Master's in Counseling Programs in California: An Overview
By choosing a program that is CACREP accredited, you ensure that you're enrolling in a program that meets the widely recognized standards of counselors and counseling educators throughout the nation. CACREP accreditation should be one of your requirements for a degree program since it can set you on track for licensure as a counselor in your field.
Here are a few schools in California with CACREP-accredited counseling programs:
- California State University - Fresno: M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, M.S. in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, M.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
- California State University Fullerton: M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- California State University Sacramento: M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
- California State University San Bernardino: M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
- California State University, Los Angeles: M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling, M.S. in School Counseling
- Palo Alto University: M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Click to jump to the full list of California counseling programs, or consider learning more about one of the below online counseling programs currently accepting applicants.
Here are a few schools in California with CACREP-accredited counseling programs:- California State University - Fresno: M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling M.S. in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling M.S. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
- California State University Fullerton: M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- California State University Sacramento: M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
- California State University San Bernardino: M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
- California State University, Los Angeles: M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling M.S. in School Counseling
- Palo Alto University: M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements |
Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California
Online Master of Education (ME) in School Counseling
Prepares you for school counseling credential |
✔ Live, online classes
No GRE requirement |
Bachelor’s degree and minimum 2.5 GPA required Learn More |
| Pepperdine University
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Degrees
LPC/MFT emphases available. |
✔ Online
No GRE Required. Bachelor's Degree Required. |
Choose your path at Pepperdine: pursue licensure as either an LMFT or LPC and serve diverse clients with our online master’s in clinical psychology. GRE scores are not required to apply, and you can earn your degree in as few as 27 months. Take the next step toward creating a positive social impact today. Learn More |
| University of Southern California
Master of Social Work
Accredited by the CSWE |
✔ Campus, Online
No GRE Required |
Tailor your degree with specializations in mental health, children and families, or social change and innovation. Learn More |
| 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 |
| Pepperdine University
Master of Arts in Psychology
Open to all undergrad majors |
✔ Online
No GRE Required |
Earn a Master’s in Psychology Online in 18 Months Learn More |
| Northcentral University
MS and PhD Therapy, Psychology and Social Work Programs
COAMFTE Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Scores Not Required |
Program Specializations include Military Family Therapy, LGBTQ Couple & Family Therapy, General Family Therapy & More Learn More |
| Pepperdine University
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
|
✔ Online
No GRE Required |
Earn a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis Learn MoreComplete online in as few as 15 months |
| Northcentral University
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
WSCUC Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Scores Not Required |
The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is focused on training highly skilled counselors to provide impactful and culturally sensitive mental health services in their communities. Learn More |
| Northcentral University
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology - Counseling Psychology
COAMFTE Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Scores Not Required |
Earn a degree in Counseling Psychology, Gerontology, or Substance-Related and Addictive Disorder Learn More |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Snapshot: Online CACREP Accredited Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
University of Southern California - Online Master of Education (ME) in School Counseling
University of Southern California - Master of Social Work (CSWE Accredited)
Pepperdine University - Master of Arts in Psychology (ABAI Accredited)
Northcentral University - MS and PhD Therapy, Psychology and Social Work Programs (COAMFTE Accredited)
Pepperdine University - Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) (ABAI Accredited)
Northcentral University - Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology - Counseling Psychology (COAMFTE Accredited)
Online CACREP-Accredited Master’s in Counseling Programs in California
Online degrees can offer more flexibility and accessibility than in-person programs. This makes them a good choice for students who have busy lives and prior commitments. There are several counseling master’s programs in California that offer both online convenience and the accreditation required for licensure. There are currently two universities that provide online master’s programs in counseling suitable for upcoming applicants with the drive to become licensed.
- Palo Alto University: Online M.A. in Counseling focusing in both Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling. The Palo Alto program is a popular choice because there is no GRE requirement and because it consists of online synchronous courses that can help increase skills in clinical knowledge, practitioner standards, and mental health awareness.
- Saybrook University: Online Master of Counseling in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This program is known for its high academic standards and for its high-quality curriculum that prepares students for success across a number of counseling environments (clinics, hospitals, private practice, etc.).
Schools With Campus-Based CACREP Accredited California Counseling Degrees
Below, you will find a list of all of the CACREP-accredited counseling programs in California. Keep scrolling, or jump to all programs, or view online CACREP-accredited counseling programs.
All Accredited Schools with Counseling Degrees in California
View all programs in California below, or jump to all California CACREP-accredited counseling programs.
