Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Connecticut
Counseling Schools Search
Professional counselor credentialing requirements in Connecticut are much the same as in other states. The Connecticut State Department of Health grants licenses to applicants who graduated from a program from a regionally accredited college or university with a degree in the discipline.
Most accredited counseling degree programs follow the standards put forth by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP), which accredits master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling and its specialties in the United States and throughout the world. CACREP certifies all counseling specialties, including rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, marriage and family counseling, and addiction counseling.
CACREP approves addiction counseling programs that require students to take a minimum of 60 semester-credit-hours (or 90 quarter-credit-hours) of coursework. Accreditation of some kind is important for students to consider when choosing a program because that is a key way to be sure that the program and school, in general, meet a broad range of requirements designed to provide a high-quality education that employers can trust.
Accreditation for marriage and family counseling programs is also provided through the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). COAMFTE accredited marriage and family counseling programs at the master’s, doctoral, and post-graduate training program levels.
In Connecticut, eligible professionals must also successfully complete the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors. Connecticut provides credentials for Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Professional Counselors.
The need for counselors, in Connecticut and in general, will grow as a growing population seeks mental health counseling. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021) forecasts that careers in community and social service occupations will grow 12 percent nationally from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations during the same period (8 percent).
The BLS (2021) predicts the job outlook for substance abuse counselors to grow at an even higher rate during that same decade (23 percent). Demand for rehabilitation counselors is expected to grow at a rate of 10 percent. On the other hand, the job outlook for marriage and family therapists is expected to grow at a rate of 16 percent. Overall, students who pursue counseling degrees and licenses in Connecticut can find rewarding and stable careers.
Read on for a few of the many schools offering programs for counseling degrees and licenses in Connecticut.
Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Connecticut
Central Connecticut State University
Central Connecticut State University is a public university founded in 1849. CCSU is Connecticut’s oldest publicly funded university. The school’s Counselor Education & Family Therapy Department offers three academic programs for counselor education: a master of science in counselor education with a specialization in clinical professional counseling, an MS in counselor education with a specialization in school counseling, and an MS in counselor education with a specialization in student development in higher education. The school also offers an MS in marriage and family therapy.
Within the clinical professional counseling program, students can choose from rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation counseling with a drug and alcohol focus, or mental health counseling. All tracks prepare graduates for Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certification, licensing as a Professional Counselor, or licensing as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
The marriage and family therapy program meets academic and clinical requirements for licensure in Connecticut for marital and family therapists (LMFT) and clinical membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
- Location: New Britain, Connecticut
- Duration: The higher education MS is 42 to 45 credits; MFT is 51 to 63 credits; all others are 60 credits
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: Full time, per term; Connecticut resident $6,424; New England resident $8,343; non-resident $13,036
Fairfield University is a private, Catholic university. It was founded by the Jesuits in 1942 and is part of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.
The school’s master of arts in clinical mental health counseling fulfills the requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Connecticut. Fairfield’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program is ranked #1 for top value counseling master’s degrees in Connecticut.
Upon completion of the MFT program, students may apply for associate membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Following additional post-degree clinical experience and supervision, they may apply for clinical membership in this organization and sit for Connecticut’s licensing examination.
Within the MFT program is a master of arts in family studies. This is not a clinical degree but is instead an advanced educational track focusing on early childhood, interpersonal relations, family studies, and human development. That program requires 33 credits and doesn’t lead to licensure.
- Location: Fairfield, Connecticut
- Duration: 60 credits
- Accreditation: The clinical mental health counseling programs is CACREP-approved; the MFT program is accredited by COAMFTE
- Tuition: $875 per credit
Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University is part of Connecticut’s Public State University System. It was founded in 1893. Southern Connecticut’s Department of Counseling and School Psychology prepares clinical mental health counselors, school counselors, and school psychologists to work in Connecticut.
