Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Colorado
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Counseling degrees and licenses in Colorado will be in high demand in the coming years, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts strong growth in all careers related to counseling. According to Mental Health Colorado, a report on mental health care in the United States shows that Colorado is among the worst states to provide mental health help to those who need it, especially kids. The group Mental Health America compared all 50 states and Washington, DC, and ranked Colorado 43rd.
Also, data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration show that 19.55 percent of Colorado residents are living with some kind of mental illness—the third-highest rate in the country.
Despite those dour-sounding statistics, there is access to care in the state. The Mental Health America report ranked Colorado 17th for access overall and 8th in terms of the number of people with mental illness who also have insurance.
Colorado is not the only state with a need for mental health services. There’s a strong need for all types of counselors in every state, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that this career field will grow 15 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations in the same period. The need for counselors, in general, will grow as a growing population seeks mental health counseling. The BLS (2023) predicts the job outlook for to grow at an even higher rate: 18 percent. Demand for rehabilitation counselors is expected to grow at a rate of 2 percent. On the other hand, the job outlook for marriage and family therapists is expected to grow at a rate of 15 percent.
In order to earn a counseling license in Colorado, the Colorado State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners requires that licensees have a master’s degree or higher in professional counseling from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP certifies programs when they consist of a minimum of 48 graduate semester-hours (or 72 graduate quarter-hours). The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies has separate boards that certify counselors in the fields of LPC (Licensed Professional Counselors), substance abuse counseling, and marriage and family therapy.
Read on for a few of the many accredited schools offering programs for counseling degrees and licenses in Colorado.
Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Colorado
Adams State University
Adams State University is a public university that was founded in 1921 as a teacher’s college. Adams State’s Department of Counselor Education offers a master of arts in counseling with a focus on clinical mental health and school counseling. Both programs are offered online and on campus. The online program requires two weeklong summer residencies on campus, which take place in June. The MA degree in counseling meets the state academic requirements for licensure as a school counselor and/or a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado.
- Location: Alamosa, Colorado
- Duration: 60 credits
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: $431.18 per credit, Colorado resident on campus; $595.18 per credit, Colorado resident off-campus; $461.80 per credit, online
Colorado Christian University
Colorado Christian University is a private Christian university that dates back to 1914. CCU’s master of arts in clinical mental health counseling is nationally accredited by CACREP. Its curriculum is based on a Christian worldview that integrates Christian values into counseling principles.
Students can choose to emphasize their studies in either marriage and family therapy or substance use disorders. Each emphasis adds eight credits to the program requirements.
Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to take the National Counselor Exam, which is the clinical mental health licensure exam for the state of Colorado and many other states. For counseling program core coursework, students may enroll in either the online or on-campus program; all specialization courses are 100 percent online. There is a required residency for online students
- Location: Lakewood, Colorado
- Duration: 60 credits, clinical mental health counseling; 68 credits for either specialization in marriage and family therapy or substance use disorders
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: $698 per credit, plus fees
Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a public university that is highly active in research programs. The school’s psychology department offers a master of arts in counseling program that includes 48 core counseling curriculum credits, a clinical practicum (100 hours), and an internship (600 hours).
Students choose from either an addictions counseling concentration, a clinical/counseling psychology concentration, a general psychology concentration, or school counseling, which requires additional coursework in the specialization. Students can pursue two specializations, with a 600-hour internship for each. Upon graduation, students will be eligible for licensure and eligible to become a National Certified Counselor (NCC).
- Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
- Duration: 48 credits, or 60 credits per specialization
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: $34,013 per year, Colorado resident; $50,441 per year, non-resident
Denver Seminary
Denver Seminary is a private, Evangelical Christian seminary with a campus in Littleton, Colorado, and an online global campus for several of its degree programs (but not counseling at this time). The school’s master of arts in counseling allows for a counseling degree with a concentration in clinical mental health counseling or school counseling, or a dual concentration in clinical mental health and school counseling. The school also offers a counseling ministries degree which is not a licensure track program.
The MA in counseling (clinical mental health concentration) degree is CACREP-accredited and prepares students for counseling licensure in the state of Colorado as well as for the National Counselor Exam. The school counseling degree is designed to train school counselors to integrate Christian faith and school counseling education in K-12 school settings, as well as prepare them to meet requirements for licensure and endorsement in the state of Colorado.
The dual concentration degree is designed to train counselors to integrate Christian faith, clinical mental health training, and school counseling education in various clinical and school-based settings. The dual concentration prepares students for counseling licensure and school counseling licensure and endorsement in the state of Colorado. Denver Seminary was the first seminary to receive Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) accreditation for its counseling program, which the school received in 1997.
