Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Ohio
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“To aspiring mental health counseling students, I would first say, ‘Thank you for responding to the call.’ There’s a shortage of mental health providers.”
Donald M. Kissinger, PhD, Department Chair and Associate Professor, Franciscan University
The state of Ohio has a unique mental health counseling system that is different from other states. In Ohio, counselors can achieve several levels of licensure which vary from supervised practice only to a high degree of specialization. The lowest level is known as the Counselor Trainee (CT) which is a required level of licensure in order to earn more advanced levels of licensure via supervised work experience.
The next level is known as a Professional Counselor (PC). There are then two advanced levels of licensure as a Professional Counselor – Clinical Resident (CR). This initial CR licensure is required for those who wish to go on to achieve the highest level of licensure, that of the Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC).
Counseling degrees and licenses will continue to be in high demand in Ohio. According to Projections Central (2024), there were 15,210 substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the state of Ohio in 2022. In 2032, that number is expected to grow to reach 17,440.
Throughout the entire United States, positions in substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counseling are expected to grow from 449,800 to 534,300 over a similar 10-year period (2023-2033). In the United States, that growth rate represents a 19 percent increase and 84,500 projected jobs added (BLS 2024), while in Ohio that correlates to a 14.7 percent increase and 2,230 jobs added. Notably, both percentages are much higher than the average growth among all American occupations expected in the 2023 to 2033 timeframe (4 percent).
Mental health and substance abuse counselors can work in a variety of settings, including schools, mental health centers, in-patient or out-patient substance abuse recovery centers, drug recovery halfway houses, community health centers, domestic abuse shelters, prisons, and private practice.
Specializations that are possible within the general counseling field give prospective students options of focusing on general aging along with specific populations, such as veteran or active military families or people in prisons. Rehabilitation counselors who specialized in working with the elderly or aging populations might work in hospitals, long- and short-term care facilities, retirement homes, or community senior centers.
Following is a list of just a few of the accredited programs offering counseling degrees and licenses in Ohio and an expert’s perspective.
Meet the Expert: Donald Kissinger, PhD
Dr. Donald M. Kissinger is the department chair and associate professor at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He earned his PhD in counselor education from Kent State University, where his research focused on variables influencing adolescent male sexual offenders’ honest disclosure in treatment. With a rich academic career spanning nearly two decades, he teaches courses such as group dynamics, ethical and legal issues in counseling, and advanced assessment, shaping the next generation of counseling professionals.
Beyond academia, Dr. Kissinger has extensive clinical experience, including over 25 years of private practice in Kissinger Counseling and Consulting. He specializes in sexual offender evaluations, psychological assessments for courts and religious organizations, and supervision for clinical counselors. A dedicated member of the American Counseling Association and Chi Sigma Iota, he stays committed to professional growth by actively engaging in conferences and continuing education on diverse topics like trauma treatment, ethics, and clinical supervision.
Counselingschools.com: What do you wish the public understood about mental health counselors in Ohio?
Dr. Kissinger: Today’s mental health counseling is different from the past. Clinicians today are better prepared and provide care to a wider demographic. Counseling service range from services range from anger management to ADHD assessments, trauma, and more. The counselors graduating from programs today are prepared to work with the basics, and many get additional training and education to work with a wider variety of clients. Counseling services can benefit most, if not all, of us.
Counselingschools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring mental health counseling students in Ohio?
Dr. Kissinger: To aspiring mental health counseling students, I would first say, “Thank you for responding to the call.” There’s a shortage of mental health providers.
There are several other things that I would stress. First, get a good education and take care of yourself. An effective counselor is always open to learning. This starts in graduate school and continues throughout one’s career.
Additionally, I recommend developing a sense of faith, which is a belief in yourself and a belief in the counseling process, giving clients a sense of hope that things can get better in their lives if they work at it.
Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Ohio
Bowling Green State University – School of Counseling, Higher Education, Leadership and Foundations
Within the School of Counseling, Higher Education, Leadership and Foundations at Bowling Green State University are a master of arts in clinical mental health counseling degree program and a master of education in school counseling program. These master’s classes are primarily held on campus during evening hours and are not available online. The clinical mental health counseling degree program is an approved program of the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist Board, which means that graduates of this program will have met the academic requirements for professional licensure as a counselor in Ohio.
Likewise, the Ohio Department of Education approves the school counseling program, indicating that graduates of this program have met the academic requirements for licensure as a school counselor in the state. The school counseling program prepares students to work with elementary, middle, or secondary schools. Students who complete this program will satisfy the state of Ohio’s academic requirements for K-12 school counselor licensure.
