Choosing a counseling program in Colorado means choosing a career path, not just a campus: school counseling, clinical mental health, rehabilitation, and counselor education lead to different credentials and workplaces. This guide explains those differences alongside program length, costs, licensure, and career prospects. It also features the 2027 Most Popular Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Colorado, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about which programs are worth considering. Use it to narrow your options before committing time and money.
Key findings about Counseling degrees in Colorado
Match the degree to the credential first: Colorado's clinical counseling and school counseling routes involve different state authorities; neither degree title alone establishes eligibility for a license (Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies; Colorado Department of Education).
Compare outcomes by specialty: the U.S. median annual wage was $59,350 for the clinical mental health counseling occupational category in May 2025, with 18% projected growth from 2025-2035. The corresponding school counseling figures were $64,330 and 3% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Budget beyond tuition: a counseling master's commonly takes about two to three years, and required supervised placements can limit paid-work hours. Compare the full cost and placement schedule - not the per-credit price alone - before enrolling.
What can I expect from a Counseling degree in Colorado?
Most people seeking professional counseling work start with a master's degree. A clinical mental health program prepares students for assessment, treatment planning, counseling, and supervised practice; a school counseling program focuses on students' academic, career, and social-emotional development. Rehabilitation counseling centers on disability, access, and employment. Doctoral programs primarily serve experienced counselors interested in teaching, supervision, research, or advanced leadership - not applicants looking for the shortest route into practice.
Expect coursework, evaluated skills practice, and a supervised practicum or internship. The placement is a decision-critical feature: a student in the Denver area may have a different range of nearby sites than a student studying from rural Colorado. Ask whether the school finds placements, approves student-proposed sites, and accommodates evening or part-time schedules.
A counseling degree is most compelling when its curriculum and fieldwork match a specific credential and workplace you want. If you want a behavioral-health job without graduate study or supervised clinical training, compare nonlicensed support roles before taking on the time and cost of a licensure-track master's.
Where can I work with a Counseling degree in Colorado?
Clinical mental health counselors may work in community behavioral-health organizations, outpatient practices, hospitals, or private practice, subject to their credential and employer requirements. School counselors work primarily in K-12 schools; rehabilitation counselors may work in vocational rehabilitation, disability services, and employment-support settings. These are different job searches, so compare a program's placement sites with the setting where you hope to work.
Colorado location affects access to supervised training as well as eventual jobs. A rural resident considering an online program should confirm that approved local supervisors and suitable sites are available before assuming remote classes eliminate travel. For school-based work, check the Colorado Department of Education's school-counselor credential requirements; for clinical practice, check the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies' professional-counselor requirements. A school credential is not interchangeable with an independent clinical license.
Pay depends more on occupation, credential, setting, and location than on the degree title alone. The table uses the latest national occupational figures specified here: May 2025 median annual wages and 2025-2035 employment projections published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. They are U.S. benchmarks, not Colorado salaries or estimates of what a new graduate will earn.
Career direction
U.S. median annual wage, May 2025
Projected U.S. growth, 2025-2035
Clinical mental health or addiction counseling
$59,350
18%
School counseling
$64,330
3%
Marriage and family counseling
$66,940
14%
Rehabilitation counseling
$46,850
2%
The stronger projected growth for clinical mental health and addiction roles may widen the range of employers to investigate, but a national projection cannot predict vacancies in a particular Colorado county. For a realistic financial comparison, request each program's recent graduate outcomes and examine current openings in the Colorado locations where you could work. Do not apply a national median to an entry-level, pre-licensure offer.
These programs differ most meaningfully by professional destination, degree level, and location. The distinctions below identify which option merits a closer look; confirm current credits, placement requirements, delivery format, accreditation status, and credential alignment with the program before applying.
Adams State University - clinical mental health counseling master's: This is the clinical-practice option among Adams State's listed counseling pathways, rather than a school-counselor preparation route. It merits consideration if your goal is Colorado's professional-counselor pathway; verify the current curriculum against state requirements.
Adams State University - school counseling master's: Its stated school-counseling focus separates it from the university's clinical mental health track. Choose it for K-12 work, and ask how the program supports placements in the districts where you can realistically train.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs - school counseling MA: This school-focused degree offers a Colorado Springs option for applicants comparing programs by where they can attend classes and complete school-based training. Ask which local placement arrangements are available rather than assuming a campus location secures a nearby internship.
Colorado Christian University - school counseling: This is a private-university option for the school-counseling route, not a substitute for checking Colorado school-credential requirements. Compare its full tuition, schedule, and district-placement support with public and other private programs.
