Choosing a counseling degree in Seattle means choosing a career route, not just a school: clinical practice, school counseling, and counselor education lead to different credentials and workplaces. The Research.com team of data scientists created the 2027 Most Popular Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Seattle to help students make an informed choice about programs worth considering. This guide helps career changers and prospective graduate students compare formats, costs, Washington requirements, and potential outcomes before committing.
Key findings about Counseling degrees in Seattle
Start with the intended credential: Washington's mental health counselor license, school counselor certification, and counselor-educator roles call for different preparation (Washington Department of Health; Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction).
The national median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025; the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 18% employment growth for 2025-2035. These are occupation-wide figures, not Seattle graduate outcomes.
Seattle-area options include clinical mental health master's programs in campus, online, and low-residency formats, plus online school counseling and a low-residency counselor education doctorate. Compare required field placements and total cost before treating delivery format as the deciding factor (Seattle University; City University of Seattle; Antioch University).
What can I expect from a Counseling degree in Seattle?
For most readers seeking to counsel clients independently, the relevant degree is a graduate program designed around clinical coursework and supervised practice - not a general undergraduate psychology degree or a short certificate. Seattle University, City University of Seattle, and Antioch University offer counseling master's options with different delivery models; Antioch also lists a counselor education and supervision doctorate (institutional program pages).
Choose the endpoint first. A clinical mental health program is the more direct comparison for someone pursuing Washington mental health counselor licensure. School counseling is aimed at work in schools and requires checking educator-certification rules. A counselor education doctorate generally serves people pursuing teaching, supervision, or research after graduate-level counseling preparation. None of these credentials is interchangeable simply because its title contains "counseling" (Washington Department of Health; Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction).
Where can I work with a Counseling degree in Seattle?
Depending on specialization and credential, graduates may work in community behavioral health, hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practices, colleges, or K-12 schools. Seattle's range of healthcare, public-sector, and school employers makes field-placement access especially relevant: ask each program which sites accept its students, who arranges placements, and whether placements can be completed near your home or job.
Do not equate graduation with permission to practice independently. Washington's Department of Health regulates mental health counselor licensure, while the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction oversees school counselor certification. Employers may also set role-specific requirements. If you intend to move, check the destination state's rules before enrolling; Washington preparation does not automatically confer another state's credential.
Pay depends more on the occupation, license, setting, and experience than on the degree title alone. The table uses national medians for comparable counseling occupations, not starting salaries or promises about Seattle jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports May 2025 wages and 2025-2035 national projections.
Potential path
National median annual wage, May 2025
Projected U.S. growth, 2025-2035
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counseling
$59,350
18%
School and career counseling and advising
$64,330
3%
Marriage and family therapy
$66,940
14%
Rehabilitation counseling
$46,850
2%
A higher occupational median does not establish that one Seattle program pays off faster: these figures include workers at different career stages and do not account for tuition, time out of work, or local hiring conditions. Use a current Seattle-area job posting for your target role to test whether its pay and credential requirements support your own budget.
The listed programs differ most clearly in professional destination and how students attend. The distinctions below come from the institutions' program descriptions and titles; confirm current credits, placement arrangements, accreditation status, and costs directly with each school before applying.
Seattle University, Clinical Mental Health Counseling MAEd: This is the campus-listed counterpart to the university's separately listed online clinical program. It is a sensible comparison point if you want to attend in person rather than choose primarily for remote coursework (Seattle University).
Seattle University, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online MAEd: The online designation distinguishes its delivery from Seattle University's campus-listed clinical option. Ask how required supervised experiences work where you live; online classes alone do not make clinical training fully remote (Seattle University).
City University of Seattle, Master of Arts in Counseling: Its MA title offers a degree-design comparison with Seattle University's MAEd clinical programs. If your goal is Washington mental health counselor licensure, request a written explanation of how its curriculum meets the state's education requirements rather than relying on the degree label (City University of Seattle; Washington Department of Health).
City University of Seattle, Master of Arts in Counseling: Compared with Antioch's counselor education doctorate, this master's is the more relevant level to investigate for entry into graduate counseling preparation. Confirm its current track, course delivery, and fieldwork expectations before comparing its total cost with other master's options (City University of Seattle).
Antioch University, Counselor Education and Supervision PhD, Low-Residency: This is the doctoral option in the set, with a low-residency format. It fits an experienced counselor considering educator or supervisor roles more closely than an applicant seeking an initial clinical master's degree (Antioch University).
Antioch University, Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA, Low-Residency: Its low-residency design offers a different attendance pattern from a conventional campus schedule or a program labeled online. Working applicants should clarify required in-person sessions and their travel costs (Antioch University).
