6 Best Counseling Graduate Programs in New Mexico for 2025

The timing couldn’t be better – mental health professionals are in high demand right now. New Mexico ranks 22nd among all states for mental health service access, but faces some real challenges. More than 1.36 million residents live in areas that don’t have enough mental health professionals.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Mental health diagnoses affect 300,000 adults and 32,000 young New Mexicans between ages 12-17. The state’s struggle is even more evident with its above-average rates of opioid overdose deaths, drug overdose deaths, and suicide compared to national numbers. The silver lining? You’ll find 11 schools offering counseling programs in the five major practice areas. Seven of these schools provide convenient hybrid and online options. Mental health counselor jobs are expected to grow by 19% by 2030, making this career path even more attractive.

In this piece, we’ll get into the 6 best clinical mental health counseling graduate programs in New Mexico. We’ll look at their accreditation, delivery formats, tuition costs, and special features to help you pick the program that matches your counseling career goals perfectly.

New Mexico Highlands University

New Mexico Highlands University serves as the life-blood of clinical counseling graduate programs in the Land of Enchantment. NMHU gives aspiring counselors complete training with multiple concentration options and flexible formats. Their prestigious accreditation backs the quality of education.

Program overview

New Mexico Highlands University’s Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling comes with four distinct CACREP-accredited concentrations:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)
• Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
• Rehabilitation Counseling
• School Counseling

Students follow a common core curriculum with concentration-specific coursework. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, and School Counseling concentrations need 60 credit hours to complete. The Rehabilitation Counseling concentration has 48 credit hours and offers an optional six-credit vocational evaluation specialization.

The core curriculum helps students develop essential counseling skills. Concentration courses prepare them for specialized practice settings. Students get hands-on experience through supervised field placements that include a 100-hour practicum and 600 clock hours of internship.

Accreditation and licensure readiness

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has accredited NMHU’s counseling program. CACREP stands as the gold standard for counselor education. All four counseling concentrations earned this prestigious credential, with accreditation lasting through March 31, 2029.

CACREP accreditation brings major benefits to graduates. The credential confirms the program meets strict national standards. Students can get licensed more easily whatever state they choose. They also gain an edge in the job market.

Graduates from Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling meet New Mexico’s requirements to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs). School Counseling graduates qualify for school counselor licensure. Rehabilitation Counseling graduates can apply for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential.

Delivery format and flexibility

Students can complete their studies at four locations: Las Vegas, Farmington, Santa Fe, or Rio Rancho/Albuquerque. This makes the program available to students across New Mexico.

The program uses a hybrid delivery model with:

• In-person classes (mainly at Rio Rancho/Albuquerque campus)
• Live online sessions via video technology
• Self-paced online coursework

The Rehabilitation Counseling concentration offers fully online study. Other concentrations need several video technology courses and three to four in-person classes. Most online courses have scheduled meeting times rather than being completely self-paced.

Students starting Fall 2026 and after must attend two on-campus residency experiences to line up with the 2024 CACREP Standards.

Tuition and affordability

NMHU’s 2025-2026 graduate tuition rates stay competitive. New Mexico residents pay $328.35 per credit hour with fees included. Non-resident and international students pay $527.35 and $546.35 per credit hour.

Full-time graduate students taking 12-18 credits per semester pay:

These amounts include $5,176.00 per semester for housing and food. Students should plan for extra personal and transportation costs around $1,984.00 per semester.

NMHU helps manage these costs through various payment plans with 2, 3, or 4 installment options. Students can access federal loans, grants, and special scholarships for New Mexico residents.

Special features

NMHU’s counseling program stands out with several unique features. The curriculum emphasizes cultural responsiveness and inclusive approaches—key skills for counselors working in New Mexico’s diverse communities.

Students in Rehabilitation Counseling can add a vocational evaluation specialization, bringing their program to 54 credit hours. This extra training boosts job prospects in rehabilitation settings.

The program’s assessment process goes beyond regular coursework. Students write a professional paper during their internships. Faculty members review how well students apply theory to real-life counseling scenarios.

Strong partnerships with community agencies give students valuable hands-on training experiences.

Best for

NMHU’s counseling program fits perfectly for students who want:

• Career options through multiple concentrations
• CACREP-accredited education for easier licensing
• Easy access with four campus locations
• Training for community agencies, schools, rehabilitation centers, and private practice
• Skills to work with New Mexico’s diverse populations

The program helps address New Mexico’s shortage of mental health professionals, especially in rural areas and reservations. So it’s perfect for those who want to serve underserved communities.

Students interested in rehabilitation counseling get exceptional value here. The specialized curriculum and optional vocational evaluation specialization boost job prospects in this growing field.