Colorado State University-Fort Collins - school counseling specialization: School counseling is a specialization within CSU's MA in Counseling and Career Development. That structure may appeal to applicants who want to examine how career-development coursework complements preparation for K-12 counseling.
University of Colorado Denver - school counseling MA: Its Denver location is particularly relevant if you need to compare school-placement logistics in the metro area. Check the actual internship process and schedule against your commute and work obligations.
Adams State University - counselor education doctorate: This doctoral route serves a different decision than its practice-oriented master's programs. Investigate it if your next step is counselor education, supervision, or research, and ask how doctoral study fits your existing credential and career plans.
University of Northern Colorado - rehabilitation counseling MA: Its rehabilitation focus is the clearest alternative here to school or general clinical counseling. It is especially relevant if you want to work at the intersection of disability, counseling, and employment; check the credential needed for your intended role.
University of Northern Colorado - counselor education and supervision PhD: The explicit PhD focus makes this an option for applicants aiming at research, teaching, or supervision rather than initial master's-level preparation. Compare faculty interests and research expectations with your intended academic or leadership role.
Colorado State University-Fort Collins - career counseling specialization: This MA in Counseling and Career Development specialization centers career counseling rather than CSU's school-counseling pathway. It warrants a closer look if your preferred clients need career decision-making support; verify which jobs and credentials its graduates typically pursue.
For an additional comparison of program qualities beyond popularity, consult the best counseling programs and then test any promising option against your intended Colorado credential.
A full-time counseling master's typically takes about two to three years; part-time study generally takes longer. A doctorate usually adds several years beyond prior graduate study, with timing shaped by research and dissertation requirements. Treat any advertised completion time as a schedule to verify, not a promise: required course sequences and the availability of approved placements can determine when you actually finish.
Acceleration may reduce time out of the workforce, but it can make an internship hard to combine with paid employment. Ask admissions staff for a term-by-term plan showing when fieldwork starts, whether summer enrollment is required, and whether a missed placement delays graduation. Transfer credits may shorten coursework only if the receiving program accepts them and they satisfy the relevant credential rules.
Online delivery changes where you attend classes; it does not remove supervised-practice requirements. An online option can help a working student or someone far from a campus, while on-campus study may simplify in-person skills practice and access to a school's nearby placement network. Neither format is inherently better for licensure.
Before choosing online study, ask whether any residencies require travel, whether classes meet live, who arranges placements, and whether the program documents that its curriculum meets Colorado requirements. This is especially important if you live outside a major metro area or might seek a license in another state later: state requirements can differ (Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies; Colorado Department of Education).
There is no single defensible average price for the counseling degrees compared here: master's and doctoral programs, public resident and nonresident rates, private tuition, and required credit totals differ. An institution-wide undergraduate average would be a misleading substitute for a graduate counseling program's price. Use the school's current graduate tuition schedule and financial-aid offer to calculate your expected total.
Include mandatory fees, books, possible residency travel, placement-related expenses, and income you may give up during fieldwork. Public in-state tuition can be worth investigating if you qualify for Colorado residency, but do not assume residency or a lower advertised per-credit rate produces the lowest net cost. The most affordable counseling programs provide a useful starting comparison; confirm each quoted price against the credits and fees your pathway requires.
Start with the FAFSA and each school's graduate financial-aid office. Depending on eligibility, funding may include federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, institutional scholarships or assistantships, employer tuition benefits, and aid tied to service commitments. Ask whether an award continues during internship terms and whether part-time enrollment changes eligibility (Federal Student Aid; institutional financial-aid offices).
Do not build a budget around unrestricted Graduate PLUS borrowing. Under the federal transition described by Federal Student Aid, Graduate PLUS availability changes for new graduate and professional borrowers beginning July 1, 2026; certain students who borrowed for and were enrolled in the same program before that date may qualify for a limited exception. Confirm your individual status and current borrowing limits with the aid office before accepting an offer (Federal Student Aid).
To reduce borrowing, compare the most valuable counseling programs alongside actual aid offers. A sensible return-on-investment calculation considers net price, time to completion, lost earnings, debt repayment, likelihood of finishing, your current pay, plausible post-degree pay, and how long you expect to work in the field - not tuition or salary alone.