Marriage and family therapy program graduates are eligible for Connecticut licensure and clinical membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
The licensure track master of science in clinical mental health counseling prepares graduates to take the National Counselor Examination, the exam required by the state of Connecticut for licensure as a professional counselor. This examination is also required for national board certification by the National Board of Certified Counselors. This program meets the requirements for Connecticut State Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
The MS in school counseling program meets the State of Connecticut Certification (068) as a K-12 School Counselor. School psychology program graduates are eligible for certification as a school psychologist in the State of Connecticut as well as the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential offered by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). In Connecticut, certification as a School Psychologist requires both the master’s and the sixth-year certificate, which are offered through the SCSU school psychology program. The master of science in school psychology is completed first, during which students apply for admission to the sixth-year program.
- Location: New Haven, Connecticut.
- Duration: The master’s of science in clinical mental health counseling, school counseling are 60 credits
- Accreditation: MFT is accredited by COAMFTE; others are accredited by CACREP; the school psychology program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
- Tuition: Full-time Connecticut resident term total: $5,941; full-time non-resident term total: $12,643
The University of Bridgeport is a private university founded in 1927. It began as the first junior college in Connecticut. The school’s MS degree in counseling prepares graduates to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in Connecticut.
In addition to the master’s degree, a certificate of advanced graduate study (CAGS) is offered for those who wish to take specialized courses beyond the master’s and/or complete licensure requirements.
- Location: Bridgeport, Connecticut
- Duration: 60 credits
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: $780 per credit plus fees
The University of Connecticut is a public research university founded in 1881. The primary 4,400-acre campus is in Storrs, Connecticut, approximately a half-hour drive from Hartford and 90 minutes from Boston.
The School’s Department of Educational Psychology offers a counselor education and counseling psychology program. The counselor education program offers a concentration in school counseling, leading to a master of arts degree in educational psychology and a sixth-year certificate in counseling.
The Department of Allied Health Sciences under the umbrella of the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources and the Institute for Systems Genomics offers a master’s degree in genetic counseling.
- Location: Storrs, Connecticut
- Duration: 60 credits
- Accreditation: The genetic counseling program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC); the school counseling program is accredited by CACREP
- Tuition: Per nine credits, Connecticut residents pay $4,725, non-residents pay $12,267
The University of Saint Joseph
The University of Saint Joseph is a private Roman Catholic university founded in 1932 by the Sisters of Mercy of Connecticut. The school offers three master’s of arts in counseling-related fields: clinical mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, and school counseling.
The MFT program Includes certification as a PREPARE/ENRICH facilitator to work with couples in therapy.
- Location: West Hartford, Connecticut
- Duration: 60 credits
- Accreditation: CACREP; MFT is accredited by COAMFTE
- Tuition: $735 per credit, plus fees
Western Connecticut State University
Western Connecticut State University is a public university founded in 1903 as a teacher’s college. Graduate programs include a master of science in counseling degree with both clinical mental health counseling or school counseling options.
The clinical mental health option meets the educational requirements for both the Connecticut Department of Health for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and the New York State Office of the Professions for licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).
The Western Connecticut State University school counseling option meets all the educational requirements for certification as a school counselor in Connecticut. Candidates seeking New York State certification will require additional coursework that may be taken at WCSU to meet certification requirements.
- Location: Danbury, Connecticut
- Duration: School counseling is 48 hours; clinical mental health counseling is 60 hours
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: Per nine credits, Connecticut residents pay $6,626.50, non-residents pay $13,238.50
How Much Do Counselors Make in Connecticut?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2020.
