What you’ll learn in this article…
- CACREP accreditation streamlines Louisiana LPC licensure and enables easier portability to other states.
- Substance abuse and mental health counselor employment is projected to grow 23% nationally through the next decade.
- Louisiana public university counseling programs can cost significantly less than private options, even after financial aid.
- Earning an LPC in Louisiana typically requires a 60 credit hour master's degree plus 3,000 hours of supervised experience.
Louisiana's Licensed Professional Counselor workforce is growing faster than the national average, yet many prospective students underestimate how much net program cost varies across the state. Among the five ranked master's programs in counseling, annual net prices range from approximately $12,500 at public universities like McNeese State to over $23,600 at private institutions such as Loyola. The difference compounds across a 60-credit program, making affordability a decisive factor for students who will face supervised hours and exam fees before earning their first paycheck as a licensed counselor.
Every ranked program holds CACREP accreditation, meaning graduates meet Louisiana's education requirement for LPC licensure. The real tension centers on format and cost: online and hybrid options expand access for working adults, but private-institution tuition often doubles the total investment. Median graduate debt across these programs ranges from $21,500 to roughly $27,000, and early-career earnings remain modest while candidates complete the 3,000 supervised clinical hours required for full licensure. For students still weighing the broader landscape, understanding how to become a counselor can help frame these Louisiana-specific trade-offs.
Best Counseling Master's Programs in Louisiana, Ranked by Affordability & Outcomes
Louisiana offers a compact but compelling set of counseling master's programs, ranging from fully online public university options to hybrid private programs rooted in social justice practice. The five programs below were evaluated on affordability, graduate outcomes, accreditation status, and flexibility of delivery. Program-level earnings data is not yet available for these counseling tracks, so institution-wide median earnings and debt figures from the College Scorecard are used as proxies. Graduation rates listed are also institution-wide and do not reflect program-specific completion.
- Tuition and net price
- Graduate debt levels
- Institution-wide earnings outcomes
- Accreditation and licensure alignment
- Delivery format flexibility
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Independent program research
- Internal program database
University of Louisiana at Monroe
The University of Louisiana at Monroe stands out as one of the most affordable counseling options in the state, with an estimated total program cost near $30,000 for in-state students. Its fully online counseling programs require no residency, making them especially accessible for working professionals and students in rural parts of Louisiana. With a large pool of roughly 30 electives, students can tailor coursework toward interests such as trauma, play therapy, or substance use while still meeting Louisiana LPC or school counselor certification requirements.
- CACREP-accredited, 60-credit-hour program
- Fully online with no residency requirement
- Prepares for Louisiana K-12 school counselor certification
- Practicum and internship experiences included
- Multicultural counseling and career development coursework
- Electives in play therapy and addiction counseling
- 60-credit-hour fully online program
- Prepares graduates for Louisiana LPC licensure
- Covers DSM-5 disorders and psychopharmacology
- Training in diverse counseling methods
- Practicum and internship components required
- Not yet CACREP-accredited; verify current status
Master of Science in Counseling, School Counseling — Online
Master of Science in Counseling, Addictions Counseling — Online
McNeese State University
McNeese State University's hybrid Master of Education in School Counseling pairs one of the lowest tuition rates in the state with standout outcome metrics: the program reports 100% completion, licensure pass, and job placement rates. In-state tuition sits around $8,502 and out-of-state students pay only modestly more at roughly $10,002, making it unusually affordable even for nonresidents. The hybrid format blends online coursework with limited on-campus sessions in Lake Charles, striking a practical balance for students who want some face-to-face training without a full-time campus commitment.
