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4 Top Value Counseling Master’s Degrees in Connecticut

Top Counseling Schools - Best Value - 2016
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Published June 2016

Welcome to our ranking of the four top master’s degrees in counseling in Connecticut.

If you’re thinking about earning your master’s or Ph.D. in counseling and you live in Connecticut (or you would like to) take a look at these top-ranked schools. Indeed, out of all the New England states, Connecticut is the place to be for counselor education. This state is home to more schools – and more accredited counseling graduate degree programs – than any of its Northern neighbors. And even though nearby New York and Pennsylvania provide some additional options (they are much larger states, after all), you won’t think twice about opting in to Connecticut’s high-caliber, affordable master’s degrees in counseling – and their attractive in-state tuition rates!

Click here to see the methodology we used for this best master’s in counseling degree ranking.


4. Central Connecticut State University

New Britain, CT

Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S.; School Counseling, M.S.

Website
Central Connecticut State University’s accredited master’s degree in counseling is focused exclusively on career training for aspiring school counselors. The program utilizes a “developmental model” based on both national and state standards for “best practices” in elementary, middle, and high schools. As a student in this program, you will learn to wear many different hats in your profession, functioning simultaneously as a teacher, consultant, manager, and of course counselor. Field-based training, which consists of a 100-hour practicum in the second year plus an extensive internship, provides on-the-job training before you even start applying for positions. Note that certified teachers can satisfy their internship requirement in 600 hours (one to two semesters), but non-teachers will need to complete a more intensive, 900-hour (10 month) field placement.
Tuition and Fees: $15,980/yr
Score: 68

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3. Western Connecticut State University

Danbury, CT

School Counseling, M.S.

Website
At Western Connecticut State University, you’ll have the choice between two top counseling master’s degree programs: School Counseling (accredited since 1996) and Clinical Mental Health Counseling (accredited in 2011). WCSU’s long tenure in the field of counselor education has helped the university develop a robust set of programs known to propel students to success; based on recent data, the chance that you will complete this program, pass the licensing exam, and land a job in your chosen field is north of 90%! And while some schools claim to have multiple concentration options but offer few variations in the curriculum, each accredited master’s in counseling degree track at WCSU contains a unique set of courses specifically tailored – and exclusively available – to students accepted into the program.
Tuition and Fees: $16,262/yr
Score: 69

2. University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT

School Counseling, M.A.

Website
Much like its 4th place neighbor on this Connecticut master’s in counseling degree ranking, the University of Connecticut, or UConn, has poured all of its energy and resources into School Counseling. That being said, the Department of Educational Psychology at UConn has crafted this singular program to be surprisingly versatile. Depending on your background and career goals, you have the option to enroll in the 51-credit hour M.A. in Education program, earn a sixth-year diploma (if you already possess a master’s in education or a related field), or tackle a comprehensive Ph.D. degree in Counselor Education. Ph.D. students will even have the chance to teach two or more courses from the accredited master’s degree in counseling curriculum.
Tuition and Fees: $25,689/yr
Score: 77

1. Fairfield University

Fairfield, CT

Community Counseling, M.A.; School Counseling, M.A.

Website
With so many great options on this list, it might be hard to imagine what Fairfield University has done differently to establish the best graduate degrees in counseling in Connecticut. Fairfield’s counseling programs have been accredited since 1986, giving the university a significant head start over other colleges in the state. Students have a near 100% success rate when it comes to passing the licensing examination and securing job offers, which should come as no surprise to anyone who has stepped foot inside the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions. Aside from two CACREP-accredited professional counseling programs, the department offers a host of other high-quality degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy (fully accredited by CAMFTE), School Psychology (NCATE-accredited), and many others.
Tuition and Fees: $16,476/yr
Score: 100

This concludes our ranking of the best graduate degrees in counseling in Connecticut.

See also: State Listing of Doctoral Degrees in Counseling

Sources:
College Navigator
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Thomson Reuters Essential Science Indicators