- Location: Littleton, Colorado, with an extension campus in Washington, DC
- Duration: Clinical mental health counseling and school counseling: 64 credits total with 60 credits of counseling; clinical mental health and school counseling (dual concentration): 76 credits total, 72 credits in either concentration
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: $230 per credit plus fees
Regis University
Regis University is a private Jesuit university that was founded in 1877. The school’s master of arts in clinical mental health counseling combines theoretical knowledge, practical counseling skills, and professional leadership abilities. Specialized certifications are offered in areas such as counseling children and adolescents, marriage and family therapy, and depth psychotherapy, which refers to the process of bringing to light parts of the self that are unconscious and may be understood through dreams and archetypes.
Completion of the program qualifies students for meeting the requirements for Colorado Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). Evening classes are taught at the Thornton (Denver) campus, with select courses offered on weekends.
- Location: Denver, Colorado
- Duration: 60 credits
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: $806 per credit
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a public research university founded in 1902. It is one of four campuses that make up the University of Colorado system. The school offers two counseling degree programs through its College of Education: clinical mental health counseling and school counseling.
The clinical mental health counseling program meets the academic requirements for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) in Colorado to practice psychotherapy. In addition to completing the master’s degree, applicants for the professional counselor license must complete appropriate post-master’s degree supervised experiences and pass a written examination.
Students graduating from the CMHC degree program will be eligible to take the National Certified Counselor exam during their last semester in the program. The school counselor program meets the licensure requirements of the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). School counselor students will complete the same foundational coursework as the CMHC students and may be eligible for licensure as a Colorado LPC. Teaching experience is not a requirement for the Colorado school counselor license.
- Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Duration: 60 semester-hours
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: For 12 credits: $9,898.54 plus fees, Colorado resident; $11,840.40 plus fees, non-resident
University of Colorado at Denver
The University of Colorado at Denver offers three master of arts in counseling degrees through its School of Education & Human Development: couple and family counseling/therapy, clinical mental health, and school counseling.
All programs offer on-campus classes with some online options. The admission process requires students to attend a half-day interview virtually or at the Denver campus. During this interview, applicants will be oriented to the program and participate in small and large group interviews and activities. The final selection of the applicants will be based on their performance in the interview.
- Location: Denver, Colorado
- Duration: 63 credits for each program
- Accreditation: CACREP, Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
- Tuition: $9,450 per year, Colorado resident; $19,398 per credit plus fees, non-resident
University of Northern Colorado
The University of Northern Colorado is a public university that was founded in 1889. It has a long history in teacher education.
The school’s rehabilitation counseling master of arts is considered one of the top programs of its kind in the United States. The U.S. Department of Education recently awarded UNC a five-year, $938,705 federal grant to train rehabilitation counselors at the master’s level. Students in this program will take part in a supervised practicum in the school’s own Rehabilitation Counseling Clinic. Students will complete 600 clock hours of internship, including 240 hours in direct service to people with disabilities. The rehabilitation counseling MA is designed for working students, with about half of the courses available online, with the other half offered on campus in the late afternoon and evening. On-campus courses are presented in three-hour blocks, so students need only come to campus once a week. Elective courses can be taken either online or on-campus.
The school’s master of arts in clinical mental health counseling offers school counseling or marriage, couple, and family counseling specializations. The Greeley Campus includes the school’s state-of-the-art Psychological Services Clinic, which provides a more traditional graduate school experience in a semester-long format. This program is also offered at the school’s Denver Center, where classes are delivered in an intensive weekend format designed for working professionals.
The master’s degree in marriage, couples, and family counseling/therapy program meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
- Location: Greeley, Colorado
- Duration: Rehabilitation counseling, 60 credits; the clinical mental health counseling degree requires 60 to 72 credits; school counseling requires 63 to 75 credits; marriage, couple, and family counseling requires 66 to 75 credits
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: $678 per credit plus fees, Colorado resident; $1,269 per credit plus fees, non-resident
How Much Do Counselors Make in Colorado?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2022.
