Choosing a counseling program starts with a geographic question: here, Washington means Washington, D.C., not Washington state. That distinction affects tuition, field placements, and licensure planning. This guide is for prospective counselors comparing clinical, school, rehabilitation, and doctoral paths in the District. It accompanies the 2027 Most Popular Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Washington, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about which programs are worth considering. You'll learn how to compare their fit, costs, training, and career implications.
Key findings about Counseling degrees in Washington
Choose the credential before the school: D.C. clinical counseling licensure and school-counselor certification are different routes; a program labeled "counseling" is not automatically suitable for both.
Use wages as context, not a forecast: the U.S. median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Check the market against your goal: U.S. employment in that counseling occupation is projected to grow 18% from 2025 to 2035, but a national projection does not predict D.C. openings or individual job offers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What can I expect from a Counseling degree in Washington?
Expect the curriculum and fieldwork to follow the role you are preparing for. A clinical mental health master's focuses on assessment, counseling methods, ethics, and supervised client work. A school-counseling program prepares students to support pupils within an education system; rehabilitation counseling emphasizes disability, access, and vocational goals. A doctorate is generally a different investment, aimed more at research, teaching, or advanced supervision than at entering practice quickly.
In D.C., a degree is only one step toward regulated practice. The D.C. Department of Health's Board of Professional Counseling sets professional-counselor licensure requirements, while the Office of the State Superintendent of Education oversees educator credentials, including school-counselor certification. Confirm the applicable coursework, supervised experience, examination, and application requirements with the relevant authority before committing to a program. If your goal is a job in Washington state, check that state's rules instead; a D.C. campus does not make a program a Washington-state option.
Where can I work with a Counseling degree in Washington?
Clinical counselors may seek roles in community mental health, hospitals, outpatient practices, and other behavioral-health settings. School counselors work in education; rehabilitation counselors may work with disability-service, vocational-rehabilitation, or related organizations. The appropriate credential and an employer's requirements determine which positions are open to you - not the degree title alone (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; D.C. Department of Health; D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education).
D.C.'s compact geography makes placement logistics unusually important. A program's campus may be in the District while a practicum site, supervisor, or intended job is in Maryland or Virginia. Ask where students actually complete fieldwork and whether a placement across a jurisdictional boundary affects your intended credential or later application for licensure there.
Pay depends on the occupation, setting, experience, and location - not simply on holding a counseling degree. The figures below are U.S. occupational medians for May 2025, not D.C. graduate salaries or starting-pay promises. They help show why selecting the right specialty matters (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook).
Counseling-related occupation
U.S. median annual wage, May 2025
Decision implication
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors
$59,350
Relevant context for clinical mental health and addiction paths.
School and career counselors and advisors
$64,330
Compare with school schedules, credential rules, and available positions.
Rehabilitation counselors
$46,850
Weigh the specialty's mission and employers alongside its wage context.
These are different occupational categories, so they should not be treated as salary outcomes for the D.C. programs below. For a personal return-on-investment estimate, compare your likely earnings change with tuition, aid, debt, living expenses, time away from work, and the probability of finishing and obtaining the required credential.
The listed Washington, D.C., options differ most clearly by career target and degree level. The program descriptions below identify useful starting distinctions, not verified placement-rate or licensure-pass-rate comparisons. Request current credit, field-hour, outcome, and cost disclosures directly from each school before deciding (institutions' program descriptions).
The Chicago School - M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: This is a clinical master's offered at its Washington, D.C., location. It is worth examining if you want clinical training and need to establish how its local placements fit your licensure plan.
George Washington University - master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: This is GW's clinical route rather than its school- or rehabilitation-counseling route. Compare its required clinical placements and total program cost if your goal is professional mental health counseling.
University of the District of Columbia - Clinical Mental Health Counseling: UDC offers a clinical option within a public university. For a cost-conscious applicant, the useful comparison is the actual tuition and fees they qualify for, alongside clinical-placement access - not the public label alone.
George Washington University - master's in School Counseling: This program targets counseling in schools rather than clinical practice. Prioritize it if you want an education-setting career, and verify how its curriculum supports the school-counselor credential where you intend to work.
University of the District of Columbia - Rehabilitation Counseling: Its rehabilitation focus distinguishes it from UDC's clinical and school options. It is a better starting point for students interested in disability and vocational goals than for those seeking a general clinical route.
George Washington University - Ph.D. in Counseling: This is the doctoral, rather than entry-level master's, option in the group. Investigate its research expectations, funding, and faculty fit if your objective is counselor education, scholarship, or advanced supervision.
Trinity Washington University - School Counseling: This is another school-focused choice in the District. Compare its field-placement arrangements and educator-credential alignment with the other school-counseling programs, particularly if you have a specific school system in mind.
University of the District of Columbia - School Counseling: UDC's school track offers a public-university alternative to its clinical and rehabilitation tracks. Ask for the school-based fieldwork sequence and your complete tuition quote before comparing it with other school routes.