- CACREP-accredited hybrid program
- Reports 100% completion, licensure pass, and placement rates
- Low out-of-state tuition narrows resident/nonresident gap
- Field placements integrated into curriculum
- Designed for aspiring K-12 school counselors
- Blends online learning with on-campus components
Master of Education in School Counseling — Hybrid
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Northwestern State University of Louisiana is the only public school on this list offering both a clinical mental health counseling concentration and a school counseling concentration under its CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Counseling. Both tracks are delivered in a hybrid format from the Natchitoches campus. The university also offers an affordable online Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies, creating a low-cost feeder pathway for students who plan to continue into graduate counseling work. No specific undergraduate major is required for admission to the M.A. program, broadening access for career changers.
- CACREP-accredited, 60-credit-hour hybrid program
- Meets Louisiana school counseling certification requirements
- Curriculum aligned with the ASCA National Model
- Full-time and part-time study options available
- Comprehensive exam required for completion
- No specific undergraduate major required for admission
- CACREP-accredited, 60-credit-hour hybrid program
- Prepares students for Louisiana LPC licensure
- Interview-based admissions process
- Comprehensive exam and thesis or project required
- No specific undergraduate degree prerequisite
- Meets state licensure requirements for clinical practice
Master of Arts in Counseling, School Counseling — Hybrid
Master of Arts in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling — Hybrid
University of Holy Cross
The University of Holy Cross in New Orleans provides fully online counseling master's programs with CACREP accreditation in both school counseling and clinical mental health counseling. As a private institution, its tuition of approximately $15,406 is higher than the public options above, but its 7-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio is the smallest in this ranking, offering a more personalized graduate experience. The program requires two four-day residencies and over 700 clinical hours, balancing online convenience with meaningful hands-on training. Institution-wide median graduate debt is about $26,995, and median earnings ten years after enrollment reach roughly $49,316.
- CACREP-accredited online program with two residencies
- Over 700 clinical hours required
- Three-year completion timeline
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA for admission
- Cultural respect and professional development emphasis
- Research presentation opportunities at national conferences
- CACREP-accredited, fully online with residency components
- Over 700 clinical experience hours
- Prepares graduates for Louisiana LPC licensure
- Three-year flexible completion timeline
- Multiple specialization options available
- Professional conference involvement encouraged
Counseling, School Counseling — Online
Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling — Online
Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans rounds out the list as a higher-cost private option distinguished by its social justice orientation and robust clinical training model. The hybrid Master of Science in Counseling in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires 60 credits and 740 clinical training hours, one of the highest practicum requirements among Louisiana programs. Loyola posts the strongest institution-wide graduation rate on this list at 59% and the highest median earnings ten years out at roughly $52,927, though these figures reflect the full university, not the counseling program alone. The net price of approximately $23,696 reflects typical aid for graduate students at the institution.
- 60-credit hybrid program with 740 clinical training hours
- Grounded in a science-practitioner learning model
- Social justice paradigm embedded across the curriculum
- Trains students to work with diverse client populations
- Tailored electives for specialization in clinical interests
- Prepares graduates for Louisiana LPC licensure
- Multiple theoretical orientations covered
- Hybrid format combines online and on-campus learning
Master of Science in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling — Hybrid
How We Ranked Louisiana Counseling Programs
Choosing a counseling master's program often comes down to a real tension: the programs with the strongest name recognition are not always the ones that leave graduates in the best financial position. This ranking tips the scales deliberately toward affordability and practical outcomes, not prestige alone.
What This Ranking Prioritizes
Because this list focuses on affordable options, cost and financial aid carry the heaviest weight. That means programs with lower net prices and stronger aid packages rise higher in the results, even if a more expensive school might carry a more recognizable name. The goal is to help you find a program where the investment makes sense relative to what you can realistically expect to earn after graduation.
Outcomes data, including median earnings among graduates and typical debt loads, also factor into how programs are ordered. A low sticker price matters less if graduates are carrying heavy debt and struggling to find work. Graduation rates are included as well, though it is worth being direct about a limitation: those figures reflect institution-wide completion rates, not rates specific to the counseling program. Individual program performance may differ.
