Best Masters in Counseling Programs in Wyoming for 2025
Starting your career with a master’s in counseling from Wyoming provides focused but valuable educational opportunities. With just three schools offering counseling programs, your choices are concentrated yet specifically designed to meet Wyoming’s counseling needs and prepare you for success in the state’s mental health field.
Wyoming’s path to becoming a licensed professional counselor requires a master’s degree, a 600-hour internship, and 3,000 hours of supervised work experience. The University of Wyoming stands out with its counseling programs at both Laramie and Casper campuses. Their Master of Science in Counseling program needs 61 credits and lets you specialize in Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling. These paths open up different career opportunities.
Money matters when you’re planning for 2025. The University of Wyoming’s counseling program might be right for you with its annual cost of $20,120. The program covers everything in counseling from Ethics and Group Procedures to Addictions and Human Development.
This guide will show you Wyoming’s best masters in counseling programs for 2025. You’ll learn how to make a smart choice that won’t break the bank.
University of Wyoming – MS in Mental Health Counseling
The University of Wyoming offers an MS in Mental Health Counseling program that gives aspiring counselors the skills to affect change in clinical settings of all types. Students benefit from academic excellence and hands-on training to succeed in today’s evolving mental health landscape.
Program overview
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education awarded the University of Wyoming its prestigious Research Level 1 (R1) status, placing it among America’s top research universities. This recognition shows the university’s dedication to advanced research and academic excellence that enhances the counseling program.
UW’s Mental Health Counseling concentration teaches students to help people of all ages and backgrounds. The program gives you the training you need to become a provisionally licensed mental health counselor. Students learn to work effectively with adults, families, and couples through a well-laid-out curriculum.
The program stands out because of its cohort-based approach that creates a supportive learning community. Most students complete their studies in two years by following the recommended course sequence. Faculty members actively shape counseling standards throughout Wyoming while giving students personal attention.
UW faculty conduct research in key areas:
- Development and spirituality
- Play therapy
- Counselor development and supervision
- Ethnic identity
- Underserved populations
Their scholarly work shapes their teaching methods, giving students an education based on current research and proven practices.
The mental health counseling track prepares counselors to serve diverse client groups. Graduates can work in:
- Community agencies
- Independent practice
- Integrated delivery systems
- Hospitals
- Addiction treatment centers
Curriculum highlights
Students apply classroom theory in ground settings through a balanced curriculum. The program teaches the knowledge and skills needed to diagnose, assess, and treat mental health disorders effectively.
Small classes and in-depth discussions make this program exceptional. Faculty members help students develop their own counseling style while learning research-based methods. This approach encourages self-reflection and professional growth that continues after graduation.
Specialty courses help students work with different populations. The curriculum has focused study in:
- Psychopathology and Diagnosis
- Play Therapy
- Addictions Counseling
- Couples & Family Theory
- Children & Adolescent Counseling
Students gain experience at the College of Education’s WellSpring Counseling Clinic. This modern facility uses the latest digital technology to offer community services including:
- Individual counseling
- Group counseling
- Couples counseling
- Play therapy
- Substance abuse evaluations
The clinic lets students develop clinical skills under expert supervision. Students can also join the Biennial Play Therapy Conference, which brings leading experts to campus.
Clinical placements in schools or private mental health settings provide practical experience. These placements match your career interests while offering diverse counseling opportunities. UW-Casper students complete their clinical work in local schools and agencies.
Accreditation and licensure
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has accredited the UW Mental Health Counseling program through October 31, 2028. This verification ensures the curriculum meets national standards and defines quality in counselor preparation.
CACREP accreditation gives graduates several benefits:
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes graduates as mental health specialists for Veterans Health Administration jobs
- Eligibility for Department of Defense TRICARE certified mental health counselor credential
- Qualification for Army Substance Abuse program positions
- Better performance on the National Counselor Examination (NCE) compared to non-accredited program graduates
CACREP aims to lead and promote excellence in professional preparation through program accreditation. The organization creates standards that reflect our society’s diverse needs.
Graduates meet all educational and clinical requirements to apply for Wyoming’s Provisional Professional Counselor (PPC) credential, leading to Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) status. The program meets state licensure standards for both school counselors and licensed professional counselors.
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredits the University of Wyoming, verifying the quality of its academic programs, governance, administration, mission, finances, and resources. This institutional accreditation works with CACREP accreditation to ensure quality at every level.
Tuition and fees
International students should expect to pay about $26,820 for their first year. This amount covers 2025 academic year tuition, though rates may change based on residency and other fees.
Students can access several financial aid options. College of Education graduate scholarships include:
- Evelyn Milam Scholarship
- Patricia B. Ferris-Hawley Scholarship
- Relaxation Foundation Donald R. Austin Student Scholarship Fund
The College of Education helps students attend professional conferences by providing travel funds. This support helps students build professional networks and stay current with counseling trends.
Licensed mental health counselors earned a median annual wage of $59,190 in 2024, with top earners making over $98,210. While these figures aren’t specific to Wyoming graduates, they show the field’s earning potential.
