Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Oregon
Counseling Schools Search
Like most places, there are certain requirements for providing graduates with counseling degrees and licenses in Oregon. The state has a Board of Licensed Professionals and Therapists that is tasked with licensing applicants for LPC or LMFT degrees.
The Licensed Professional Counselor, or LPC, must hold a graduate degree (either a master’s or doctorate) from a counseling program approved by CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs) or CORE (Council on Rehabilitation Education).
An applicant for the LMFT, or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, licensure, must also hold either a master’s or doctorate from a marriage and family therapy program approved by COAMFTE (Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education).
Program accreditation for counseling education is an important thing for prospective students to consider. Students will find the best job prospects when they graduate from an accredited program, and COAMFTE and CACREP (which merged with CORE in 2017) are the baselines for counselor education. Accreditation is achieved through a third-party organization such as these examining all coursework, grading procedures, supervisory procedures, prerequisites, degree requirements, and student services to ensure high standards of education, best practices within the field, and relevance to the career.
The need for counselors, in general, will grow as a rising share of the population seeks mental health counseling. The BLS (2021) predicts that job openings for substance abuse counselors will grow 25 percent nationally between 2019 and 2029. Demand for rehabilitation counselors is expected to grow at a rate of 10 percent for the same period, and for marriage and family therapists, 22 percent.
Overall, students who pursue counseling degrees and licenses in Oregon can find rewarding and stable careers. Read on for a few of the many schools offering programs for counseling degrees and licenses in Oregon.
| Featured Counseling Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wake Forest University | Online MA - Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Visit Site |
| Wake Forest University | Online MA - School Counseling | Visit Site |
| Bradley University | MAC - Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Visit Site |
| Bradley University | MAC - Professional School Counseling | Visit Site |
| Lamar University | M.Ed. - Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Visit Site |
| Lamar University | M.Ed. - Counseling & Development - Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling | Visit Site |
| University of North Dakota | Online MA in Counseling - Addiction Counseling | Visit Site |
| University of North Dakota | Online MA in Counseling - Community Mental Health Counseling | Visit Site |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Online BA in Psychology - Addictions | Visit Site |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Online BA in Psychology - Mental Health | Visit Site |
| Sponsored | ||
Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Oregon
The University of Oregon is a public research university founded in 1876. The school’s College of Education offers a couples and family therapy (CFT) master of science program. This program prepares students to become professional family therapists in preparation for licensure in any US state that offers an LMFT license.
The degree is offered in a cohort model, meaning a small group of students start together and complete the program through graduation with each other. Couples and family therapy graduate students may also add the Spanish language specialization from the counseling psychology program.
- Location: Eugene, Oregon
- Duration: 90 credits, two years
- Accreditation: COAMFTE
- Tuition: $6,040.25 total, 12 credits, Oregon resident; $10,189.25 total, 12 credits, non-resident
Oregon State University is a public university. OSU’s graduate college offers multiple options for counseling degrees from the College of Education. Students can take a hybrid option through the Ecampus of 50 percent online and 50 percent in-person classes to earn a master of counseling (MCoun) in school counseling or a master of counseling in clinical mental health counseling. In-person courses at the OSU-Cascades campus can lead to the same degrees.
The school counseling degree program offers two tracks for those students who either have teaching experience or a teaching license or do not. The master of counseling program offers a part-time option that spans three years as well as a full-time option that can be completed in two years. The programs begin in June of each year. Students choosing the part-time option take on average two classes per term, while students choosing the full-time option average four classes per term. Most classes are held in the evenings Monday through Thursday with an occasional class offered on the weekend.
All counseling degree program graduates are eligible to apply for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) from the Oregon licensing board and are eligible to take the National Counselor Examination during the last quarter of their degree program.
- Location: Corvallis, Oregon
- Duration: Clinical Mental Health Counseling is 90 credits; School Counseling is 78-84 credits
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: Total in-state resident full-time estimated tuition and fees: $47,222; total non-resident estimated full-time tuition and fees: $72,500
Bushnell University (previously Northwest Christian University)
Bushnell University is a private, Christian liberal arts college that was founded as a divinity school in 1895 by a Disciple of Christ preacher and educator. In 2020, it formally changed its name to Bushnell University, after James A. Bushnell, the first chairman of the university’s board of trustees.
