Choosing a counseling master's program in Washington, D.C., means choosing a career path as well as a school: clinical practice, school counseling, and rehabilitation counseling lead toward different credentials and jobs. This guide accompanies the 2027 Most Popular Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in District of Columbia, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about programs worth considering. It explains how to compare training, licensure fit, cost, and career prospects before committing.
Key findings about Counseling degrees in District of Columbia
Choose the credential first: D.C. clinical, school, and rehabilitation counseling programs prepare students for different work, and a master's degree alone does not confer a license.
For national context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a May 2025 median annual wage of $59,350 for the occupation covering mental health and addiction counselors, with 18% projected employment growth for 2025-2035; neither figure predicts an individual D.C. graduate's earnings.
Compare the full price of required credits and fieldwork - not tuition alone - and confirm D.C. licensure alignment before choosing between a public, private, online, or campus-based program.
What can I expect from a Counseling degree in District of Columbia?
A counseling master's combines graduate coursework with supervised work involving clients or students. The crucial distinction is its intended professional outcome: clinical mental health counseling generally targets therapeutic practice; school counseling prepares candidates for work in educational settings; rehabilitation counseling focuses on disability, adjustment, and participation in work and community life. A degree labeled "counseling" is not interchangeable across those paths.
D.C. applicants can compare clinical mental health options at George Washington University, the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), and The Chicago School; school counseling options at George Washington, UDC, and Trinity Washington University; and rehabilitation counseling options at George Washington and UDC (institutional program pages). That range makes a career-first comparison more useful than a single overall ordering. Readers seeking a broader quality-oriented comparison can also review the best counseling programs.
This degree is most likely to be worth pursuing if the curriculum and supervised placements match a specific role you want. If your goal is to provide therapy independently, do not assume a school counseling degree is the shortest route. If you want to work as a school counselor, confirm the school credential pathway before selecting a clinically focused program.
Where can I work with a Counseling degree in District of Columbia?
Possible settings include behavioral health clinics, hospitals, schools, community organizations, rehabilitation services, and government or contractor programs. D.C.'s concentrated mix of schools, health services, and public-sector organizations gives students several types of field-placement setting to investigate, but access to a particular employer or position is never automatic.
The setting also changes which credential matters. Ask a prospective placement site whether it accepts students from your track, provides supervision meeting program requirements, and offers experience relevant to D.C. licensure or school credentialing. If you might work across the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area, check the rules in each jurisdiction before choosing a program; a D.C.-aligned course sequence does not by itself establish eligibility elsewhere (D.C. Board of Professional Counseling; Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists; Virginia Board of Counseling).
National occupational wages provide a benchmark, not a forecast for a new D.C. graduate. The table pairs relevant U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational categories with their May 2025 median annual wages and 2025-2035 employment projections; actual roles, experience, and credentials affect pay.
Counseling path
U.S. median annual wage, May 2025
U.S. projected job growth, 2025-2035
Clinical mental health or addiction counseling
$59,350
18%
School counseling
$64,330
3%
Rehabilitation counseling
$46,850
2%
The faster national projection for mental health and addiction counseling may strengthen the case for that path if it matches your interests; it does not mean every D.C. opening pays the national median. Compare current local vacancies by required license and experience before using a salary figure to justify borrowing (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections).
The programs below stand out chiefly in career destination and institutional choice, not in a verified head-to-head placement or licensure-pass-rate comparison. Treat these distinctions as shortlist criteria, and request current credit totals, fieldwork requirements, accreditation status, and outcomes directly from each program before applying.
The Chicago School - M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Washington, D.C.: This is a D.C.-based clinical mental health option at an institution focused on psychology and related fields. It is worth comparing if therapeutic practice is your goal; confirm the current campus course schedule and how placements are arranged (The Chicago School program page).
George Washington University - Clinical Mental Health Counseling: This route lets applicants compare clinical training within the same education school that also offers school and rehabilitation counseling. It is especially useful if you are still distinguishing those professional destinations, but ask which courses and placements belong specifically to the clinical track (George Washington University program pages).
University of the District of Columbia - Clinical Mental Health Counseling: UDC offers a public-university clinical option, making its current resident tuition and total required-credit cost important comparison points against private institutions. Public status is not a substitute for checking the final net price or clinical placement arrangements (UDC program page).
George Washington University - School Counseling: This program is specifically directed toward school counseling rather than clinical mental health practice. It merits a closer look from applicants planning to work in schools; verify how its field experiences and coursework align with the school system where you intend to seek a credential (George Washington University program page).
University of the District of Columbia - Rehabilitation Counseling: The rehabilitation focus distinguishes this UDC option from its clinical and school counseling paths. Consider it when disability-related counseling and vocational participation match your goals, and compare its placement settings with the populations you hope to serve (UDC program page).