The curriculum includes common courses such as crisis counseling; assessment and testing in counseling; career and life planning approaches; theories of counseling; counseling the culturally diverse; skills and techniques of counseling; legal & ethical issues in counseling; group counseling model and procedures; and alcohol and drug abuse treatment. Both programs comprise 60 credits.
- Location: Bowling Green, OH
- Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years
Cleveland State University offers two counseling degree programs: school counseling and clinical mental health counseling. The master of education in clinical mental health counseling prepares students to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE). After successfully completing the NCE exam, graduates are awarded the Professional Counselor (PC) license. After that, students are expected to acquire two years of supervised experience in counseling. After that two-year period of direct supervised experience, students are eligible to take the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE). They are awarded the Professional Clinical Counselor license (PCC) upon passing that exam.
Cleveland State University’s school counseling program focuses on developmental activities to foster student growth, preventive activities centered on identifying at-risk students, and remedial activities to help struggling students. There are two paths to licensure as a school counselor in Ohio: One track is for licensed or certified teachers and the other track is for non-teachers.
Comprising 60 credits, the curriculum includes courses such as laboratory in counseling techniques; cultural & social foundations in counseling; ethical and legal issues in counseling; individual counseling: theory & process; appraisal counseling; and psychopathology and diagnosis for counselors.
The school counseling program is also 60 credits.
- Location: Cleveland, OH
- Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years
The Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private Catholic university in Steubenville, Ohio. Majors at Franciscan include theology and Christian ministry as well as an MA in clinical mental health counseling. Programs are taught by full-time faculty members with expertise in their fields. This 60-credit program includes a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour public or private counseling agency internship.
The CMHC program offers two specialization areas, which include one required course and two electives: a Christian counseling concentration with courses in psychological and spiritual integration, human sexuality, and Christian marriage and family; or a crisis and trauma counseling concentration with training in addictions counseling, crisis & trauma counseling, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Both specializations require an additional nine credits of coursework. While the majority of the courses are held in person on campus, two of the required courses are available online. Most students complete this program in two years.
The program’s core curriculum includes courses such as research and evaluation for mental health counselors; human growth and personality development; professional, ethical, and legal issues in counseling; theories and techniques of mental health counseling; theories and techniques of marriage and family counseling; therapeutic techniques of counseling; group dynamics and mental health counseling; introduction to addictions counseling; and diagnosis for mental health counselors.
- Location: Steubenville, OH
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Founded in 1850 by members of the German Reformed Church, Heidelberg University offers students a strong liberal arts education along with a curriculum taught by a theologically trained faculty. Students can earn master of arts (MA) degrees in clinical mental health counseling or school counseling. Courses are offered as a mix of online, evening face-to-face classes that last eight weeks.
Heidelberg’s curriculum prepares students to take the Ohio state licensing exam to work as a Licensed Professional School Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and/or to qualify as both a school and clinical mental health counselor.
Both counseling concentrations include a 100-hour practicum field experience and a minimum two-semester, 600-hour internship. The state of Ohio requires a minimum of 60 semester hours of coursework to be eligible for state licensure as a counselor and at least 50 semester hours of coursework to be eligible as a school counselor. School counselors must successfully pass the Ohio Department of Education’s OAE 040 exam.
- Location: Tiffin, OH
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Clinical mental health counseling concentration (60 credits); school counseling concentration (50 credits)
John Carroll University is a Jesuit Catholic university located in Cleveland, Ohio. Most of the school’s graduate programs are available in full- or part-time options, including the clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) master of arts program and the master of education in school counseling. Most classes are offered as traditional, in-person classes in the evening or hybrid/online courses.
A substance use disorder (SUD) concentration and an integrated behavioral health concentration are available to students in the CMHC program for an additional three courses each. For SUD counseling students, these extra nine credits prepare students for licensure as a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC). The LICDC credential is highly valued by employers in Ohio, especially given how much Ohio has been affected by the rise in the use of opioids. Students serving their CMHC internship in underserved communities receive a $10,000 stipend.
Both programs comprise 60 credits and include courses such as orientation to counseling; counseling theories; counseling techniques and practice; diversity issues in counseling; foundations of school counseling; school counseling program design & consultation; trauma-informed counseling; expressive arts in counseling; and clinical diagnosis and psychopathology.
