Last Updated: January 9, 2026

Study Master’s in Counseling in Maryland

No matter how you get your education as a counselor, you have many potential career paths ahead of you. Counselors are employed in schools, hospitals, and mental health clinics. You can also work in community mental health, private healthcare, and private practice if you wish.

Of course, the first step to becoming a counselor in Maryland is to complete an appropriate training program. In years past, that meant spending two or three years taking classes on campus at one of the state’s colleges and universities. This is no longer the case, though. Today, you can complete your coursework online, get real-world experience in an internship near where you live, and graduate without ever stepping foot on a college campus.

The programs below represent some of the popular online options for you as a Maryland student. Some of the programs are in-state; others are out-of-state. Either way, you can get the education you need to start your career in earnest.

Best Accredited Online Master's in Counseling Programs in Maryland - School Counseling Degrees in Maryland

Online Master’s in Counseling in Maryland

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online master’s in counseling in Maryland:

  • University of Maryland Global Campus
  • William & Mary
  • St. Bonaventure University
  • Capella University
  • The Chicago School
  • Arizona State University Online
  • National University

University of Maryland Global Campus

Online Master of Science in Clinical Professional Counseling

The 60-credit Master of Science in Clinical Professional Counseling from the University of Maryland Global Campus uses a cohort training model. This means you’ll start the program with a group of classmates, progress through each component of the program together, and graduate together, too. Though there are many benefits of studying with a cohort, one of the most important is the collegial relationships you build with your classmates. Upon graduation, you’ll have two dozen fellow counselors you can call upon for assistance and advice.

The comprehensive curriculum includes courses in three categories: foundation classes, core classes, and electives. As you can imagine, the foundation courses help provide you with the essential knowledge and skills necessary to become a competent counselor. These classes include studies in the following areas:

  • Professional Orientation in Counseling
  • Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practices in Counseling
  • Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling
  • Lifespan and Development: Perspectives in Counseling

The next phase of coursework focuses on clinical counseling core coursework. These classes offer a broad range of studies on critical topics in this field. You’ll start with Research Design and Program Evaluation in Counseling, which examines the importance of research in advancing the field of counseling. Furthermore, you’ll come to understand how you can use research to promote improved program delivery to your clients and more meaningful evaluation of counseling programs, too.

Another required core course is Applied Theories of Counseling. This class is crucial to your professional development because it explores the major theories of counseling. You’ll study topics like psychotherapy, behaviorism, and existentialism. You’ll also touch on ethical and cultural considerations in counseling.

You’ll build on your developing understanding of counseling theories by taking Counseling Techniques: The Helping Relationship. This class analyzes how to develop a trusting and therapeutic relationship with your clients. You’ll learn about empathy, interviewing skills, and active listening. This course also explores cultural diversity issues.

Your training also includes a Group Counseling class. The dynamics of working with a group are much different than working one-on-one with a single client. As such, this course examines group counseling theories, techniques, and procedures that improve the social-psychological interaction between you and the group members and between group members as well. You’ll learn how to plan group counseling activities, implement them, and evaluate their effectiveness as well.

Additional core coursework includes the following:

  • Psychopathology and Diagnosis
  • Advanced Techniques of Counseling
  • Assessment and Appraisal in Counseling
  • Foundations of Substance Use and Addictions Counseling
  • Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling

The university requires you to complete three elective courses to round out the classwork portion of this degree. The elective component allows you to customize your degree to an extent. For example, if you’re interested in relational counseling, you might take Sexual Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy, Relationship Counseling, and Counseling Children and Adolescents.

However, if you’re interested in substance-related issues, you might take Introduction to Psychopharmacology, Substance Use and Dependency Treatment Delivery, and Special Topics in Addiction Counseling. Many other options are available as well:

  • Co-Occurring Disorders
  • Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
  • Military Culture
  • Expressive and Creative Arts in Counseling
  • Biopsychosocial Aspects of Health, Behavioral Health, Aging, and Disability

You must also complete two field experiences. The first is a practicum, during which you must accumulate at least 100 hours of counseling and related work experience. Of those hours, at least 40 must be direct service hours with clients. Then, in the program’s final year, you’ll complete a two-part internship during which you must complete at least 600 clock hours of counseling activities, 240 of which must be direct client contact hours. Both the practicum and the internship are supervised and can be completed at an approved location near where you live.

The admissions requirements are as follows:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • Have a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Provide two letters of recommendation from previous professors.
  • Provide a statement of purpose in which you explain any relevant education or professional experience.
  • Submit a current curriculum vitae or resume.
  • Submit a signed attestation of your intent to become licensed and employed as a counselor in Maryland.
  • Participate in a faculty interview.

William & Mary

Online Master of Education in Counseling

Just across the border of Maryland and Virginia is William & Mary. The school offers an online Master of Education in Counseling with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that can be completed in about three years. During that time, you’ll finish 60 credits in a CACREP-accredited program that prepares you for entry-level licensure as a professional counselor.

