The Top 30 Master’s Degrees in Counseling in the South

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Wilmington University offers a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This CACREP accredited graduate degree in counseling trains graduates to meet complex mental health issues challenging diverse populations of individuals, couples, and families across the lifespan. This 60 credit program can be completed in three years. Students will have the opportunity to complete electives covering topics such as: Counseling Children and Adolescents; Evidence Based Family Treatment; Cognitive-Behavioral Counseling; and Motivational Interviewing.

Unique feature: The program strives to integrate multicultural awareness and competence throughout the curriculum and training experience.

• Cost: $8,586.00
• Credits Required: 60
• Accreditation: CACREP

Master of Education in Counseling and Human Development

A CACREP accredited Master of Education in Counseling and Human Development is available online at Lindsey Wilson College. Students completing this program have the opportunity to earn additional certification with a Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate. This certificate would be useful for graduates that hope to have the skills and understanding to provide therapeutic services to individuals and families impacted by the disease of addiction. With a focus on valuing multiculturalism, graduates will have the awareness and insight necessary to work successfully with diverse populations across the lifespan.

Unique feature: The program offers an online education with flexible and supportive scheduling.

• Cost: $8,651.00
• Credits Required: 60
• Accreditation: CACREP

Master of Marriage and Family Therapy

Converse College offers a COAMFTE accredited Master of Marriage and Family Therapy degree. The 63 credit program integrates coursework with an intensive clinical training program. Students will complete practicum hours at a teaching clinic that works closely with Converse College. At the clinic students will have the opportunity to provide individual, couple, and family therapy under close and supportive supervision.

Unique feature: The program works to meet the needs of students with options to complete the program at a part time or full time pace in 2-5 years. Additionally, students can choose to take classes at the Converse campus or at the University Center of Greenville.

• Cost: $8,736.00
• Credits Required: 63
• Accreditation: COAMFTE

Master of Science in Counseling

A Master of Science in Counseling is offered at Carson-Newman University. This graduate degree in counseling offers options to specialize in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and/or Professional School Counseling. The program offers a Dual Degree for students that want to work towards licensure in both clinical mental health counseling and school counseling and earn a Master of Science in Counseling as well as an Educational Specialist degree. The program offers many courses through a hybrid format of study with both online and in classroom components.

Unique feature: Carson-Newman is a Christian University. This program will be a good fit for students that would like to have an education grounded in Christian values.

• Cost: $8,780.00
• Accreditation: CACREP

Master of Arts in School Counseling

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The School of Psychology and Counseling at Gardner-Webb University offers a Master of Arts in School Counseling and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Students in the graduate counseling programs at Gardner-Webb University will have the opportunity to work closely with faculty. Faculty members have a variety of unique research interests and professional experiences to enrich the students academic and professional growth.

Faculty research interests include: Counselor Supervision; Spirituality in Counseling; Career Development; Trauma and Crisis; and Multicultural/Diversity Education.

• Cost: $9,000.00
• Accreditation: CACREP

Master of Education in Counseling

Louisiana State University offers a Master of Education in Counseling with a Concentration in School Counseling and a Master of Education in Counseling with a Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Both of these CACREP accredited degrees are offered through the College of Human Sciences and Education for 60 credits each. The program emphasizes a commitment to training graduates to work professionally with diverse populations with a commitment to social justice and advocacy work.

Unique feature: The program provides training to graduate students in the practice of career counseling and assessment.

• Cost: $9,132.00
• Credits Required: 60
• Accreditation: CACREP

Master of Arts in Counseling

A CACREP accredited Master of Arts in Counseling is available at Columbia International University. The 66 credit graduate program can be completed in 36 months. Students will complete courses such as: Applied Biblical Foundations of Counseling; Personal and Spiritual Development; Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling; and Foundations of Marriage, Family Counseling. These courses, and many others, along with clinical training will prepare graduates for careers in the setting of their choice.

Unique feature: As a Christian University, the program emphasizes a commitment to the spiritual growth of each student while in the program.

