Best institutions to study Counseling Psychology
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of psychological counseling, involving the rendering of therapeutic services to individuals and groups experiencing psychological problems and exhibiting distress symptoms.
277 U.S. institutions graduated 12,264 Counseling Psychology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 42.2803, a specialization of Clinical (CIP 42.28), and leads most directly to the Clinical and Counseling Psychologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-3033).
About Counseling Psychology programs
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of psychological counseling, involving the rendering of therapeutic services to individuals and groups experiencing psychological problems and exhibiting distress symptoms. Includes instruction in counseling theory, therapeutic intervention strategies, patient/counselor relationships, testing and assessment methods and procedures, group therapy, marital and family therapy, child and adolescent therapy, supervised counseling practice, ethical standards, and applicable regulations.
See also: 51.1508 - Mental Health Counseling/Counselor.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Counseling Psychology (Clinical) program prepares individuals for the independent practice of psychological counseling. It focuses on providing therapeutic services to individuals and groups facing psychological challenges. This program is ideal for those interested in helping others navigate emotional and behavioral issues through various therapeutic techniques.
Students will gain knowledge in counseling theory, therapeutic intervention strategies, and patient/counselor relationships. Coursework typically includes training in assessment methods, group therapy, and ethical standards, equipping graduates with essential skills for effective counseling practice.
Credentials awarded
What Counseling Psychology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree10,658 graduates / yr · 213 institutions87%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship644 graduates / yr · 52 institutions5.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate347 graduates / yr · 18 institutions2.8%
- Bachelor's degree338 graduates / yr · 31 institutions2.8%
- Post-master's certificate165 graduates / yr · 16 institutions1.3%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice69 graduates / yr · 11 institutions0.6%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year35 graduates / yr · 7 institutions0.3%
- Doctor's degree - other5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Award of less than 12 weeks2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Associate's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Counseling Psychology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 9,812 |
| 2013 | 10,991 |
| 2014 | 10,984 |
| 2015 | 10,982 |
| 2016 | 10,783 |
| 2017 | 10,222 |
| 2018 | 9,566 |
| 2019 | 9,605 |
| 2020 | 9,159 |
| 2021 | 9,409 |
| 2022 | 10,085 |
| 2023 | 10,972 |
| 2024 | 11,645 |
| 2025 | 12,264 |
Top 50 institutions for Counseling Psychology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert.Master's | 1,807 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 2 | Lamar University Beaumont, TXPublicMaster's | 437 | 37% | — | — |
| 3 | Adams State University Alamosa, COPublicMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 393 | 39% | — | — |
| 4 | University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 328 | 50% | $11,672 | — |
| 5 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 312 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 6 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 303 | 43% | $31,817 | — |
| 7 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 245 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
| 8 | California Baptist University Riverside, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 204 | 62% | $26,940 | — |
| 9 | University of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 204 | 70% | $37,121 | — |
| 10 | Adler University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 190 | — | — | — |
| 11 | Golden Gate University San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 189 | — | — | — |
| 12 | Lindsey Wilson University Columbia, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 174 | 44% | $14,471 | — |
| 13 | Naropa University Boulder, COPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 171 | 37% | $30,558 | — |
| 14 | California Institute of Integral Studies San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 169 | — | — | — |
| 15 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 163 | 88% | $44,094 | — |
| 16 | Troy University Troy, ALPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 155 | 50% | — | — |
| 17 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 152 | 66% | $18,163 | — |
| 18 | Albizu University - San Juan San Juan, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 138 | 67% | $15,077 | — |
| 19 | National Louis University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 123 | 30% | $18,904 | — |
| 20 | Mid - America Christian University Oklahoma City, OKPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 118 | 44% | $17,088 | — |
| 21 | Concordia University - Irvine Irvine, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 111 | 58% | $26,609 | — |
| 22 | Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 110 | 53% | $25,892 | $21,473 |
| 23 | The Chicago School at Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 107 | — | — | — |
| 24 | Pacifica Graduate Institute Santa Barbara CA, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 101 | — | — | — |
| 25 | University of St Thomas Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 95 | 76% | $28,888 | — |
| 26 | Regent University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 94 | 57% | $18,677 | — |
| 27 | Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 93 | — | — | — |
| 28 | Hope International University Fullerton, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 92 | 49% | $32,826 | — |
| 29 | Albizu University - Miami Miami, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 85 | 40% | $36,302 | — |
| 30 | The Wright Institute Berkeley, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 80 | — | — | — |
| 31 | Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu, HIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 77 | 55% | $25,919 | — |
| 32 | Regis University Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 76 | 61% | $22,407 | — |
| 33 | University of Denver Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 75 | 76% | $29,726 | — |
