List of Counseling Degrees in Tennessee

Tennessee offers a variety of degree programs for students interested in becoming professional counselors. From undergraduate programs that introduce the foundations of psychology and human services to graduate-level degrees that lead to licensure, the state provides multiple pathways into the counseling profession. With opportunities to study at large public universities, private colleges, and flexible online programs, students in Tennessee can prepare for careers in school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, and substance use treatment.

Undergraduate Counseling Programs in Tennessee

Students in Tennessee who want to pursue counseling often begin with undergraduate programs in psychology, human services, or related majors. These programs introduce key areas such as human development, counseling theory, research, and communication skills. Many also offer internship opportunities that allow students to gain early exposure to the field.For those seeking flexibility, an online bachelor’s degree in counseling can be a convenient way to complete foundational studies while preparing for the graduate training needed for licensure.

School and Program Information	Online Program? Entry Requirements	Course Information
Walden University MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online GRE scores not required	Mental health counselors play a valuable role in helping people cope with life’s challenges. Walden’s online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program can help you become the competent, compassionate counselor you know you can be. Learn More
Walden University MS in School Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online GRE scores not required	School counselors help students overcome obstacles and shape successful futures. Walden’s online MS in School Counseling program will give you a solid foundation in school counseling theories, approaches, and best practices while enabling you to gain hands-on experience. 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 Full-time, part-time, and accelerated track options available 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
Grand Canyon University Master's Degree in Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online	Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's degree emphases include: Childhood and Adolescence Disorders, Christian Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Trauma. Designed to meet the academic requirements of the National Board for Certified Counselors for the National Certified Counselor credential, the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor credential and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. As a private university, GCU has the same in-state and out-of-state tuition. Learn More
Liberty University MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online Online with required intensives	Our CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling degree online can help you become an ethical, well-trained mental health counselor with the knowledge, values, and skills you need to empower others to make positive changes in their lives. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. Learn More
National 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
University of Denver Master of Arts in School Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online No GRE Required; Minimum GPA 2.5 Required	Earn a Master’s degree in School Counseling online from the University of Denver. Learn from doctoral-level faculty in live classes and gain experience through mock counseling and in-field training. No GRE required. Complete in as few as 24 months. Learn More
Mid-America Christian University (MACU) Master of Science (MS) in Counseling Higher Learning Commission (HLC)	✔ Online 100% Online	Expand your impact with an online counseling degree rooted in faith-based practice. Mid-America Christian University offers the largest Master of Science (MS) in Counseling program in Oklahoma, with emphasis areas in addiction and substance abuse, applied behavioral science, clinical mental health counseling, and marriage and family therapy. Explore the online MS in Counseling at MACU. Learn More

Graduate Counseling Programs in Tennessee

Graduate programs in Tennessee prepare students for advanced practice in school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, and related specialties. These programs combine academic coursework with supervised clinical training to ensure graduates are ready for professional licensure.

Several Tennessee universities offer programs that align with national standards, including CACREP-accredited online counseling programs. Students may also explore flexible pathways such as an online master’s degree in counseling, an online master’s in counseling without a GRE, or online counseling PhD programs.

Top Tennessee Schools with Counseling Programs

The best counseling program is the one that matches your career goals, interests, and personal circumstances. The following universities represent some of Tennessee’s leading options for counseling education. Use this list as a starting point when exploring your choices:

Vanderbilt University

Featured Program: Human Development Counseling (M.Ed.)
Vanderbilt University’s Human Development Counseling (HDC) M.Ed. program at Peabody College offers three CACREP-accredited tracks: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and a Dual Track combining both. Students build a strong foundation in counseling theories, human development, and evidence-based practices, supported by a robust internship experience (3 semesters for single tracks, 5 semesters for dual). Graduates are prepared for licensure (e.g., LPC, school counselor certification) and careers in schools, private practice, agencies, or higher education, with opportunities to pursue doctoral study.

About Vanderbilt University
Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University is a private research institution known for its top-ranked Peabody College of Education and Human Development. Peabody emphasizes evidence-based practice, social justice, and leadership in education and counseling, preparing graduates to serve diverse communities locally and globally.

University of Tennessee at Knoxville

Featured Program: Master of Science in Counseling
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville offers a face-to-face MS in Counseling with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) and School Counseling, plus a dual option covering both areas. The 60-credit program (dual completed across three years) is designed for full-time study over two years, with most classes held Monday–Thursday during the day or early evening. All students complete a 100-hour practicum and a two-semester, 600-hour internship; dual-option students complete a year of internship in each setting. The program is CACREP-accredited. CMHC coursework meets Tennessee’s educational requirements for LPC/MHSP, and the School Counseling concentration fulfills educational requirements for PreK–12 school counselor licensure in Tennessee. Admission is for summer start only and uses a holistic, two-step process (written application and on-campus interview). GRE scores are not required.

About the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is a public research university and the flagship campus of the UT System. Located in Knoxville, it offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and emphasizes community engagement and professional preparation across the state and region.