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
| United States | Colorado | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 308,000 | 5,720 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $64,200 | $60,790 |
| 10th percentile | $38,280 | $44,280 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,140 | $59,740 |
| 90th percentile | $968,530 | $81,210 |
Marriage and Family Therapists
| United States | Colorado | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 62,080 | 850 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $63,300 | $61,490 |
| 10th percentile | $36,840 | $34,740 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $56,570 | $55,880 |
| 90th percentile | $98,700 | $80,800 |
Rehabilitation Counselors
| United States | Colorado | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 82,420 | 810 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $46,020 | $50,180 |
| 10th percentile | $29,120 | $33,850 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,990 | $45,350 |
| 90th percentile | $71,270 | $71,810 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
| United States | Colorado | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 344,970 | 13,030 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $56,230 | $59,860 |
| 10th percentile | $34,580 | $35,440 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,710 | $50,860 |
| 90th percentile | $82,710 | $93,820 |
All Other Counselors
| United States | Colorado | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 37,270 | 350 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $49,770 | $63,570 |
| 10th percentile | $31,930 | $39,420 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $43,390 | $62,870 |
| 90th percentile | $75,340 | $82,570 |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Colorado
- Colorado Counseling Association
- Colorado School Counselor Association
- Colorado Career Development Association (CCDA)
- Colorado Psychological Association
- Colorado Association of Addiction Professionals
- Colorado Association for Play Therapy
- Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado
- Colorado Association of Psychotherapists
- Colorado Health Network
- Transgender Center of the Rockies
- Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado
- Colorado Deaf Counseling Center
- Denver Health LGBT Health Services
- Jewish Family Services of Colorado
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Colorado: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners |
Colorado credentials Licensed Professional Counselor Candidates (LPCCs) and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). The LPCC is a temporary license, and the requirements are:
The LPCC license is good for four years. To apply for the LPC licensure, candidates must:
|
Counseling licenses in Colorado are valid for two years, and can be renewed online. Licenses expire on August 31st of odd-numbered years. LPCs are required to demonstrate Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) by:
Renewal applications and applicable fees must be submitted online. |
School Counseling Licenses in Colorado
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Department of Education |
The Colorado Department of Education issues a Special Service Provider Endorsements in school counseling. Candidates for an initial endorsement must:
|
Special Service Provider Endorsements issued in Colorado are valid for five years. To renew, applicants must:
|
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Colorado
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
State Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners |
The State Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners in Colorado credentials Certified Addiction Counselors (CAC) and Licensed Addiction Counselors (LAC). CAC licenses are issued at level I, II, or III. Level I is considered entry-level, whereas level II can work independently and level III allows the licensee to provide supervision to a level I. CAC I candidates must:
CAC II candidates must:
CAC III candidates must:
LACs can supervise and practice independently. Requirements include:
|
In Colorado, CAC and LAC licenses expire on August 31 of odd-numbered years. Renewals are completed online and must be accompanied by a fee, 40 professional development hours, a Professional Survey and Self-Assessment, and a Learning Plan to accomplish goals set in the self-assessment. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Colorado
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners |
Rehabilitation counselors in Colorado are required to be either Licensed Professional Counselor Candidates (LPCCs) or Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). The LPCC is a temporary license and the requirements are:
The LPCC license is good for four years. To apply for the LPC licensure, candidates must:
| Counseling licenses in Colorado are valid for two years and can be renewed online. Licenses expire on August 31st of odd-numbered years. LPCs are required to demonstrate Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) by:
Renewal applications and applicable fees must be submitted online. |
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Colorado
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners | There are no licensing requirements for applied behavior analysts in Colorado. The 2017 Mental Health Practice Act in Colorado states that behavior analysis and therapists who practice psychotherapy fall under the scope of practicing psychology; therefore, behavior analysts who use psychotherapy treatments must be licensed psychologists. The Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners licenses psychologists. Applicants must:
|
Psychologist licenses in Colorado expire on August 31 of every odd-numbered year. To renew, a psychologist must submit an application along with a learning plan, and complete 40 hours of professional development hours that meet the goals set out in the learning plan. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Colorado
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| State Board of Marriage and Family Therapist Examiners |
The Colorado State Board of Marriage and Family Therapist Examiners licenses Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) and Marriage and Family Therapist Candidates (MFTC). MFTC candidates must:
The MFTC license is good for four years. To apply for the MFT licensure, candidates must:
|
MFTC licenses issued in Colorado may not be renewed. MFT licenses in Colorado are valid for two years. Licenses expire on August 31st of odd-numbered years. MFTs must demonstrate Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) by:
Renewal applications and the paying of applicable fees must be completed online. |
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Colorado
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners |
Colorado child therapists must be either Licensed Professional Counselor Candidates (LPCCs) or Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). The LPCC is a temporary license and the requirements are:
The LPCC license is good for four years. To apply for the LPC licensure, candidates must:
|
Counseling licenses in Colorado are valid for two years and can be renewed online. Licenses expire on August 31st of odd-numbered years. LPCs are required to demonstrate Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) by:
Renewal applications and applicable fees must be submitted online. |
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.