Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Michigan
Counseling Schools Search
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There is always a need for skilled, compassionate counselors who can provide a support system and recovery plan for people experiencing mental illness. Counselors, no matter their specialty, form a relationship built on trust with their patients so that they can receive the guidance they need to live their best lives.
Counseling education can be broad and encompass all of general mental health. Alternatively, they can be focused on working with specific populations, such as marriage and family life for military veterans and service people or youth with sexual and gender identity issues.
Whatever the focus or specialty, counselors may work with people in crisis and those who need long-term support. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental illnesses are common in the United States. In 2021, nearly 57.8 million of the national population lived with mild to severe mental illness.
Across the country, women (27.2 percent) were more likely to experience any mental illness than men (18.1 percent). Adults under the age of 25 years (33.7 percent) were more likely to experience any mental illness than adults over 25. There is also a great need for counselors who are experienced in multicultural issues, as the prevalence of any mental illness was highest among the adults who identified as being two or more races (34.9 percent).
According to World Population Review, Michigan is the tenth most populous state in the union, and as of 2023, was continuing to increase in population. A 2019 study conducted by Altarum and funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund reported that millions of Michiganders experience mental illness, but less than two-thirds receive treatment. And only 20 percent of Michiganders with a substance use disorder receive treatment.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides data for long-term career outlooks, and counseling careers are growing faster than most. The base employment for marriage and family therapists was 65,300. Those careers are expected to grow by 9,100 nationally between 2021 and 2031. The BLS (2022) also predicts job openings for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors will grow 22 percent nationally from 2021 to 2031. This growth rate is considered to be much faster than the average projected growth for all occupations during the same period (5 percent). And within that rate of growth is also higher-than-average growth for specialized mental health careers.
For example, the BLS (2022) career outlook for rehabilitation counselors, who help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities, is an 11 percent growth rate (2021-2031). School and career counselor jobs are expected to increase by 10 percent.
Each state has its own unique set of counseling licensure criteria. Michigan licenses Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). An LLPC, or Limited Licensed Professional Counselor, can be applied to someone at the beginning of a counseling career. Michigan also certifies people with a School Counselor License (SCL), a Michigan Teaching Certificate with the School Counselor (NT) endorsement, or a Marriage and Family Therapist as an MFT. Individuals can also apply for a license to work in a substance use disorder program.
To take the counseling license exam in Michigan, prospective licensees must submit official educational transcripts from an accredited school confirming the completion of a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling. Suppose the school is not accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). In that case, the transcript must show coursework and training meeting the requirements of CACREP, which include coursework not less than 48 semester-hours or 72 quarter-hours in counseling topics. Eligible licensees with a master’s degree must complete 3,000 hours of post-degree counseling work experience within two years.
Read on for a few of the many schools offering programs for counseling degrees and licenses in Michigan.
| Featured Counseling Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Methodist University | BS - Psychology: Counseling/Clinical Psychology | Program Website |
| Methodist University | MS - Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Program Website |
| New York University | Online MA - Bilingual School Counseling | Program Website |
| New York University | Online MA - School Counseling | Program Website |
| Northwestern University | Online MA - Counseling | Program Website |
| Northwestern University | Online MA - Counseling: Child and Adolescent Emphasis | Program Website |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Online BA in Psychology - Addictions | Program Website |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Online BA in Psychology - Mental Health | Program Website |
| Grand Canyon University | Graduate Certificate - Christian Counseling | Program Website |
| Grand Canyon University | MS - Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Program Website |
| Grand Canyon University | MS - Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Childhood and Adolescence Disorders | Program Website |
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Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Michigan
Andrews University – College of Education
Andrews University is a private Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, just two hours from Chicago. They offer a master of arts in clinical mental health counseling or in school counseling through the College of Education. Both are in-person, on-campus degrees. These programs aim to prepare professional counselors who are creative, ethical leaders, self-reflective practitioners, and lifelong learners prepared to work in a multicultural, global community.
The clinical mental health counseling program is 60 credits and can be completed by a full-time student in two years. The 60-credit school counseling program prepares students to work in elementary and secondary schools. All students in both programs complete their master’s practicum at the Andrews Community Counseling Center. Students entering either program are encouraged to conduct research beginning their first year. Both programs include a one-year 600-hour internship.
The curriculum includes courses such as professional ethics for counselors & psychologists; theories and techniques of counseling; group process; professional issues in school counseling; multicultural issues for counselors & psychologists; counseling and therapeutic interventions for adults; and marital counseling.