University of the Southwest

The University of the Southwest brings a unique faith-based approach to counselor education in Hobbs. Students looking for CACREP-accredited mental health counseling programs in New Mexico will find USW’s online format quite appealing.

Program overview

USW’s Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling comes with a 60-credit hour curriculum. The program shapes careers in human service settings and puts emphasis on personal faith, responsibility, and taking initiative.

The curriculum has core coursework that covers:

• Counseling theories and techniques
• Crisis and trauma counseling
• Marriage, family, and couples counseling
• Addiction counseling
• Child and adolescent counseling
• Psychoeducational assessment

Students need to finish a practicum of 100 hours and internship experiences of 600 clock hours split into two 300-hour sections. They work under clinical supervision in mental health counseling settings. These field experiences let them put their theoretical knowledge to work in ground counseling scenarios.

The program shapes professionals who boost the social, psychological, and physical well-being of individuals, families, communities, and organizations. The faculty members train counselors who stay true to servant leadership, diversity, and social justice principles.

Accreditation and licensure readiness

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has accredited the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. This prestigious status came in January 2021 and runs through March 31, 2029.

CACREP accreditation shows the program meets strict national counselor education standards. Students who graduate from this program are CACREP graduates from January 16, 2019. This status helps students get licensed across multiple states.

The program meets and sometimes goes beyond professional licensing requirements in many states. USW reminds students they need to check specific licensure requirements for their state of practice.

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of six regional agencies that check educational institutions, has given USW institutional accreditation. USW has managed to keep this accreditation since 1980. Their latest HLC review happened during the 2013-2014 academic year.

Delivery format and flexibility

USW’s clinical mental health counseling program shines with its fully online format. Students throughout New Mexico and beyond can join without campus visits.

The online program runs on an 8-week course schedule. Each course follows the same pattern with two weekly assignments: one discussion and one written paper or problem set. This setup helps students handle their time well while juggling work and personal life.

The online program demands active student participation. Students must finish assignments, post in discussions, talk with instructors, or work with course content. Just logging into the course isn’t enough for active participation.

Students can do their practicum and internship hours at approved sites near their homes. This lets them get hands-on experience while staying local.

Tuition and affordability

Master’s-level tuition at USW costs $649.00 per credit hour for 2024-2025. This rate will go up to $675.00 per credit hour in 2025-2026.

Here’s what the total program costs:

Extra fees might include a $100.00 administrative fee per term or $200.00 per semester. Some courses may have lab fees listed in the academic catalog.

USW helps with financial planning through payment plans that need a $50.00 setup fee. Students can get federal loans and grants. About 59% of students receive federal aid, getting $2,655.00 on average each year.

Special features

USW’s counseling program stands out in several ways. The program weaves faith views into counselor education as a Christ-centered institution. They shape counselors who show Christ-centered values while embracing student diversity.

The program earned CACREP accreditation recently in January 2021. This means the curriculum matches current counselor education standards.

Students can finish the program in 2-3 years. The path to counseling licensure becomes smoother without GRE requirements for admission.

USW’s program boasts a rich curriculum that covers specialized areas like addiction counseling, marriage and family counseling, and crisis intervention. Graduates can take on various counseling roles thanks to this complete approach.

Best for

USW’s clinical mental health counseling program fits perfectly for:

• Students who want a fully online CACREP-accredited program[161]
• People who value faith in their counselor education
• Working professionals who need flexible schedules
• Future counselors planning to work across states (thanks to CACREP recognition)
• Students who like structured but fast-paced programs
• Those drawn to specialized counseling like addiction or family therapy

The program proves its worth with 81% of surveyed students saying this degree boosted their career prospects.

University of New Mexic

The University of New Mexico (UNM) stands out as a top choice if you want to pursue clinical counseling graduate programs. The state’s flagship research institution and only R1-very high research activity university provides a challenging counseling program with 40-year-old credentials and real-world clinical experiences.

Program overview

The Department of Individual, Family & Community Education at UNM offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling program. Students learn about professional identity, social and cultural foundations, human growth and development, career development, helping relationships, group work, assessment, and research.

The program offers two main concentration paths:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• School Counseling

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration has managed to keep continuous CACREP accreditation since October 1982. The program changed from Community Counseling to Clinical Mental Health Counseling in January 2014.

Students can choose a combined track that needs 72 credit hours, while single-track students complete 60 credit hours. Full-time students who take 3-4 courses each semester plus summer classes can finish in about 3 years. Part-time students have up to 7 years to complete their degree.

Accreditation and licensure readiness

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has granted its prestigious accreditation to the program. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration’s CACREP accreditation runs through October 31, 2029. This recognition shows the program meets strict national standards.

The UNM counseling program meets New Mexico’s professional licensure requirements. Students go through regular evaluations during their clinical sequence to ensure they’re ready for professional practice.

