is treating a national occupational median as a personal return-on-investment forecast. A sound comparison accounts for aid, debt, existing earnings, opportunity cost, completion probability, later earnings, and the value of money over time.
View the chart data as a table
Median wage by counseling career path (U.S., BLS May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
Psychologists
99,110
Postsecondary Teachers
85,330
Marriage & Family Therapists
66,940
School & Career Counselors
64,330
Mental Health Counselors
59,350
Rehabilitation Counselors
46,850
A clinical mental health pathway may lead toward counseling roles in community care or behavioral health settings; addiction training may support substance use treatment work. School counseling points toward education settings, while marriage and family-focused training may suit applicants interested in relational therapy. Rehabilitation counseling is another occupation to investigate, although students should check whether a specific Pittsburgh program prepares them for that work (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; institutional program information).
The entry point and longer-term destination may differ. Graduates pursuing regulated practice can need supervised work and other credential steps before independent roles become available. Ask employers and programs which positions accept graduates immediately and which require certification or a license; this makes an earnings plan more realistic (Pennsylvania licensing board; Pennsylvania Department of Education).
View the chart data as a table
Median wage by U.S. state - Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
State
Value
AK
80,770
AL
47,310
AR
51,580
AZ
65,300
CA
59,250
CO
62,390
CT
63,590
DC
60,450
DE
56,020
FL
56,790
GA
58,960
HI
60,090
IA
60,880
ID
63,360
IL
60,730
IN
53,760
KS
59,470
KY
54,190
LA
37,910
MA
59,890
MD
59,530
ME
59,970
MI
61,690
MN
58,780
MO
56,910
MS
46,990
MT
59,000
NC
55,490
ND
68,630
NE
63,770
NH
54,840
NJ
62,820
NM
74,100
NV
57,210
NY
59,450
OH
58,360
OK
59,350
OR
74,590
PA
52,010
PR
46,790
RI
65,120
SC
52,370
SD
53,650
TN
49,580
TX
62,630
UT
63,890
VA
59,880
VT
61,810
WA
68,910
WI
62,220
WV
49,430
WY
62,980
Nationally, employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18% from 2025 to 2035 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). That signals demand for the occupation, but it is not a Pittsburgh vacancy forecast or a promise that a new graduate will secure a preferred position.
Local opportunity also depends on your credential, placement experience, and willingness to work across settings or commute within the metro area. Before choosing a program, review current Pittsburgh-area postings for the roles you want: note required licenses, preferred treatment experience, schedules, and pay ranges. Compare those requirements with each school's curriculum and placement options. This is especially important if you need a specific setting or schedule soon after graduation.
2027 Best Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Pittsburgh
Investing in a counseling degree is an important decision, so Research.com designed its ranking to weigh evidence about outcomes and program quality rather than reputation alone. For the Best ranking, a graduate-outcomes-and-accreditation score combines program completion (40%), employment or doctoral admission (20%), licensure exam pass rates where applicable (20%), CACREP programmatic accreditation (16%), and institutional Title IV eligibility (4%). Shares are adjusted when a measure does not apply. Program cost contributes a smaller component - about 7% of the final score. The method is the same for online and on-campus programs.
The Research.com team used the following data sources to check and compare programs. Using multiple sources helps readers evaluate the ranking while recognizing that no score can determine an individual student's fit.
IPEDS database - institutional enrollment, completions, and cost information.
Other Research.com counseling rankings order programs by the single dimension named in each ranking. Readers can learn more about the approach on the Research.com methodology page. Before enrolling, confirm current tuition, accreditation, outcomes, and Pennsylvania credential requirements directly with the program and relevant authority; these details can change after ranking data are collected.
# 1 position
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS)
Delivery mode: campus
91.67
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years (5 terms, including 1 summer term)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60
Acceptance rate
33%
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
87% (2025)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2023-24)
Licensure exam pass rate
100%
Class size
31
Prerequisites
A bachelor’s degree is required preferably in psychology, rehabilitation sciences, human services, social sciences or a related field.
Additional requirements
Applicant interviews implemented beginning Fall 2024.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.67/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 87% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 2 position
Carlow University
Master
MS in Professional Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
91.42
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Time to degree: 3–3.5 years
Specialization
Addiction Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: April 1; Spring: November 1; rolling review after priority deadlines. Assistantship priority: February 1.