Graduates of Bushnell’s clinical mental health counseling master of arts program can meet the academic standards for Oregon licensure as an LPC. This 60-credit program is offered in a hybrid format, designed to be completed in 28 months. In the hybrid format, some classes are onsite in the evening and others are offered online.
The master of arts in school counseling program offers two tracks for students to choose from. Track I is 48 to 51 credits and is designed for students who already have two years of licensed teaching experience. Track II can be completed in 54 to 57 credits and is designed for students without prior teaching license, or with less than two years of teaching experience.
- Location: Eugene, Oregon
- Duration: Clinical mental health counseling is 60 credits, designed to be completed in 28 months; the school counseling program can be completed in either 48 to 51 credits or 54 to 57 credits.
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: Clinical mental health counseling is $725 per credit plus fees; school counseling is $700 per credit plus fees
Corban University is a private Christian university with about 1,200 full-time students enrolled on the Salem campus and 2,800 worldwide. Corban’s master of arts in clinical mental health counseling meets Oregon counseling licensing standards.
Classes are offered in a hybrid model of evening and online classes. Students can meet weekly in person while completing a majority of their schoolwork online. Since the school is Bible-based prospective, students should be prepared to submit character references from a current church as well as professional references that speak to the students’ skills in the realm of counseling to complete the admission process. During the second year, students enter the practicum class to complete 100 hours of counseling with supervision. Upon completion of the practicum, students enter the internship sequence which spans at least two terms for a total of 600 hours.
- Location: Salem, Oregon
- Duration: 60 credits, two years
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: $570 per credit plus fees
George Fox University is a private Christian university founded by Quakers in 1891. Namesake George Fox is the founder of the Quaker movement. George Fox’s graduate school offers three master of arts programs: clinical mental health counseling; marriage, couple, and family counseling; and school counseling.
The clinical mental health counseling program and school counseling programs are flexible and can be completed in two, three, or four years. The marriage, couple, and family counseling degree is designed to prepare students to sit for dual licensure, both the national licensure exam to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), as well as the national licensure exam to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Oregon. That program can be completed in three or four years.
The school counseling program is only offered in-person at the Tigard Center campus, whereas the others can be completed in either Portland or Salem. The school counseling program has three tracks available: Track I is available to individuals with two-plus years of licensed Oregon teaching experience; Track II is available to those without two-plus years of licensed teaching experience. Included with Track II is a six-credit sequence that includes a 100-hour teaching practicum. The final Licensure Only track provides a certificate in school counseling to individuals who already have a master’s degree in a mental health field.
- Location: Newberg, Oregon, with campuses in Portland, Salem, Tigard, and Redmond
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: All programs are $756 per credit; tuition for the entire clinical mental health counseling program is given as $45,360; tuition for the entire marriage, couple, and family counseling program is given as $51,408; tuition for the entire school counseling program is given as $45,360 for Track I and $47,628 for Track II students
Lewis & Clark College is a private liberal arts college originally chartered in 1867. Students here can choose from several counseling-related degree options.
The marriage, couple, and family counseling program is available as a 60-credit master of arts or 62-credit master of science program which requires an additional thesis program. Within this program, students can choose from a specialization in addictions, sexuality, eating disorders, or ecopsychology.
The professional mental health counseling program also offers a master of arts and a master of science option, as well as an opportunity to specialize in addictions treatment. The school counseling program offers two tracks for students who either are licensed practicing educators already (Track I) or those who do not have a teaching license (Track II). Completing a master’s degree in professional mental health counseling with the addictions specialty prepares graduates to pursue licensure as professional counselor (LPC) and certification in drug and alcohol counseling as a level 1 Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC-I)
- Location: Portland, Oregon
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: The professional mental health counseling program is accredited by CACREP; school counseling is accredited by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Programs (CAEP); MMCFC is accredited by COAMFTE
- Tuition: 600-level classes are $875 per credit; 500 and 700 level classes are $975 per credit
Portland State University was founded in 1946 as a post-secondary educational institution for World War II veterans and later became a four-year college and then university in 1969.