Antioch University-Seattle, Clinical Mental Health Counseling: This Seattle-designated clinical option is worth comparing directly with Antioch's low-residency MA. Ask which attendance and placement rules apply to the specific version offered when you enroll, rather than assuming the two formats operate alike (Antioch University).
Seattle University, School Counseling Online MAEd: Its school counseling focus sets it apart from the clinical mental health options. It is the relevant Seattle University program to investigate if your goal is school counselor certification, subject to verification of Washington certification and school-placement requirements (Seattle University; Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction).
A counseling master's commonly takes about two to three years of full-time study; part-time enrollment can extend that timeline. A counselor education doctorate generally takes longer because it adds advanced study and dissertation work. These are planning ranges, not published completion times for every program listed here.
Compare the actual course sequence, not just advertised time to degree. Clinical placements may have fixed schedules even when coursework is online, and a working student may need to reduce paid hours during fieldwork. Ask whether courses run every term, how long students typically take to secure placements, and whether transferred graduate credits would shorten the sequence.
Online delivery changes where much of the academic coursework happens; it does not remove supervised practice or Washington credential requirements. For a Seattle student with a fixed work schedule, online or low-residency study may reduce routine travel. Campus study may be easier to coordinate with in-person classes and local placements, but it can require more predictable time away from work.
The key question is where will fieldwork occur? Before choosing a remote program, ask whether it approves sites in your area, who secures the placement, whether any campus visits are mandatory, and which state's licensure requirements its curriculum is designed to meet. A program advertised as online is not automatically suitable for every applicant's intended state (institutional program pages; Washington Department of Health).
There is no single dependable Seattle counseling-degree price: the programs here span master's and doctoral study and use different schedules and delivery models. NCES/IPEDS publishes institutional tuition and fee information, but an institution-wide figure is not the total price of a particular counseling degree. Request each school's current program-specific tuition, required fees, and expected credits rather than treating a general graduate tuition figure as your bill.
Budget for books, placement travel, potential residency trips, licensing-related expenses, and reduced earnings during supervised training. Public-versus-private comparisons also need care: aid offers, program length, and the number of credits charged can change the final price. Use the most affordable counseling programs as a starting shortlist, then compare written total-cost estimates on the same attendance assumptions.
Eligible graduate students can investigate institutional scholarships and assistantships, employer tuition support, and federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans through the FAFSA process (Federal Student Aid). Ask financial aid offices whether a scholarship covers only classroom terms or also terms spent in practicum or internship. Washington-based applicants should check state and institutional eligibility rules individually; graduate study should not be assumed eligible for every state grant.
Federal Student Aid's Graduate PLUS rules changed for new graduate borrowers beginning July 2026. New borrowers generally cannot plan on Graduate PLUS to fill any remaining funding gap; qualifying continuing borrowers may have transitional eligibility tied to earlier borrowing and enrollment. Because eligibility is individual, obtain a written aid projection before accepting an offer (Federal Student Aid).
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
Master's applicants generally need a bachelor's degree and must meet the school's published application requirements, which may include transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, and an interview. Required prior coursework and minimum academic standards vary by program. A counselor education doctorate typically expects prior graduate preparation relevant to counseling; check the current program's requirements rather than assuming professional experience substitutes for them (institutional admissions pages).
Admissions eligibility is only the first check. For a clinical goal, compare the degree and coursework with Washington Department of Health requirements; for school counseling, compare them with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's certification pathway. Ask admissions whether prior graduate courses can transfer and whether a transfer would actually replace required courses or shorten enrollment.
Clinical counseling curricula commonly cover counseling techniques, ethics, human development, assessment, diagnosis, research, and supervised practicum or internship. School counseling shifts emphasis toward student development, school systems, and counseling practice in educational settings. Doctoral counselor education adds preparation for teaching, supervision, and research (institutional program descriptions; Washington Department of Health; Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction).
Course titles alone are a weak comparison tool. Request each program's current curriculum map and identify which courses and field experiences support your intended credential. This is especially important when comparing an MA, an MAEd, and an online option: similar-sounding degrees may organize professional preparation differently.
The clearest choices among the listed Seattle programs are clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, and doctoral counselor education and supervision (Seattle University; City University of Seattle; Antioch University). Clinical study fits someone aiming to counsel clients in behavioral-health settings; school counseling fits someone committed to working with students in schools; doctoral study fits a counselor seeking advanced educator, supervisor, or research preparation.