Mental health counseling jobs are growing faster than ever. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 19% job growth from 2023 to 2033, much faster than other careers. A UW counseling degree prepares you for this expanding field with strong job prospects.
Contact the University of Wyoming’s Student Financial Services office for current information about tuition, fees, and financial aid. They’ll help you understand your financing options based on your situation.
Domestic students need a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission. International students must score at least 80 on TOEFL (20 in each subset) or 6.5 on IELTS (6 in each subset). Applications for summer 2026 are due November 30, 2025, with interviews typically scheduled for February’s second Friday.
Applicants must submit transcripts, three recommendation letters, and a letter explaining their counseling career goals, personal qualities, potential challenges, and relevant life experiences. This careful selection process helps find students who will thrive in the counseling profession.
University of Wyoming – MS in School Counseling
A master’s in counseling from the University of Wyoming could launch your career as an influential educational leader in Wyoming schools. The UW School Counseling program will give you the skills to boost P-12 students’ academic success and emotional well-being.
Program overview
UW’s School Counseling concentration will give you specialized knowledge to become an effective school leader. You’ll work with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and community members to help P-12 students grow. The program welcomes candidates without P-12 experience, making it perfect for career-changers or recent graduates.
UW offers two program formats:
- In-person at Laramie campus: Classes take place on the main campus. You’ll have access to the UW Wellspring Counseling Clinic and work closely with counseling faculty and doctoral students.
- Hybrid format at UW Casper: This option combines online coursework with weekend sessions each semester at the UW Casper campus. You can keep your full-time job while earning your degree.
You’ll join a cohort of students who’ll become your professional community. This approach creates a supportive environment that makes learning more effective. Award-winning faculty members will guide you through practicum and supervised internship experiences.
The program creates a caring learning community where you’ll study various counseling theories. Clinical practice and theory exposure will help you find your unique voice as a school counselor. UW stands out by focusing on your personal growth.
The program prepares leaders who can prevent and treat children’s and adolescents’ mental health issues. This matches modern school counseling models that take proactive steps toward student well-being.
Curriculum highlights
The School Counseling program is 61 credit hours. Full-time students can finish in two years by starting in summer and taking 6-9 credit hours each summer and 9-12 credit hours each spring and fall semester. UW Casper’s hybrid program typically takes three years with 3-6 summer credit hours and 9 credit hours each spring and fall.
The program has 49 credit hours of core courses covering counseling basics. These courses include:
- Counseling Ethics and Professional Issues
- Group Procedures
- Counseling and Addictions
- Career Across the Lifespan
- Human Growth and Development
- Assessment in Counseling
- Couples and Family Theory
- Multicultural Counseling
- Trauma Informed Counseling
- Diagnosis, Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology
The School Counseling specialization needs 12 more credit hours:
- CNSL 5120 School Counseling Strategies and Techniques (3 credit hours)
- CNSL 5125 School Counseling II (3 credit hours)
- CNSL 5580 Supervised Internship (6 credit hours)
Hands-on experience is crucial. You’ll complete 600 internship hours in schools, including 240 hours of direct client service. The program also requires 100 practicum hours. These requirements fit naturally into your coursework.
Graduation requires passing the Praxis II Professional School Counselor (5422) exam. This national test confirms your readiness to work as a school counselor.
The curriculum sharpens your skills in three key areas:
- Preventing personal and interpersonal problems
- Supporting optimal child development
- Addressing social-emotional-developmental concerns in school-age children
This approach prepares you for today’s diverse student needs. You’ll build critical thinking skills and gain valuable field experience through internship and practicum courses.
Accreditation and licensure
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has accredited UW’s School Counseling program through October 31, 2028. CACREP sets quality standards for counselor preparation programs.
CACREP accreditation offers graduates several benefits:
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes graduates as mental health specialists
- Graduates can earn Department of Defense TRICARE certified mental health counselor credentials
- Army Substance Abuse program accepts counselors from CACREP-accredited programs
Research shows CACREP-accredited program graduates score higher on the National Counselor Examination (NCE) than non-accredited program graduates. This helps with licensure and professional credibility.
CACREP leads and promotes excellence in professional preparation through program accreditation. Their standards reflect our society’s diverse and complex needs. A CACREP-accredited degree shows your commitment to high professional standards.
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has also accredited the University of Wyoming. This validates UW’s academic quality, governance, administration, mission, finances, and resources.
School Counseling students must pass the PRAXIS II exam for certification. This exam prepares you for Wyoming school counselor licensure.
Licensing requirements vary by state. Contact your target state’s Department of Public Instruction about additional requirements. This helps ensure you meet all qualifications for your chosen location.
UW’s program meets educational and clinical requirements for state licensure. Graduates can pursue school counseling careers in schools of all sizes.
Tuition and fees
International students’ first-year tuition costs about $26,820. This base rate applies to the 2025 academic year, with variations based on residency and fees.