Delivery format and flexibility

The program combines in-person and online learning, with most classes happening face-to-face during fall and spring semesters. Summer terms offer more online options. Students need to attend classes in person to complete the program.

Clinical training starts with a communication skills course at the Manzanita Counseling Center lab rooms. Students practice with their peers in recorded sessions and receive detailed feedback to help develop their skills. This supportive approach prepares them for their first real client interactions during practicum at the Manzanita Counseling Center.

University of New Mexico tuition and affordability

UNM’s graduate tuition rates for 2025-2026 are:

This investment might seem substantial, but UNM’s resident tuition stays below the national average for in-state tuition. Students can access various financial aid options, including federal loans, grants, and scholarships.

Special features

The Manzanita Counseling Center is the program’s crown jewel. This campus facility provides free counseling to community members and UNM students. Clinical Mental Health Counseling students complete their practicum here under supervision.

The program weaves multicultural competency throughout its curriculum. Faculty members include multicultural and diversity training in all academic and clinical coursework to create culturally aware counselors.

Students receive extensive clinical supervision. After their communication skills course, they move to practicum where they get weekly one-on-one supervision and group sessions with peers. Licensed supervisors and peers observe sessions and provide constant consultation.

Best for

UNM’s counseling program fits perfectly if you:

• Want a CACREP-accredited education with decades of continuous accreditation
• Learn better in person but need some online flexibility
• Look for comprehensive supervised clinical training
• Want strong multicultural training
• Plan to attend a top-tier research institution (R1 designation)

The program works best if you want to practice in New Mexico since it meets all state licensure requirements. Small cohorts of about 15 students each semester will give a more personal learning experience.

New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University (NMSU) has a strong clinical mental health counseling program in its College of Health, Education and Social Transformation. The program helps graduates succeed in mental health settings of all types. Students who complete the program have great job prospects and exam success rates.

Program overview

NMSU has a 60-credit Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program that gives students detailed skills to work in mental health settings like agencies, hospitals, and private practice. Here’s everything in the curriculum:

• Human development and multicultural counseling
• Addictions and child/adolescent counseling
• Family therapy theory and technique
• Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning
• Research methods and professional issues

Students learn through hands-on training with practicum (3 credits) and internship experiences (12 credits). They get approximately 1,000 hours of supervised practice during the program.

You can complete the program in different ways:

• Accelerated full-time (24 months)
• Full-time (30 months)
• Half-time (36 months)

In the last five years, every graduate looking for work found a job within 180 days of finishing. The program has a 98% graduation rate, 100% comprehensive examination pass rate, and 100% employment rate.

Accreditation and licensure readiness

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has accredited the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. This respected credential shows that the program meets national counselor education standards.

The program really prepares graduates to become Clinical Mental Health Counselors through the New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board. Notwithstanding that, getting licensed takes post-graduate supervised practice and passing licensing exams, which usually takes at least two years.

Graduates consistently pass their licensure exams. Students who want to get licensed outside New Mexico should look up their state’s requirements. NMSU knows which programs meet educational requirements in every state and territory.

Delivery format and flexibility

Students learn mostly face-to-face in NMSU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. This lets them work directly with faculty and develop their skills. Some non-foundational courses mix in-person classes with online work, but you’ll need to come to campus most of the time.

Students move through the program in groups called cohorts. This helps promote a supportive learning community and builds professional networks.

Tuition and affordability

Here are the graduate tuition rates at NMSU for 2024-2025:

The total cost with food and housing ($12,282) comes to about $27,022 for in-state students and $45,349 for out-of-state students. Financial aid makes it much cheaper. First-year students get an average need-based scholarship or grant of $16,235, and 71% of them receive need-based financial aid.

NMSU covers 79% of students’ financial aid needs, which makes the program more available to everyone.

Special features

The Counseling and Educational Psychology Training & Research Clinic stands out. Students get supervised clinical experience while helping university students and people in Las Cruces/Doña Ana county.

Classes are small, especially when students work individually or in small groups. This gives you tailored feedback throughout your clinical training.

Research is a great way to get more experience. You can work with faculty research teams or do independent studies. On top of that, you can minor in special areas like Spanish Counseling and Integrated Behavioral Health.

Best for

NMSU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program works best if you:

• Want CACREP-accredited education with proven exam success
• Like in-person learning with some online options
• Plan to practice in New Mexico or nearby states
• Are interested in specialized counseling like integrated behavioral health
• Value lots of supervised clinical experience (about 1,000 hours)

The program helps you learn about working with New Mexico’s diverse communities. With its strong job placement record and detailed curriculum, NMSU gives you solid foundations to work in mental health settings of all types.

Eastern New Mexico University

Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) draws students who want to save money with its budget-friendly clinical counseling graduate programs. The school puts quality education first for future mental health professionals while keeping costs low.

