Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Oregon
Counseling Schools Search
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“The Oregon State University counseling programs are the second oldest in the world, with counseling classes first offered in 1917.”
Thomas Field, PhD, Associate Professor, Oregon State University
Like most places, there are certain requirements for providing graduates with counseling degrees and licenses in Oregon. The state has a Board of Licensed Professionals and Therapists that is tasked with licensing applicants for LPC or LMFT degrees.
The Licensed Professional Counselor, or LPC, must hold a graduate degree (either a master’s or doctorate) from a counseling program approved by CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs) or CORE (Council on Rehabilitation Education).
An applicant for the LMFT, or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, licensure, must also hold either a master’s or doctorate from a marriage and family therapy program approved by COAMFTE (Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education).
Prospective students should consider program accreditation for counseling education. Students will find the best job prospects when they graduate from an accredited program, and COAMFTE and CACREP (which merged with CORE in 2017) are the baselines for counselor education. Accreditation is achieved through a third-party organization examining all coursework, grading procedures, supervisory procedures, prerequisites, degree requirements, and student services to ensure high standards of education, best practices within the field, and relevance to the career.
The need for counselors, in general, will grow as a rising share of the population seeks mental health counseling. The BLS (2023) predicts that job openings for substance abuse counselors will grow 18 percent nationally between 2022 and 2032, much faster than average. Demand for marriage and family therapists is also 15 percent for the same period.
Students pursuing counseling degrees and licenses in Oregon can find rewarding and stable careers. Read on for a few of the many schools offering programs for counseling degrees and licenses in Oregon.
Ask an Expert: Thomas Field, PhD
Dr. Thomas Field is an associate professor in the College of Education at Oregon State University. He has taught graduate counseling students since 2011 and previously worked as a faculty member at Boston University School of Medicine.
Dr. Field’s research focuses on integrating neuroscience into counseling practice, and professional and social justice advocacy. During his academic career, he has published more than 30 peer-reviewed articles. He has also authored two books on the topic of neuroscience integration. He has received grant funding from agencies that include the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). His research and teaching has been recognized nationally. In 2019, he received the Counselor Educator of the Year award from the American Mental Health Counselors Association. He is also a current standards revision committee member of the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the recognized specialized accreditation body for counseling.
In addition to faculty responsibilities, he has actively helped clients with mental health concerns since 2006. He has counseled over 1,000 clients and currently maintains a small private practice where he sees adolescents and adults. He is board-certified as a counselor and clinical supervisor by the National Board of Certified Counselors and affiliates.
CounselingSchools.com: What types of careers do graduates typically pursue after completing the program?
Dr. Field: The hybrid online counseling master’s program prepares students to work as school counselors in Oregon and beyond. The OSU Ecampus clinical mental health counseling master’s degree meets the educational requirements for licensure as a counselor in Oregon (LPC), Washington (LMHC), and a licensed professional in many U.S. states. Graduates are also eligible to become board-certified counselors by the National Board of Certified Counselors.
CounselingSchools.com What sets this program apart from others in terms of preparing students for counseling careers?
Dr. Field: Students can take courses in an online/face-to-face hybrid format. Students meet twice each quarter on a Friday through Saturday in beautiful Corvallis, Oregon. Students can work full-time during the first two years of the program. During the third year, students may need to leave or reduce employment to complete internship requirements. Students who are already employed as a school counselor may use these experiences to meet internship requirements. Master’s in school counseling students and master’s in clinical mental health counseling students complete all courses in a cohort and develop significant peer relationships through frequent class meetings together.
OSU is committed to engage in anti-racism work to better serve the needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in our community. Most recently, OSU Counseling was honored to receive the 2022 Counseling Program award from the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities. The award is presented to a program that has demonstrated a commitment to the promotion of LGBTGEQIAP+ awareness and affirmation.
At OSU, students can attend a high-quality online program with a long history of delivering remote education, having offered graduate courses via Extended Campus since 1944 and full graduate degrees via Extended Campus since 1976. The Oregon State University counseling programs are the second oldest in the world, with counseling classes first offered in 1917. The counseling program at Oregon State University was one of the very first CACREP-accredited programs.
Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Oregon
Oregon State University is a public university. OSU’s graduate college offers multiple options for counseling degrees from the College of Education. Students can take a hybrid option through the Ecampus of 50 percent online and 50 percent in-person classes to earn a master of counseling (MCoun) in school counseling or a master of counseling in clinical mental health counseling. In-person courses at the OSU-Cascades campus can lead to the same degrees. OSU offers master of counseling degrees in school counseling and clinical mental health counseling, and both are 90 credits total.