Online and Hybrid Programs Only
This particular ranking covers only programs offered fully online or in a hybrid format. Louisiana students weighing geographic flexibility, work schedules, or family obligations are the core audience here. Programs requiring full-time, on-campus attendance are not included in this set, though they may appear elsewhere on counselingpsychology.org. If your career goals eventually point toward advanced research or academia, you may also want to explore counseling doctoral programs.
A Note on Net Price
The net price figures used here are averages drawn from federal data. Your actual cost will depend on your household income, whether you qualify for institutional aid, and how many credits you transfer in. Treat the numbers as a starting point for comparison, not a personal quote. Contact each program's financial aid office to get a figure that reflects your specific situation.
Louisiana Counseling Program Cost Comparison
Tuition and total cost vary significantly across Louisiana counseling master's programs, especially between public and private institutions. The table below compares annual tuition rates, estimated net price after aid, median graduate debt, and median earnings ten years after enrollment for five schools featured on counselingpsychology.org. All figures are drawn from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard data. Note that program-level earnings data are not yet available for these specific counseling programs, so institution-wide medians are shown instead.
| School | Type | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) | Median Graduate Debt | Median Earnings (10 yr) | Student-to-Faculty Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McNeese State University | Public | $8,502 | $10,002 | $12,493 | $23,000 | $46,453 | 20:1 |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe | Public | $9,399 | $21,499 | $13,466 | $21,500 | $46,769 | 18:1 |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Public | $9,758 | $20,546 | $13,606 | $25,000 | $47,021 | 16:1 |
| University of Holy Cross | Private | $15,406 | $15,406 | $15,635 | $26,995 | $49,316 | 7:1 |
| Loyola University New Orleans | Private | $21,631 | $21,631 | $23,696 | $26,000 | $52,927 | 12:1 |
Questions to Ask Yourself
Online vs. On-Campus Counseling Programs in Louisiana
Choosing between online and on-campus formats is one of the most consequential decisions you will make when selecting a counseling master's program. Both paths can lead to the same license and career outcomes, but they suit different lifestyles and learning preferences. Many Louisiana programs now offer a hybrid middle ground, blending online coursework with periodic on-campus intensives for clinical skill practice.
Pros
- Online programs offer scheduling flexibility that lets working professionals complete coursework on evenings and weekends.
- Studying online can lower total program cost by eliminating relocation expenses, commuting, and on-campus fees.
- Online enrollment opens access to CACREP accredited programs across Louisiana, not just those near your home.
- Hybrid formats combine the convenience of online lectures with periodic campus intensives for hands-on clinical training.
- Online cohorts often include students from diverse geographic and professional backgrounds, broadening your peer network.
Cons
- On-campus programs provide face-to-face clinical skill building through live role-plays, group exercises, and immediate faculty feedback.
- In-person cohort models tend to foster stronger local professional networks that support job placement after graduation.
- Campus-based students often find it easier to coordinate practicum and internship placements with nearby clinical sites.
- Regardless of format, all licensure-track programs require supervised practicum and internship hours completed in person.
- Some students find that self-paced online coursework demands greater personal discipline than a structured classroom schedule.
Median Earnings and Debt for Louisiana Counseling Graduates
We intended to present a grouped bar chart comparing one-year median earnings and median debt at completion across the ranked Louisiana counseling master's programs. However, the federal College Scorecard has not yet published program-level earnings or debt data for these specific programs. These figures are program-level Scorecard metrics and, when available, reflect cohort medians rather than guarantees of individual outcomes. We will update this section as new data is released.
CACREP Accreditation and Why It Matters in Louisiana
Choosing a counseling master's program is not just about tuition or convenience. The accreditation behind your degree can determine whether you qualify for licensure in Louisiana, how many supervised hours you need, and how easily you can practice in other states down the road. Understanding CACREP accreditation before you enroll can save you significant time, money, and frustration.