Interests such as addiction, couples, or rehabilitation counseling may appear in coursework or placements without being a named specialization. If one is your goal, ask which relevant courses and supervised settings are available - and whether the resulting degree meets any distinct Washington credential requirements. Do not choose a program solely because a brochure mentions your preferred client group.
Work backward from the job you want. A popularity ranking can reveal programs to investigate, while best counseling programs offers another comparison lens; neither replaces a credential and affordability check. Use this sequence to turn a shortlist into a decision:
Identify the exact Washington license or certification, if any, named in jobs you would apply for.
Ask each school to document how its current curriculum and supervised training support that credential; independently check the relevant state agency.
Verify institutional accreditation and any claimed programmatic CACREP status directly with the accreditor, including its status for your program and enrollment period.
Compare written total costs, aid, placement logistics, expected time to completion, and earnings you may forgo while studying.
Request program-specific completion and career-outcome information, noting its reporting period and whether it covers your intended track.
A common mistake is selecting the lowest tuition or most convenient format before checking fieldwork and credential fit. For return on investment, consider completion likelihood, debt after aid, current earnings, plausible post-degree earnings, time away from work, and how long you expect to use the credential - not a salary headline alone.
View the chart data as a table
Graduates (2024-25) distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
0–19
3
20–39
0
40–59
2
60–79
0
80–99
1
100–119
0
120–139
2
A clinical mental health master's can be part of a path toward mental health counseling roles after the applicable supervised experience, examination, and licensing steps. A school counseling program is a different route into school-based work and educator certification. Counselor education doctoral study can support applications for teaching, supervision, or research roles; a doctorate by itself does not replace a required practice license (Washington Department of Health; Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction).
For career changers, the key distinction is between entry into the profession and advancement within it. Compare clinical master's programs if you need initial counseling preparation; consider the doctorate only if its advanced responsibilities match work you actually want. The most valuable counseling programs can help frame a cost-and-outcomes comparison, but check the underlying measures against your career stage.
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
National demand provides context, not a Seattle hiring forecast. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 18% growth from 2025 to 2035 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. That supports investigating the clinical path, but it does not show how many suitable local openings will be available when an individual student graduates.
To test the local market, review recent Seattle-area postings for your intended job title. Note whether employers require a full Washington license, accept an associate-stage applicant, request a school credential, or prefer a particular client population. Then ask programs about placement settings and graduate outcomes that match those postings. This connects labor-market demand to a practical question: whether the program helps you qualify for the jobs you would actually seek.
2027 Most Popular Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Seattle
Investing in graduate education is a consequential decision. Research.com developed its counseling rankings to help readers compare programs using documented education and outcome measures rather than promotional claims. The team reviews data quality and applicability, including whether a measure such as a licensure examination applies to the program being scored. Popularity should still be read as one comparison lens - not proof that a program is the best fit or offers the strongest return.
The ranking draws on these databases; readers can use them to investigate individual schools as well:
IPEDS database: institutional reporting on enrollment, completions, and costs.
Across its counseling rankings, Research.com considers graduate completion, employment or doctoral admission, applicable licensure-exam results, CACREP recognition, federal Title IV eligibility, and cost. Its Best ranking gives the greatest weight to a graduate-outcomes-and-accreditation score, with cost contributing a smaller share; rankings named for another dimension order programs by that dimension. Criteria that do not apply are excluded and the remaining weights adjusted. Readers can examine the approach on Research.com's methodology page, then use the ranking to build a shortlist for direct verification with schools.
# 1 position
Seattle University
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MAEd
Delivery mode: campus
54.50
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
90 quarter credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
February 1 (priority, Fall admission)
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE/GMAT required only if the bachelor's degree is non-graded
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution; no specific prior coursework required.
Additional requirements
Letter of Intent (2-3 pages), one-to-two page résumé, two recommendation forms (from supervisors/instructors), official/unofficial transcripts, minimum 3.00 GPA; GRE/GMAT required only if bachelor's degree transcript is non-graded. No application fee.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Seattle University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 54.5/100, with 49 graduates (2024-25) among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 2 position
Seattle University
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Online, MAEd
Delivery mode: hybrid
53.00
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
90 quarter credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
February 1 (priority, Fall admission)
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE/GMAT required only if the bachelor's degree is non-graded
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution; no specific prior coursework required.
Additional requirements
Letter of Intent (2-3 pages), one-to-two page résumé, two recommendation forms (from supervisors/instructors), official/unofficial transcripts, minimum 3.00 GPA; GRE/GMAT required only if bachelor's degree transcript is non-graded. No application fee.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Seattle University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 53.0/100, with 44 graduates (2024-25) among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 3 position
City University of Seattle
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
36.70
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
90 quarter credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
93% (2022-23)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2022-23)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2022-23)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
An accredited bachelor's degree and official transcripts.