Program overview

ENMU gives students two counseling paths to choose from:

• Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60 credits)
• Master of Education in School Counseling (48 credits)

Students get ready for professional licensure through detailed coursework and hands-on clinical experiences. The Clinical Mental Health track gives graduates the skills they need for agency and private practice work. The School Counseling program prepares them for educational settings. Both programs have required practicum and internship experiences. School Counseling students must complete a 300-hour internship at elementary, middle, or high school settings.

Accreditation and licensure readiness

ENMU holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) instead of CACREP. Both counseling programs meet New Mexico’s educational requirements for professional licensure. Students who complete the Clinical Mental Health program can become Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors. The School Counseling track leads to certification as a school counselor.

Delivery format and flexibility

ENMU stands out by offering both counseling programs completely online. This setup works well for professionals who juggle work, life, and school. Students can finish their assignments, readings, papers, and projects at their own pace during the semester.

Tuition and affordability

ENMU ranks as the second most affordable master’s program in New Mexico. During 2024-2025, New Mexico residents pay $317 per credit hour for graduate courses. Non-residents taking more than 6 credits pay $415.50 per credit hour. Students from other states who take 6 or fewer hours get the lower in-state rate. Graduate assistantships help with costs through stipends and tuition waivers.

Special features

Students get strong academic support through:

• Writing Center help with assignments
• Online library databases from anywhere
• Virtual librarian help by phone and email

Faculty members help students plan their courses and understand professional requirements, which ensures proper academic guidance.

Best for

ENMU’s counseling programs work best for:

• Professionals who need flexible online learning
• Students looking for affordable tuition
• Distance learners who want detailed virtual support
• Those seeking individual academic advising
• Future counselors who plan to work in New Mexico

These programs help students get practical credentials without taking on too much debt.

Western New Mexico University

Western New Mexico University stands out among New Mexico’s counseling programs with its budget-friendly options and online programs.

Program overview

Western New Mexico University provides a comprehensive three-year, CACREP-accredited, 60-credit online program that prepares students for professional counseling careers. Students learn innovative and effective counseling techniques to help clients in a variety of multicultural settings. The program offers four specialty tracks: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, School Counseling, and Addiction Counseling.

Accreditation and licensure readiness

The Department of Counseling earned CACREP accreditation for all four specialties on April 24, 2025. This accreditation runs from February 6, 2023, through April 30, 2033. The program’s graduates can pursue licensure as School Counselors, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, and Licensed Rehabilitation Counselors in New Mexico.

Delivery format and flexibility

Students can complete the entire program online, making it available to learners across New Mexico and beyond.

Tuition and affordability

The program’s tuition rates for 2025 are approximately $435 per credit hour for all students, regardless of residency status. This makes it one of the most budget-friendly CACREP-accredited online programs.

Special features

WNMU’s status as a Hispanic Serving Institution, with 49% Hispanic student enrollment, shapes its curriculum’s strong focus on cultural competence.

Best for

The program suits distance learners looking for budget-friendly CACREP credentials. It particularly benefits those interested in rehabilitation counseling who want specialized training to work with people with disabilities.

Choose a New Mexico Masters in Counseling

The right counseling graduate program can help tackle New Mexico’s pressing mental health challenges. These six top programs each bring unique benefits to the table. Your career goals, learning style, and budget will guide your choice among them.

CACREP accreditation sets these programs apart. New Mexico Highlands University, University of the Southwest, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, and Western New Mexico University all hold this prestigious credential. Eastern New Mexico University has regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.

Your educational experience depends heavily on how programs deliver their content. Students who want maximum flexibility might prefer the fully online programs at University of the Southwest, Eastern New Mexico University, or Western New Mexico University. The hybrid approach at New Mexico Highlands University or traditional campus-based programs at University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University work better for those who value face-to-face interaction and supervised clinical experiences.

Money matters a lot when choosing a program. Eastern New Mexico University and Western New Mexico University offer some of the most affordable rates. NMSU’s substantial financial aid packages can help offset their higher tuition costs.

Specialized training opens doors to unique opportunities. New Mexico Highlands University’s vocational evaluation specialization stands out. NMSU’s Spanish Counseling and Integrated Behavioral Health minors offer unique paths. Western New Mexico University’s four specialty tracks help you develop expertise in high-demand areas.

Becoming a licensed counselor takes time, money, and dedication. These programs show their worth through high employment rates, successful licensure exams, and satisfied graduates. Your counseling education will prepare you for professional licensure and give you the skills to serve New Mexico’s diverse communities with cultural awareness and clinical excellence.

Mental health needs keep growing in New Mexico, especially in rural areas and diverse populations. Your choice of program will help you meet these critical needs. This career path lets you help others overcome challenges while building a rewarding professional life.