Belmont University

Featured Program: Mental Health Counseling (M.A.)
Belmont University’s M.A. in Mental Health Counseling blends contemporary psychotherapeutic training with a spiritually informed, Christian perspective. Students choose from four 60-credit specialty tracks—Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling, Clinical Pastoral Therapy, or School Counseling. The CMHC, MCFC, and Pastoral Therapy tracks are taught primarily on campus; the School Counseling track is delivered online with one weekend intensive per semester. The curriculum includes practicum and internship experiences supported by extensive field affiliations in the Nashville area and interprofessional simulation via Belmont’s Center for Interprofessional Engagement & Simulation. The program notes current CACREP accreditation in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Couples, Marriage, and Family Therapy and emphasizes preparation for professional licensure.

About Belmont University
Belmont University is a private Christian university in Nashville, Tennessee. Known for a student-centered approach and professional programs across health and the liberal arts, Belmont offers hands-on learning and strong community partnerships. Its Nashville setting provides broad opportunities for clinical placements and interdisciplinary collaboration within a major health care hub.

Here are a few schools in Tennessee with CACREP-accredited counseling programs:

Click to jump to the full list of Tennessee counseling programs, or consider learning more about one of the below online counseling program currently accepting applicants.

*Sponsored Counseling Programs

Snapshot: Online CACREP Accredited Programs

Walden University

MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Mental health counselors play a valuable role in helping people cope with life’s challenges. Walden’s online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program can help you become the competent, compassionate counselor you know you can be. Click for admissions info.

CACREP Accredited

✔ Online

How to Become a Licensed Counselor in Tennessee

Counseling licensure in Tennessee is regulated by the Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists, under the Department of Health. The primary credential for clinical counseling is the Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation (LPC/MHSP).

LPC/MHSP Pathway — Tennessee Requirements

• Earn the qualifying graduate degree.
  Applicants must hold a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution. The degree must include at least 60 graduate semester hours covering core content areas such as counseling theory, human growth and development, ethics, assessment, group counseling, and research.
  
• Complete practicum and internship.
  Graduate training must include a 500-hour supervised practicum/internship with at least 300 direct client contact hours.
  
• Apply as a Temporary Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC temp).
  After graduation, candidates may apply for a temporary license to begin their supervised post-degree experience.
  
• Accrue supervised post-degree experience.
  Tennessee requires 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over a minimum of two years, including at least 1,500 hours of direct client contact. Supervision must be provided by a Board-approved LPC/MHSP or equivalent supervisor, with a minimum of 150 hours of documented supervision.
  
• Pass the required examinations.
  
  • To qualify as an LPC and for a temporary license: the National Counselor Examination (NCE).
    
  • For full LPC/MHSP licensure: the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), in addition to the NCE.
    
  • All applicants must also pass the Tennessee Jurisprudence Exam on state laws and ethics.
    
• Apply for full LPC/MHSP licensure.
  Once education, supervision, and exam requirements are met, candidates may apply for full LPC/MHSP status. To maintain licensure, counselors must complete 10 hours of continuing education each year, including 3 hours in ethics.
  

For additional planning resources, see:

• What an LPC is and does
  
• Steps on how to become an LPC
  
• Broader ways to become a counselor

Counseling Licensure Titles in Tennessee

Tennessee recognizes multiple counseling-related credentials, each regulated by the Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists or other state agencies. The major titles include:

Clinical Counseling (regulated by the Tennessee Board)

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): The foundational counseling license in Tennessee.
  
• Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation (LPC/MHSP): The advanced license required for independent clinical practice, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders.
  
• Temporary Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC temp): A provisional license allowing graduates to begin accruing supervised hours.
  
• Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT): For professionals specializing in therapy with couples and families.
  
• Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapist (LCPT): A unique Tennessee credential for professionals who integrate counseling and spiritual care.
  

School Counseling (regulated by the Tennessee Department of Education – TN DOE)

• School Counselor PreK–12 License: Required for those working in public schools. Issued by the TN DOE, not the counseling licensure board, and based on completion of a master’s degree in school counseling plus educator preparation standards.
  

Substance Use Disorder Counseling (regulated by the Tennessee Board of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors)

• Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC I and LADAC II): State-recognized licenses for substance use disorder professionals, requiring supervised experience and exams.
  
• Other Credentials: Tennessee also recognizes recovery and prevention certifications for paraprofessionals and specialists.

Transferring a Counseling License to Tennessee

Counselors moving to Tennessee may be able to transfer their credentials through licensure by endorsement or reciprocity, depending on the credential type and the issuing board.

• Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC / LPC/MHSP), LMFTs, and LCPTs: Out-of-state applicants apply through the Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists. To qualify, applicants must show that their degree, exams, and supervised experience are substantially equivalent to Tennessee’s requirements. The Board may require additional documentation or supervised experience if gaps are identified.
  