- Location: Cleveland, OH
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Higher Learning Commission (HLC); the school counseling degree is also accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Ohio Department of Education
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years full-time
Kent State offers three counseling options: clinical mental health counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, and school counseling. They also offer a post-master’s counseling educational specialist degree. The master of education in clinical mental health counseling prepares students to work in community service agencies such as substance abuse facilities, mental health centers, child and family service agencies, or private counseling facilities. Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply for licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Ohio.
The clinical rehabilitation counseling program prepares students for employment in settings where they will work with people with disabilities such as vocational rehabilitation settings, mental health and developmental agencies, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, public and private hospitals, comprehensive rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, community-based programs, private industry, and student disability services. The master of education degree in school counseling prepares students for employment in K-12 schools. Upon completion, students can apply for licensure as a Licensed School Counselor in Ohio.
All three programs consist of 60 credits and include courses in counseling theories; counseling skills & techniques; multicultural counseling; introduction to assessment in counseling; counseling adolescents; clinical assessment in counseling; psychopathology for counselors; and diagnosis in counseling.
The university also offers an addictions counseling certificate.
- Location: Kent, OH
- Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years full-time, or part-time options
Malone University (Online Program)
Malone University, a small private, Bible-based liberal arts university, offers Ohio’s first online clinical mental health counseling program. The clinical mental health counseling track is offered either in a hybrid format or fully online with no residency requirements. Both prepare students to take the National Counselor Licensure Examination. Malone also offers a master of education in school counseling.
The clinical mental health counseling track comprises 60 credits and includes courses such as foundations of clinical mental health counseling; assessment in counseling; diagnosis of mental disorders; treatment methods in clinical mental health counseling; marriage and family counseling; addictions counseling; spirituality and religion in counseling; and trauma counseling and crisis intervention.
The 48-credit school counseling program includes courses such as school counseling and special education; foundations of school counseling; consultation and advocacy in school counseling; and program development and coordination in school counseling.
- Location: Canton, OH
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to 3.5 years
Union Institute & University (Online Program)
Union Institute & University offers a flexible, online master’s degree program in clinical mental health counseling preparing graduates for certification or licensure as professional counselors or clinical mental health counselors. This CACREP-accredited degree will also equip students for future doctoral studies in counseling and related fields. The program also offers supervised practicum and internship experiences.
Applicants to the program must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative 3.0 GPA. Application requirements include official transcripts from all previous institutions, a completed online application, a personal statement, a current resume, three professional references, an individual interview, and English proficiency for international students.
With both full and part-time options, this 60-credit online program has start dates in January, May, and August. Along with online learning, the program has face-to-face residency experiences that are held twice each calendar year. The curriculum includes courses such as counseling theory and practice; appraisal and diagnostic techniques; treatment modalities; the social basis of behavior and cultural diversity; diagnosis of disorders occurring in childhood & adolescence; family therapy; and human sexuality for counselors.
- Location: Cincinnati, OH
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years
Winebrenner Theological Seminary
Winebrenner’s master of arts program in clinical counseling prepares graduates to become effective clinical mental health counselors who integrate Christian values and worldviews into their service to clients. Applicants to the program require an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and a current resume.
Comprising 69 credits, the program includes courses such as counseling theories; introduction to clinical mental health; counseling techniques; group counseling; multicultural counseling; diagnosis of mental and emotional disorders; legal and ethical issues in counseling; counseling children and adolescents; and psychopathology.
- Location: Findlay, OH
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Three years
How Much Do Counselors Make in Ohio?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest data available as of January 2025.
