Study Master’s in Counseling in Utah
Though Utah is home to a very large metropolitan area – Salt Lake City – most of the state is rural. Online education has changed the way people living in rural areas get their education, including those who want to pursue a graduate degree in counseling. No matter how far you live from campus, you can get a quality education that prepares you for a rewarding career.
In Utah, there are in-state and out-of-state options available to get the training you need in counseling. In each case, you will find that the coursework and field experience requirements give you the confidence to pursue your career goals. Each of the programs listed below is a popular option; the task now is to learn about each and determine which one best aligns with your needs and wants!
Online Master’s in Counseling in Utah
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online master’s in counseling programs in Utah:
- Utah Valley University
- Grand Canyon University
- Adams State University
- Walden University
- Northwestern University
- The Chicago School
- Purdue Global
- National University
Utah Valley University
Online Master of Education in School Counseling
The Master of Education in School Counseling from Utah Valley University is a 51-credit program that requires just six semesters to complete. This means that since you attend school year-round, you can finish the requirements to graduate in just two years.
Your studies begin in a summer session that includes coursework in Foundational Principles of School Counseling. As the name indicates, this class focuses on the essential features of school counseling, including its history, the development of school counseling as a profession, and modern approaches to school counseling.
You will follow that course with Ethics and Professional Competencies of School Counseling to develop a solid foundation of professional principles. For example, you will learn about duty to report—which requires counselors to report suspected issues of abuse or neglect. Furthermore, you will learn about the situations in which you are obligated to break confidentiality, such as when you have concerns a student is a harm to themselves or others.
The final course you will take in your first semester is Applied Statistics in Education. This is an important class because it teaches you how to gather and analyze data. Having the ability to determine the effectiveness of the school programs you implement requires an understanding of statistics. Doing so enables you to evaluate your performance as a counselor and make evidence-based adjustments as needed.
Other courses you’re required to take early on include the following:
- Research and Evaluation
- Techniques of Counseling
- Theories of Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Career Counseling
As a school counselor, it’s your job to help prepare students for the next steps in their lives. If you work in a high school, this means providing career counseling services that promote students’ success. The Career Counseling course gives you the skills necessary to help in this transition. For example, you might learn how to administer interest inventories that shed light on a student’s occupational interests. Likewise, you might learn how to administer aptitude tests, which can help students map out their courses in high school to prepare for going to college or entering the workforce.
The program’s second year starts with a Psychological Assessment class that sheds light on important assessment procedures. For example, you might study the Beck Depression Inventory and learn how to administer it to high school-aged kids as an aid in diagnosis. As another example, you might study the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children – 2nd Edition and its role in intellectual testing procedures to determine special program placement for elementary-aged children.
Again, you will take a variety of other classes as you proceed through this program:
- Human Development
- Multicultural Counseling
- College and Career Readiness
- Interventions in School
- Introduction to Exceptional Students
This program requires two field experiences. The first is a School Counseling Practicum that takes place during the final semester of the program’s first year. The purpose of the practicum is to familiarize yourself with the professional school counseling environment. You will observe a certified school counselor conduct their daily duties and assist them with those duties. This might include assisting with group counseling sessions, class scheduling, and developing schoolwide counseling programs.
The second field experience is a School Counseling Internship, during which you take on more responsibilities. For example, you might provide individual counseling services to students or work with classroom teachers to create lessons that enhance the class environment. Like the practicum, you will have an on-site supervisor who will guide your development as a professional. Both field experiences will take place in an approved school near where you live to reduce your commute time, too.
To apply, ensure you meet the following criteria:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA or a 3.0 GPA for the last 60 credits of undergraduate work.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit three professional references.
- Participate in an interview with faculty members.
It is also preferred that you have at least one year of experience working in a K-12 school setting.
Grand Canyon University
Online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Grand Canyon University offers a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that’s available to you as a Utah student, even though the university is based in Arizona. The training you get in this program meets the academic requirements to become a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) or a National Certified Counselor (NCC).
You will need to complete 62 credits to earn this degree. Each course is taken online and lasts just eight weeks. This accelerated format ensures you get the education you need but without the added stress of taking multiple classes at the same time.
All courses are required—there are no electives. The first course you will take is Introduction to Graduate Studies in Counseling, a preparatory course designed to boost the skills needed to succeed in graduate school. You will follow that class with Professional Counseling, Ethical, and Legal Considerations, which outlines your duties as a professional counselor. For example, you will learn how to write case notes, keep proper client records, and complete service reimbursements, too.
