* The Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP): This is the primary accrediting body for counseling programs in the United States. Their website (cacrep.org) allows you to search for accredited programs by state, program type (e.g., mental health counseling, school counseling, marriage and family therapy), and other criteria. Accreditation is a crucial factor to consider, as it ensures the program meets certain quality standards.
* Peterson's: This is a well-known resource for finding graduate programs across various disciplines, including counseling. Their website has search functions to filter by location, degree type (MA, PhD, etc.), and program focus.
* US News & World Report: While rankings should be viewed with caution, US News & World Report publishes rankings of graduate schools, including counseling programs. This can be a starting point for research, but consider other factors beyond rankings.
* Individual university websites: Once you've identified some potential programs using the resources above, visit the individual university websites to explore program details, faculty profiles, curriculum, and admission requirements.
To refine your search, consider these factors:
* Program type: Do you want to become a mental health counselor, school counselor, marriage and family therapist, substance abuse counselor, or something else? Different programs specialize in different areas.
* Degree level: Are you interested in a Master's degree (MA, MS, MSW), a Doctorate (PhD, PsyD), or a certificate program?
* Location: Where do you want to attend school?
* Program size and format: Do you prefer a large or small program? Do you need an online, hybrid, or in-person program?
* Faculty research interests: If you're interested in research, check out the faculty profiles to see their areas of expertise.
By using a combination of these strategies, you can effectively identify counseling graduate programs that meet your specific needs and goals.