- Location: Berrien Springs, Michigan
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges, and Universities; Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 60 credits; two years, full-time
- Estimated Tuition: $1,267 per credit, plus fees
Western Michigan University – Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology
Through the College of Education and Human Development’s Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology, Western Michigan University offers several CACREP-accredited master of arts degrees in counseling. These include clinical mental health counseling; counseling psychology; married couple family counseling; rehabilitation counseling; and school counseling. The rehabilitation counseling program is temporarily suspended as of June 2023. There is also a master of arts program in counseling psychology.
The school also offers a counseling psychology master of arts degree. Starting in the fall of 2020, the school also began offering counseling psychology and school counseling graduate certificates. While the program is offered in-person in Kalamazoo, there are some courses that are offered online.
Comprising 60 to 61 credits, the program includes courses such as group dynamics & procedures; counseling techniques; professional issues and ethics; multicultural counseling; counseling & lifespan development; theories of counseling; psycho-educational consultation; foundations of clinical mental health; foundations of systemic family therapy; and foundations of school counseling.
- Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Expected Time to Completion: Clinical mental health counseling (60 credits); marriage, couple, and family counseling (61 credits); school counseling (61 credits); counseling psychology (48 credits); two to three years
- Estimated Tuition: Resident ($730.78 per credit); non-resident ($1,096.17 per credit)
Eastern Michigan University – College of Education
Eastern Michigan University offers three CACREP-accredited professional counseling graduate programs. These include a master of arts in clinical mental health counseling program, a master of arts in college counseling program, and a master of arts in school counseling program. In addition, EMU also offers four certificate programs. These include a post-master’s certificate in clinical mental health counseling, a post-master’s certificate in school counseling, a graduate certificate in helping interventions in a multicultural society (HIMS), and a postsecondary planning specialist certificate for school counselors.
The curriculum includes courses such as dynamics of life development; counseling research; theories of counseling; crisis intervention; assessment in counseling; career counseling and development; cross-cultural counseling; and diagnosis and treatment planning in counseling.
- Location: Ypsilanti, Michigan
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Expected Time to Completion: Clinical mental health counseling MA (60 credits); college counseling MA (61 credits); school counseling MA (60 credits); clinical mental health counseling certificate (22 credits); school counseling certificate (14 to 30 credits); helping interventions in a multicultural society certificate (15 credits); two to three years
- Estimated Tuition: Resident ($938.50 per credit); non-resident ($1,626.50 per credit)
Michigan State University – College of Education
U.S. News and World Report (2023) ranked Michigan State University’s rehabilitation counseling program at No. 2 in the United States. Michigan State University offers a CACREP-accredited master of arts in rehabilitation counseling program. This master’s program prepares counselors to work with people who have disabilities in a variety of settings.
Each student in the rehabilitation counseling program is assigned an advisor who will help orient the student to the university and provide support throughout the program, including identifying opportunities for practicum and internship. Graduates of this program will be eligible to sit for the National Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) examination and apply for Limited Licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC) in Michigan.
The curriculum includes courses such as counseling theories; individual counseling and helping relationships; career counseling; group counseling & group work; theories of human development; medical aspects of disability; foundations of rehabilitation counseling; cognitive & psychological aspects of disability; and counseling ethics.
- Location: Lansing, Michigan
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 60 credits; 2.5 to 3.5 years
- Estimated Tuition: Michigan resident ($900 per credit), non-resident ($1,736.50 per credit)
Oakland University – School of Education and Human Services
Oakland University is a public institution established in 1957. It is a satellite school of Michigan State University. OU offers two master’s counseling programs: a master of arts in clinical mental health counseling and a master of arts in school counseling. Accommodating both part-time and full-time students, The department of counseling offers these master of arts in counseling degrees for students who wish to work in professional counseling roles with youth, children, families, and adults in community and school settings.
The clinical mental health counseling program is made up of 60 credits and the school counseling program consists of 50 credits. Courses include introduction to counseling and ethics; diversity and social justice issues; clinical counseling skills; theories of counseling and psychotherapy; individual and family development; testing and assessment in counseling; career development theory and practice; research in counseling. For those obtaining their degree in school counseling, three courses can be added to make them eligible for LLPC licensure (Limited Licensed Professional Counselor).
- Location: Rochester, Michigan
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Expected Time to Completion: Clinical mental health counseling (60 credits); school counseling (50 to 62 credits (for LLPC licensure); two to three years
- Estimated Tuition: Michigan resident ($834 per credit); non-resident ($1,027 per credit)
Spring Arbor University is a private Free Methodist-affiliated university in Spring Arbor, Michigan. It is the second-largest evangelical Christian university in Michigan. The U.S. News & World Report ranked SAU as one of the top Regional Universities for the 14th consecutive year. Additionally, SAU also received 2023 awards from the U.S. News in Best Colleges for Veterans and Top Performers on Social Mobility.