Domestic graduate students pay different rates for 2024-25: $7,258 for in-state and $23,668 for out-of-state. These “sticker prices” include tuition and fees. Total costs with food, housing, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses reach $25,868 for in-state and $41,648 for out-of-state students.
Financial aid makes these costs manageable. First-year students receive average need-based scholarships of $6,600, with 46% getting need-based aid. Merit-based aid averages $4,196. UW meets about 58% of students’ financial aid needs.
UW borrowers typically graduate with $18,000 in federal loan debt. Monthly payments average $191 over 10 years at 5.05% interest.
The College of Education offers extra scholarships for graduate education students. These opportunities can reduce your costs substantially.
Graduates often work in public schools as counselors. Career options include:
- Private counselor
- Mental health therapist
- Vocational rehabilitation counselor
- Career counseling positions
School counseling jobs show strong growth potential. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster-than-average growth, driven by rising enrollment and focus on student mental health.
Contact UW’s Student Financial Services for current details about tuition, fees, and aid. They’ll help you explore financing options based on your situation.
The application needs transcripts, recommendation letters, and a personal statement about your interest in counseling. Good preparation and exploring all aid options can make this valuable education more affordable.
UW’s School Counseling program offers excellent value through CACREP accreditation, thorough curriculum, experienced faculty, and strong job prospects, despite the upfront investment.
University of Wyoming – PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision
The University of Wyoming’s PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision gives master’s degree holders in counseling a great chance to become leaders in academia and clinical supervision. This doctoral program builds on master’s-level training and helps shape future counseling professionals.
Program overview
The University of Wyoming’s PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision welcomes students with master’s degrees in counseling or related fields who want to train counselors at universities or work in college counseling programs. The program stands out because of its personal approach in a supportive learning community.
Small class sizes create room for deep discussions and let students direct their scholarly work. The faculty helps students grow through self-examination and professional development. They also teach research-based counseling skills that match current best practices.
The program has a clear goal: to prepare people for faculty positions and advanced roles in Counselor Education programs through courses that blend theory with hands-on learning. This matches the broader purpose of doctoral programs in Counselor Education and Supervision, which prepare graduates to work as counselor educators, supervisors, researchers, and practitioners in universities and clinics.
The program has earned prestigious accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This accreditation shows the program meets the counseling profession’s high standards.
Students from non-CACREP accredited master’s programs might need extra courses to meet CACREP standards. The PhD program builds on master’s-level strengths and extends entry-level program values to advanced professional skills.
Curriculum and research focus
The PhD curriculum covers many areas. Students take advanced courses, complete clinical internships, teach, supervise others, and conduct original research for their dissertation. This approach helps graduates develop skills for both academic and advanced clinical roles.
Students gain teaching experience by working with UW counseling faculty to teach undergraduate classes. This hands-on practice prepares them for future faculty positions in Counselor Education departments.
Students work closely with professors on cutting-edge research topics such as:
- Play therapy and expressive arts in counseling
- Addiction and substance abuse treatment
- Counselor development and supervision
- Childhood mental health concerns
- Development of ethnic identity in children
- Various interventions for underserved populations
These research teams often publish their work and present at professional conferences, which helps advance the field’s knowledge.
The College of Education’s Wellspring Counseling Clinic offers state-of-the-art digital technology. This facility provides individual, group, and couples counseling, play therapy, and substance abuse evaluations. Doctoral students help run the clinic and supervise master’s students during their practicum hours. This experience helps them develop essential mentoring skills for their future roles.
Students can also work with the Rocky Mountain Center of Play Therapy. As one of few approved centers for play therapy education, doctoral students can become Registered Play Therapists (RPT) or School-Based Registered Play Therapists (SB-RPT) through the Association for Play Therapy.
UW hosts play therapy conferences that bring together over 200 mental health professionals, school counselors, social workers, and early childhood teachers worldwide.
Conclusion
Your professional success in Wyoming’s mental health field starts with picking the right counseling program. The University of Wyoming leads the state with its CACREP-accredited counseling programs. These programs help you get licensed and offer flexible learning options that work with your schedule.
Each program has its own strengths. The MS in Mental Health Counseling gives you complete skills to work in various clinical settings. The MS in School Counseling teaches you to help P-12 students with their academic and emotional growth. The PhD program lets you take on academic positions and advanced clinical supervision roles to shape counseling education’s future.
The programs won’t break the bank thanks to scholarships, assistantships, and reasonable tuition rates compared to other states. Wyoming’s growing mental health sector offers strong job prospects that make these programs a smart investment.
CACREP accreditation gives all three programs an edge. This certification ensures high-quality curriculum and opens doors to jobs with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense.
Students can choose between the traditional Laramie campus experience or the flexible hybrid format at UW-Casper. Small class sizes, supportive cohort models, and hands-on experience at places like the WellSpring Counseling Clinic make learning more effective.
Mental health needs keep growing in Wyoming, especially in rural areas. A counseling education from the University of Wyoming puts you in a perfect spot to help communities across the state. You’ll build a rewarding career that helps others overcome challenges and improve their lives.