The curriculum for these majors is inclusive to varying aspects of psychology, from youth counseling to geriatric care. For individuals that yearn to works hands on with the public in a therapeutic manner, counseling is a degree path that will provide on all levels. Counselors earn $49,240 on average per year, with salaries varying depending on specialties and regions.
Pennsylvania is a state that emerged as one of the original thirteen colonies. Its prestige in the eyes of education is well-known around the United States, making it a highly preferred place to get a degree in counseling.
Universities in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are representative of what college students seek when choosing a counseling degree program in Pennsylvania.
Here are a few schools in Pennsylvania with CACREP-accredited counseling programs:- Alvernia University: M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- California University of Pennsylvania: M.Ed. in School Counseling M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Duquesne University: M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S.Ed. in Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling/Therapy M.S.Ed. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling M.S.Ed. in School Counseling Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
- Edinboro University of Pennsylvania: M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
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 |
Northwestern University
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
COAMFTE Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required |
The COAMFTE-accredited MFT@Northwestern is offered by The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 21 months. No GRE is required, but applicants must hold an undergraduate degree. Full and part-time tracks available. Learn More |
Capella University
Counseling & Therapy
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✔ Online
GRE Not Required |
Offering Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling; and Advanced Studies in Human Behavior and Counselor Education and Supervision (PhD). Learn More |
Northwestern University
Online MA in Counseling
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✔ 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 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 |
NYU Steinhardt
Online MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
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✔ Online
GRE not required; Bachelor’s degree and minimum 2.5 GPA required |
As few as 21 months to complete Learn More |
NYU Steinhardt
Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance: School and Bilingual School Counseling
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✔ Online
Bachelor's required. GRE scores are not required. |
Prepare to become a school counselor with NYU Steinhardt’s online master’s in Counseling and Guidance program. The online MA degree gives you the knowledge and skills to pursue certification and employment in pre-K–12 schools nationwide in as few as 18 mos. Bachelor’s required: Learn more. GRE scores are not required. 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 |
Capella University
MS in School Counseling
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✔ Online
No GMAT or GRE Required |
Our CACREP- and CAEP-accredited MS in School Counseling puts you in control, so you can learn on your own schedule and gain the skills to pursue your professional school counselor credential. Specializations in Addiction Treatment and Recovery, Child and Adolescent Counseling, and General School Counseling. Capella Progress Rewards are scholarships for eligible new students, including $2.5K for an MS in School Counseling. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details. Learn More |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Online CACREP Master of Counseling Programs in Pennsylvania
As society become more accustomed to using the internet as a means for business, communication, and education, it may see a trend in the type of degree programs that are offered in the online setting. The demand for online degree programs in the state of Pennsylvania may continue to rise as more students recognize the benefits of an all-inclusive completely online program.
Current universities that are already ahead of the game and offer online Master of Counseling programs for you to consider are Lockhaven University and Messiah College. Lockhaven's online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a 60 hour program that students can enjoy at a part-time or full-time rate. The goal of this university is to provide a training program that does not interrupt an individual's current lifestyle, but can contribute to their future success in the field of counseling. Another university providing programs online is Messiah College. Messiah's online Master of Arts in Counseling has 3 specializations available: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, and School Counseling.
Each of the programs offered by both Lockhaven and Messiah College have been accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). What this means for learners is that these programs contain everything needed for upcoming counselors and are accepted by licensing agencies in the state of Pennsylvania. During your search, you may notice programs that are candidates for accreditation or not accredited at all. Please keep in mind that programs without current accreditation cannot guarantee your eligibility for licensure once completed.
Snapshot: Online CACREP Accredited Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
Pennsylvania Counseling Degrees
- 80 different counseling degrees in Pennsylvania
- 49 CACREP-accredited counseling programs in Pennsylvania (plus 4 online)
- According to the BLS, average salary for Pennsylvania professional counselors is around $50,380 annually







A Career as a Counselor in Pennsylvania
In the field of counseling, professionals of varying specialties are found in different settings. Counselors can be found in big hospitals, providing care to people with illness.
They can also be found in different levels of the educational system. It is not uncommon to find a plethora of counselors in research positions, assisting with the testing and development of new treatment techniques. Everywhere that can be seen in society, a counselor is likely present.
Human emotion is a huge part of everyday life. For those that have trouble coping, counselors are there to provide support. In Pennsylvania, there is a huge concentration of counselors already in the field. It remains high due to the demand for these services by the public.
Counseling Licensure Procedures
The first step in getting involved with this career field is choosing a reputable college to get a degree. Upon graduation, licensure is possible through the state, which is a process that opens even more doors for professionals.
Still Looking for a Counseling Degree?
Here are some of the most popular online counseling programs. On each page you will find a detailed write-up of the program, specific courses, and schools that offer that program that are currently accepting applicants.Pennsylvania Counseling Licensure: Pennsylvania Counseling Licensing Boards
Pennsylvania Counseling Licensure
State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
717/783-1389
[email protected]
http://www.dos.pa.gov/social
Licensure: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
School Counseling Licensure
Department of Education Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
(717) 787-3356
www.education.state.pa.us
Elementary School Counselor [K-6]
Secondary School Counselor [7-12]
Popular Online Counseling Programs
Grand Canyon University 🗹 Online
Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Capella University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters 🗗 Doctorate
Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Pepperdine University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
NYU Steinhardt 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
NYU Steinhardt 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Our Lady of the Lake University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Capella University 🗹 Online Masters
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Schools With Campus-Based CACREP Accredited Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. Keep scrolling or jump to all programs for all programs or view online CACREP accredited counseling programs.