Spring Arbor offers a master of arts in counseling which allows students to choose between a clinical mental health, school counseling, or dual track. Dual-track students will complete a 600-hour internship in both clinical mental health and school counseling settings, which will lengthen the program by up to one year. The master’s in counseling program is offered at several extension sites across Michigan and in a virtual classroom via Zoom. The virtual classroom option combines online learning with face-to-face interaction.
The curriculum includes courses such as legal issues and ethics in counseling; career counseling; crisis intervention; social and cultural diversity; advanced clinical psychopathology and abnormal behavior; introduction to classroom dynamics; mental health within the schools; and introduction to counseling: the counselor and diversity.
- Location: Spring Arbor, Michigan
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 60 credits; dual-track (72 credits); two to three years
- Estimated Tuition: $652 per credit, on-site and virtual classroom
University of Detroit – College of Liberal Arts & Education
The University of Detroit Mercy is a private, Roman Catholic university, sponsored by both the Society of Jesus and the Religious Sisters of Mercy. Founded in 1877, it is the largest Catholic university in Michigan. They cap enrollment in the graduate counseling program at 56 students with an average class size of 14 so that each student gets individualized attention throughout their degree.
The program boasts high marks, including a 100 job placement rate within 30 days of graduation from any of the master of arts in counseling programs. The program grew from a pastoral counseling program, and today students can choose from a master of arts with a major in addiction counseling, clinical mental health counseling, or school counseling. In addition, the counseling program offers a post-graduate certificate in school counseling.
The major in addiction counseling comprises 60 credits and provides students with specialized training in the assessment, treatment, and prevention of addictive disorders. Courses include trauma, crisis, and prevention; addiction counseling: advanced issues in practice and evaluation; introduction to addiction: process and substance; and drugs and behavior.
The 60-credit major in clinical mental health counseling offers training to students who are interested in becoming master’s-level clinicians across a variety of settings including human service organizations, outpatient clinics, health care systems, psychiatric facilities, and public systems. Courses include mental health diagnosis and treatment; critical issues in clinical mental health counseling; and advanced issues in assessment and treatment.
The school counseling major comprises 48 credits and prepares both non-teachers and certified teachers to work in K-12 educational settings as guidance or school counselors. This program also has a concentration for school counseling license that requires students to complete all requirements for the master’s degree and nine additional credits of electives. Courses include school counseling: strategies and interventions; school counseling: mental health and consultation in schools; the school counselor and special education; and multicultural counseling.
- Location: Detroit, Michigan
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Expected Time to Completion: Addiction counseling (60 credits); clinical mental health counseling (60 credits); school counseling (57 credits to 48 credits)
- Estimated Tuition: $940 per credit
Wayne State University – College of Education
Located right in Detroit, Wayne State University is Michigan’s most diverse campus. Wayne State’s master of arts in counseling has four concentrations, some of which may be combined: clinical mental health, school counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and art therapy. Except for the art therapy concentration, all others are accredited by CACREP. Applicants are required to have completed 12 to 15 credits of psychology, counseling, social work, sociology, or another related human services field prior to being admitted. Art therapy students must have a background in studio art.
Students completing the 60-credit clinical mental health counseling concentration are employed in private and public mental health settings, youth service bureaus, employment agencies, employee assistance programs, human resource development agencies, post-secondary educational settings, hospice organizations, welfare departments, correctional institutions, religious institutions, and local community service agencies. The 62-credit clinical rehabilitation counseling concentration prepares graduates to work in rehabilitation settings, such as the veterans’ administration. The 62-credit school counseling concentration prepares graduates to work in K-12 public or private school settings.
The curriculum includes courses such as counseling theories, philosophies, and techniques; testing and assessment for counselors; professional counseling laws and ethics; psychopathology and diagnosis; career development and employment strategies; foundations of rehabilitation counseling; introduction to school counseling, consulting, and collaboration; and psychosocial aspects of disability.
- Location: Detroit, Michigan
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Expected Time to Completion: Clinical mental health counseling (60 credits); school counseling (62 credits); clinical rehabilitation counseling (62 credits); two to three years
- Estimated Tuition: Michigan resident ($762.53 per credit); non-resident ($1651.64 per credit)
How Much Do Counselors Make in Michigan?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2022—the latest data available as of August 2023.