• Cost: $9,360.00
• Credits Required: 66
• Accreditation: CACREP

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Master of Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy

Trevecca Nazarene University offers graduate counseling programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy. Students complete comprehensive coursework and engage in clinical training to develop confidence and skills to meet the needs of diverse individuals and families. These 60 credit CACREP accredited graduate programs in counseling prepare graduates for licensure in professional counseling and marriage and family therapy.

Unique feature: Students have the opportunity to choose from over 60 community based internship sites that the university has partnered with. This allows students to engage in a clinical training experience that matches their professional interests and goals.

• Cost: $9,504.00
• Credits Required: 60
• Accreditation: CACREP

Master of Science in Counseling

A Master of Science in Counseling with three areas of specialization is offered at Northeastern State University. The program can be completed at Tahlequah or Broken Arrow campuses. The CACREP accredited Master of Science in Counseling can be completed for 60 credits made up of 42 credits of core credits and 18 credits in the chosen area of specialization. Areas of specialization are: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Addiction Counseling; and School Counseling. Graduates will be prepared to pursue professional licensure and credentialing in their chosen area of specialization.

Faculty research interests include: Test Development and Assessment; Gender Roles; Labeling Bias/Discrimination; Prosocial Development; Stress Reduction; Animal Intelligence; Human Sexuality and the Family; and Effective Supervision and Supervisor Training.

• Cost: $9,518.00
• Credits Required: 60
• Accreditation: CACREP

Master of Arts in Counseling

Johnson University offers a Master of Arts in Counseling. Concentrations are available in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (63 credits) and in School Counseling (60 credits). This degree is available to students through the hybrid format. Students will benefit from the best of online learning combined with in-class face-to-face time. The on-campus commitment tends to be two weekends a term. For clinical training, the program works with students to select practicum and internship experiences that are accessible and convenient for students.

Unique feature: The program works to support a high quality learning experience for all students through a low student to faculty ratio of 12:1 or lower.

• Cost: $9,630.00
• Credits Required: 60 - 63
• Accreditation: CACREP

Master of Education in Counselor Education

A CACREP accredited Master of Education in Counselor Education is offered at the University of Lynchburg. Students can choose to major in School Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty in the classroom as well as to benefit from their diverse backgrounds and professional experiences in clinical supervision.

First year courses include: Counselor Professional Identity and Function of Clinical Mental Health Counselors; Group Counseling Procedures and Techniques; Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling; Human Development; and Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling.

• Cost: $9,922.00
• Accreditation: CACREP

Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy

A Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy is offered at Campbellsville University. The coursework for this program is designed to align with the values and perspectives of this Christian University. The program strives to support the individual growth of each student while supporting the student in developing professional competencies to serve the diverse needs of children and families across the lifespan. This program is accredited by the COAMFTE and requires the completion of 60 credits.

Unique courses include: Crisis Intervention and Trauma Counseling for the Marriage and Family Therapist; Premarital and Marital Counseling; Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy; and Addictions Counseling for the Marriage and Family Therapist.

• Cost: $10,080.00
• Credits Required: 60
• Accreditation: COAMFTE

Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy

The University of Southern Mississippi offers a COAMFTE accredited Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy. Students will engage closely with faculty with small class sizes with a program 6 to 1 student faculty ratio. Students will also work together and closely with faculty throughout their internship and practicum experiences through onsite and off-campus placements. Graduates will be ready to pursue professional licensure as marriage and family therapists.

Unique feature: The program reports a 100% pass rate on the National Exam and a 96% employment rate for graduates within three months.

• Cost: $10,514.00
• Accreditation: COAMFTE

Master of Science in Human Resources

A Master of Science in Human Resources with options to specialize in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling is available at East Central University. Specialized courses are offered such as: Assessment of Psychological, Social, and Relational Aspects of Disability; Medical Aspects of Disability; and Career and Life-Style Development. Graduates of this 60 credit CACREP accredited masters degree in counseling will be prepared to pursue credentialing as a Licensed Professional Counselor or a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.