PSU offers four options for counseling degree programs: a 90-credit program leading to an MA/MS in counselor education with a clinical mental health counseling specialization; a 90-credit master’s in clinical rehabilitation counseling which leads to eligibility to obtain both Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and the National Certified Counselor certifications as well as licensure as professional counselors; the 90-credit marriage, couple, and family counseling degree which leads to state licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC); and finally, a school counseling degree program.
The school counseling program offers students who have a teaching license and two years of teaching experience six additional elective credits (Track I). Students without a teaching license and two years of teaching experience must complete a 6-credit, 200-hour effective teaching sequence to obtain licensure as a school counselor (Track II).
- Location: Portland, Oregon
- Duration: 90 credits, three years
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: $449 per credit plus fees, Oregon resident; $676 per credit plus fees, non-resident
Southern Oregon University is a public university founded in 1872. Students in SOU’s counseling program can earn a master’s in clinical mental health counseling either as a master of science or master of arts degree. The curriculum meets state and national standards so that graduates can apply to become licensed counselors in Oregon and throughout the U.S. All CMHC courses are taught in-person on the Ashland campus. Most required classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays only, with the exception of summer term classes.
- Location: Ashland, Oregon
- Duration: 90 credits, two to three years
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: $2,412 plus fees for 12 credits, Oregon resident; $6,060 plus fees for 12 credits, non-resident
Western Oregon University is a public university established in 1856 by Oregon pioneers. The school offers two tracks for its rehabilitation counseling program. One is a two-year on-campus mental health counseling program. Graduates of this option provide counseling services to the general population of people who have disabilities. Graduates of this track are also eligible to seek licensure as licensed professional counselors.
Track two provides a rehabilitation counseling degree with a focus on mental health counseling with the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind (MHCD) population. This three-year hybrid track is one of two deaf specialty programs in the United States.
- Location: Monmouth, Oregon
- Duration: 90 credits, two to three years
- Accreditation: The rehabilitation and mental health counseling program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE)
- Tuition: $12,420 full-time plus fees, Oregon resident and non-resident
Western Seminary is a private evangelical theological seminary with physical campuses in Portland, Oregon, San Jose, California, and Sacramento, California.
Western Seminary’s master of arts in counseling degree in clinical mental health counseling prepares counselors to bring a Christian perspective to caring for their clients. The curriculum satisfies Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) requirements in Oregon and in many other states. The MA in counseling may be completed in three years by taking courses offered on Mondays at Western Seminary Portland campus in Portland, Oregon. Students may also complete up to seven credits of online courses through the Western Seminary Online campus.
- Location: Portland, Oregon
- Duration: 68 credits
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: $617 per credit plus fees
How Much Do Counselors Make in Oregon?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2020, the latest data available as of September 2021.
