New Jersey offers a strong concentration of CACREP-accredited counseling programs — and a licensure system that rewards knowing what you’re getting into before you enroll. This guide covers how CACREP accreditation fits into New Jersey’s specific requirements, what makes the state’s licensure pathway distinctive, and a full directory of accredited programs organized by specialty.
How CACREP Accreditation Fits Into New Jersey Licensure
New Jersey requires LPC applicants to hold a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling from a regionally accredited institution — specifically, from a planned educational program designed to prepare students for the professional practice of counseling.
Beyond that foundational requirement, New Jersey evaluates educational qualifications on a program-by-program basis. Graduates of CACREP-accredited programs are accepted without additional review. Graduates of non-CACREP programs may still qualify, but their transcripts are subject to individual evaluation by the Professional Counselor Examiners Committee — a process that adds time and uncertainty to an already lengthy licensure timeline.
For most students, confirming CACREP accreditation upfront is the simplest way to ensure their degree will qualify.
New Jersey’s Two-Tier Licensure System
New Jersey licenses counselors in two stages, and understanding the sequence matters before you enroll.
The first credential is the Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC). You apply for the LAC after completing your degree and passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE). The LAC authorizes you to practice under direct supervision while you accumulate the experience required for full licensure — you cannot begin accruing qualifying hours without it, so applying promptly after graduation is in your interest.
The second credential is the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), New Jersey’s full independent license. Most applicants follow the standard pathway: 4,500 hours of supervised professional counseling experience across three calendar years, with a minimum of 50 face-to-face supervision hours per year. Applicants who complete an additional 30 graduate semester hours beyond their master’s degree may qualify for a reduced pathway of 3,000 hours across two calendar years.
Up to one calendar year of experience may be accumulated prior to receiving your master’s degree. Practicum and internship hours may count toward this, provided those courses are not also used to satisfy the educational coursework distribution requirements for licensure — they cannot serve both purposes simultaneously.
The NCE is required at the LAC stage. Counselors pursuing specialty designation in clinical mental health counseling also take the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
For current and complete licensure requirements, consult the New Jersey Professional Counselor Examiners Committee directly — requirements are subject to change and the Committee is the authoritative source.
Featured Programs
The three programs highlighted below represent a cross-section of the accredited options available in New Jersey — a large public research university, a competitive state college, and a private university with a strong regional presence. Each is an excellent option, but this is not a ranking. New Jersey’s full directory of CACREP-accredited clinical mental health counseling programs follows, and prospective students are encouraged to evaluate all of them against their own priorities — location, cost, format, and fit.
The College of New Jersey – Ewing Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. | 60 credits
TCNJ’s program offers two tracks — generalist practice and addiction counseling — allowing students to tailor the degree toward a specific area of focus. Graduates may qualify for New Jersey licensure as a professional counselor, a clinical alcohol and drug counselor, or both depending on the track completed. The program is taught entirely by faculty with no teaching assistants, and class sizes are small enough that faculty know students by name.
- Tracks: Generalist practice; addiction counseling
- Format: On campus
- Duration: 2–2.5 years full time; 3–4 years part time
- GRE: Not required unless undergraduate GPA is below 3.0
Rutgers University – Piscataway Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S. | 60 credits
Rutgers offers its clinical mental health counseling program through an unusual but intentional structure: the degree is formally titled M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Track, reflecting the program’s emphasis on preparing counselors to work with individuals with serious mental health conditions and psychiatric disabilities. The curriculum is fully CACREP-accredited in clinical mental health counseling and meets New Jersey’s educational requirements for LPC licensure.
- Tracks: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (within Rehabilitation Counseling degree)
- Format: On campus (Piscataway or Camden) or online; online students must attend an on-campus residency of up to three days per year
- Duration: 2 or 3 years, including summer semesters
- GRE: Not required
- Application deadline: March 1
- Clinical placements: In-person, restricted to New Jersey and surrounding region (downstate New York, eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland)
Monmouth University – West Long Branch Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S. | 60 credits
Monmouth was the first program in New Jersey to receive CACREP accreditation — a distinction worth noting for a state with a now-substantial number of accredited options. The program is designed for working adults, with all courses offered in late afternoon and evening hours at the Monmouth University Graduate Center. Field experience exceeds CACREP minimums at 700+ hours, and the program maintains partnerships with more than 100 clinical placement sites in New Jersey and beyond.
Students choose from five specialization areas: alcohol and drug counseling, child and adolescent counseling, couples and relationship counseling, ecotherapy, and spirituality and counseling. Graduates who complete the alcohol and drug specialization also meet New Jersey’s educational requirements for the Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) credential.