Unique feature: Courses are offered in a variety of formats including: Online; Face to Face; Blended with a combination of online and face to face; Independent Study; and Synchronous Online Courses.

• Cost: $10,551.00
• Accreditation: CACREP

Master of Arts in Counseling

Lenoir-Rhyne University offers a Master of Arts in Counseling. This CACREP accredited graduate degree in counseling has two areas of specialization with the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track and the School Counseling track. Each track requires the completion of 61 credits. The class schedule is designed to be convenient for working students with classes offered in the evening as well as online and through a combination of online and face-to-face programming. Additionally, to contribute to increased flexibility courses can be completed at any of the three Lenoir-Rhyne campus locations.

Unique feature: The program offers multiple start dates throughout the year enrollment open at the beginning of each semester.

• Cost: $10,620.00
• Credits Required: 61
• Accreditation: CACREP

Master of Education in Counseling

A Master of Education in Counseling is available at the University of New Orleans. Concentrations are available in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling. Students will complete CACREP accredited courses in the core, area of emphasis, and electives for a total of 60 credits. Graduates will be prepared to work professionally in the setting of their choice from residential treatment programs to the judicial system to private practice.

Unique feature: Students have a diverse range of practicum/internship sites to choose from in New Orleans. Students will provide valuable services to the community while developing and strengthening their clinical skills.

• Cost: $10,660.00
• Accreditation: CACREP

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Southeastern Oklahoma State University offers a CACREP accredited Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Students will complete coursework and clinical training in preparation for professional licensure. The program reports a 100% pass rate for the National Counselor Exam. Graduates have been successful in the field of clinical mental health counseling and many have moved into roles as supervisors, administrators, and adjunct instructors in higher education.

Specialized courses include: Personality Assessment in Counseling; Counseling Consultation, Administration, and Program Evaluation; Psychopathology and Treatment Planning; Substance and Behavioral Addiction Counseling; Crisis and Disaster Counseling; Psychopharmacology in Counseling; Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling.

• Cost: $10,872.00
• Accreditation: CACREP

Master of Education in School Counseling

Master of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling

Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling

The Department of Psychology and Counseling at Mississippi College offers CACREP accredited graduate degrees in counseling. Students can earn a Master of Education in School Counseling, a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling, and a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling. Students in the program benefit from focusing on a specific area of interest while collaborating with peers and faculty across disciplines within the department.

Unique feature: The Department of Psychology and Counseling at Mississippi College collects data on student satisfaction. Students report that faculty members are prepared, accessible, and interested in students well being.

• Cost: $10,962.00
• Accreditation: CACREP

Master of Arts in Counseling

A CACREP accredited Master of Arts in Counseling, with three areas of concentration, is available at the University of Holy Cross. Students can choose to concentrate in School Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling, and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Courses will cover topics including: Ethics; Diagnosis of Mental Disorders; Treatment of Mental Disorders; Treatment of Chemical Dependency; Treating Individuals, Couples, and Families; Working in Schools; and Working with the Impact of Trauma.

Unique feature: The University of Holy Cross emphasizes a commitment to the personal and professional growth of each student with a focus on supporting the students spiritual growth and service to the community.

• Cost: $11,091.00
• Credits Required: 60
• Accreditation: CACREP

Master of Science in Counseling

Texas A&M University Commerce offers a Master of Science in Counseling with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. Students can choose which area of emphasis to complete based on their professional goals. For students that would like to be able to work professionally as a school counselor and as a licensed professional counselor the School Counseling with LPC emphasis can be completed. All students will complete core and specialized coursework and engage in supervised clinical work. Graduates will have the education and clinical experience to pursue credentialing and licensure and work professionally in their chosen area of focus.

Unique feature: The program offers an option to complete a Master of Science in Counseling with an Emphasis in School Counseling and LPC. This 60 credit track provides graduates with the opportunity to pursue professional credentialing and licensure in both fields.

• Cost: $11,100.00
• Credits Required: 51-60
• Accreditation: CACREP