Published October 2016
Welcome to our ranking of the three top master’s degrees in counseling in Nebraska.
At first glance, there is one feature of Nebraska universities that should stand out right away – the price! Of all the institutions of higher education in the country, Nebraska’s are some of the cheapest. And it’s hard to turn down an education that could cost you less – in some cases much less – than $10k a year. Add to this the growing strength of the state’s counselor education programs and high job placement rates in the field, and it’s hard to think of a reason why these schools shouldn’t be on your list of the top master’s degrees in counseling nationwide.
Click here to see the methodology we used for this best master’s in counseling degree ranking.
3. Wayne State College
Wayne, NE
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S.E.
Website
Why travel to Wayne, Nebraska – a tiny town of fewer than 6,000 people – to earn your graduate degree in counseling? Well for one, Wayne State College has no shortage of proof that its curriculum is of the highest order, given that the department’s counseling program is accredited by both CACREP and the NCATE. Indeed, one look at the course list will convince students that they are in for a serious education. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling track starts out with a foundational class that introduces crucial topics in graduate studies and research, which you can then build upon through in-depth, highly specialized coursework such as “Psychopathology and Client Strengths” and “Differential Diagnosis and Treatment Planning.”
Tuition & Fees: $6,204/yr
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2. University of Nebraska at Kearney
Kearney, NE
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S. Ed.
Website
One of three campuses in the University of Nebraska public school system, the Kearney campus has plenty to offer the state’s southern residents – including an alternative to Wayne State, which sits closer to Nebraska’s eastern border. But regardless of your geographic location, UNK can help you invest in your future as a clinical mental health counselor. In fact, the school’s broad curriculum can help prepare you not just to be a nationally certified counselor (NCC), but also to earn certification as an independent mental health practitioner or substance abuse specialist. And although the CMHC track is the only accredited counseling master’s degree currently offered at the university (for now), students may also opt for a concentration in School Counseling or Student Affairs.
Tuition & Fees: $9,637/yr
1. University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha, NE
School Counseling, M.A.; Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S.
Website
Topping this best master’s degrees in counseling ranking is the University of Nebraska at Omaha, proudly located in one of the state’s largest cities. But UNO has far more to offer than an urban lifestyle. The school’s Department of Counseling has the only CACREP-accredited school counseling track in the entire state, making it the perfect choice for students who are committed to helping children and young adults navigate their formative years. This is also undoubtedly one of the top counseling master’s degree programs for hands-on learning. Due to UNO’s ideal placement in an active community, the department is able to maintain close contacts – and provide internship connections – with more than 50 local agencies, including trauma centers, religious organizations, and inpatient health clinics.
Tuition & Fees: $9,906/yr
This concludes our ranking of the best graduate degrees in counseling in Nebraska. We’ll be sure to update this list as more schools in Nebraska develop accredited counseling programs, so stay tuned!
Further reading: What is CACREP Accreditation?
Sources:
College Navigator
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Thomson Reuters Essential Science Indicators