Additional requirements
Bachelor's degree and official transcripts, a personal statement about why you want to be a counselor, possible interview, plus supplemental admissions documents (per Supplemental Admissions Documents Form).
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
City University of Seattle earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 36.7/100, supported by 13 graduates (2022-23) and 93% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 4 position
City University of Seattle
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
33.40
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
90 quarter credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2022-23)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2022-23)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
An accredited bachelor's degree and official transcripts.
Additional requirements
Bachelor's degree and official transcripts, a personal statement about why you want to be a counselor, possible interview, plus supplemental admissions documents (per Supplemental Admissions Documents Form).
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
City University of Seattle earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 33.4/100, supported by 10 graduates (2022-2023) and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 5 position
Antioch University-Seattle
Doctor
PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision (Low-Residency)
Delivery mode: hybrid
28.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
three-year semester-based program
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
63 semester credits
Acceptance rate
55%
Application deadline
Fall: May 1; late complete applications may be considered if space remains.
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Master's degree in counseling or closely related field covering CACREP areas (gaps addressed in the doctoral plan); LMHC license-eligible; master's-level clinical competence and scholarly writing potential.
Additional requirements
Online application; official transcripts; resume/CV; essay answering three questions (1-2 double-spaced pages each). Two recommendation letters optional. Selected applicants may interview. International applicants have added requirements.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Antioch University-Seattle earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 28.9/100, with 7 graduates (2024-25) among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 6 position
Antioch University-Seattle
Master
MA in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Low-Residency)
Delivery mode: hybrid
66.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
40 months
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Acceptance rate
85.83%
Employment or doctoral admission
87%
Application deadline
Fall: July 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution required; transcript evaluations required for coursework completed outside the U.S. or Canada.
Additional requirements
Online admissions application; official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended; optional two letters of recommendation; resume; admission essay (multiple prompts); select applicants may be invited to a group interview with faculty.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Antioch University-Seattle earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 66.9/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 7 position
Antioch University-Seattle
Master
MA in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Residential Weekend Delivery
Delivery mode: hybrid
66.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 - 3-1/2 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Employment or doctoral admission
87%
Application deadline
Fall: July 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution required; transcript evaluations required for coursework completed outside the U.S. or Canada.
Additional requirements
Online admissions application; official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended; optional two letters of recommendation; resume; admission essay (multiple prompts); select applicants may be invited to a group interview with faculty.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Antioch University-Seattle earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 66.9/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 8 position
Seattle University
Master
School Counseling, Online, MAEd
Delivery mode: hybrid
62.00
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
90 quarter credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
77% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
80% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall 2027: Priority Feb 1; Final/Rolling Aug 1
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE/GMAT required only if the bachelor's degree is non-graded
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution; minimum of one year of experience related to schools or school-aged youth (three years preferred); minimum 3.00 GPA.
Additional requirements
Letter of Intent (2-page), résumé, two recommendation forms, video question responses, official/unofficial transcripts; no application fee.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Seattle University earned a Research.com Student Interest Score of 62.0/100, with 77% program completion rate among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about Counseling degree in Seattle
Do I need a master's degree to become a mental health counselor in Washington?
Washington's mental health counselor pathway requires qualifying graduate education as well as other licensing steps. Check your proposed degree and coursework against current Washington Department of Health requirements before enrolling.
Does an online Seattle counseling degree qualify me for licensure?
Online delivery alone does not determine eligibility. Check the curriculum, supervised practice, and the rules of the state where you plan to seek a license; ask the program to explain its alignment in writing.
Is CACREP accreditation the same as state licensure?
No. CACREP accredits eligible counseling programs; a state licensing agency decides whether an applicant meets its education and other requirements. Verify both separately (CACREP; Washington Department of Health).
Should I choose school counseling or clinical mental health counseling?
Choose based on the workplace and credential you want. School counseling targets school-based practice and educator certification; clinical mental health counseling is the more relevant comparison for mental health counselor licensure (Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction; Washington Department of Health).
Is a Seattle counseling degree worth the investment?
It may be if the program meets your credential goal and its total cost, time commitment, and likely career options fit your finances. Compare aid-adjusted cost and lost work time with realistic local job opportunities; a national salary median cannot establish your personal return.
See What Experts Have To Say About Studying Counseling