George Washington University - master's in Rehabilitation Counseling: This program centers rehabilitation counseling rather than GW's clinical or school pathways. It suits applicants who want to examine disability-focused training and related placements; confirm the credential requirements for the jobs you want.
To broaden the comparison beyond popularity, review the best counseling programs alongside each program's current disclosures. A school's presence on any ranking does not establish that its degree alone qualifies you for licensure.
A counseling master's commonly takes about two to three years of full-time study; part-time enrollment can extend that timeline. Doctoral study typically takes longer because research and a dissertation add requirements. These are planning ranges, not published completion times for the specific D.C. programs listed above.
Ask admissions for a term-by-term plan showing when fieldwork begins and whether courses are offered often enough to keep part-time students on schedule. An apparently accelerated degree is less useful if its placements require daytime availability you cannot provide. Factor any period of post-degree supervised practice into your timeline to independent licensure; graduation and licensure are separate milestones (D.C. Department of Health).
Online coursework can reduce commuting and help a working student retain income. On-campus study may make scheduled interaction and local placement coordination easier. Neither format removes the need to complete applicable supervised training or meet the rules of the jurisdiction where you seek a credential (D.C. Department of Health; D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education).
For a D.C. resident considering an online program based elsewhere, ask where fieldwork can be completed, who approves supervisors, and whether the school has checked its curriculum against D.C. requirements. If you expect to move to Maryland, Virginia, or Washington state, ask the same questions for that destination. Do not interpret permission to enroll online as a promise of licensure eligibility.
There is no single defensible average for these D.C. counseling options: master's and doctoral degrees, public and private institutions, and different enrollment loads produce different bills. Institutional averages can also obscure the cost of a particular graduate program. For a meaningful comparison, request each school's full-program estimate covering tuition, mandatory fees, expected course load, fieldwork-related expenses, and the likely number of terms.
Check the rate you personally qualify for rather than assuming that a public university is cheaper or that a private university is unaffordable after aid. Then compare borrowing and forgone earnings, not just the sticker price. The most affordable counseling programs can help identify options to price-check, but a lower listed cost is not by itself a better career investment.
Start with the FAFSA and each graduate school's aid office. Eligible students may be considered for federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans; schools may also offer scholarships, assistantships, or other institution-specific support. Ask whether an award continues during fieldwork terms and whether reduced enrollment changes eligibility (Federal Student Aid; U.S. Department of Education).
Do not assume Graduate PLUS is available to a new graduate borrower. Under federal changes effective July 2026, new Graduate PLUS borrowing is generally unavailable. A limited transition applies to certain students who had a Direct Loan for the same program before July 1, 2026; those students should confirm their eligibility and remaining transition period with their aid office before budgeting for it (Federal Student Aid). Compare net cost and expected borrowing before accepting a place - not after paying a deposit.
View the chart data as a table
Pay vs projected growth by counseling career path (U.S., BLS) (Source: BLS)
Name
Median annual wage (USD/year)
Projected growth (%)
Mental Health Counselors
59,350
18
School & Career Counselors
64,330
3
Rehabilitation Counselors
46,850
2
Marriage & Family Therapists
66,940
14
Psychologists
99,110
6
Postsecondary Teachers
85,330
7
Master's applicants generally need a completed bachelor's degree; programs may also request transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, and an interview. Doctoral applicants should expect a closer review of prior graduate preparation and research fit. Exact prerequisites, including any required coursework, are set by the individual institution (institutional admissions offices).
Before applying, ask whether previous graduate credits can transfer, which courses would actually satisfy degree requirements, and whether a transfer would alter your fieldwork sequence. The costly mistake is assuming that admission - or acceptance of credits - confirms eligibility for a D.C. license or school credential. Check that question separately with the relevant D.C. authority and the program director (D.C. Department of Health; D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education).
Clinical programs commonly cover counseling theories, assessment, ethics, multicultural practice, and supervised practicum or internship. School programs add education-setting and pupil-support content; rehabilitation programs emphasize disability and vocational counseling. Research methods and advanced scholarship become more prominent in a counseling doctorate (institutions' program descriptions).
Course names alone are a weak test of fit. Request the catalog and fieldwork handbook, then ask the program to show how its required courses - not merely its electives - address your intended D.C. credential. This matters most when choosing between similarly named clinical and school degrees.
Among the D.C. programs considered here, the clearest choices are clinical mental health, school counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and doctoral counseling study. These are not interchangeable concentrations: they point toward different clients, workplaces, field placements, and potentially different credentials (institutions' program descriptions; D.C. Department of Health; D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education).
If your goal is addiction work or marriage and family therapy, do not assume a general counseling degree supplies every course or supervised experience needed for that particular credential. Ask the school to identify the relevant curriculum and ask the licensing authority to confirm the applicable pathway before you enroll.
