Grand Canyon University : Bachelor's Degree in Counseling (Affordable Program with No Out of State Tuition) Grand Canyon University : Master's Degree in Counseling (Affordable Program with No Out of State Tuition)
Capella University : Master's and PhD in Counseling (CACREP Accreditation. Master's and PhD options avaialble. )
Northwestern University : Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Pepperdine University : Master’s Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor) (No GRE required)
Our Lady of the Lake University : Online Master of Arts in Counseling (No entrance exam required to apply)
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology : M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Online Programs. CACREP Accredited.)
Lamar University : Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (100% Online, Affordable Tuition, Study on Your Time)
Sacred Heart University : Online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Online program, developed with foundational CACREP standards.)LCSW vs. LPC
LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), clinical social work may be defined as “a specialty practice area of social work which focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness, emotional, and other behavioral disturbances.” As an LCSW, you’ll be able to provide therapy at the individual, family, or group level. However, therapy is just one part of the social worker’s job; you’ll also help connect your clients with community resources or social services that can help them optimize their mental health and well-being.
To become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, you’ll need to obtain an undergraduate degree, as well as a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Additionally, you’ll need a certain number of supervised clinical hours, which state licensing boards determine. Social workers may work for individual and family services, for government agencies, and for ambulatory health services.
LPC stands for Licensed Professional Counselor. The American Counseling Association reports that counselors provide services to empower “diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.”
Counselors tend to help their clients address specific issues, which may include substance use or mental health issues. Counselors can also provide specialized types of counseling, such as counseling that’s focused on marriage or relationship issues. A master’s degree in counseling is required, followed by an internship including supervised clinical experience. Counselors may work in outpatient mental health facilities, in hospitals, for government agencies, or for addiction rehabilitation facilities.
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements |
Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon University
Bachelor's Degree in Counseling
HLC Accredited |
✔ 100% Online
Affordable with No Out of State Tuition |
Programs include BS in Counseling with an Emphasis in Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse; BS in Psychology; and BS in Behavioral Health Science. Learn More |
| Grand Canyon University
Master's Degree in Counseling
HLC and NASAC Accredited |
✔ 100% Online
Over 14 Specializations Available |
Affordable with No Out of State Tuition Learn More |
| Capella University
Master's and PhD in Counseling
 CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required |
Choose from Addictions, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Human Behavior. Marriage and Family Therapy, or School Counseling specialties Learn More |
| Northwestern University
Online MA in Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required |
Prepare to pursue licensure in as few as 18 months Learn MoreFull-time, part-time, and accelerated track options available |
| Pepperdine University
Master’s Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor)
|
✔ Online
No GRE Required Bachelor's Degree Required |
Bachelor's holders can prepare to become a licensed professional counselor online. With no GRE scores required to apply, the 24 month online MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine allows you to advance your career and be a catalyst of change. Learn More |
| Our Lady of the Lake University
Online Master of Arts in Counseling
|
✔ Online
No GRE required. |
Help students navigate the emotional terrain of getting an education, empower people of all ages to overcome mental health hurdles, or support someone recovering from drug addiction as they obtain or maintain a job, with the Master of Arts in Counseling from OLLU. Learn More |
| The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
Bachelor's Degree Required. |
This online CMHC program prepares students for a career offering mental health services in a variety of settings; helping diverse clients through issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, stress, relationship difficulties, and suicidal impulses. Learn More |
| Lamar University
Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
SACSCOC Accredited |
✔ Online
No GRE Required Minimum 3.25 Undergrad GPA |
This online degree program prepares you with knowledge, training and practical experience to guide persons coping with substance abuse, marriage, family, career and other emotional issues through difficulties by giving them tools and techniques to manage their lives and decisions. Learn More |
| Sacred Heart University
Online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
|
✔ Online
Ask representative |
Social justice focus, Developed with CACREP standards as a foundation. Learn More |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
LCSW vs. LMHC
LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), clinical social work may be defined as “a specialty practice area of social work which focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness, emotional, and other behavioral disturbances.” As an LCSW, you’ll be able to provide therapy at the individual, family, or group level. However, therapy is just one part of the social worker’s job; you’ll also help connect your clients with community resources or social services that can help them optimize their mental health and well-being.
To become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, you’ll need to obtain an undergraduate degree, as well as a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Additionally, you’ll need a certain number of supervised clinical hours, which state licensing boards determine. Social workers may work for individual and family services, for government agencies, and for ambulatory health services.
LPC stands for Licensed Professional Counselor. The American Counseling Association reports that counselors provide services to empower “diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.”
Counselors tend to help their clients address specific issues, which may include substance use or mental health issues. Counselors can also provide specialized types of counseling, such as counseling that’s focused on marriage or relationship issues. A master’s degree in counseling is required, followed by an internship including supervised clinical experience. Counselors may work in outpatient mental health facilities, in hospitals, for government agencies, or for addiction rehabilitation facilities.
Grand Canyon University - Bachelor's Degree in Counseling (HLC Accredited)
Grand Canyon University - Master's Degree in Counseling (NASAC Accredited)
Capella University - Master's and PhD in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Northwestern University - Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Pepperdine University - Master’s Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor)
Our Lady of the Lake University - Online Master of Arts in Counseling (SACSCOC Accredited)
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology - M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Lamar University - Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (SACSCOC Accredited)
Sacred Heart University - Online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (NECHE Accredited)
LMHC vs. LPC
The primary distinction between an LMHC vs. LPC is one of practice breadth and focus. LMHCs are highly trained in assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illness. If you seek a career in this profession, your job will largely focus on working with mentally ill clients.
By contrast, while LPCs receive training in mental illness and can help clients navigate the effects of mental health disorders, they may focus on other areas of counseling, such as marriage and family issues or career issues.
Editor’s note: LPCs and LMHCs often have very similar roles and responsibilities, as both are typically able to provide mental health care for individuals, families, and groups. In many cases, the distinction will be based on the official license type in the state where you reside—where one state offers an LPC license, another will offer an LMHC license. Additionally, in some states, LPC is the highest level of licensure a counselor is able to obtain, whereas in other states, LPCC or LCPC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) is the highest level of licensure that one can obtain. Similarly, some states will offer an LMHCA (Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate) designation for individuals who are still working to obtain independent licensure, and LMHC is the highest level of licensure one can obtain within that particular discipline. As always, it’s important to learn the laws of your particular state to understand which license type will apply to your work as a counselor.
LMHC vs. LPC vs. LCSW Salary
As you consider your career prospects, it’s certainly helpful to think about educational requirements, basic job descriptions, and beyond. However, you may also have some questions about earnings expectations.
What does the data tell us about LMHC vs. LPC vs. LCSW salary ranges?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t specifically record data for LMHCs, but it reports that the median annual salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $48,520 in 2021.
The BLS entry for other types of counselors shows a median annual salary of $45,160 in 2021.
The BLS reports that the median annual salary for social workers was $50,390 in 2021.
Explore the Difference Between LPC, LCSW, and LMHC
While all three of these counseling credentials allow you to make a direct impact in the lives of patients and to devote at least part of your practice to mental health advocacy, the three fields ultimately have some notable differences.
The best way to explore what’s different in the LPC, LCSW, and LMHC career paths is to take a closer look at different degree programs, including online learning opportunities. Take some time to investigate online counseling degrees.
Sources:
American Counseling Association, 20/20: Consensus Definition of Counseling
Indeed, LMHC vs. LCSW: What They Are and How They Compare
National Association of Social Workers, Clinical Social Work
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Counselors, All Other
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social Workers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