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
| United States | Connecticut | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 292,230 | 3,270 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $61,000 | $60,010 |
| 10th percentile | $34,380 | $35,630 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $57,040 | $66,820 |
| 90th percentile | $96,090 | $104,470 |
Marriage and Family Therapists
| United States | Connecticut | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 60,850 | 400 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $54,590 | $51,320 |
| 10th percentile | $32,070 | $37,120 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,610 | $48,050 |
| 90th percentile | $87,700 | $71,660 |
Rehabilitation Counselors
| United States | Connecticut | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 100,260 | 2,500 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $40,160 | $44,030 |
| 10th percentile | $23,820 | $25,560 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,950 | $36,300 |
| 90th percentile | $63,790 | $77,490 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
| United States | Connecticut | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 293,620 | 4,110 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $49,950 | $56,060 |
| 10th percentile | $29,520 | $34,830 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,240 | $51,240 |
| 90th percentile | $76,080 | $80,900 |
All Other Counselors
| United States | Connecticut | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 27,310 | 210 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $48,800 | $49,840 |
| 10th percentile | $27,030 | $33,510 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $42,930 | $47,970 |
| 90th percentile | $77,590 | $73,420 |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Connecticut
- Connecticut Counseling Association
- Connecticut Mental Health Counselors Association
- Connecticut School Counselor Association
- The Connecticut Career Counseling & Development Association
- Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association
- Connecticut Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- Connecticut Association for Addiction Professionals
- Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut
- The Connecticut Association for the Treatment of Sex Offenders
- Connecticut Psychological Association
- Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies
- Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Mental Health Connecticut
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Connecticut: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut State Department of Public Health |
Professionals in Connecticut earn a license as a Professional Counselor Associate first, followed by earning a Professional Counselor license. To earn a Professional Counselor Associate license, a candidate must:
To become a licensed Professional Counselor, candidates must meet all the requirements for the associate licensure, as well as:
|
Connecticut requires licenses to be renewed annually. Requirements include:
|
School Counseling Licenses in Connecticut
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut State Department of Education |
The Connecticut State Department of Education offers a Special Services Endorsement to school counselors. The initial endorsement requirements are:
|
Teaching certificates in Connecticut may be renewed or upgraded. The initial school counselor endorsement is valid for three years and may be renewed with an application and a $200 fee. A provisional certificate is valid for eight years and may not be renewed. It must be upgraded to a professional certificate. A professional certificate is valid for five years. There is no fee to renew and no continuing education requirements. |
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Connecticut
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
The Connecticut State Department of Public Health licenses Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ADC). ADC candidates must:
|
ADC licenses in Connecticut must be renewed annually. The renewal fee is $195. Counselors must complete 20 hours of qualifying continuing education per renewal cycle. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Connecticut
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Rehabilitation counselors in Connecticut must earn a license as a Professional Counselor Associate first, followed by earning a Professional Counselor license. To earn a Professional Counselor Associate license, a candidate must:
To become a licensed Professional Counselor, candidates must meet all the requirements for the associate licensure, as well as:
|
Connecticut requires licenses to be renewed annually. Requirements include:
|
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Connecticut
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut State Department of Public Health |
The Connecticut Department of Public Health issues behavior analyst licenses. To qualify, candidates must:
|
Behavior analyst licenses issued in Connecticut expire annually during the licensee’s birth month. Renewals cost $175. While there are no continuing education requirements, behavior analysts are required to maintain their national BCBA certification. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Connecticut
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut State Department of Public Health |
The Connecticut State Department of Public Health issues Marital and Family Therapist Associate and Marital and Family Therapist licenses. The requirements for a Marital and Family Therapist Associate license are:
To earn a Marital and Family Therapist license, applicants must meet the requirements for the associate license, as well as:
|
Connecticut requires MFT licenses to be renewed annually. Requirements include:
|
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Connecticut
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut State Department of Public Health |
Child therapists in Connecticut must earn a license as a Professional Counselor Associate first, followed by earning a Professional Counselor license. To earn a Professional Counselor Associate license, a candidate must:
To become a licensed Professional Counselor, candidates must meet all the requirements for the associate licensure, as well as:
|
Connecticut requires licenses to be renewed annually. Requirements include:
|
Vanessa Salvia
WriterVanessa Salvia is an Oregon-based freelance writer and editor with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. As fun as rigorous studies in math and science were, Vanessa took an independent path and developed a prolific career covering lifestyle and healthcare topics for magazines and newspapers, important industries such as concrete construction and building waterproofing, and even hard science. You can get in touch at Sage Media and Marketing.