• School Counselors: Out-of-state school counselors apply through the Tennessee Department of Education (TN DOE). Eligibility for a Tennessee school counseling license is based on review of transcripts, prior state licensure, and professional experience.
  
• Substance Use Disorder Counselors: Licensure for alcohol and drug abuse counselors (LADAC I and II) is managed by the Tennessee Board of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors. Transfer eligibility depends on whether the applicant’s prior credential is comparable to Tennessee’s standards.
  

Applicants should consult the appropriate state agency for the most current requirements:

• Tennessee Board for LPC, LMFT, and LCPT – Tennessee Health Professional Boards
  
• TN DOE – Tennessee Department of Education
  
• Tennessee Board of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors – Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Licensing

Counseling Scholarships and Financial Aid in Tennessee

Students in Tennessee pursuing counseling degrees can access a variety of scholarships and financial aid programs to help offset the cost of higher education. Funding support is available through state initiatives, universities, and professional organizations.

Some common options include:

• State-based financial aid: Programs such as the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship and Tennessee Promise provide tuition support for eligible students attending in-state institutions.
  
• University scholarships: Many Tennessee colleges and universities, including Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee, offer merit- and need-based scholarships as well as graduate assistantships for counseling students.
  
• Professional associations: The Tennessee Counseling Association and national groups such as the American Counseling Association (ACA) provide information, scholarships, grants, and fellowships for students pursuing counseling degrees.
  
• Federal financial aid: Completing the FAFSA allows students to access federal grants, loans, and work-study programs.
  

Students should connect with their university’s financial aid office and check professional association websites regularly for the latest scholarship opportunities.

Counseling Job Outlook and Salary in Tennessee

Understanding the career landscape is an important step when considering a counseling degree. The data in the following table was gathered from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2025 and provides insights into employment trends and average salaries for counseling professionals in Tennessee.

Walden University - MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Walden University - MS in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Northwestern University - Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Northwestern University - Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE Accredited)

Grand Canyon University - Master's Degree in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Liberty University - MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

National University - Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (WSCUC Accredited)

University of Denver - Master of Arts in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Mid-America Christian University (MACU) - Master of Science (MS) in Counseling (Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Accredited)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need a CACREP-accredited degree to become licensed in Tennessee?
No. CACREP accreditation is not required, but your program must include at least 60 graduate semester hours and cover the Board’s required coursework areas. A CACREP-accredited program can make it easier to demonstrate compliance and may improve license portability to other states.

How long does it take to become an LPC/MHSP in Tennessee?
The process typically takes 7–9 years: about four years for a bachelor’s degree, two to three years for a master’s program, and at least two additional years to complete the 3,000 hours of required supervised experience.

What exams are required for LPC/MHSP licensure in Tennessee?
Applicants must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) to qualify for an LPC license and temporary license. To obtain the LPC/MHSP designation, applicants must also pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). All candidates must pass the Tennessee Jurisprudence Exam.

Can I transfer my counseling license to Tennessee?
Yes. Licensed counselors from other states may apply for licensure by endorsement if their education, exams, and supervised experience are substantially equivalent to Tennessee’s requirements.

Who regulates school counselors in Tennessee?
School counseling credentials are managed by the Tennessee Department of Education, not the counseling licensure board.

Making a Counseling Career in Tennessee

Tennessee offers diverse opportunities for those entering the counseling profession. Licensed counselors are needed across the state in schools, hospitals, community mental health agencies, private practice, and substance use treatment programs. With a growing focus on mental health services in both rural and urban communities, demand for qualified counselors continues to rise.

By completing the necessary education, supervised training, and licensure steps, you can join a community of professionals dedicated to improving the well-being of individuals and families. Whether your path leads you toward school counseling, marriage and family therapy, clinical mental health counseling, or addiction treatment, Tennessee provides a supportive environment to establish a long-term and rewarding counseling career.

Popular Online Counseling Programs

Walden University 🗹 Online Masters

MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

CACREP Accredited

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Walden University 🗹 Online Masters

MS in School Counseling

CACREP Accredited

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Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters

Online MA in Counseling

CACREP Accredited

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Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters

Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy

COAMFTE Accredited

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Grand Canyon University 🗹 Online

Master's Degree in Counseling

CACREP Accredited

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Liberty University 🗹 Online

MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling

CACREP Accredited

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National University 🗹 Online Courses Start Weekly

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

WSCUC Accredited

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University of Denver 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters

Master of Arts in School Counseling

CACREP Accredited

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Mid-America Christian University (MACU) 🗹 Online

Master of Science (MS) in Counseling

Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Accredited

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The Chicago School 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters

M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

CACREP Accredited

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Schools With Campus-Based CACREP Accredited Tennessee 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 Tennessee. Keep scrolling or jump to all programs for all programs or view online CACREP accredited counseling programs.

All Accredited Schools with Counseling Degrees in Tennessee

View all programs in Tennessee below, or jump to all Tennessee CACREP accredited counseling programs.