Year one of the program focuses mostly on professional, ethical, and legal issues in counseling. You’ll also take classes focusing on counseling theories and techniques, as well as human growth and development. You’ll explore these and other topics in classes such as:

  • Professional, Ethical, and Legal Issues in Counseling
  • Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
  • Human Growth and Development: A Life-Span Perspective
  • Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling
  • Contemporary Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Additionally, you’ll take Techniques of Counseling during the first year. This class offers a detailed study of individual counseling techniques you can use to work with clients of all ages and with a variety of mental health needs. This is an experiential course, too—you’ll observe professionals as they employ counseling techniques and have opportunities to role-play with your classmates to practice using these techniques as well.

In year two, the focus of coursework shifts to areas like psychopathology, research, and career development. For example, you’ll take The Counselor and Psychopathology to become familiar with the DSM system and the processes of diagnosing clients with mental illnesses. You’ll especially focus on how to use diagnoses to assist with treatment planning and employing appropriate interventions.

Likewise, you’ll take Research Methods in Education, which explores the general techniques typically used in psychological research. You’ll learn how to critically evaluate current research literature and become familiar with basic statistical methods. This course also examines data analysis procedures, educational testing, and psychological measurement.

Other year-two classes include the following:

  • Psychological and Educational Measurement
  • Group Theory and Techniques
  • Marriage and Family Counseling
  • Career Development

Two on-campus residencies required for this program: one occurs before the practicum, and the other occurs before the internship. The practicum takes place during the program’s second year and is intended to provide a supportive environment for your first experiences as a pre-professional counselor. You’ll work with an on-site supervisor to provide basic services to individuals, couples, families, and groups. You’ll also be supervised by your practicum supervisor and the counseling program faculty.

The program’s third year focuses mostly on a year-long clinical mental health counseling internship. The internship requires you to accumulate 600 or more hours of counseling experience in the context of typical counseling activities, such as individual and group counseling, treatment planning, assessment and evaluation, and completing case notes.

During year three, you’re also required to attend online synchronous classes during your internship. These classes explore a variety of topics ranging from Addictions Counseling to Couples Counseling and Sex Therapy to Substance Abuse and Society.

The requirements for admission are as follows:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Provide official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Submit three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references.
  • Submit a completed personal essay in which you discuss your academic and professional experiences in counseling.
  • Provide a current resume that outlines your complete employment history.

St. Bonaventure University

Online Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Another online program you might consider is the Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. Bonaventure in New York. This CACREP-accredited program prepares you to seek licensure as a counselor. In fact, in 2023-2024, every single graduate from this program passed the counseling licensure exam.

This program doesn’t just prepare you for the licensed professional counselor exam, though. Instead, you’ll get a comprehensive counseling education that provides insights into the historical development of counseling, counseling techniques, counseling theories, interventions, and much more. As a result, you’ll graduate from this program with the knowledge and skills to practice as a counselor, teach, work in advocacy, and explore other career options. Graduates of this program work in many different fields, including the following:

  • Health Centers
  • Correctional Facilities
  • Residential Care Facilities
  • Inpatient and Outpatient Facilities
  • Insurance Organizations

The curriculum includes classes that explore many different facets of counseling. On the one hand, you’ll take foundational courses that examine topics like ethics, legal considerations, and professional obligations you’ll have as a counselor. Other foundational classes explore multiculturalism and diversity. Yet other courses tackle issues such as research and program evaluation.

The foundational courses in this program help you develop a solid understanding of counseling as a science and as a practice. On the one hand, you’ll analyze historical and modern counseling theories such as psychoanalysis, Adlerian approaches, and behavior therapy. On the other hand, you’ll take classes that focus on applying what you know about these approaches.

For example, you’ll take a Counseling Theory and Practice course that allows you to role-play counseling situations with your classmates. Having opportunities to explore different theoretical approaches and practice each one serves two important purposes. First, it gives you the opportunity to see each theoretical approach in action and understand what it looks and feels like. And second, practicing each theoretical approach allows you to clarify your personal approach to counseling.

But not all the courses you’ll take deal with counseling theory. Instead, you’ll take classes like the following:

  • Sociocultural Foundations of Counseling
  • Research and Program Evaluation
  • Lifestyle and Career Development
  • Group Dynamics
  • Group Therapy

Furthermore, you’ll take a Psychopathology and Assessment class that introduces you to the origins of mental illness. You’ll learn how to use the DSM system for diagnostic purposes and examine various psychological assessments (e.g., Beck Depression Inventory, MMPI-2, Beck Anxiety Inventory) that you’re likely to use in the course of your career.