Trinity Washington University - School Counseling: Trinity offers a separate school-focused choice outside the George Washington and UDC programs. Applicants comparing school counseling routes should request its current scheduling and field-placement details rather than assuming those arrangements are equivalent across institutions (Trinity Washington University program page).
University of the District of Columbia - School Counseling: This is the public-university school counseling option in the group. Its most useful comparison is the complete resident or nonresident price alongside its school-based fieldwork requirements - not the tuition rate by itself (UDC program page).
George Washington University - Rehabilitation Counseling: George Washington's dedicated rehabilitation program provides an alternative to UDC for applicants interested in disability and rehabilitation services. Ask each program how its curriculum and supervised experience support your intended rehabilitation role before comparing their net costs (George Washington University program page).
George Washington University - Rehabilitation Counseling: For an applicant considering work beyond D.C., the decisive question is whether this program's courses and field experiences satisfy the rules of the jurisdiction where they plan to practice. Obtain a written licensure-alignment explanation rather than relying on the degree title alone (George Washington University program page).
Plan on roughly two to three years for a full-time counseling master's; part-time study commonly takes longer. The exact calendar depends on the program's credit requirements, course rotation, and whether required practicum and internship placements are available when you need them. A working adult should request a term-by-term plan rather than relying on an advertised minimum completion time (institutional program catalogs).
An accelerated schedule can reduce time away from higher-paid work, but compressed coursework may conflict with daytime field-placement hours. Before enrolling, ask when fieldwork begins, whether summer enrollment is necessary, and whether a missed course delays the next placement cycle.
Online delivery changes where you take classes; it does not eliminate supervised counseling practice or make licensure rules portable. A D.C. resident considering an online program based elsewhere should obtain written confirmation that it accepts local placements and that its curriculum is designed to meet the relevant D.C. educational requirements (D.C. Board of Professional Counseling; institutional program disclosures).
Campus study may simplify access to local faculty and placement networks, while online coursework may better fit a job or caregiving schedule. Neither format is inherently better preparation. Compare the frequency of required campus visits, live class times, responsibility for securing a placement, supervision arrangements, and the total cost of attendance. An online program that cannot support an appropriate local internship may be less flexible than it appears.
There is no single reliable D.C.-wide price that represents all of these counseling master's tracks: schools differ in required credits, tuition structure, fees, and aid. A published per-credit rate is particularly misleading when compared across programs of different lengths. Use each institution's current graduate tuition schedule and program catalog to calculate the full degree price; NCES/IPEDS institutional tuition figures alone do not establish a counseling program's final cost.
Include required fees, books, transport to field sites, potential unpaid placement hours, and income you may forgo. UDC's public status makes resident eligibility worth checking, while private-institution grants may change a comparison based on sticker price. The most affordable counseling programs offer another starting point, but request a personalized cost estimate before treating any program as the cheapest for you.
Start with each school's graduate scholarships, assistantships, and employer benefits, then submit the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal aid. Graduate students may qualify for Direct Unsubsidized Loans; grants available to undergraduates should not be assumed to cover a master's degree (Federal Student Aid). Ask whether an award renews during fieldwork terms and whether part-time enrollment changes eligibility.
Federal Student Aid's Graduate PLUS guidance is especially important for 2027 applicants: under the rules beginning July 1, 2026, new graduate borrowers generally cannot take out Graduate PLUS loans, while qualifying borrowers already enrolled in a program may have transitional eligibility. Confirm your individual status with the school's financial aid office before building a budget around that loan (Federal Student Aid). Compare any remaining funding gap with realistic entry-level earnings, not just a national occupational median.
View the chart data as a table
Graduates (2024-25) distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
0-9
3
10-19
4
20-29
0
30-39
2
Expect a completed bachelor's degree and a program-specific application, commonly including transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, and an interview. Psychology coursework may help, but do not assume every D.C. program requires the same undergraduate major or standardized test; check the current admissions page for each track (institutional admissions pages).
Admissions eligibility and professional eligibility are separate. The D.C. Board of Professional Counseling sets requirements for counseling licensure, while school-based roles can involve separate education credential rules administered by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. Before applying, ask the program to identify the credential its graduates are prepared to pursue, the relevant accreditation status, required supervised experience, and any additional examination or post-degree steps. Graduation alone does not grant a license (D.C. Board of Professional Counseling; D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education).
Core study commonly covers counseling theories, helping skills, ethics, assessment, research, and supervised practice. Clinical mental health tracks add preparation relevant to assessment and treatment; school tracks address counseling in educational systems; rehabilitation tracks focus more directly on disability and rehabilitation practice. Exact course names and credit requirements vary by institution (George Washington University, UDC, Trinity Washington University, and The Chicago School program pages).