California Counselor Responsibilities
A counselor’s duties may vary from one position to the next, but some of the typical responsibilities include the following.
- Provide outpatient mental health services with the goal of helping patients recover or increase their mental well-being
- Conduct patient intakes and monitor therapy sessions on individual, group, and family levels
- Develop and assess ongoing treatment plans for each patient
- Provide mental health assessments and referrals
- Complete documentation in compliance with state laws and regulations
Counseling professionals can be found in a variety of different settings, including outpatient mental health centers, hospitals, schools, government facilities, and businesses.
If you are looking for Marriage and Family Therapy programs, go to our guide on MFT programs in California.
Salary and Job Outlook for Counselors in California
The average annual income for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in California was $59,790 as of May 2021, according to the BLS. This figure is around $11,000 higher than the national average. The BLS also projects 22% job growth in the field between 2021-2031, which is much faster than the average for all positions. This means there could be many more counseling positions opening up in the future.
Counseling Licensure in California
If you wish to pursue licensure as a counselor in California, you should review the requirements set forth by the California Board of Behavioral Services (BBS). Requirements for licensure in the state may include the completion of an accredited counseling degree, 3,000 supervised work hours in a clinical environment, and the completion of multiple exams through the state board. To become licensed, applicants must prove their knowledge not just of clinical practice but also of local regulations meant to protect doctors and patients. As such, clinical exams and ethics exams may both be required.
These requirements were set forth in an effort to help future counselors become better qualified to provide effective counseling services to the general public.
How to Become a Licensed Counselor in California
If you are seeking licensure in California, you are required to follow the state’s guidelines that include an accredited degree, passing a licensure exam, and supervised experience. Licensure can be obtained after earning a master’s degree, which is why counseling master’s programs in California are so popular.
#1: Get the required education
Complete 60 semester hours of education for a master’s or doctoral degree from an approved institution, often an accredited school, which can include counseling or psychotherapy within its content. It also needs to include six semester units of supervised practicum or fieldwork study. This is the equivalent of 280 face-to-face hours. It also must include at least three additional semester hours or four and one-half quarter units in 10 of 13 core content areas:
- Counseling and psychotherapeutic therapies and techniques
- Human growth and development across the lifespan
- Assessment, appraisal, and testing
- Group counseling theories and techniques
- Multicultural counseling theories and techniques
- Principles of diagnosis, treatment planning, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders and dysfunctional behavior
- Research and evaluation
- Professional orientation, ethics, and law in counseling, including California law and ethics
- Psychopharmacology
- Addictions counseling
- Crisis or trauma counseling
- Advanced counseling and psychotherapeutic theories and techniques.
#2: Complete Supervision
Complete at least 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised experience that is done under an LPCC, LMFT, LCSW, licensed physician, or licensed psychologist. This must be done over a period of no less than two years, and it must include at least 1750 hours of direct counseling with groups or individuals in a clinical counseling setting. Additionally, it must include 150 hours in a community mental health or hospital setting.
#3: Pass the Exam
After completing all other requirements, the student must then pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination and the California Law and Ethics Exam. This is done after the supervised hours are complete.
California Counseling Licensure: California Counseling Licensing Boards
There are different certification processes based on counseling specializations. Below are some of the credentialing authorities in California for counseling licensure.
Licensure:
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
- Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC)
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT)
California Counseling Licensure: California Counseling Licensing Boards
California Counseling Licensure
1625 North Market Boulevard, Suite S-200
Sacramento, CA 95834
916-574-7830
[email protected]
www.bbs.ca.gov
Licensure:
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
Professional Clinical Counselor Intern (PCCI)
School Counseling Licensure
Commission on Teacher Credentialing
1900 Capital Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 327-1461 (888) 921-2682
[email protected]
www.ctc.ca.gov
School Counselor [PreK-12]
If you are looking for Marriage and Family Therapy programs, go to our guide on MFT programs in California.
Popular Master’s in Counseling Degrees in California
Understanding your options is always worthwhile. The following are some of the most popular counseling master’s programs in California.
USC
The USC Rossier School of Education offers a Master of Education in Educational Counseling for those who wish to work in community colleges or universities. This program aims to advance educational equity in marginalized students. The program includes 48 units of study completed over 21 to 33 months. The courses taken include a focus on counseling, student development and higher education, and research methods and data analysis. Students will get fieldwork experience and complete a seminar or thesis.