Marriage and Family Therapist Salaries
| United States | Ohio | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 63,340 | 350 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $68,730 | $62,270 |
| 10th percentile | $39,090 | $45,440 |
| 25th percentile | $45,250 | $49,430 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,510 | $57,540 |
| 75th percentile | $78,440 | $67,570 |
| 90th percentile | $104,710 | $81,420 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor Salaries
| United States | Ohio | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 397,880 | 16,310 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $60,080 | $57,300 |
| 10th percentile | $36,700 | $37,060 |
| 25th percentile | $44,600 | $45,830 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,710 | $50,580 |
| 75th percentile | $70,130 | $63,150 |
| 90th percentile | $89,920 | $81,500 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor Salaries
| United States | Ohio | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 327,660 | 12,140 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $66,990 | $68,710 |
| 10th percentile | $40,140 | $41,590 |
| 25th percentile | $48,760 | $48,850 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,710 | $63,000 |
| 75th percentile | $78,780 | $81,990 |
| 90th percentile | $100,050 | $100,540 |
Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries
| United States | Ohio | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 84,750 | 4,070 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $48,430 | $50,720 |
| 10th percentile | $31,390 | $29,240 |
| 25th percentile | $36,440 | $33,810 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,040 | $44,700 |
| 75th percentile | $56,610 | $69,240 |
| 90th percentile | $73,710 | $74,320 |
All Other Counselors
| United States | Ohio | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 35,580 | 660 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $52,360 | $46,730 |
| 10th percentile | $33,300 | $30,150 |
| 25th percentile | $38,890 | $37,600 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,130 | $45,270 |
| 75th percentile | $59,340 | $54,540 |
| 90th percentile | $79,880 | $65,360 |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Ohio
- Ohio Counseling Association (OCA)
- Ohio School Counselor Association (OSCA)
- Ohio Association of College Admission Counseling (OACAC)
- Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (OASFAA)
- Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education – Student Services Division (Ohio ACTE)
- American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
- National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
- National Office for School Counselor Advocacy (NOSCA)
- Center for School Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation (CSCORE)
- Association for Career and Technical Education – Guidance and Career Development Division (ACTE)
- Central Ohio Counseling Association (COCA)
- Ohio Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (OASERVIC)
- Ohio Association of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Counselors (OAADAC)
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Ohio: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board |
There are three mental health counselor licenses issued in Ohio:
A CT license is awarded to students who are completing a practicum or internship. To apply for this license, a candidate must:
To earn an LPC license, candidates must:
To earn an LPCC license, candidates must meet LPC requirements in addition to:
|
Ohio requires LPCs and LPCCs to renew their licenses every two years. The requirements to renew include:
|
School Counseling Licenses in Ohio
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Department of Education |
The Ohio Department of Education issues Pupil Services Licenses to school counselors. The requirements for this license are:
Those who have completed an out-of-state degree will need to provide additional documentation, such as a recommendation from the dean. | Pupil Services Licenses for school counselors are valid for five years. To renew, school counselors must submit an application and pay a renewal fee. Continuing education requirements for school counselors are six semester hours of coursework, or 18 continuing education units (180 hours). Other activities may be approved by the Local Professional Development Committee. Please note that proof of current licensure from the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board waives continuing education requirements. |
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Ohio
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Licenses and certifications issued by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (OCDP) include Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA), Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDCII, LCDCIII) and Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC). Preliminary CDCA certificate candidates must:
To earn the renewable CDCA, candidates must:
LCDCII license candidates must:
LCDCIII license applicants must meet the above requirements and must have a bachelor’s degree or higher. LICDC license applicants must also meet the same requirements and must have a master’s degree or higher. | Substance abuse counselor certificate and license holders in Ohio must renew every two years. They must submit an online application and pay a $150 renewal fee. Every renewal cycle, counselors must complete 30 hours of continuing education. Six hours must be in chemical dependency and three hours must be in ethics. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Ohio
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board | There are three mental health counselor licenses rehabilitation counselors can earn in Ohio:
A CT license is awarded to students who are completing a practicum or internship. To apply for this license, a candidate must:
To earn an LPC license, candidates must:
To earn an LPCC license, candidates must meet LPC requirements in addition to:
| Ohio requires LPCs and LPCCs to renew their licenses every two years. The requirements to renew include:
|
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Ohio
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Board of Psychology | The Ohio Board of Psychology licenses Certified Ohio Behavior Analysts. The requirements include:
| Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst licenses must be renewed biennially. The cost to renew is $150. Renewal applications must be accompanied by proof of continued BCBA certification. Current BCBA certification meets all Ohio continuing education requirements. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Ohio
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board |
The Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board credentials Independent Marriage and Family Therapists (IMFT) and Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT). MFT license requirements are:
To earn an IMFT license, candidates must meet MFT requirements, in addition to:
|
Ohio requires IMFTs and MFTs to renew their licenses every two years. The requirements to renew include:
|
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Ohio
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board | There are three mental health counselor licenses child therapists can earn in Ohio:
A CT license is awarded to students who are completing a practicum or internship. To apply for this license, a candidate must:
To earn an LPC license, candidates must:
To earn an LPCC license, candidates must meet LPC requirements in addition to:
|
Ohio requires LPCs and LPCCs to renew their licenses every two years. The requirements to renew include:
|
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterAt CounselingSchools.com, Kimmy Gustafson’s expertly crafted articles delve into the world of counseling and mental health, providing valuable insights and guidance to readers since 2020. In addition to feature pieces and interviews, she keeps the state licensing tables current. Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.
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.