Counseling Degree Programs in Indiana

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Updated March 25, 2024

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Are you ready to discover your college program?

Indianapolis, Indiana skyline Credit: Photo by Scott Dunn / Moment / Getty Images

Highly ranked programs, a low cost of living, and a favorable employment outlook make a strong case for earning your counseling degree in Indiana. Explore our school rankings, information about becoming a licensed counselor, and state salary data to help you decide if attending a college for counseling in Indiana may work for you.

Popular Online Counseling Master's Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

The Best Counseling Degree Programs in Indiana

Explore our ranking of the best counseling degrees in Indiana. Graduates of these programs can pursue licensure or further education and training.

Read our ranking methodology.

#1 Counseling Degree Programs in Indiana

Indiana University-Bloomington

  • Bloomington, IN
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) 

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $460
Out-of-State | $1,545

Credits to Graduate: 60

IU Bloomington's MS.Ed, in mental health counseling and counselor education features seven tracks, including a mental health track. In this MPCAC-accredited program, learners complete a supervised practicum and two internships to qualify for one of the national licensure exams. 

Coursework takes place on campus, though some classes may be available online. For admission, applicants need a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA. Between 2020 and 2023, IU Bloomington's five-year graduation rate for counseling students ranged 96-100%.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$9,913
Out-of-state
$36,932
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$9,909
Out-of-state
$31,932
Retention Rate
90%
Acceptance Rate
85%
Students Enrolled
45,328
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
48% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#2 Counseling Degree Programs in Indiana

Marian University

  • Indianapolis, IN
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and Master in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC)

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $620-$650
Out-of-State | $620-$650

Credits to Graduate: 48-60

Marian's MS in counseling offers two tracks: the 60-credit clinical mental health track and the 48-credit school counseling track. Both tracks take place at the Indianapolis campus and prepare graduates for a national licensure examination. Students can complete both tracks for a combined 63 credits. 

Class times vary by track, with clinical mental health classes during the day and school counseling classes in the evening. Some classes may feature online components. Applicants need a bachelor's degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$36,600
Out-of-state
$36,600
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$20,737
Out-of-state
$20,737
Retention Rate
78%
Acceptance Rate
73%
Students Enrolled
4,071
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
54% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#3 Counseling Degree Programs in Indiana

University of Indianapolis

  • Indianapolis, IN
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $686
Out-of-State | $686

Credits to Graduate: 60-63

UIndy's MA in mental health counseling features two track options: a 60-credit generalist track and a 63-credit art therapy track. Both tracks include a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship — offering more than 60 sites and partners to choose from. The art therapy track offers an additional, optional 100-hour internship. 

The MPCAC-accredited generalist track prepares graduates for the counselor licensure exam and credentials, while the CAAHEP-accredited art therapy track qualifies learners for counselor and art therapist credentials. For admission, applicants need a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$31,972
Out-of-state
$31,972
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$39,224
Out-of-state
$39,224
Retention Rate
66%
Acceptance Rate
78%
Students Enrolled
5,325
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
46% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#4 Counseling Degree Programs in Indiana

Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion

  • Marion, IN
  • 4 years
  • Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $602
Out-of-State | $602

Credits to Graduate: 60

IWU's MA in clinical mental health counseling is one of five majors available in the counseling program and prepares graduates for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and state licensure. Courses in the CACREP-accredited mental health counseling program run at the Marion and Indianapolis campuses, as well as online. 

The major features two 300-hour internships and a 100-hour practicum. Students can pursue multiple specializations or add a graduate certificate if desired. The program starts in the fall or spring and requires a bachelor's degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$28,960
Out-of-state
$28,960
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$13,512
Out-of-state
$13,512
Retention Rate
78%
Acceptance Rate
92%
Students Enrolled
2,862
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
22% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#5 Counseling Degree Programs in Indiana

Indiana State University

  • Terre Haute, IN
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $462
Out-of-State | $601-$909

Credits to Graduate: 60

Indiana State's MS in clinical mental health counseling is a CACREP-accredited program that can lead graduates to state licensure. In this program, learners take various counseling courses, including multicultural, community, marriage, and family counseling. Students also complete 700-hours of internships in a supervised setting, such as in Indiana State's own counseling clinic. 

Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA for admission into the program. Over the past decade, Indiana State's graduation rate in this program has exceeded 95%.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$9,318
Out-of-state
$20,582
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$7,776
Out-of-state
$15,282
Retention Rate
61%
Acceptance Rate
94%
Students Enrolled
9,459
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
61% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

Accredited Counseling Programs in Indiana

The best colleges for counseling in Indiana hold accreditation from organizations, such as the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Indiana is home to 14 CACREP-accredited graduate programs across nine colleges and universities in two specialty areas: clinical mental health counseling and school counseling.

CACREP accreditation means a program has gone through an extended application process and has been rigorously evaluated for compliance with national academic quality standards. Licensure boards, national counselor examination boards, and many employers prefer candidates with degrees from CACREP-accredited programs.

How to Become a Counselor in Indiana

This section covers the general steps to becoming a counselor in Indiana. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency's Board of Health and Human Services credentials counselors in several categories. These include clinical addiction counselors, mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists.

Education Requirements

Most licensed counselors in Indiana need a master's degree, except addiction counselors (LACs), who qualify with a bachelor's degree. Licensed clinical addiction counselors (LCACs), licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs), and licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTAs) must hold master's degrees.

Bachelor's degrees typically take four years to earn, and master's degrees require 2-3 years to finish, including supervised practicum hours. Licensing examinations require counseling degrees from regionally accredited institutions (the Higher Learning Commission for Indiana schools), CACREP-accredited programs, or the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.

Licensing Requirements

Once they earn their counseling degree in Indiana, licensure candidates apply for their associate credentials to gain post-baccalaureate supervised experience. Prospective licensees must register for the appropriate-level exam in their field.

Upon completion of two years of supervised experience as associates, Indiana counselors apply for full licensure. LMHCAs must also take the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) to become fully licensed mental health counselors. LACAs, LCACAs, and LMFTAs do not have to retake their exams or sit for additional testing. Licensure is also available through reciprocity through the Behavioral Health and Human Services (BHHS) office.

Salary and Career Outlook for Counselors in Indiana

This section details the average salaries for Indiana counselors and the factors that can influence wages. It also examines the projected occupational outlook across different specializations during 2020-2030.

Average Salary for Counselors in Indiana

The table below lists the average annual salaries for various counselor specializations. Most Indiana counselors can expect to earn salaries lower than the national averages in their occupations. The exception is in the "counselors, all other" category, for which Indiana wages are higher.

However, paychecks may stretch further for Indiana counselors. In 2023, Indiana had the 14th-lowest cost-of-living index at 91%. Other factors that can affect salaries include the type of workplace and job title.

Average Annual Salary for Counselors in Indiana
Occupation Average Annual Salary
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $52,120
Marriage and Family Therapists $51,440
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $48,180
Rehabilitation Counselors $39,900
Counselors, All Other $63,630
Source: BLS, 2022

Occupation Outlook for Counselors in Indiana

Indiana is feeling the effects of a nationwide shortage of mental health care professionals. Indiana's career outlook across counseling occupations is on par with national projections. According to KFF research, only 31% of the need for mental health professional help in Indiana was met as of November 2023.

Employment projections for substance abuse, behavioral disorders, and mental health counselors are notably high at more than 20%. This correlates with KFF data showing that nearly 33% of Indiana adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depression during February 2023. In addition, Indiana drug overdose deaths increased from 15.2 per 100,000 of the population in 2011 to 43 per 100,000 in 2021.

Career Outlook for Counselors in Indiana
Occupation Change in Employment 2020-2030
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors +21.4%
Rehabilitation Counselors +10.3%
Marriage and Family Therapists +18.1%
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors +11.5%
Counselors, All Other +7%
Source: Projections Central

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Degree Programs in Indiana

How long does it take to become a counselor in Indiana?

Earning a counseling degree in Indiana typically takes 4-7 years, depending on the degree level and full- or part-time enrollment. Licensure requires an additional two years to complete supervised experience hours.

Does Indiana require CACREP?

Indiana's Professional Licensing Agency does not require applicants to hold degrees from CACREP-accredited programs, but it is one of the eligibility options to take the national examinations for licensure.

How often do counselors have to renew their license in Indiana?

Counselor licenses expire each even-numbered year on April 1st. Renewed licenses are valid for two years and must be re-renewed by March 31. The BHHS sends renewal notices about 90 days before the expiration date.

How much does it cost to apply for your counseling license in Indiana?

The BHHS charges $50 for the initial license application and $50 for timely renewals. Late renewals incur an additional $50 penalty. Additional costs may apply for required continuing education courses.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Best Counseling Degrees. Page last reviewed March 19, 2024.

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