The school counseling degree program offers two tracks for those students who either have teaching experience or a teaching license or do not. The master of counseling program offers a part-time option that spans three years as well as a full-time option that can be completed in two years. The programs begin in June of each year. Students choosing the part-time option take on average two classes per term, while students choosing the full-time option average four classes per term. Most classes are held in the evenings Monday through Thursday with an occasional class offered on the weekend. OSU also utilizes a cohort model to allow students to develop a bond with one another, build community during the program, and form a professional network of future colleagues.
All counseling degree program graduates are eligible to apply for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) from the Oregon licensing board and are eligible to take the National Counselor Examination during the last quarter of their degree program.
- Location: Corvallis, Oregon
- Duration: 90 credits, two to three years
- Accreditation: CACREP
The University of Oregon is a public research university founded in 1876. The school’s College of Education offers a couples and family therapy (CFT) master of science program. This program prepares students to become professional family therapists in preparation for licensure in any U.S. state that offers an LMFT license.
The degree is offered in a cohort model, meaning a small group of students start together and complete the program through graduation together. Twenty-two to 24 students are admitted annually, with clinical supervision courses comprised of six to eight students per faculty member. Educators are actively involved in research, clinical practice, and/or clinical supervision. Couples and family therapy graduate students may also add the Spanish language specialization from the counseling psychology program.
- Location: Eugene, Oregon
- Duration: 90 credits, two years
- Accreditation: COAMFTE
Bushnell University (previously Northwest Christian University)
Bushnell University is a private, Christian liberal arts college founded as a divinity school in 1895 by a Disciple of Christ preacher and educator. In 2020, it formally changed its name to Bushnell University, after James A. Bushnell, the first chairman of the university’s board of trustees.
Graduates of Bushnell’s clinical mental health counseling master of arts program can meet the academic standards for Oregon licensure as an LPC. This 60-credit program is in a hybrid format, designed to be completed in 28 months. In the hybrid format, some classes are held on-site in the evening, and others are offered online.
The master of arts in school counseling program offers two tracks for students to choose from. Track I is 48 to 51 credits and designed for students with two years of licensed teaching experience. Track II can be completed in 54 to 57 credits and is designed for students without prior teaching license or with less than two years of teaching experience.
- Location: Eugene, Oregon
- Duration: Clinical mental health counseling is 60 credits, designed to be completed in 28 months; the school counseling program can be completed in either 48 to 51 credits or 54 to 57 credits.
- Accreditation: CACREP
Corban University is a private Christian university with about 1,000 full-time students enrolled on the Salem campus and 2,800 worldwide. Corban’s master of arts in clinical mental health counseling meets Oregon counseling licensing standards and lays the foundation for graduates to be effective, qualified counselors.
Classes are offered in a hybrid model of evening and online classes. Students can meet weekly in person while completing a majority of their schoolwork online. Since the school is Bible-based prospective, students must “live a consistent Christian lifestyle.” They should be prepared to submit character references from a current church and professional references that speak to the students’ skills in counseling to complete the admission process. During the second year, students enter the practicum class to complete 100 hours of counseling with supervision. Upon completion of the practicum, students enter the internship sequence spanning at least two terms for 600 hours.
- Location: Salem, Oregon
- Duration: 60 credits, two years
- Accreditation: CACREP
George Fox University is a private Christian university founded by Quakers in 1891. Namesake George Fox is the founder of the Quaker movement. George Fox’s graduate school offers three master of arts programs: clinical mental health counseling; marriage, couple, and family counseling; and school counseling.
The clinical mental health counseling program and school counseling programs are flexible and can be completed in two, three, or four years. The marriage, couple, and family counseling degree is designed to prepare students to sit for dual licensure, both the national licensure exam to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), as well as the national licensure exam to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Oregon. That program can be completed in two to three or four years.
The school counseling program is only offered in person at the Tigard Center campus, whereas the others can be completed in person or online. The online synchronous track includes live Zoom classes and several courses for students to complete independently. Students will also join others in the program at the Portland campus during their first year as part of the two-day intensive fall residency experience. Those on this track also have the option to take classes in person each term as space permits. Most classes in the in-person synchronous track take place at the Portland campus, and students can similarly enroll in online courses each term as space permits.
- Location: Newberg, Oregon, with campuses in Portland, Salem, Tigard, and Redmond
- Duration: Two to four years
- Accreditation: CACREP
Lewis & Clark College is a private liberal arts college chartered in 1867. Students here can choose from several counseling-related degree options. The marriage, couple, and family counseling program is available as a 60-credit master of arts or 62-credit master of science program, which requires an additional thesis program. Within this program, students can choose from a specialization in addictions, sexuality, or ecopsychology, along with an eating disorders specialization certificate.