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Accredited bachelor's degree; helping-field employment or volunteer experience; graduate writing readiness and professional dispositions. 3.0 cumulative GPA benchmark; lower GPAs considered individually. Majors outside helping fields accepted.
Additional requirements
Application, official transcripts, professional essay of up to two pages, resume or CV, and two recommendations: one academic and one employment or volunteer reference. Selected applicants interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Carlow University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.42/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 3 position
Carlow University
Master
MS in Professional Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
90.50
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Time to degree: 3–3.5 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: April 1; Spring: November 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution; evidence of work and/or volunteer experience in a helping field
Additional requirements
Official transcripts, written professional essay (2-page limit), current resume/CV, two letters of recommendation (one academic, one employer/volunteer supervisor); GRE/GMAT not required
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Carlow University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 90.5/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 4 position
Duquesne University
Master
M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
89.44
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.5 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
83% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
No undergraduate prerequisites other than a bachelor's degree; all majors welcome to apply.
Additional requirements
Resume/curriculum vitae, graduate education essay (250 words), two (2) letters of recommendation, official transcripts; international applicants also submit TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo scores and a transcript credential evaluation.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Duquesne University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 89.44/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 83% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 5 position
Duquesne University
Master
M.S. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
88.06
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.5 years
Specialization
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
50% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2023-24)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
No undergraduate pre-requisites other than having a bachelor's degree; all majors welcome to apply.
Additional requirements
Resume/CV, 250-word graduate education essay, two letters of recommendation, official transcripts, in-person or phone/virtual interview; international applicants also submit TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo scores and a credential evaluation.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Duquesne University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 88.06/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 50% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 6 position
Duquesne University
Master
M.S.Ed. in School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
86.27
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.5 years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
58% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
No undergraduate prerequisites other than a bachelor's degree; all majors welcome to apply
Additional requirements
Resume/CV, graduate education essay (250 words), two (2) letters of recommendation, official transcripts, in-person or phone/virtual interview; international applicants also submit TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo and a transcript credential evaluation
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Duquesne University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 86.27/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 58% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 7 position
Duquesne University
Doctor
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counselor Education and Supervision
Delivery mode: campus
81.70
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Coursework in 2-2.5 years plus typically at least 1 year for dissertation
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
64% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Prerequisites
Master's degree/prior counseling coursework implied; GPA of 3.0 for previous undergraduate and graduate degrees (though below 3.0 may be acceptable in exceptional cases); GPA of 3.25 or better for all relevant graduate work completed.
Additional requirements
At least 700 hours of graduate-level fieldwork; 3.0 GPA for previous undergraduate and graduate degrees; 3.25+ GPA for all relevant graduate work; two letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional); CV/resume.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Duquesne University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 81.7/100, supported by 64% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
Frequently asked questions about Counseling degree in Pittsburgh
Do I need a master's degree to become a licensed counselor in Pennsylvania?
A qualifying graduate education is part of the Pennsylvania professional counseling licensure pathway, but a degree alone does not confer a license. Confirm current education, examination, and supervised-experience rules with the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.
Is CACREP accreditation required for every counseling job?
No single accreditation rule covers every counseling job or credential. Check whether a program holds CACREP accreditation and how its status affects the specific Pennsylvania license, employer, or future state application you have in mind (CACREP; Pennsylvania licensing board).
Can I complete a Pittsburgh counseling degree online?
Delivery depends on the program and cohort. Even when coursework is online, ask about required in-person training, campus visits, placement support, and Pennsylvania credential alignment before enrolling.
Is school counseling the same credential as clinical mental health counseling?
No. Pennsylvania school counselor certification and professional counseling licensure have different authorities and requirements. Choose the pathway that matches where you intend to work (Pennsylvania Department of Education; Pennsylvania licensing board).
Is a counseling master's worth the cost?
It may be if it supports the role you want and its net cost and time commitment fit your finances. Compare total borrowing, income you may give up during training, credential steps after graduation, and realistic job opportunities - not tuition or a national salary median alone.
See What Experts Have To Say About Studying Counseling
