Welcome to our ranking of the three top value master’s degrees in counseling in Washington, D.C.
If you’re thinking about earning your master’s or Ph.D. in counseling and you live in Washington, D.C. (or you would like to) take a look at these top-ranked schools. D.C. might be the nation’s capital, but it’s a tiny place nonetheless, so there isn’t exactly an abundance of options for counseling students. That being said, the three universities that do have counseling programs offer some pretty exciting options, so be sure to take a close look!
Click here to see the methodology we used for this best master’s in counseling degree ranking.
Featured Programs
3. George Washington University
Washington, D.C.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A
School Counseling, M.A.
Counselor Education and Supervision, Ph.D
Website
There is no shortage of options when it comes to top counseling degrees at George Washington University. Master’s-level programs are available in School, Rehabilitation, and Clinical Mental Health – not to mention graduate certificates in Counseling and Counseling and Life Transitions. Although each of these degrees offers a unique experience, they all share a focus on experiential learning. Rehabilitation Counseling students complete both practicum and internship experiences and have the opportunity to develop valuable relationships with mentors. Students in the School Counseling program spend an entire year of their education working at local public schools, and CMHC students can complete their field experiences at any one of GW’s dozens of approved sites in the community.
Tuition and Fees: $27,851/yr
2. Gallaudet University
Washington, D.C.
School Counseling, M.A.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A
Website
If you’re looking for something a little different out of an accredited counseling master’s degree in Washington, D.C., Gallaudet is sure to pique your interest. As the world’s only “barrier-free” university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, Gallaudet offers programs and certificates that highlight the interests and needs of hearing impaired individuals. This focus extends to the counseling programs, in which graduate students learn to be sensitive, culturally-aware, and knowledgeable practitioners in mental health fields. Physically abled, disabled, hearing, and deaf students are all welcome to apply, but fluency in American Sign Language is a must.
Tuition and Fees: $17,122/yr
1. University of the District of Columbia
Washington, D.C.
School Counseling, M.S.
Website
The University of the District of Columbia offers an affordable counseling master’s degree in Washington, D.C. that comes with two specialties – Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling (although only the latter has CACREP approval). Combining practical and theoretical education, the School Counseling concentration will require you to complete coursework in Career Theories and Development, Human Growth and Development, and Counseling Philosophies, as well as internship/practicum experiences. In fact, UDC students need to spend at least 20 hours a week “on site” in order to satisfy their field placement requirements. As an added bonus, the university offers an M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling that is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).
Tuition and Fees: $12,431/yr
This concludes our ranking of the best value graduate degrees in counseling in Washington, D.C.
Sources:
College Navigator
Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Academic Programs
Thomson Reuters Essential Science Indicators