View the chart data as a table
Projected job growth 2025-2035 by counseling career path (U.S., BLS) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
Mental Health Counselors
18
Marriage & Family Therapists
14
Postsecondary Teachers
7
Psychologists
6
School & Career Counselors
3
Rehabilitation Counselors
2
All occupations
3
Master's applicants generally need a bachelor's degree and the materials specified by the program, which may include transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, and an interview. A psychology major is not automatically required; check for any program-specific prerequisite courses. Doctoral applicants should expect closer review of prior graduate preparation, professional goals, and fit with faculty research or supervision interests (institutional admissions offices).
Admissions eligibility and eventual professional eligibility are separate questions. Before paying an application fee, ask the program which Colorado credential its graduates pursue, how it addresses the state's education requirements, and whether it publishes relevant completion or exam outcomes. Check the appropriate state authority yourself: the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies for professional counseling and the Colorado Department of Education for school counseling.
A counseling master's commonly combines counseling theories, ethics, assessment, human development, multicultural counseling, research, and supervised skills training. Clinical mental health study typically gives greater attention to diagnosis and treatment; school counseling emphasizes work in educational systems and student development; rehabilitation counseling addresses disability and vocational participation. Program catalogs and the relevant Colorado credential requirements - not a shared degree title - determine whether a particular course sequence fits your goal.
Inspect when practicum and internship occur, not just their names. Courses offered infrequently, prerequisites for fieldwork, and site-approval rules can change your graduation date and ability to keep a job while enrolled.
The clearest options in this program group are clinical mental health, school, rehabilitation, and career counseling, plus doctoral study in counselor education and supervision. These are not interchangeable concentrations: each points toward different clients, settings, and potentially different credential requirements. For example, someone intent on counseling K-12 students should prioritize school-credential alignment over a broad clinical label, while an applicant interested in disability and employment should examine rehabilitation training.
Marriage and family or addiction work may also interest counseling students, but a course or elective in either area does not by itself confer a separate license or certification. Ask which credential the complete degree supports and whether additional education or supervised experience would be necessary (Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies).
Start with the work you want to do, then compare programs against that goal. Popularity, public or private ownership, and an online label are poor shortcuts for credential fit or value. Use this sequence to avoid the most consequential enrollment mistakes:
Name the target role and credential. Distinguish Colorado school counseling from professional clinical counseling, and check the responsible state authority's current rules.
Verify the specific program. Check institutional recognition and, where relevant to your goal, programmatic CACREP accreditation; do not assume accreditation alone awards a license (U.S. Department of Education; CACREP; Colorado licensing authorities).
Test placement feasibility. Ask who approves supervisors and sites, where recent students trained, and what happens if a local placement is unavailable.
Price the whole pathway. Obtain required credits, fees, aid, expected duration, and the likely effect of internship hours on your income.
Request comparable outcomes. Ask for program-specific completion and credential-exam results with their reporting periods, then assess them alongside your own likelihood of finishing.
A major red flag is a school's broad statement that a degree "prepares you for licensure" without identifying the state, credential, and remaining post-degree requirements. Get those details in writing before committing.
View the chart data as a table
Programs by specialization (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
School Counseling
6
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
4
Counselor Education and Supervision
2
Rehabilitation Counseling
1
Career Counseling
1
A clinical counseling master's can be a path toward supervised clinical work and, after satisfying Colorado's additional requirements, professional-counselor licensure. A school counseling degree points toward school-based student services and the applicable education credential. Rehabilitation and career counseling can lead toward disability services, vocational support, and career-development work, although employers' credential expectations vary (Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies; Colorado Department of Education).
The degree alone should not be confused with permission to practice independently. Colorado's professional-counselor pathway includes state review and requirements beyond graduation, including supervised experience and examinations as applicable; school-based credentialing follows a separate process. A doctorate is most relevant if you intend to teach future counselors, conduct research, or provide advanced supervision. Confirm the requirements for the exact job and credential before choosing a master's specialization.
View the chart data as a table
Graduates (2024-25) distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
0–49
11
50–99
1
100–149
0
150–199
0
200–249
1
250–299
1
National projections point to notably different markets by specialty: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 18% employment growth for the clinical mental health and addiction counseling category from 2025-2035, compared with 3% for school counseling. That gap is a reason to investigate clinical openings if both paths interest you, not a reason to choose clinical work when your goal is a school setting. National growth does not measure Colorado vacancies, local competition, or the availability of supervised entry-level roles.
For a Colorado-specific reality check, search openings in the counties where you can live, separate independently licensed jobs from candidate-level roles, and note whether employers require school credentials or clinical licensure. Recheck the market near graduation: the best program investment is one that prepares you for jobs you would actually accept, in a location where you can complete both training and any required supervision.