UCLA
The University of California – Los Angeles offers a graduate training program as a component of its UCLA Counseling & Psychological Services with a focus on clinical psychology, social welfare, health services psychology, or fellowships. The school offers a master’s of social work as well as a clinical social worker program. Other options include a school psychologist and guidance counselor path, each with different educational requirements.
University of San Diego
The University of San Diego program, an MA in counseling and clinical mental health counseling, is a CACREP-accredited program that prepares students for licensure as professional clinical counselors. The courses are comprehensive, and students will also complete 240 clock hours of direct services in three semesters, along with a total of 700 clock hours of supervised practicum. A capstone research project is also a component of this program.
San Diego State University
San Diego State University offers an M.S. in Counseling and California Pupil Personnel Services credential. This program takes two years to complete, earning 64 units of education. It focuses on developing leaders and advocates in the community. Courses include cross cultural counseling communication skills, human behavior and development, and methods of inquiry, among others.
San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University offers a Master of Science in Counseling program that focuses on one of several specializations, including in areas of career, counseling, gerontology, or school. Students will complete 60 units of education with 12 units in an area of specialization. This program is designed to be flexible, though students typically complete it within 2 years.
Sources:
California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors, Licensing requirements after 2012
USC Rossier School of Education, Master of Education in Educational Counseling
UCLA, Carers in the Helping Professions
University of San Diego, MA in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
San Diego State University, School Counseling
San Francisco State University, Master of Science in Counseling
U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
California Counseling Licensure: California Counseling Licensing Boards
California Counseling Licensure
School Counseling Licensure
If you are looking for Marriage and Family Therapy programs, go to our guide on MFT programs in California.Popular Online Counseling Programs
University of Southern California 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Pepperdine University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
University of Southern California 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
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Pepperdine University 🗹 Online
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Schools With Campus-Based CACREP Accredited California Counseling Degrees
CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs) is the top accrediting board for counseling programs. Below, you will find a list of all of the CACREP accredited counseling programs in California. Keep scrolling or jump to all programs for all programs or view online CACREP accredited counseling programs.
All Accredited Schools with Counseling Degrees in California
View all programs in California below, or jump to all California CACREP accredited counseling programs.Allan Hancock College Santa Maria
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Alliant International University-San Diego San Diego
- Doctorate - Marriage and Family Therapy
American River College Sacramento
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Butte College Oroville
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
California State University - Fresno Fresno
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.S. in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.S. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
California State University Fullerton Fullerton
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
California State University Sacramento Sacramento
- M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
California State University San Bernardino San Bernardino
- M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
California State University, Los Angeles Los Angeles
- M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.S. in School Counseling
College of San Mateo San Mateo
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
College of the Desert Palm Desert
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Fresno City College Fresno
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Fuller Theological Seminary in California Pasadena
- Doctorate - Marriage and Family Therapy
Glendale Community College Glendale
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Hartnell College Salinas
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
ICDC College Huntington Park
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Imperial Valley College Imperial
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
InterCoast Colleges-Orange Orange
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Lake Tahoe Community College South Lake Tahoe
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Lassen Community College Susanville
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Loma Linda University Loma Linda
- Doctorate - Marriage and Family Therapy
Long Beach City College Long Beach
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Los Angeles City College Los Angeles
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Los Angeles Pierce College Woodland Hills
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Mendocino College Ukiah
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Merced College Merced
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Merritt College Oakland
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Modesto Junior College Modesto
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Mt San Antonio College Walnut
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Mt San Jacinto Community College District San Jacinto
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
National University La Jolla
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Oxnard College Oxnard
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Palo Alto University Palo Alto
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.A. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
Palomar College San Marcos
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Rio Hondo College Whittier
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Saddleback College Mission Viejo
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
San Diego City College San Diego
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
San Diego State University San Diego
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
San Francisco State University San Francisco
- M.S. in Career Counseling
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S. in College Counseling
- M.S. in College Counseling and Student Affairs
- M.S. in Gerontological Counseling
- M.S. in Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling/Therapy
- M.S. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
- M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.S. in School Counseling
San Jose City College San Jose
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Santa Barbara City College Santa Barbara
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Saybrook University Pasadena
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Sonoma State University Rohnert Park
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.A. in School Counseling
University of San Diego San Diego
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.A. in School Counseling
West Los Angeles College Culver City
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
William Jessup University Rocklin
- Bachelors - Counseling Psychology
Woodland Community College Woodland
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Yuba College Marysville
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
