Montana State University Online Counseling Programs
Montana State University offers three counseling programs: a graduate certificate in addiction counseling, a graduate certificate in mental health support, and a master of education (MEd) in school counseling. The programs are designed for students who want flexible online training to support individuals, families, and students in communities, schools, and human services settings.
The two graduate certificates are fully online, require 12 credits, and can be completed in about one year by full-time students. They are designed for working professionals and educators who want to maintain their current lifestyle while gaining graduate-level training. The master of education in school counseling is also online, mostly offered in summer months, and can be completed in as little as three years. It includes two residency weekend requirements and prepares students for K-12 school counselor licensure in Montana.
The graduate certificate in addiction counseling prepares students for licensure as a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in Montana and potentially in other states. Important courses include chemical dependency counseling; psychopharmacology and addictions; assessment, treatment, planning, and ethics of addiction counseling; alcohol and drug studies; and cross cultural and ethical considerations in addictions counseling. The program fulfills Montana Board of Behavioral Health addiction counselor licensure requirements.
The graduate certificate in mental health support trains career professionals to support mental health needs in environments that intersect with human services. Coursework focuses on human development and helping theories, multicultural and diversity and inclusion education and support, helping skills, crisis management and trauma, stigma in mental health, consultation, career, and leadership theory. Important courses include counseling theories in addiction settings; mental health, identity development, and understanding; introduction to mental health practice; and communication and helping skills. This is not a license-granting program.
The MEd in school counseling is a 60-credit program that meets educational and practice requirements for a Class 6 school counselor specialist license in Montana. Students take a common core of counseling and human development courses that follow CACREP standards and also study aspects of counseling specific to school settings. Important courses include counseling ethics and professional orientation; counseling theories; professional issues in school counseling; school counseling programs; counseling children and adolescents; crisis counseling: theory and practice; and internship. The program prepares students to work in public or private schools as professional counselors.
Admission to the graduate certificates requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and a GPA of 3.0, though motivated students with a GPA below 3.0 are encouraged to contact the program. Application requirements include two professional letters of recommendation, a three-page essay, and transcripts. The program does not require the GRE. Admission to the master of education in school counseling also does not require the GRE.
Applications are due February 1 each year, and successful applicants begin in June. Requirements include a personal essay of no more than four typed, double-spaced pages, unofficial transcripts for application, three letters of professional recommendation, and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above. Official transcripts are required after admission. Montana State undergraduates do not need to send transcripts.
Montana State University is a public land-grant research university in Bozeman, Montana. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). All counseling programs in the Department of Counseling are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and the school counseling program is accredited by the Montana Office of Public Instruction.
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Graduate Certificate – Addiction Counseling
Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Support
M.Ed. – School Counseling
Culbertson Hall, 100Bozeman, Montana
Program Essentials
Post-Bachelor's Certificate
Counseling: Substance Abuse & Addiction
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
12
Fall, Spring, Summer
Complete in as few as 1 year
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
12
$332.96
$3,995.52
$449.50
$5,394.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master's Certificate
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
12
Summer
Complete in as few as 1 year
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
12
$332.96
$3,995.52
$449.50
$5,394.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: School Counseling
No
2 – Two in-person weekend residencies required
60
Summer
Complete in as little as 3 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$332.96
$19,977.60
$449.50
$26,970.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Farheen Gani
WriterFarheen Gani has researched degree programs and salaries in counseling since 2020. She has written about topics such as genetic counselor salaries and family and human development bachelor’s degrees. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.