2027 Most Popular Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Colorado
Investing in education is a consequential decision. Research.com designed its counseling rankings to make program comparisons more transparent, using outcome, accreditation, eligibility, and cost information rather than treating a school's name as a substitute for evidence. Its team reviews the underlying data for quality, credibility, and accuracy; readers should still confirm current program details directly with each school.
The Best ranking first combines program completion (40%), employment or doctoral admission (20%), licensure exam pass rates where applicable (20%), CACREP programmatic accreditation (16%), and federal Title IV institutional eligibility (4%). Weights are renormalized when a measure does not apply. Program cost then contributes approximately 7% of the final score. The same approach applies to online and on-campus programs; other rankings order programs by the dimension named in the ranking.
The ranking draws on these sources, which allow readers to inspect the kinds of institutional and student information behind the comparisons:
IPEDS database - institutional enrollment, completion, and cost reporting.
Popularity can help identify programs students are considering, but it does not establish personal fit or licensure eligibility. Read the ranking alongside each program's current curriculum, field-placement arrangements, and total price. Research.com explains its broader approach on its methodology page.
# 1 position
Adams State University
Master
M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
79.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Fall cohort: 5 semesters; Spring cohort: 7 semesters
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
82% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
77% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution (or in final year of undergraduate study pending verification of degree receipt).
Additional requirements
Online application, $30 application fee, five short essay questions (200-300 words each), two online recommendation forms from professional (non-family) sources, official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Adams State University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 79.4/100, supported by 299 graduates (2024-25) and 82% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; undergraduate GPA requirements apply
Additional requirements
Online application, $30 non-refundable application fee, official transcripts from all previously attended institutions, two (2) letters of recommendation forms
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Adams State University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 58.1/100, supported by 64 graduates (2024-25) and 75% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 3 position
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Master
Counseling and Human Services: School Counseling, MA
Delivery mode: campus
36.70
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years recommended
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Application deadline
Summer 2027: Dec 1, 2026
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Additional requirements
Graduate application; goals statement (max 1,000 words); CV/resume; one letter of recommendation; background check (or CO teaching license); official transcripts; on-campus group interview day (first Friday in February).
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Colorado Colorado Springs earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 36.7/100, with 13 graduates (Class of 2024) among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 4 position
Colorado Christian University
Master
M.A. in School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
34.60
/ 100
Final score
Program length
designed to be completed in two and a half years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.50 - 4.00
Program completion rate
33.3% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
No undergraduate prerequisites required; applicant must have a conferred bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Colorado Christian University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 34.6/100, supported by 11 graduates (2024-25) and 33.3% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 5 position
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling and Career Development
Delivery mode: campus
28.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
7 semesters full-time (including summers)
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.80 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Jan 1 (Domestic); Dec 1 (International)
GRE
no
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Colorado State University-Fort Collins earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 28.9/100, supported by 7 graduates (2024-2025) and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 6 position
University of Colorado at Denver
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling, School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
28.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 to 4 years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
63 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
80% (2025-26)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2025-26)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: January 15; Spring: September 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Basic statistics course (undergraduate or graduate level) required prior to enrollment or may be completed during the first year.
Additional requirements
3 recommendation letters; official transcripts; resume/CV; written statement; $50 application fee; required half-day group interview; English proficiency for international applicants
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Colorado at Denver earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 28.9/100, supported by 7 graduates (2024-25) and 80% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-03-31.
# 7 position
Adams State University
Doctor
Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision
Delivery mode: hybrid
28.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
4 year, fixed 60 semester credit program
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
95% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
87% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall 2027: November 1, 2026
Class size
12
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Accredited master's in counseling or a closely related field with GPA 3.0+; coursework reviewed against CACREP standards, deficiencies completed before or during doctoral study. CACREP degree, two years' experience and licensure preferred.
Additional requirements
Online application; 3–4-page letter of intent answering six prompts; two reference request forms; current resume/CV; official transcripts from all prior institutions. Required in-person interview and orientation. No international admission.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Adams State University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 28.9/100, supported by 7 graduates (2024-25) and 95% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 8 position
University of Northern Colorado
Master
Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
27.10
/ 100
Final score
Program length
two academic years, including one summer
Specialization
Rehabilitation Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
97% (2025-26)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2025-26)
Licensure exam pass rate
78% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester hours of the most recently completed degree
Additional requirements
Application to UNC Graduate School including a statement addressing career/educational goals, reasons for choosing rehabilitation counseling, and past exposure (coursework or work experience) to rehabilitation counseling
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Northern Colorado earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 27.1/100, supported by 6 graduates (2025-26) and 97% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 9 position
University of Northern Colorado
Doctor
Counselor Education and Supervision PhD
Delivery mode: campus
22.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3.5-4 years full-time
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
75 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Master's degree with GPA 3.0+; prior graduate coursework in diagnosis, career, theories, lifespan, family systems, group, ethics, substance abuse, assessment, and research; missing courses taken as deficiency coursework.