Alvernia University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/13/2016 to 10/31/2025
California University of Pennsylvania
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/7/2004 to 3/31/2022
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/11/2012 to 3/31/2022
Duquesne University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/10/2013 to 3/31/2025
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 10/1/2001 to 3/31/2025
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 4/1/2000 to 3/31/2025
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 10/1/1991 to 3/31/2025
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 10/1/1996 to 3/31/2025
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/9/2013 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/9/2014 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 10/19/1997 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/9/2013 to 10/31/2023
Gannon University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/10/2013 to 10/31/2025
Geneva College
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/1/2008 to 3/31/2024
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/18/2006 to 3/31/2024
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/18/2006 to 3/31/2024
Immaculata University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/7/2015 to 10/31/2024
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/12/2016 to 3/31/2020
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/18/2007 to 3/31/2020
Kutztown University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/14/2014 to 3/31/2024
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/14/2014 to 3/31/2024
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/14/2014 to 3/31/2024
La Salle University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/9/2013 to 3/31/2023
Lock Haven University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/7/2015 to 10/31/2024
Marywood University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 10/1/2001 to 10/31/2025
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 9/1/2000 to 10/31/2025
Messiah College
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/12/2012 to 10/31/2020
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/12/2012 to 10/31/2020
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/12/2012 to 10/31/2020
Messiah University (previously Messiah College)
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year (Re-Accreditation In-Process)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/12/2011 to 10/31/2020
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year (Re-Accreditation In-Process)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/12/2011 to 10/31/2020
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year (Re-Accreditation In-Process)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/12/2011 to 10/31/2020
Neumann University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/13/2016 to 3/31/2024
Pennsylvania State University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/9/2015 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/15/2012 to 10/31/2021
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/15/2012 to 10/31/2021
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/9/2014 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/1/2017 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 9/1/2001 to 10/31/2021
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 9/1/2001 to 10/31/2021
Shippensburg University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year (Interim Report Required)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/18/2018 to 3/31/2022
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year (Interim Report Required)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 6/1/1979 to 3/31/2022
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year (Interim Report Required)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 10/1/1994 to 3/31/2022
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year (Interim Report Required)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/18/2018 to 3/31/2022
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 12/1/1980 to 10/31/2019
Slippery Rock University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/10/2009 to 3/31/2019
University of Pittsburgh
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/9/2014 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/1/2017 to 10/31/2023
University of Scranton
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/10/2013 to 10/31/2022
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/1/2017 to 10/31/2022
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 9/1/1990 to 10/31/2022
Villanova University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/9/2014 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/9/2014 to 10/31/2023
Waynesburg University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year (Re-Accreditation In-Process)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/12/2011 to 10/31/2020
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year (Re-Accreditation In-Process)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/12/2011 to 10/31/2020
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year (Re-Accreditation In-Process)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/12/2016 to 10/31/2020
West Chester University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/16/2008 to 10/31/2025
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/14/2016 to 10/31/2025
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/16/2008 to 10/31/2025
All Accredited Schools with Counseling Degrees in Pennsylvania
View all programs in Pennsylvania below, or jump to all Pennsylvania CACREP accredited counseling programs.Alvernia University Reading
- Bachelors - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Baptist Bible College Seminary of Pennsylvania Clarks Summit
- Associates - Counseling Psychology
- Bachelors - Counseling Psychology
California University of Pennsylvania California
- M.Ed. in School Counseling
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Carlow University Pittsburgh
- Doctorate - Counseling Psychology
Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Delaware Valley University Doylestown
- Bachelors - Counseling Psychology
Drexel University Philadelphia
- Bachelors - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
- Doctorate - Marriage and Family Therapy
Duquesne University Pittsburgh
- Doctorate - School Counseling
- M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S.Ed. in Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling/Therapy
- M.S.Ed. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
- M.S.Ed. in School Counseling
- Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
Eastern University Saint Davids
- Doctorate - Marriage and Family Therapy
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Edinboro
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.A. in School Counseling
- M.A. in Student Affairs and College Counseling
Gannon University Erie
- Doctorate - Counseling Psychology
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Geneva College Beaver Falls
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.A. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
- M.A. in School Counseling
Immaculata University Immaculata
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.Ed. in School Counseling
Kutztown University Kutztown
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.A. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
- M.S. in School Counseling
La Salle University Philadelphia
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Lancaster Bible College Lancaster
- Bachelors - Clinical Counseling
Lehigh University Bethlehem
- Doctorate - Counseling Psychology
Lock Haven University Lock Haven
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Marywood University Scranton
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S. in School Counseling
Messiah College Mechanicsburg
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.A. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
- M.A. in School Counseling
Messiah University (previously Messiah College) Mechanicsburg
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.A. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
- M.A. in School Counseling
Montgomery County Community College Blue Bell
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Neumann University Aston
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Pennsylvania State University University Park
- M.E. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.Ed. in Career Counseling
- M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.Ed. in School Counseling
- Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park
- Doctorate - Counseling Psychology
- Doctorate - School Counseling
Reading Area Community College Reading
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Shippensburg University Shippensburg
- Ed.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
- M.Ed. in School Counseling
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S. in College Counseling and Student Affairs
- M.S. in Student Affairs and College Counseling
Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock
- M.A. in Student Affairs
Temple University Philadelphia
- Doctorate - Counseling Psychology
University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
University of Scranton Scranton
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.S. in School Counseling
Villanova University Villanova
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S. in School Counseling
Waynesburg University Waynesburg
- M.A. in Addiction Counseling
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
West Chester University West Chester
- M.Ed. in School Counseling
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S. in College Counseling and Student Affairs