| 34 | The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 73 | — | — | — |
| 35 | Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 72 | 64% | $19,806 | — |
| 36 | Alliant International University - San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate for-profitMaster's | 70 | — | — | — |
| 37 | Denver Seminary Littleton, COPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 69 | — | — | — |
| 38 | Amberton University Garland, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 68 | — | — | — |
| 39 | Barry University Miami, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 67 | 38% | $24,719 | — |
| 40 | Campbellsville University Campbellsville, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 67 | 42% | $18,824 | — |
| 41 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 66 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 42 | Tarleton State University Stephenville, TXPublicMaster's | 65 | 48% | — | — |
| 43 | Webster University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 64 | 64% | $25,090 | — |
| 44 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo Campus Gurabo, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 64 | 31% | $9,370 | — |
| 45 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicMaster's | 63 | 55% | — | — |
| 46 | Crown College Saint Bonifacius, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 62 | 45% | $26,706 | — |
| 47 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicMaster's | 58 | 62% | — | — |
| 48 | MidAmerica Nazarene University Olathe, KSPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 57 | 54% | $28,845 | — |
| 49 | Seton Hall University South Orange, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 57 | 69% | $27,376 | — |
| 50 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TXPublicMaster's | 56 | 55% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Clinical field (CIP 42.28) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 47 states & territories
Where Counseling Psychology graduates come from. Each state links to all Clinical programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3033, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Counseling Psychology program often pursue careers as Clinical and Counseling Psychologists. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 11.2% and approximately 4,800 annual openings. The median wage for this profession is $95,830, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 42.2803
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Clinical and Counseling Psychologistsprimary SOC 19-3033 | $100,580 | +11.2% Much faster than average | ~4,800 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Counselors, All Other SOC 21-1019 | $50,860 | +12.6% Much faster than average | ~7,400 | Master's degree |
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1066 | $80,340 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~4,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Mental Health Counselors SOC 21-1014 | — | — | — | — |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Counseling Psychology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others.
- Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
- Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
- Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
- Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
- Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment.
Tools and technology used
Other Clinical specializations
The 17 other 6-digit CIP codes under Clinical (CIP 42.28).
- Applied Behavior AnalysisCIP 42.28147,215 graduates / yr143 institutions
- Clinical PsychologyCIP 42.28016,396 graduates / yr205 institutions
- School PsychologyCIP 42.28053,734 graduates / yr205 institutions
- Industrial and Organizational PsychologyCIP 42.28043,169 graduates / yr127 institutions
- Applied PsychologyCIP 42.28132,999 graduates / yr96 institutions
- Forensic PsychologyCIP 42.28122,718 graduates / yr59 institutions
- Educational PsychologyCIP 42.28061,874 graduates / yr84 institutions
- ClinicalCIP 42.2899711 graduates / yr46 institutions
- Family PsychologyCIP 42.2811partial data630 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Community PsychologyCIP 42.2802464 graduates / yr34 institutions
- Health/CIP 42.2810
Medical Psychology 428 graduates / yr25 institutions - Performance and Sport PsychologyCIP 42.2815318 graduates / yr18 institutions
- Clinical Child PsychologyCIP 42.2807partial data101 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Transpersonal/CIP 42.2817
Spiritual Psychology limited data40 graduates / yr1 institutions - Environmental PsychologyCIP 42.2808partial data22 graduates / yr3 institutions
- GeropsychologyCIP 42.2809limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Somatic Psychology42.2816
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Doctor's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or a Bachelor's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What are common careers for graduates?+
Common careers include Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, Mental Health Counselors, and Psychology Teachers.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 11.2%.
What is the CIP code for Counseling Psychology?+
Counseling Psychology is CIP 42.2803 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Clinical (CIP 42.28). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of psychological counseling, involving the rendering of therapeutic services to individuals and groups experiencing psychological problems and exhibiting distress symptoms. Includes instruction in counseling theory, therapeutic intervention strategies, patient/counselor relationships, testing and assessment methods and procedures, group therapy, marital and family therapy, child and adolescent therapy, supervised counseling practice, ethical standards, and applicable regulations.
How many institutions offer Counseling Psychology programs?+
277 U.S. institutions reported Counseling Psychology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 47 states & territories, awarding 12,264 credentials in the year. That is 28.5% of all Clinical graduates.
How much do Counseling Psychology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Clinical and Counseling Psychologists occupation, which Counseling Psychology most directly leads to, pays a median of $100,580 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Clinical field report median earnings of $32,553 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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