This program also includes mandated reporting training. This training focuses on the situations in which you’re required to break confidentiality and inform other stakeholders of your concerns about a client. Typically, breaking confidentiality is limited to situations in which the client is a danger to themselves or others. However, other situations, like suspected abuse or neglect involving your client, require you to report, too.

As with any CACREP-accredited program, you must also complete practicum and internship placements. The practicum is a shorter semester-long experience during which you must complete at least 100 hours of counseling activities. The activities you complete during the practicum are typically at the introductory level. For example, you might complete case notes and other paperwork, observe your supervisor as they conduct individual therapy, and assist with group therapy meetings.

Then, in the two-semester internship, your responsibilities grow. As the final step before graduation and your career, the internship provides you with opportunities to practice independently (though you’ll still be supervised on-site and by the department faculty). For example, where you might co-lead group therapy sessions during the practicum, you might lead them independently during the internship. All told, you must accumulate at least 600 hours of counseling experience during the internship. Both the practicum and internship will be arranged at approved sites near where you live.

Ensure you meet the following requirements before applying:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • Have a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher. In some cases, applicants with a 2.75 GPA will be considered.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Provide a personal statement in which you discuss your desire to become a counselor.
  • Submit two letters of recommendation from professional references.
  • Participate in an interview with faculty members.

Capella University

Online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Capella University’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a CACREP-accredited program that focuses on counseling theory and applications of counseling techniques. More specifically, the program focuses on areas like research, treatment, and assessment, as well as ethical practice, wellness theory, and cultural competence, to name a few. In all, you’ll take 13 core courses and four specialization courses, and complete two residencies, one practicum, and two internships.

This program requires 90 credits to complete. Of these, at least 52 credits are core courses. These classes explore fundamental topics in counseling, such as:

  • Principles of Psychopathology and Diagnosis
  • Foundations of Addiction and Addictive Behavior
  • Assessment, Tests, and Measures
  • Life Planning and Career Development
  • Ethical and Legal Issues in Professional Counseling

Other foundational courses, like Lifespan Development for the Counseling Professions, offer a broad-based look at the human experience across the lifespan. You’ll examine cognitive, emotional, biological, social, and emotional components of development while also exploring multicultural aspects of growth.

Likewise, you’ll take application-focused classes, like Theories of the Counseling Profession. In this class, you’ll discuss various psychotherapy approaches and the philosophical principles upon which they are based. Moreover, you’ll come to an understanding of how to appropriately apply these theories in the context of individual and group counseling.

Speaking of groups, you’ll become adept at working with groups of clients in the Group Counseling and Psychotherapy class. This required course explores the theoretical aspects of group therapy. You’ll discuss group dynamics, membership roles, and group leadership issues. You’ll also analyze different types of groups and learn how to manage crises in group settings.

The specialization component of the curriculum includes at least 16 quarter credits focusing on general clinical mental health counseling. For example, you might take Marriage and Family Systems, Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, and Theories and Skills of Play Therapy if you choose the Child and Adolescent Counseling Track. Alternatively, you might choose the Addiction Treatment and Recovery track and take classes such as Theories of Addiction Treatment, Group Therapy and the Treatment of Substance-Related and Addictive Behavior, and Family Systems and Psychoeducation in Addiction.

Two residency courses are also required. The first course focuses on the Counseling Relationship. More specifically, you’ll work on developing appropriate counseling skills and mastering counseling concepts that are critical to your success as a counselor. This residency, which is face-to-face, also requires online coursework after the conclusion of the residency component.

The second residency is the Advanced Counseling Relationship. This time, you’ll build on the clinical skills you learned in the first residency to develop more advanced approaches to counseling. Again, you’re required to participate in a face-to-face residency, take part in online course activities, and spend additional time working on your counseling skills beyond the activities required for your online courses.

The final two components of your training are a practicum and an internship. The practicum comes first and is an introduction to working as a professional counselor. You’ll work at an approved site with a supervisor who guides and directs your development. You’ll work on areas like communication, interviewing, assessment, and intake procedures, among many others. You’re required to complete at least 100 hours of clinical work during the practicum, of which 40 hours must be in direct contact with clients.

Meanwhile, the internship is a two-semester placement during which you work part-time to full-time as a pre-professional counselor. This experience is also supervised, though you have many more responsibilities than during the practicum. You must complete at least 600 hours of counseling work, of which 240 must be in direct contact with clients.

You must meet the following criteria to apply:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Provide a copy of a valid, government-issued photo ID.
  • Agree to obey Capell’s policies and program requirements.
  • Demonstrate English proficiency if it is not your native language.
  • Complete any other requirements deemed necessary by the program.

How Much Do Licensed Mental Health Counselors Make in Maryland?

As of January 2026, the average annual salary for a licensed mental health counselor working in Maryland is $79,658. More experienced and top earning licensed mental health counselors working in Maryland make over $120,000 per year.

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