Next, the Theories and Models of Counseling course introduces you to major theories of counseling. These theories include existential psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and rational emotive behavioral therapy, to name just a few. You will have opportunities to observe these and other theories at work in case studies and video presentations.
Additionally, you will get a broad education in a number of specific counseling areas, including the following:
- Substance Use Disorders and Addictions
- Counseling the Culturally Diverse
- Group Counseling
- Human Sexuality and Issues of Aging
- Lifespan and Development
One of the most important classes you will take is Counseling Skills. This course explores how to establish an effective counseling relationship with clients and how to nurture that relationship over the long term. Furthermore, you will analyze the characteristics of counselors that influence the development of the counseling relationship, such as personal characteristics, nonverbal behavior, and cultural background.
You’re also required to complete a Principles of Psychopharmacology class that examines the effects of drugs on the body and behavior. You will study both legal and illegal substances, explore their physiological actions in the body, and consider the social, psychological, and behavioral effects of substances as well.
Though much of your work as a counselor will likely be in the context of individual therapy, it’s nonetheless important to acquire the skills needed to work with couples and families. The Counseling Couples and Families class broadly explores the structure of this type of therapy. You will learn about the dynamics of working with couples and families, learn how to lead sessions in a way that helps each person be heard, and explore the unique theories upon which couples and family counseling is built.
Other critical coursework that you will complete in this program includes the following:
- Abuse, Crisis, and Trauma Counseling
- Assessment, Tests, and Measurements
- Career Counseling
- Research Methods and Program Evaluation
- Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment
You will also take a Psychopathology class that focuses on common mental health issues and their causes, as well as an Assessment of Mental and Emotional Health Status class that introduces you to testing instruments that can assist with diagnostic procedures and treatment planning.
The field experience component is divided into two parts. First, you will complete a 100-hour practicum, during which time you will practice the skills you’ve learned in your courses in a highly supervised experience. Your duties during the practicum will mostly consist of observing licensed counselors and assisting them with activities like group counseling, intervention development, and treatment planning. You will have opportunities to work directly with clients, too. In fact, you must acquire at least 40 hours of direct client contact time.
The practicum prepares you for the two-semester, 600-hour internship that serves as the final component of this program. During the internship, you will take on an expanded role as a pre-professional counselor. You will have a caseload of clients with whom you work. You will be responsible for case management, treatment planning, assessment and diagnostic procedures, and other duties common to working as a professional counselor as well.
You can apply to Grand Canyon University online at any time. The requirements for admission are as follows:
- Have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have a 2.8 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit any required paperwork (e.g., resume or curriculum vitae, personal statement, letters of recommendation, etc.).
Adams State University
Online Master of Arts in School Counseling
Though Adams State University is based in Colorado, its specialty online Master of Arts in School Counseling is available to you to get the training necessary for licensure in Utah. This program, which features online coursework, two on-campus residencies, and fieldwork in your local area, requires you to complete at least 60 credits to earn your degree. Doing so typically requires about three years of full-time study.
The curriculum begins with Introduction to Research. This introductory class focuses on quantitative and qualitative research protocols, action research, and general research methods. By learning about these aspects of research, you will acquire enhanced skills necessary to critique literature in this field and to conduct your own research.
You’re also required to take Life Span Development, which informs you of the major milestones humans achieve from birth through old age. You will study major developmental theories (e.g., Erickson’s psychosocial theory) and explore how developmental theories differ in their approach to explaining the human experience. Likewise, you will examine the aging process and learn how to support people struggling with issues of aging, like reduced cognitive abilities, diminished memory, and physical limitations, too.
This program requires you to complete a Multicultural and Diversity Issues class as well. This course examines the social and cultural forces that impact people’s identity development. You will study how social systems serve to exclude some groups while also discovering effective advocacy strategies you can employ to help those with diminished voices be heard.
Additionally, you will take a number of introductory courses focusing on counseling skills development. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Counseling Theories and Helping Relationships
- Group Counseling and Group Counseling Lab
- Career Development
- Couples and Family Systems
- Crisis, Disaster, and Trauma
The remaining core coursework focuses on ethical and professional issues, as well as addiction counseling and assessment.
The school counseling emphasis portion of this degree focuses on developing the unique skills necessary to work with children in grades K-12. For example, the Counseling Modalities in a School Setting course examines the most effective interventions you can use with school-aged clients. You will also learn how to use evidence-based practices to enhance students’ academic, social, and personal lives.
You will also take Comprehensive School Counseling, which promotes an understanding of your role as a schoolwide counselor. You will learn about counseling program development and implementation. You will also learn how to manage school counseling programs, work with other school officials to ensure program success, and evaluate the efficacy of the programs you implement.