What CACREP Accreditation Means
CACREP, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, is widely recognized as the gold standard for counseling program quality. Programs that earn CACREP accreditation have met rigorous standards for curriculum design, faculty qualifications, clinical training, and student outcomes. In Louisiana, graduating from a CACREP-accredited program is directly tied to eligibility for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure. The Louisiana LPC Board of Examiners uses CACREP standards as a benchmark when evaluating whether an applicant's graduate coursework meets licensure requirements.
Louisiana Programs With CACREP Accreditation
As of the 2025-2026 accreditation cycle, four counseling programs in Louisiana hold full CACREP accreditation:1
- Southeastern Louisiana University: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S.), accredited through October 31, 2030
- LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.H.S.)
- University of Louisiana at Monroe: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S.)
- Xavier University of Louisiana: M.A. in Counseling
No Louisiana programs are currently listed in candidacy status.1 If you are considering a program not on this list, verify its accreditation status through the CACREP directory of accredited programs before enrolling.
What Happens Without CACREP Accreditation
Graduating from a non-CACREP program does not automatically disqualify you from pursuing LPC licensure in Louisiana, but it can complicate the process considerably. Applicants from non-accredited programs may need to demonstrate that their coursework aligns with CACREP content standards on a course-by-course basis. In some cases, this means completing additional graduate-level courses or logging extra supervised clinical hours before the board will approve a licensure application. These extra steps can add semesters of work and thousands of dollars in cost to your path.
Portability Across State Lines
CACREP accreditation also matters if you ever plan to practice outside Louisiana. Many states require or strongly prefer that licensure applicants hold a degree from a CACREP-accredited program, which is worth considering when exploring online licensed professional counselor programs. Some states with license reciprocity or endorsement agreements give streamlined processing to CACREP graduates, while applicants from non-accredited programs may face lengthy transcript reviews and supplemental requirements. If there is any chance you will relocate or pursue telehealth clients across state lines, attending a CACREP-accredited program offers far greater flexibility and fewer bureaucratic hurdles in the long run.
How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Louisiana
The Louisiana LPC Board of Examiners governs every stage of the counselor licensure pathway. Aspiring counselors should review the Board's official requirements early in their graduate studies, since each step builds on the last and the full process typically spans two to six years after earning a master's degree. Here is the credential ladder from enrollment to full licensure.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors will grow 23% nationally, a rate much faster than average for all occupations. In Louisiana specifically, the median annual wage for these counselors was $39,090 as of May 2023, underscoring both strong demand and room for growth as the field expands.
Admissions Requirements for Louisiana Counseling Programs
Admissions requirements are the specific academic credentials, test scores, and supplementary materials each graduate program demands before offering you a seat. These vary considerably across Louisiana institutions, so understanding the baseline expectations helps you prepare a competitive application while avoiding last-minute surprises.
GPA Expectations
Most Louisiana counseling programs require a minimum undergraduate GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Southeastern Louisiana University and University of Louisiana at Monroe both set their threshold around 2.5, though stronger applicants typically present GPAs closer to 3.2 or higher. Northwestern State University and Louisiana Tech often look for at least a 2.75. If your GPA falls below the stated minimum, some programs offer conditional admission pathways that allow you to prove yourself in initial coursework before full acceptance.
Standardized Testing
GRE and MAT requirements have shifted dramatically in recent years. Several Louisiana programs, including options at McNeese State University and University of Holy Cross, have adopted test-optional policies or waive standardized tests for applicants meeting certain GPA thresholds. Others still request GRE scores but weigh them alongside professional experience and personal statements rather than using rigid cutoffs. Because policies change frequently, visit each university's graduate admissions page and search for the specific counseling program to confirm current testing requirements.