Read the course sequence alongside the fieldwork plan. A course list may sound appropriate for several careers, but the required practice setting and credential alignment reveal whether it supports your goal. Ask whether any prerequisite or transfer credit actually replaces a required graduate course; do not assume prior professional experience shortens the supervised-training requirement.
The clearest local choices are clinical mental health, school, and rehabilitation counseling, as reflected in the named D.C. program offerings (institutional program pages). These are more than elective clusters: they point toward different clients, work settings, and credential checks. Choose clinical mental health if your intended work is therapeutic care, school counseling if it is student support in schools, or rehabilitation counseling if disability-related counseling is central to your plans.
Interest in addiction or couples work does not necessarily mean every program offers a separately named concentration. Ask which electives, placements, and post-degree credentials support that interest. A specialization on a brochure is less valuable than documented coursework and supervised experience accepted for the role you want.
Start with the job and jurisdiction, then compare only programs that plausibly lead toward that destination. Popularity can reveal programs to investigate, but a sound investment depends on completion probability, net cost and debt, time out of the workforce, your current earnings, plausible post-degree earnings, and how long you expect to work in the field. Comparing future earnings also requires accounting for when costs and benefits occur - not treating a salary median as an immediate raise.
Use these checks to turn a shortlist into an application decision:
Ask each program, in writing, which D.C. license or school credential its curriculum is designed to support and what additional steps remain after graduation.
Verify current institutional and, where relevant to your goal, programmatic accreditation with the accreditor or official directory; do not infer it from another track at the same university.
Request required credits, a realistic completion schedule, placement support, and the full cost after aid, including fieldwork-related expenses.
Ask for track-specific completion, licensure-exam, and employment information where available, including the reporting period; avoid substituting institution-wide outcomes.
If your priority is the balance between price and outcomes, consult the most valuable counseling programs as an additional comparison - not as a replacement for checking credential fit. A lower-cost program that does not support your intended credential can be an expensive mistake.
View the chart data as a table
Programs by specialization (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
3
School Counseling
3
Rehabilitation Counseling
3
A clinical mental health graduate may pursue the supervised experience and other steps required for professional counseling licensure; a school counseling graduate may seek the appropriate school credential; a rehabilitation counseling graduate may pursue roles serving people with disabilities in rehabilitation or related services. Job titles and permitted duties depend on employer requirements and credential status, not simply possession of the degree (D.C. Board of Professional Counseling; D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education).
Before committing, search actual D.C.-area postings for your target title and separate positions open to recent graduates from those requiring independent licensure. That distinction clarifies the likely period between graduation and a fully licensed role - and whether you can afford that transition.
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
The strongest comparable outlook figures here are national, not D.C.-specific: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 18% employment growth for the occupation covering mental health and addiction counselors from 2025 to 2035, versus 3% for school counselors over the same period. Those projections describe occupations across the United States; they do not establish how many openings a particular D.C. program's graduates will obtain.
For a local read on demand, compare recent postings at schools, behavioral health providers, and rehabilitation organizations by credential, supervision status, and work location. Include nearby Maryland and Virginia only if you are willing and eligible to meet their separate requirements. Strong national growth is a reason to investigate a path, not a reason to overlook licensing delays, placement access, or borrowing costs.
2027 Most Popular Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in District of Columbia
Investing in a master's degree is consequential, so Research.com evaluates programs using multiple sources rather than asking readers to rely on popularity alone. Its counseling rankings consider graduate outcomes, applicable licensure-exam results, accreditation, federal aid eligibility, and cost; each ranking then orders programs according to the dimension named in its title. A popularity ranking is useful for discovering options, but it should not be read as a ranking of affordability or individual career outcomes.
To support data quality and cross-check institutional information, the Research.com team used the following sources in creating the ranking:
IPEDS database - institutional reporting on enrollment, completions, and other education measures.
Peterson's database - program and institutional information used to supplement comparisons.
Research.com's broader counseling methodology combines program completion, employment or doctoral admission, applicable licensure-exam pass rates, CACREP recognition where relevant, and institutional Title IV eligibility when calculating its graduate-outcomes-and-accreditation score; cost has a smaller role in its Best ranking. Criteria that do not apply to a program are reweighted. Readers can examine the full approach on the Research.com methodology page. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then verify each program's current disclosures and fit with your intended license.
# 1 position
The Chicago School - Washington, D.C.
