There are four school counseling master’s degree programs offered by public and private institutions in the state of Utah.
Utah is a western state with a population of about 3.5 million people. Those looking to pursue school counseling in Utah can choose from traditional on-campus programs, such as the one offered by the University of Utah. There are also online programs, such as the one offered by Utah State University. Keep reading to learn more about the school counseling master’s programs available in Utah.
Utah School Counseling Programs Quick Facts
- Number of School Counseling Programs in Utah: 4
- CACREP-Accredited School Counseling Programs: 1
- Hybrid or Online School Counseling Programs in Utah: 3
- Tuition Cost Range: $22,232-$45,600
- Average Cost of Tuition: $29,950
The University of Utah
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 60 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Education
City: Salt Lake City, UT
Modality: In-Person
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $5,764 per semester, assuming 12 credits, $28,820 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The University of Utah offers a school counseling master’s degree program with evening classes to accommodate working students. While this program is typically offered at both the Salt Lake City and St. George campuses, the St. George location is not currently accepting new admissions.
Why We Like This Program:
- The University of Utah has many scholarship opportunities available to graduate students in the College of Education.
- Applicants are not required to submit their GRE scores for consideration.
Additional Considerations:
- This program is not CACREP-accredited.
Utah Valley University
- Orem, UT
- 51 credits
- Online + In-Person
Program:
Master of Education
City: Orem, UT
Modality: In-Person or Online
Length: 51 credit hours
Tuition: $453.92 per credit hour, $23,149.92 total program cost
Program Overview:
Students accepted into Utah Valley University’s school counseling master’s program have the choice to enroll in the face-to-face version or the online version of this program. Some of the classes in the face-to-face version are still conducted online. The program is designed to be completed in six semesters in two calendar years.
Why We Like This Program:
- 98-100% of graduates have successfully earned their licenses, and 93-100% of graduates are employed as school counselors from the past three years.
- Applicants are not required to submit their GRE scores for consideration.
Additional Considerations:
- This program aligns with CACREP standards but is still in the process of receiving CACREP accreditation.
Online School Counseling Programs In Utah
There are three online school counseling programs in Utah.
Online learning has become increasingly popular, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. The ease of taking classes from anywhere can mean less time and money spent on commuting. In addition to the programs listed below, Utah Valley University offers a fully online version of its school counseling program.
Utah State University
- Logan, UT
- 48 credits
- Online
Program:
Master of Education
City: Logan, UT
Modality: Online
Length: 48 credit hours
Tuition: $2,779 per semester, $22,232 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
Utah State University offers its school counseling master’s program entirely online to serve students across the state. Students can utilize the wifi on the campus closest to them in order to attend live classes via Zoom or complete asynchronous coursework. This allows for the resources of a large public university with the convenience of online learning.
Why We Like This Program:
- Applicants are not required to submit their GRE scores for consideration.
- Students attend in-person events throughout their program of study, 1 to 2 times per year.
Additional Considerations:
- Applicants to this program must have completed a 2000-level Statistics course or higher with a minimum grade of B.
- This program is not CACREP-accredited.
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
- Provo, UT
- 60 credits
- Online
Program:
Master of Science
City: Provo, UT
Modality: Online
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $760 per credit hour, $45,600 estimated total program cost.
Program Overview:
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions offers a CACREP-accredited master’s of school counseling program that is designed to be completed in about two years. Students will travel to the campus three times throughout their course of study for in-person residencies.
Why We Like This Program:
- Rocky Mountain University offers a dual-degree option in which school counseling students can add another concentration in either addiction counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, or marriage, couples, and family counseling for 12 extra credits.
- Applicants are not required to submit their GRE scores unless their undergraduate GPA is below 3.0
Additional Considerations:
- This is the most expensive school counseling master’s degree program in Utah. However, adding an additional degree in another counseling specialty area for 12 credits is a good value and may outweigh the overall cost.
- While the school counseling and clinical mental health counseling programs are CACREP-accredited, the other counseling concentrations are not. This is important for those considering the dual-degree track.
CACREP-Accredited School Counseling Master’s Programs in Utah
There is one CACREP-accredited school counseling master’s program in Utah.
“CACREP” stands for Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. This is a nationally recognized specialized accreditation for master’s and doctoral programs related to counseling. Attending a CACREP-accredited program can be a boost to your resume.
Currently, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions is the only CACREP-accredited school counseling program in Utah. However, Utah Valley University is undergoing the accreditation process, so it’s best to check its website for the most up-to-date accreditation status.
Utah’s Most Affordable School Counseling Master’s Program
With an estimated total cost of $22,232, Utah State University is the most affordable choice in Utah to pursue a master’s degree in school counseling. At $23,149.92 for the total program cost, Utah Valley University is a close second.
School Counseling In Utah
There are approximately 675,000 public school students in grades K through 12 enrolled in Utah public schools. There are 41 school districts across the state. Utah’s student body is more diverse than the overall population of the state, as 30% of the students are students of color. In contrast, 88% of Utah’s population is white.
The American School Counseling Association (ASCA) recommends a student-to-school counselor ratio of 250:1. In the 2022-2023 school year, Utah’s student-to-school counselor ratio was 499:1. This is among the most severe in the nation, with only five other states exceeding this ratio.
School Counselor Certification In Utah
All candidates must hold a master’s degree in school counseling. 600 hours of fieldwork must be completed as part of the graduate program. However, those with two or more years of teaching experience only need 400 hours of fieldwork. Candidates must pass a background check and be fingerprinted. Utah also offers reciprocity for school counseling certification awarded by many other states. More information on school counselor certification in Utah can be found here.
FAQs
How much does a school counselor make in Utah?
The salary range for a school counselor in Utah is $31,200 to $78,000. The average salary is $48,500.
How long does it take to become a school counselor in Utah?
Typically, it takes between two and three years to become a school counselor in Utah. This is because earning a master’s degree in school counseling (including completing the necessary fieldwork) usually takes this amount of time. Unlike some other states, Utah does not require school counselors to have any prior teaching experience.