- Specializations: Alcohol and Drug Counseling; Child and Adolescent Counseling; Couples and Relationship Counseling; Ecotherapy; Spirituality and Counseling
- Format: In-person evening classes
- Application deadlines: March 1 (early consideration); July 1 (fall, space available); December 1 (spring)
- Clinical placements: 100+ partner sites in New Jersey and beyond
New Jersey CACREP-Accredited Programs Directory
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
| Institution | City | Degree |
| The College of New Jersey | Ewing | M.A. |
| Rutgers University | Piscataway | M.S. |
| Monmouth University | West Long Branch | M.S. |
| Stockton University | Galloway Township | M.A. |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | Madison | M.A. |
| Rowan University | Glassboro | M.A. |
| Montclair State University | Montclair | M.A. |
| Rider University | Lawrenceville | M.A. |
| Caldwell University | Caldwell | M.A. |
| Georgian Court University | Lakewood | M.A. |
| Kean University | Union | M.A. |
| William Paterson University | Wayne | M.Ed. |
| New Jersey City University | Jersey City | M.A. |
School Counseling
| Institution | City | Degree |
| The College of New Jersey | Ewing | M.A. |
| Rutgers University | New Brunswick | M.Ed. |
| Monmouth University | West Long Branch | M.S.Ed. |
| Rowan University | Glassboro | M.A. |
| Montclair State University | Montclair | M.A. |
| Rider University | Lawrenceville | M.A. |
| Caldwell University | Caldwell | M.A. |
| Kean University | Union | M.A. |
| William Paterson University | Wayne | M.Ed. |
| New Jersey City University | Jersey City | M.A. |
Counselor Education and Supervision
| Institution | City | Degree |
| Rutgers University | Piscataway | Ph.D. |
| Montclair State University | Montclair | Ph.D. |
| Kean University | Union | Ph.D. |
Doctoral programs in Counselor Education and Supervision are research and supervisor-track credentials, not entry-level clinical practice degrees.
Additional Program Areas
| Institution | City | Program | Degree |
| Montclair State University | Montclair | Addiction Counseling | M.A. |
| Monmouth University | West Long Branch | Student Affairs and College Counseling | M.S.Ed. |
| Kean University | Union | College Counseling and Student Affairs | M.A. |
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements | Course Information | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Walden University
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
 CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE scores not required
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Prepare to become the competent, compassionate counselor you were meant to be with Walden's CACREP-accredited MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
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Walden University
MS in School Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE scores not required
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Empower students with the CACREP-accredited MS in School Counseling program at Walden. Build a solid foundation in school counseling theories, approaches, and best practices and gain hands-on experience.
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Walden University
BS in Psychology
HLC Accredited
|
✔ Online
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Prepare to transform lives with a BS in Psychology from Walden University. Our program introduces you to a wide range of theories, approaches, and perspectives.
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Walden University
MS in Psychology
HLC Accredited
|
✔ Online
|
Transform lives with Walden's MS in Psychology program, offering seven specializations to tailor your studies to your career path. Complete your degree in as few as 8 months with Tempo Learning^®^.
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Walden University
PhD in Clinical Psychology
HLC Accredited
|
✔ Online
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Gain the skills to assess mental wellness and provide interventions. Taught by respected psychology faculty, coursework explores current theories and empirically supported practice.
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Walden University
Master of Social Work (MSW)
CSWE Accredited
|
✔ Online
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Walden's CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) program can empower you to shape a better world through hands-on learning experiences.
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Walden University
PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, General
HLC Accredited
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✔ Online
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If you're looking for a clear path to teaching in CACREP-accredited counseling degree programs, Walden's PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program can help you take the next step.
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Walden University
Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
CSWE Accredited
|
✔ Online
Currently hold a MSW from a CSWE-accredited program with 3.0 GPA and Two Years of full-time practice experience.
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Transform lives with Walden's online Doctor of Social Work program, featuring face-to-face residencies for networking and practical skills application.
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Walden University
PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
HLC Accredited
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✔ Online
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Prepare to train future clinical mental health counselors or broaden private-practice credentials. Ideal for those with a nonclinical counseling master's degree.
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Know the Path Before You Enroll
New Jersey’s counselor licensure system rewards preparation. The two-credential sequence, the 4,500-hour supervised experience requirement, and the degree title rules are all details that matter before you choose a program — not after you graduate.
The programs in this directory represent a strong and varied field of options. Whether your priority is location, cost, format, or specialization, New Jersey’s CACREP-accredited programs offer enough range to find a good fit. For a broader look at counseling programs in the state, see our New Jersey counseling programs guide. If cost is a primary consideration, our guide to affordable CACREP-accredited counseling programs covers options nationwide.