Choose backward from the job and jurisdiction you want, then compare programs on requirements you can verify. A popularity ranking is a shortlist tool; it cannot substitute for a credential check or a personal cost estimate.
Name the target role: decide whether you want clinical practice, school counseling, rehabilitation work, or a doctoral research and teaching path.
Verify the credential route: ask the applicable D.C. authority about degree, accreditation, examination, and supervised-experience requirements; repeat the check for any other jurisdiction where you expect to work.
Request program evidence: obtain current required credits, placement rules, completion information, licensure-exam results where applicable, and an itemized total-cost estimate.
Model your own return: include aid, borrowing, time to completion, earnings you may forgo, your current pay, possible later pay, and uncertainty about completion and employment.
Compare the most valuable counseling programs with those answers rather than treating any rank as your personal return on investment. If you cannot secure the required placement or do not want the post-degree credentialing process, a different program or career path may be the wiser choice.
View the chart data as a table
Wage range - Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in District of Columbia (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
10th percentile
43,060
25th percentile
46,920
Median
60,450
75th percentile
83,570
90th percentile
107,980
A clinical master's may be a path toward mental health counseling after the applicable licensing steps; a school-counseling degree points toward education-setting positions after meeting educator-credential rules. Rehabilitation training can support disability and vocational counseling roles. A counseling doctorate may fit someone pursuing counselor education, research, or supervision, but it should not be treated as the default next step for every practicing counselor (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; D.C. Department of Health; D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education).
The degree is most likely to be worth the investment when its required training matches a role you actually want and you can complete the additional credential steps. If you want a quicker transition into a non-licensed support role, compare that role's entry requirements first; a lengthy clinical master's may not be necessary.
View the chart data as a table
Graduates (2024-25) distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
0–9
4
10–19
4
20–29
0
30–39
2
The national outlook differs substantially by specialty. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 18% employment growth from 2025 to 2035 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, compared with 3% for school and career counselors and advisors. Those projections describe national occupations, not the number of openings a D.C. graduate will find.
Use the growth figures to test your specialty choice, then investigate the local market directly: examine current D.C.-area postings for required licenses, accepted degrees, schedules, and experience. Include nearby Maryland and Virginia only if you are willing and eligible to work under their rules. A strong national outlook cannot compensate for choosing a program whose credential pathway or placements do not fit your intended job.
2027 Most Popular Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Washington
Investing in a counseling degree is a significant decision, so Research.com uses multiple education datasets and checks program information rather than asking readers to rely on a school's promotional claims. The ranking is intended to make options easier to discover and compare; popularity alone does not establish affordability, licensure eligibility, or career outcomes.
The Research.com team used these sources in creating its counseling rankings:
IPEDS database - institutional enrollment, completions, and cost information.
Research.com's separate Best counseling ranking combines completion, employment or doctoral admission, applicable licensure-exam results, accreditation, federal-aid eligibility, and a smaller cost component; criteria that do not apply are reweighted. Rankings named for another dimension order programs by that dimension. Do not read a popularity position as the Best score or as proof that a program meets D.C. licensing rules. See Research.com's methodology for more on how the rankings are created.
# 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
George Washington University
Doctor
PhD in Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
27.10
/ 100
Final score
Program length
5.33 years (average)
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.50 - 4.00
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Offers with funding
100
Application deadline
Priority: Nov 2, 2026; Program Deadline: Dec 1, 2026 (Fall 2027 entry)
Class size
9
Application process
direct
GRE
optional
Prerequisites
Master's degree required prior to matriculation; if the master's degree is not CACREP-accredited, significant master's-level coursework is added to the program plan.
Additional requirements
Online application form, resume, transcripts from all previously attended institutions, statement of purpose (500-750 words), 3 letters of recommendation; GRE optional. 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 27.1/100, with 6 graduates (2024-25) among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 7 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.
# 8 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.
# 9 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.
# 10 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 Washington
Does "Washington" in this guide mean Washington state?
No. The programs and linked rankings here concern Washington, D.C. Students seeking programs or licensure in Washington state should assess that state separately.
Is a counseling master's enough to practice independently in D.C.?
Not by itself. Check the D.C. Board of Professional Counseling's current requirements for the applicable degree, supervised experience, examination, and license application (D.C. Department of Health).
Is school counseling the same credential as clinical counseling?
No. School-counselor certification and professional clinical-counselor licensure follow different routes in D.C. Verify the credential for your intended job before choosing a program (D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education; D.C. Department of Health).
Can an online counseling degree lead to a D.C. credential?
Potentially, but online delivery alone establishes nothing about eligibility. Confirm the required curriculum and supervised placements with both the program and the relevant D.C. credentialing authority.
Should I choose the cheapest or most popular program?
Neither measure settles the decision. First verify career and credential fit; then compare total net cost, placement feasibility, completion information, and the debt you would need to take on.
See What Experts Have To Say About Studying Counseling