The 60-credit professional mental health counseling program also offers a master of arts and a master of science option and an opportunity to specialize in addiction treatment, a total of 62 credits. The school counseling program offers two tracks for students who are licensed practicing educators already (Track I) or those who do not have a teaching license (Track II). Lewis & Clark also offers a hybrid track for school counseling, with classes primarily held online with some in-person requirements on the Portland campus.
Completing a master’s degree in professional mental health counseling with the addictions specialty prepares graduates to pursue licensure as professional counselor (LPC) and certification in drug and alcohol counseling as a level 1 Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC-I).
The master’s program in art therapy is also available as both a master of arts and a master of science, with 58 semester hours for the MA and 62 to 64 for the MS. The program is designed to prepare students to utilize their artistic passions to deliver clinically focused care to individuals, groups, families, and communities. The program starts during the fall exclusively, and students typically complete it in three years.
- Location: Portland, Oregon
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: The professional mental health counseling program is accredited by CACREP; school counseling is accredited by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Programs (CAEP); MMCFC is accredited by COAMFTE; the art therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE)
Portland State University was founded in 1946 as a post-secondary educational institution for World War II veterans. In 1969, it became a four-year college and then a university.
PSU offers four options for counseling degree programs: a 90-credit program leading to an MA/MS in counselor education with a clinical mental health counseling specialization; a 90-credit master’s in clinical rehabilitation counseling, which leads to eligibility to obtain both Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and the National Certified Counselor certifications as well as licensure as professional counselors; the 90-credit marriage, couple, and family counseling degree which leads to state licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC); and finally, a school counseling degree program.
The school counseling program offers students with a teaching license and two years of teaching experience six additional elective credits (Track I). Students without a teaching license and two years of teaching experience must complete a 6-credit, 200-hour effective teaching sequence to obtain licensure as a school counselor (Track II).
- Location: Portland, Oregon
- Duration: 90 credits, three years
- Accreditation: CACREP
Southern Oregon University is a public university founded in 1872. Students in SOU’s counseling program can earn a master’s in clinical mental health counseling either as a master of science or master of arts degree. The curriculum meets state and national standards so that graduates can apply to become licensed counselors in Oregon and throughout the U.S. All CMHC courses are taught in person on the Ashland campus. Most required classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays only, except summer term classes. Students must also complete a 100-hour practicum, including 40 hours of direct client contact, followed by a required internship.
- Location: Ashland, Oregon
- Duration: 90 credits, two to three years
- Accreditation: CACREP
Western Oregon University is a public university established in 1856 by Oregon pioneers. The school offers two tracks for its rehabilitation counseling program. One is a two-year on-campus mental health counseling program. Graduates of this option provide counseling services to the general population of people who have disabilities. Graduates of this track are also eligible to seek licensure as licensed professional counselors.
Track two provides a rehabilitation counseling degree focusing on mental health counseling with the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind population. This three-year hybrid track is one of two deaf specialty programs in the United States.
- Location: Monmouth, Oregon
- Duration: 90 credits, two to three years
- Accreditation: The rehabilitation and mental health counseling program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE)
Western Seminary is a private evangelical theological seminary with physical campuses in Portland, Oregon; San Jose, California; and Sacramento, California.
Western Seminary’s master of arts in counseling degree in clinical mental health counseling prepares counselors to bring a Christian perspective to caring for their clients. The curriculum satisfies Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) requirements in Oregon and in many other states. The MA in counseling may be completed in three years by taking courses offered on Mondays at Western Seminary Portland campus in Portland, Oregon. Students may also complete up to seven credits of online courses through the Western Seminary Online campus. The program also includes an optional child and youth counseling emphasis.
The program is 68 credits, though students may be able to reduce their courseloads by up to eight credits if their prior education covered content in Bible Theology. Students must also demonstrate subject competency in a live faculty interview to waive credit requirements.
- Location: Portland, Oregon
- Duration: 68 credits
- Accreditation: CACREP
How Much Do Counselors Make in Oregon?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023, the latest data available as of June 2024.