Additional requirements
Application to the UNC Graduate School, official transcripts, and an interview with CES Program Faculty; applicants completing their master's at time of application submit final transcript/GPA during first semester.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Northern Colorado earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 22.4/100, with 4 graduates (2024-25) among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 10 position
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling and Career Development
Delivery mode: campus
15.30
/ 100
Final score
Program length
7 semesters full-time (including summers)
Specialization
Career Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.80 - 4.00
Program completion rate
67% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Jan 1 (Domestic); Dec 1 (International)
GRE
no
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Colorado State University-Fort Collins earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 15.3/100, supported by 2 graduates (2024-2025) and 67% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 11 position
Colorado Christian University
Master
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
76.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
as little as 30 months of consecutive coursework
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.50 - 4.00
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.5/4.0. Applicants with GPAs of 2.0–2.49 may receive conditional admission and must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA during their first semester.
Additional requirements
Online application; government ID; resume/CV; official bachelor's transcript and any graduate counseling transcripts; criminal background checks for every country of residence in the past seven years; Candidacy Writing Sample; interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Colorado Christian University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 76.4/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 12 position
Regis University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
51.30
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Average completion: about 3 years; completion deadline: 6 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.90 - 4.00
Employment or doctoral admission
95% (2025-26)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2025-26)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in any field from a U.S. regionally accredited institution; graduate-level writing and critical analysis skills. Psychology or family studies background preferred, not required. Criminal background check required.
Additional requirements
Application, official transcript, autobiographical essay, two recommendations, resume, virtual faculty interview. Applicants below 2.90 GPA answer extra essay questions; admitted students complete a criminal background check.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Regis University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 51.3/100, with 100% licensure exam pass rate among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 13 position
University of Northern Colorado
Master
School Counseling MA
Delivery mode: campus
38.60
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
63 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Greeley on-campus: Dec 15 (Fall and Summer); Weekend delivery: priority March 1, standard April 15
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE (Verbal+Quantitative 291 combined, Analytical Writing 3.5) required if GPA on the most recent 60 credit hours is below 3.0
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution; at least two years of work experience recommended
Additional requirements
Online application and fee, official transcripts, attendance at a pre-admission workshop. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 on the most recent 60 credit hours must submit GRE scores (Verbal + Quantitative 291 combined, Analytical Writing 3.5).
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Northern Colorado earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 38.6/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 14 position
University of Northern Colorado
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA
Delivery mode: campus
28.90
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE required if GPA (most recent degree) is below 3.0
Prerequisites
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; minimum 3.0 GPA based on the most recent degree. Two years of work experience recommended.
Additional requirements
Three academic or professional recommendation letters; attendance at a pre-admission workshop offered online three times annually; GRE scores only if GPA is below 3.0.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Northern Colorado earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 28.9/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about Counseling degree in Colorado
Do I need a master's degree to become a counselor in Colorado?
A master's is the usual educational route for professional clinical counseling and school counseling credentials. The required curriculum and additional steps depend on the specific Colorado credential; a bachelor's alone does not establish eligibility for those roles (Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies; Colorado Department of Education).
Does a counseling degree automatically qualify me for a Colorado license?
No. The state reviews education and any applicable examination and supervised-experience requirements. Ask the school which credential its program supports, then verify the current rules with the responsible Colorado authority.
Can I complete a Colorado counseling degree entirely online?
Some coursework may be online, but supervised fieldwork still requires an approved setting. Ask about in-person residencies, local supervisors, placement approval, and Colorado credential alignment before enrolling.
How long does a counseling master's take?
Plan on roughly two to three years for full-time study, with part-time enrollment usually taking longer. Your program's course sequence and internship availability determine the actual timeline.
Is a school counseling degree the same as a clinical mental health counseling degree?
No. They prepare students for different work settings and Colorado credential processes. Choose according to whether your goal is K-12 student services or clinical mental health practice.
Is a counseling degree worth the cost?
It can be if the program leads toward your intended credential, you can complete its placements, and the net cost fits plausible earnings in jobs you would take. Compare aid offers, time away from paid work, borrowing, and program outcomes rather than relying on a ranking or national median salary alone.
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