Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Rhode Island
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Pursuing a counseling career in Rhode Island can prove to be a rewarding choice. Due to many factors currently straining Rhode Island’s mental health care system, newly trained professionals seeking to work within the state can expect to find ample opportunity to apply their skills.
Rhode Island is small in terms of both geography and population. With a population of slightly over one million people, the state is one of the most densely populated in the nation due to its small size. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately four percent of Rhode Island adults live with a serious mental health condition such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression, and a slight majority of the population receive no mental health treatment. Also concerning are rates of opioid and drug overdose deaths that persist significantly above the national average.
Rhode Island faces some of the same system issues afflicting many states. These challenges include limited provider networks, insurance coverage insufficient to meet patient needs, high costs, a workforce that needs to adequately represent the diversity of backgrounds and needs of the general population, and a workforce burdened by both high demand and Covid pandemic fatigue. The need for system bandwidth is underscored by a recent study by the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island that indicated that two of every three mental health care providers who cannot accept new patients cannot do so due to a lack of resources.
Another significant issue is the child and adolescent mental health care system. An April 2022 declaration asserted that the system is currently in a state of emergency.
Rhode Island Kids Count, a policy and advocacy non-profit organization, recommends the creation and funding of a comprehensive mental health system of care dedicated to supporting of children, youth, and their families to address this crisis.
Read on to discover how to join various counseling careers in Rhode Island, including detailed information about academic programs and licensing.
Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Rhode Island
Providence College
Providence College’s 42-credit master of education degree in school counseling features a CACREP-aligned curriculum that explores the counseling field through theory, analysis, and application. Graduates hold the skills necessary to become effective members of school guidance departments.
Graduates who complete an exit portfolio and successfully pass the Praxis Professional School Counselor assessment become eligible for Rhode Island certification as a Rhode Island PK-12 school counselor.
- Location: Providence, RI
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Tuition: $585 per credit
Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College (RIC) offers a 60-credit master of science degree in clinical mental health counseling. Full-time students typically complete their academic requirements in three years but may take longer if needed due to concurrent commitments. Students seeking to become licensed practitioners in Rhode Island must complete post-master’s supervised clinical practice.
RIC has an excellent reputation due to its substantial practicum and field-related experience options. The program is nationally recognized by the National Association of School Psychologists and is approved “with distinction” by the Rhode Island Department of Education. Graduates have a 100 percent pass rate on the required School Psychology PRAXIS exam. They go on to work in various social services and counseling settings, including community mental health centers, adoption agencies, alternative education programs, and residential programs.
- Location: Providence, RI
- Duration: Three years; students seeking licensure must complete additional post-graduate supervised clinical practice
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Tuition: $495 per credit for in-state residents; $743 per credit for residents of New England and Metro New York City/Long Island; $964 per credit for non-resident students from beyond this region
Salve Regina University
Salve Regina University offers two online graduate counseling degree programs. Students may pursue a 60-credit master’s degree in clinical rehabilitation and mental health counseling or a 48-credit degree in rehabilitation counseling.
Both of these online graduate programs provide a path to certification and licensure, allowing graduates to practice in New England and most states nationwide. Clinical program graduates can sit for the national certified counselor (NCC) exam and the certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) exam.
Graduates offer their skills in various settings to diverse populations across the human lifespan. In alignment with the university’s mission, the rehabilitation counseling program trains graduates to advocate for social justice and equitable treatment of frequently marginalized populations.
Salve Regina also offers a graduate certificate in rehabilitation counseling with a mental health concentration for practitioners who return to school to complete the clinical training required for licensure. Students may also pursue an accelerated program whereby they complete both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in six years or even less time.
- Location: Newport, RI
- Duration: Two to 2.5 years
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Tuition: $700 per credit, regardless of residency status
University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island College of Health Sciences offers a 60-credit master of science degree in human development and family science, specializing in couple and family therapy. This is the only couple and family training program operating in RI that is COAMFTE accredited. Upon graduation, many individuals complete post-graduate requirements to become eligible to seek licensure.
The curriculum uses a training model based on an outcome management protocol. This model trains professionals to collect client feedback and, with the help of a computer application that generates predictive content using this feedback, adjust their therapeutic approach to improve client progress and ultimate outcomes.