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
| United States | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 327,660 | 3,110 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $66,990 | $73,540 |
| 10th percentile | $40,140 | $45,420 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,710 | $68,340 |
| 90th percentile | $100,050 | $117,750 |
Marriage and Family Therapists
| United States | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 63,340 | Data unavailable |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $68,730 | Data unavailable |
| 10th percentile | $39,090 | Data unavailable |
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,510 | Data unavailable |
| 90th percentile | $104,710 | Data unavailable |
Rehabilitation Counselors
| United States | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 84,750 | 1,870 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $48,430 | $53,970 |
| 10th percentile | $31,390 | $37,000 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,040 | $49,920 |
| 90th percentile | $73,710 | $79,860 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
| United States | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 397,880 | 6,420 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $60,080 | $66,260 |
| 10th percentile | $36,700 | $42,260 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,710 | $62,070 |
| 90th percentile | $89,920 | $99,380 |
All Other Counselors
| United States | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 35,580 | 100 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $52,360 | $53,040 |
| 10th percentile | $33,300 | $30,680 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,130 | $40,080 |
| 90th percentile | $79,880 | $84,390 |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Oregon
- Coalition of Oregon Professional Associations for Counseling and Therapy
- Oregon Counseling Association
- Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists
- Oregon School Counselor Association
- Oregon Counseling Association
- Oregon Career Development Association
- Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling
- American Physical Therapy Association – Oregon Chapter
- National Alliance on Mental Illness – Oregon Chapter
- Occupational Therapy Association of Oregon
- Oregon Association of Addiction Professionals
- The Oregon Association For Music Therapy
- Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon
- Oregon School Psychologists Association
- Brain Injury Association of America – Oregon Chapter
- Oregon Speech-Language & Hearing Association
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy Center of Southern Oregon
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Oregon: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists |
Oregon licenses both Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and Professional Counselor Associates. To become a Professional Counselor Associate in Oregon, candidates must:
To become an LPC, candidates must meet the above requirements as well as:
|
Renewals in Oregon for LPCs and Associates are required annually. For LPCs, renewals are due by the last date of the applicant’s birth month. For Associates, renewals happen on the first day of the month of their initial licensure. To renew, counselors must:
|
School Counseling Licenses in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Standards and Practices Commission | The Oregon Teaching Standards and Practices Commission issues Preliminary School Counselor and Professional School Counselor licenses. The requirements for a preliminary license are:
Candidates for a professional license must meet the requirement for a preliminary license, as well as:
| Preliminary School Counselor licenses issued in Oregon must be renewed every three years, while Professional Licenses must be renewed every five. Preliminary licensees must complete 75 hours of professional development units and professional licensees must complete 125. School counselors must report on professional development completed related to suicide prevention, treatment, and management. |
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) | The Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) certifies Certified Alcohol Drug Counselors (CADC) at three levels. CADC I candidates must:
If the applicant has had a substance abuse disorder, they must submit a letter verifying they have been in recovery for two years or more. CADC II candidates must:
If the applicant has had a substance abuse disorder, they must submit a letter verifying they have been in recovery for three years or more. CADC III candidates must:
If the applicant has had a substance abuse disorder, they must submit a letter verifying they have been in recovery for three years or more. |
Renewals of CADC certifications in Oregon are due every two years. Renewal applications must be submitted two weeks before the certificate’s expiration date and must be accompanied by a $175 fee. CADCs are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle. Six of those hours must be in ethics and at least 20 must be in alcohol and drug counseling. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Rehabilitation counselors in Oregon are licensed as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Registered Interns. To become a Registered Intern in Oregon, candidates must:
To become an LPC, candidates must meet the above requirements as well as:
|
Renewals in Oregon for LPCs and Registered Interns are required annually. For LPCs, renewals are due by the last date of the applicant’s birth month. For Interns, renewals happen on the first day of the month of their initial licensure. To renew, counselors must:
|
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Behavior Analysis Regulatory Board (BARB) |
The Behavior Analysis Regulatory Board (BARB) in Oregon licenses Behavior Analysts and Assistant Behavior Analysts. Requirements for licensure include:
|
The BARB requires analysts to renew their licenses annually. To renew, applicants must pay a $200 license renewal fee for a Behavior Analyst license and a $175 renewal fee for an assistant license. Behavior analysts are required to complete 16 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle; one of those hours must be in ethics. Assistants are required to complete 10 hours, and similarly, one of those hours must be in ethics. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists |
The Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists credentials both Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) and LMFT Associate. To become an LMFT Associate in Oregon, candidates must:
To become a full LMFT, candidates must meet the above requirements, as well as:
|
Renewals in Oregon for LMFTs and Registered Interns are required annually. For LMFTs, renewals are due by the last date of the applicant’s birth month. For interns, renewals happen on the first day of the month of their initial licensure. To renew, counselors must:
|
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists | Child therapists in Oregon are licensed as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Registered Associate. To become a Registered Associate in Oregon, candidates must:
To become an LPC, candidates must meet the above requirements as well as:
| Renewals in Oregon for LPCs and Registered Associate are required annually. For LPCs, renewals are due by the last date of the applicant’s birth month. For Interns, renewals happen on the first day of the month of their initial licensure. To renew, counselors must:
|
Vanessa Salvia
WriterVanessa Salvia is an Oregon-based freelance writer and editor with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. As fun as rigorous studies in math and science were, Vanessa took an independent path and developed a prolific career covering lifestyle and healthcare topics for magazines and newspapers, important industries such as concrete construction and building waterproofing, and even hard science. You can get in touch at Sage Media and Marketing.