The remaining two classes in the school counseling emphasis focus on yet other skill areas. Professional Counseling School Issues examines the daily tasks of school counselors, such as working with students on academic planning, meeting with parents with concerns about their child’s development, and collaborating with teachers to create a more welcoming classroom environment. Furthermore, the Foundations of School Counseling class offers insights into the historical development of this field, major theories, and best practices.
You will also complete three semesters of fieldwork. The first semester is in a School Counseling Practicum, which takes place in an approved school near where you live. You will learn the basics of being a professional school counselor and have opportunities to apply what you’ve learned in your courses in a real-world setting. Furthermore, your supervisor will help you clarify your professional identity, refine your counseling techniques, and provide feedback that helps you grow as a professional as well.
Then, you will complete a two-semester internship, during which you will, for all intents and purposes, work as a full-time school counselor. You will be supervised but will have more opportunities for independent work than in the practicum. Throughout the internship, you will be responsible for program development and evaluation, advocacy for students, and communication with parents. Moreover, you will work with teachers and administrators to implement school counseling programs in individual classrooms and schoolwide.
You can apply online if the Adams State school counseling program seems like a good fit. You must meet the following requirements to apply:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Have a 2.75 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit two online recommendation forms for references who can speak to your academic and professional capabilities.
- Provide answers to a series of short essay questions relating to your career goals, aptitude for graduate study, respect for cultural differences, and other topics as required.
Walden University
Online Master’s in School Counseling
Walden University is a well-known online school that offers a Master’s in School Counseling, which is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The program focuses on all the essential areas of school counseling, from developing your skills as a therapeutic counselor to helping you learn how to manage crises to exploring the development of school counseling as a professional field.
This program requires you to complete 90 credits of coursework and field experiences. You can complete these requirements in as few as 33 months and begin your professional career. The curriculum is broken down as follows:
- A one-credit foundation course
- 80 credits of core courses
- Two pre-practicum labs
- One group lab
- Nine credits of field experiences
The foundation course, Professional Dispositions and New Student Orientation, ensures you have the basic knowledge and understanding of school counseling to be an effective practitioner. You will explore areas like professional qualities, academic excellence, and critical thinking. Likewise, you will learn how to use your understanding of professionalism to ensure you have success in your graduate program.
The core coursework portion of the curriculum starts with basic classes like Introduction to School Counseling. This course introduces you to the professional aspects of school counseling, including your roles and functions as a counselor in a school environment. The class also examines the American School Counselor Association model of school counseling and identifies some of the challenges you can expect to encounter as a professional in this field.
Next, you will take a number of other critical classes that will help you develop as a school counselor early in the program. Some of these classes include the following:
- Lifespan Development
- Theories of Counseling
- Techniques in Counseling
- Leadership, Advocacy, and Consultation in the Schools
- Multicultural Counseling
Of course, you will also complete classes specific to working with children. For example, Child and Adolescent Counseling discusses counseling theories and techniques (e.g., play therapy) that have proven to be effective interventions for children and adolescents. Moreover, you will study systems theory and examine how family dynamics influence the mental health of children.
As noted earlier, you must complete several labs in addition to your coursework. These labs include the following:
- Pre-Practicum 1 Lab – You will develop a network of peers and instructors that assist you in your journey of developing a professional identity and skill set. This lab is six weeks long and includes four synchronous online face-to-face sessions.
- Pre-Practicum 2 Lab – You will integrate advanced counseling skills into your counseling toolkit. This lab is also six weeks in length and includes four synchronous sessions.
- Group Lab – You will explore the fundamentals of developing and leading group counseling sessions. The lab is nine weeks long and includes 14 hours of live synchronous group work.
Lastly, you must complete two field experiences: a practicum and an internship. As outlined earlier, the purpose of the practicum is to introduce you to the daily routine of being a counselor. You will also have opportunities to apply what you’ve learned while working with students in an approved K-12 setting.
Meanwhile, the internship is a 10-credit, two-semester experience during which you will advance your understanding of school counseling and your role as a school counselor. You will assist in all aspects of school counseling duties at your assigned school, from advising students on academic issues to working with parents to support the emotional needs of their child to developing counseling programs that address important issues like bullying and school violence.
The application requirements include the following:
- Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit the required supporting documents as directed. These documents may include any of the following:
- A resume or curriculum vitae.
- A personal statement.
- Letters of reference.
- A writing sample.
How Much Do Licensed Mental Health Counselors Make in Utah?
As of January 2026, the average annual salary for a licensed mental health counselor working in Utah is $106,662. More experienced and top earning licensed mental health counselors working in Utah make over $140,000 per year.