Marriage and Family Therapist Salaries
| United States | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 62,080 | 260 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $63,300 | $48,410 |
| 10th percentile | $36,840 | $31,800 |
| 25th percentile | $44,730 | $36,840 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $56,570 | $46,570 |
| 75th percentile | $75,220 | $57,890 |
| 90th percentile | $98,700 | $72,540 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor Salaries
| United States | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 344,970 | 8,790 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $56,230 | $54,080 |
| 10th percentile | $34,580 | $32,200 |
| 25th percentile | $39,810 | $37,130 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,710 | $50,460 |
| 75th percentile | $64,400 | $63,130 |
| 90th percentile | $82,710 | $80,960 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor Salaries
| United States | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 308,000 | 6,870 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $64,200 | $58,800 |
| 10th percentile | $38,280 | $38,160 |
| 25th percentile | $47,380 | $46,290 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,140 | $51,340 |
| 75th percentile | $76,590 | $65,700 |
| 90th percentile | $98,530 | $84,780 |
Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries
| United States | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 82,420 | 2,730 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $46,020 | $45,450 |
| 10th percentile | $29,120 | $26,930 |
| 25th percentile | $33,790 | $31,520 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,990 | $40,040 |
| 75th percentile | $53,470 | $60,320 |
| 90th percentile | $71,270 | $68,180 |
All Other Counselors
| United States | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 37,270 | 200 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $49,770 | $46,000 |
| 10th percentile | $31,930 | $33,100 |
| 25th percentile | $36,730 | $34,090 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $43,390 | $41,300 |
| 75th percentile | $52,770 | $55,390 |
| 90th percentile | $75,340 | $65,230 |
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Michigan: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Board Of Counseling |
Professional counselors in Michigan can earn a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC) license. To earn an LLPC, candidates must:
To become an LPC, candidates must meet LLPC requirements in addition to:
|
Michigan requires counselors to renew their licenses every three years. Those holding a limited license must renew annually. Renewals may be completed online and must be accompanied by a $274.00 fee for full therapist and $106.45 for limited licenses. There are no continuing education requirements, although professionals are expected to maintain their competency in their field. |
School Counseling Licenses in Michigan
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Department of Education |
The Michigan Department of Education issues School Counselor Licenses (SCL). The requirements for this license are:
Teachers who hold a current Michigan Teaching Certificate can apply for a School Counselor (NT) endorsement when they meet the above requirements. |
The SCL license and NT endorsement are valid for five years and cost $160 to renew. Also, 150 hours of Education-Related Professional Learning are required for renewal. Of those 150, 50 hours must be specific to college and career preparation. |
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Michigan
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) | The Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) issues Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certifications. CADC certificate candidates must:
An associate degree in social science or human service field will waive 1,000 hours, and a bachelor’s will waive 2,000 hours. CADC certificate candidates must:
|
MCBAP requires CAADC and CADC certificate holders to renew every two years. Renewals cost $145. At the time of renewal, counselors must submit proof of 40 hours of continuing education, with 20 of those hours being substance use disorder-specific. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Michigan
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Rehabilitation counselors in Michigan can earn a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC) license. To earn an LLPC, candidates must:
To become an LPC, candidates must meet LLPC requirements in addition to:
|
Michigan requires counselors to renew their licenses every three years. Those holding a limited license must renew annually. Renewals may be completed online and must be accompanied by a $118.90 fee for full therapist and $59.45 for limited licenses. There are no continuing education requirements, although professionals are expected to maintain their competency in their field. |
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Michigan
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Board of Behavior Analysts |
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Board of Behavior issues Assistant Behavior Analyst and Behavior Analyst licenses. Requirements for an Assistant Behavior Analyst license are:
Requirements for a Behavior Analyst license are:
|
All behavior analyst licenses in Michigan must be renewed every four years. Renewals cost $367.20. While there are no continuing education requirements, applicants for renewal must maintain BACB certification which has continuing education requirements. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Michigan
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Board Of Marriage And Family Therapy |
The Michigan Board Of Marriage And Family Therapy credentials Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT). To earn an LMFT credential, candidates must:
Limited licenses (LLMFT) are issued to candidates who have met all the LMFT requirements but have not completed their supervised work experience. |
Michigan requires marriage and family therapists to renew their licenses every two years. Those holding a limited license must renew annually. Renewals may be completed online and must be accompanied by a $171.30 fee. There are no continuing education requirements, although professionals are expected to maintain their competency in their field. |
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Michigan
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Board Of Counseling |
Child therapists in Michigan can earn a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC) license. To earn an LLPC, candidates must:
To become an LPC, candidates must meet LLPC requirements in addition to:
|
Michigan requires counselors to renew their licenses every three years. Those holding a limited license must renew annually. Renewals may be completed online and must be accompanied by a $194.55 fee for full therapist and $27.00 for limited licenses. There are no continuing education requirements, although professionals are expected to maintain their competency in their field. |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Michigan
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.