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
| United States | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 292,230 | 2,890 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $61,000 | $65,380 |
| 10th percentile | $34,380 | $37,050 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $57,040 | $60,810 |
| 90th percentile | $96,090 | $104,300 |
Marriage and Family Therapists
| United States | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 60,850 | 320 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $54,590 | $57,570 |
| 10th percentile | $32,070 | $41,100 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,610 | $51,020 |
| 90th percentile | $87,700 | $95,680 |
Rehabilitation Counselors
| United States | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 100,260 | 1,510 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $40,160 | $43,870 |
| 10th percentile | $23,820 | $27,280 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,950 | $39,360 |
| 90th percentile | $63,790 | $67,410 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
| United States | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 293,620 | 5,860 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $49,950 | $59,800 |
| 10th percentile | $29,520 | $35,260 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,240 | $55,190 |
| 90th percentile | $76,080 | $93,740 |
All Other Counselors
| United States | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 27,310 | 190 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $48,800 | $53,680 |
| 10th percentile | $27,030 | $32,410 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $42,930 | $51,470 |
| 90th percentile | $77,590 | $82,630 |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Oregon
- Coalition of Oregon Professional Associations for Counseling and Therapy
- Oregon Counseling Association
- Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists
- Oregon School Counselor Association
- Oregon Counseling Association
- Oregon Career Development Association
- Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling
- American Physical Therapy Association – Oregon Chapter
- National Alliance on Mental Illness – Oregon Chapter
- Occupational Therapy Association of Oregon
- Oregon Association of Addiction Professionals
- The Oregon Association For Music Therapy
- Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon
- Oregon School Psychologists Association
- Brain Injury Association of America – Oregon Chapter
- Oregon Speech-Language & Hearing Association
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy Center of Southern Oregon
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Oregon: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists |
Oregon licenses both Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and Registered Interns. To become a Registered Intern in Oregon, candidates must:
To become an LPC, candidates must meet the above requirements as well as:
|
Renewals in Oregon for LPCs and Registered Interns are required annually. For LPCs, renewals are due by the last date of the applicant’s birth month. For Interns, renewals happen on the first day of the month of their initial licensure. To renew, counselors must:
|
School Counseling Licenses in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Standards and Practices Commission |
The Oregon Teaching Standards and Practices Commission issues Preliminary School Counselor and Professional School Counselor licenses. The requirements for a preliminary license are:
Candidates for a professional license must meet the requirement for a preliminary license, as well as:
|
Preliminary School Counselor licenses issued in Oregon must be renewed every three years, while Professional Licenses must be renewed every five. Both licenses cost $182 to renew. Preliminary licensees must complete 75 hours of professional development units and professional licensees must complete 125. School counselors must report on professional development completed related to suicide prevention, treatment, and management. |
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) | The Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) certifies Certified Alcohol Drug Counselors (CADC) at three levels. CADC I candidates must:
If the applicant has had a substance abuse disorder, they must submit a letter verifying they have been in recovery for two years or more. CADC II candidates must:
If the applicant has had a substance abuse disorder, they must submit a letter verifying they have been in recovery for three years or more. CADC III candidates must:
If the applicant has had a substance abuse disorder, they must submit a letter verifying they have been in recovery for three years or more. |
Renewals of CADC certifications in Oregon are due every two years. Renewal applications must be submitted two weeks before the certificate’s expiration date and must be accompanied by a $175 fee. CADCs are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle. Six of those hours must be in ethics and at least 20 must be in alcohol and drug counseling. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Rehabilitation counselors in Oregon are licensed as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Registered Interns. To become a Registered Intern in Oregon, candidates must:
To become an LPC, candidates must meet the above requirements as well as:
|
Renewals in Oregon for LPCs and Registered Interns are required annually. For LPCs, renewals are due by the last date of the applicant’s birth month. For Interns, renewals happen on the first day of the month of their initial licensure. To renew, counselors must:
|
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Behavior Analysis Regulatory Board (BARB) |
The Behavior Analysis Regulatory Board (BARB) in Oregon licenses Behavior Analysts and Assistant Behavior Analysts. Requirements for licensure include
|
The BARB requires analysts to renew their licenses annually. To renew, applicants must pay a $200 license renewal fee for a Behavior Analyst license and a $175 renewal fee for an assistant license. Behavior analysts are required to complete 16 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle; one of those hours must be in ethics. Assistants are required to complete 10 hours, and similarly, one of those hours must be in ethics. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists |
The Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists credentials both Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) and LMFT Registered Interns. To become an LMFT registered intern in Oregon, candidates must:
To become a full LMFT, candidates must meet the above requirements, as well as:
|
Renewals in Oregon for LMFTs and Registered Interns are required annually. For LMFTs, renewals are due by the last date of the applicant’s birth month. For interns, renewals happen on the first day of the month of their initial licensure. To renew, counselors must:
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Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Child therapists in Oregon are licensed as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Registered Interns. To become a Registered Intern in Oregon, candidates must:
To become an LPC, candidates must meet the above requirements as well as:
|
Renewals in Oregon for LPCs and Registered Interns are required annually. For LPCs, renewals are due by the last date of the applicant’s birth month. For Interns, renewals happen on the first day of the month of their initial licensure. To renew, counselors must:
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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.