Prerequisite Courses and Prior Degrees
You do not necessarily need an undergraduate psychology degree to enter a counseling master's program in Louisiana. Most institutions accept students from education, social work, sociology, or even unrelated fields, though some require foundational coursework in psychology, human development, or statistics before enrollment or during your first semester. University of Louisiana at Monroe, for example, may ask students without a behavioral science background to complete introductory psychology prerequisites. If you are still exploring counseling degrees at different levels, reviewing prerequisite expectations early can save time regardless of the program you choose.
Additional Materials
Beyond transcripts and test scores, expect to submit a personal statement explaining your interest in counseling, two or three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references, and a current resume. Some programs conduct interviews, either in person or virtually, to assess interpersonal skills and professional readiness.
Verifying Current Requirements
Admissions criteria can shift from one application cycle to the next. Check each program's Graduate Bulletin or Catalog, typically available as a PDF on the university website, for the most accurate details. When information appears unclear or outdated, contact the program coordinator directly. You can also verify a program's CACREP accreditation status through cacrep.org, which links to individual school pages that often outline specific admissions expectations.
Louisiana Counselor Salary and Career Outlook
Working in a community mental health counselor role versus building a private practice represents two very different salary trajectories in Louisiana, and understanding the pay landscape helps you set realistic expectations before you commit to a graduate program.
Statewide and National Wage Comparison
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Louisiana was approximately $40,200 as of 2024.1 That figure sits well below the national median of roughly $59,190 for the same occupational group.2 Louisiana's lower cost of living offsets some of that gap, but prospective students should factor this difference into their financial planning, especially when weighing program tuition against likely early-career earnings.
Metro-Area Salary Variation
Salaries in Louisiana can shift meaningfully depending on where you practice. Historically, the New Orleans-Metairie and Baton Rouge metro areas tend to offer higher median wages for counselors than smaller markets like Shreveport-Bossier City or Lafayette, reflecting greater demand from hospitals, university counseling centers, and community behavioral health agencies concentrated in those regions. Exact metro-level figures fluctuate with each BLS release, so checking the most current data before you make relocation decisions is a wise step.
What Program Graduates Earn
Program-level earnings data for the counseling master's programs ranked on this page are not yet available through federal reporting. However, institution-wide median earnings ten years after enrollment for top-ranked schools such as Loyola University New Orleans (roughly $52,900) and University of Louisiana at Monroe (roughly $46,800) suggest that graduates from these institutions can reach or exceed Louisiana's statewide counselor median over time. Keep in mind that institution-wide figures blend all degree levels and fields, so they are directional rather than precise for counseling specifically. Students exploring broader options may also want to compare best online master's in counseling programs nationwide.
Employment Settings and Their Impact on Pay
Where you work shapes your paycheck as much as where you live. Common employment settings for Louisiana counselors include:
- Community health centers: Often the largest employers, though salaries may trend closer to the state median or slightly below.
- Hospitals and healthcare systems: Tend to offer higher base pay along with benefits packages, particularly in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge corridors.
- Schools and universities: School counselors may follow a different pay scale tied to the local district, with salaries varying widely across parishes.
- Private practice: Earning potential is the highest here over time, but building a caseload takes years, and overhead costs reduce early income.
Job Growth Outlook
The BLS projects roughly 17 percent national job growth for this occupational category from 2024 to 2034, which is considerably faster than average. Louisiana's ongoing expansion of behavioral health services, driven by Medicaid coverage changes and heightened awareness of mental health needs, suggests the state will share in that demand. Graduates entering the field in 2026 should find a receptive job market, particularly in underserved rural parishes where provider shortages remain acute.
Published tuition is just the starting point: total program cost also includes fees, textbooks, technology charges, liability insurance for your practicum placement, and travel for any required on-campus residencies. Budget roughly 10 to 20 percent above the listed tuition figure so these extras do not catch you off guard.
FAQs About Counseling Master's Programs in Louisiana
Choosing a counseling master's program in Louisiana involves weighing accreditation, cost, format, and licensure timelines. Below are answers to the questions prospective students ask most often, drawn from current program data and state licensing requirements.