- Location: Kingston, RI
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Marriage Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
- Tuition: Full-time students (nine to 15 credits) pay $17,450 per semester as in-state students, $25,152 for regional students, and $31,952 for non-resident students
How Much Do Counselors Earn in Rhode Island?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2022—the latest data available as of November 2023.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salaries
| United States | Rhode Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 62,880 | 500 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $102,740 | $117,760 |
| 10th percentile | $42,760 | $52,610 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $90,130 | $104,950 |
| 90th percentile | $168,790 | $214,980 |
Marriage and Family Therapist Salaries
| United States | Rhode Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 62,080 | Data not available |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $63,300 | Data not available |
| 10th percentile | $36,840 | Data not available |
| 50th percentile (median) | $56,570 | Data not available |
| 90th percentile | $98,700 | Data not available |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor Salaries
| United States | Rhode Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 344,970 | Data not available |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $56,230 | Data not available |
| 10th percentile | $34,580 | Data not available |
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,710 | Data not available |
| 90th percentile | $82,710 | Data not available |
Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries
| United States | Rhode Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 82,420 | 320 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $46,020 | $59,120 |
| 10th percentile | $29,120 | $36,590 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,990 | $60,610 |
| 90th percentile | $71,270 | $78,440 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor Salaries
| United States | Rhode Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 308,000 | 1,050 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $64,200 | $66,760 |
| 10th percentile | $38,280 | $42,370 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,140 | $64,010 |
| 90th percentile | $98,530 | $95,250 |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Mental Health Counselors Association
- Rhode Island School Counselor Association
- Rhode Island Association For Marriage and Family Therapy
- Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists
- State of Rhode Island Office of Rehabilitation Services
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Rhode Island: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists |
Mental health counselors in Rhode Island can be licensed as Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHC). The requirements are:
|
In Rhode Island, LMHC licenses expire on the first of July of even-numbered years. Renewals cost $50 and must be accompanied by 40 continuing education hours, 20 of which must be formal courses. |
School Counseling Licenses in Rhode Island
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (RIDE) | The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (RIDE) issues Support Professional Certificates to School Counselors. For an initial certificate, candidates must:
Upon completing three years of work experience in a Rhode Island public school, school counselors may apply for a professional certificate. | Initial school counselor certificates issued by RIDE are only valid for three years. Professional certificates are valid for five years. Initial certificates must convert to a professional certificate or, if progress towards a five-year certificate is being made, may be extended for a year. They are also required to complete 30 professional learning units (PLUs) annually. Professional certificate-holders are required to complete 20 PLUs annually, for a total of 100 per renewal cycle. |
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Rhode Island
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
The Rhode Island Certification Board (RICB) certifies Provisional Alcohol and Drug Counselors (PADC), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC), and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CAADC). PADC certificate candidates must:
CADC certificate candidates must:
CAADC certificate candidates must:
|
CADC and CAADC certificates issued by the RICB must be renewed every two years. PADC may not be renewed as they are intended to be a stepping stone to higher certification. Renewals cost $150. Counselors must complete 40 hours of continuing education, of which 30 hours must be substance abuse specific and three hours must be in ethics. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Rhode Island
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists | Rehabilitation counselors in Rhode Island can be licensed as Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHC). The requirements are:
|
In Rhode Island, LMHC licenses expire on the first of July of even-numbered years. Renewals cost $50 and must be accompanied by 40 continuing education hours, 20 of which must be formal courses. |
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Rhode Island
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| State of Rhode Island Department of Health |
The State of Rhode Island Department of Health licenses Applied Behavioral Analysts (LBA) and Applied Behavioral Assistant Analysts (LABA). Requirements for licensing are:
|
LBA and LABA licenses issued in Rhode Island expire on July 1st of even-numbered years. The cost to renew either license is $150. Renewal applicants must submit proof of continued BACB certification. Current BACB certification meets state continuing education requirements. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Rhode Island
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists |
Marriage and family therapists in Rhode Island can be licensed as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT). The requirements are:
|
In Rhode Island, LMFT licenses expire on the first of July of even-numbered years. Renewals cost $50 and must be accompanied by 40 continuing education hours, 20 of which must be formal courses. |
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Rhode Island
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists | Child therapists in Rhode Island can be licensed as Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHC). The requirements are:
| In Rhode Island, LMHC licenses expire on the first of July of even-numbered years. Renewals cost $50 and must be accompanied by 40 continuing education hours, 20 of which must be formal courses. |
Bernd Geels
WriterBernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].