Master
M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
51.30
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.5-3 years full-time
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Acceptance rate
50%
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
Additional requirements
Application; $50 application fee; GPA of 3.0 or higher; two-page essay on how the applicant would contribute to the program's mission and to the profession as a clinical mental health counselor; resume; three letters of recommendation;
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
The Chicago School - Washington, D.C. earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 51.3/100, supported by 39 graduates (2024-25) and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 2 position
George Washington University
Master
Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
48.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.6 years (8 semesters) on average
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Employment or doctoral admission
95% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2025-26)
Application deadline
Priority: Nov 2; Program Deadline: Dec 1
Class size
30
Application process
direct
GRE
optional
Prerequisites
Bachelor's Degree
Additional requirements
Online application, resume, transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities, personal statement, two letters of recommendation; GRE preferred (not required); no application fee.
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).
George Washington University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 48.2/100, supported by 31 graduates (2024-25) and 100% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 3 position
University of the District of Columbia
Master
Master of Science in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
38.60
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2021-22)
Application deadline
Fall: April 15; Spring: September 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited post-secondary institution
Additional requirements
Online application, official transcripts, two professional references, minimum 3.0 GPA; GRE waived
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 the District of Columbia earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 38.6/100, supported by 15 graduates (2023-24) and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 4 position
George Washington University
Master
Master's in School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
33.40
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2025-26)
Application deadline
Summer 2027: Priority Nov 2; Round 1 Dec 1; Round 2 Jan 15; Round 3 Mar 1; Program deadline May 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree
Additional requirements
Online application, resume, transcripts from all previously attended institutions; no application fee
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).
George Washington University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 33.4/100, supported by 10 graduates (2024-25) and 100% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 5 position
University of the District of Columbia
Master
Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
28.90
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Rehabilitation Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.70 - 4.00
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
84% (2021-22)
Application deadline
Fall: April 15; Spring: September 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited post-secondary institution.
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 the District of Columbia earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 28.9/100, supported by 7 graduates (2023-2024) and 84% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 6 position
Trinity Washington University
Master
School Counseling, M.A.
Delivery mode: campus
24.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3-year degree for part-time candidates
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.80 - 4.00
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale; conditional/provisional admission possible for those not meeting standard requirements.
Additional requirements
Online application; official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended; two letters of recommendation; a 500-word personal reflective essay; completion of an interview with Counseling faculty; a current résumé/CV.
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).
Trinity Washington University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 24.9/100, with 5 graduates (2023-24) among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-03-31.
# 7 position
University of the District of Columbia
Master
Master of Science in Counseling: School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
9.60
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2023-24)
Application deadline
Fall: April 15; Spring: September 15
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Recommended undergraduate coursework in psychology, education or a related field.
Additional requirements
Completed online graduate application and an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited post-secondary institution.
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 the District of Columbia earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 9.6/100, supported by 1 graduates (2023-2024) and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 8 position
George Washington University
Master
Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling (Online)
Delivery mode: hybrid
34.60
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Average completion: 2.6 years (8 semesters)
Specialization
Rehabilitation Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Application deadline
June 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's Degree
Additional requirements
Online application form, resume, transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities (no application fee); applicants within 50 miles of GW's main campus are not eligible for the online program
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).
George Washington University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 34.6/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 9 position
George Washington University
Master
Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling (On-Campus)
Delivery mode: campus
34.60
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Average completion: 2.6 years (8 semesters)
Specialization
Rehabilitation Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Application deadline
Aug 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's Degree
Additional requirements
Online application form, resume, transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities (no application fee)
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).
George Washington University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 34.6/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about Counseling degree in District of Columbia
Does a counseling master's degree automatically qualify me for a D.C. license?
No. The applicable board or school credentialing authority determines educational, supervised-experience, examination, and other requirements. Confirm the intended credential and remaining steps with the program and regulator (D.C. Board of Professional Counseling; D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education).
Is CACREP accreditation required for every counseling job?
No single accreditation rule covers every job or credential. Check the current requirements for your intended D.C. credential and any other jurisdiction where you may practice; verify a program's status directly rather than assuming all tracks share it (CACREP; D.C. Board of Professional Counseling).
Can I complete a D.C. counseling master's entirely online?
Coursework may be online, but supervised fieldwork still requires an approved setting. Ask about in-person requirements, placement locations, and written D.C. licensure-alignment disclosures before enrolling.
Should I choose clinical mental health or school counseling?
Choose based on the role you want: therapeutic practice and school-based student support involve different preparation and credential checks. Compare required courses and field placements, not just program titles.
How should I compare a public and a private program?
Compare each program's total cost after aid, completion time, placement support, and credential fit. Public or private status alone does not establish which option offers better value for you.
See What Experts Have To Say About Studying Counseling
