Best Counseling Schools in Mississippi

How to Find a Counseling Program in Mississippi

Your choice of counseling program should be based on your unique needs. Whether you prioritize tuition cost, class schedule program specialization, or something else, there’s bound to be a counseling degree program in Mississippi for you.

Counseling Degree Pathways in Mississippi

The programs available include everything from comparatively short associate degrees to potentially lengthy doctorate degrees. Here’s a breakdown of the most common degree options for counseling students:

• Associate Degree: An associate degree is the lowest postsecondary degree available. It requires a high school diploma and takes two years to complete. You’ll likely be qualified for entry jobs upon graduating.

• Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor’s degree is the most common undergraduate degree available. It too requires high school but takes four years to complete. You’ll be qualified for entry positions and mid-level positions upon graduating

• Master’s Degree: A master’s degree is the most common graduate degree available. It requires a bachelor’s and takes one to two years to complete. You’ll be able to continue with the licensure process upon graduating.

• Doctorate Degree: A doctorate degree is the most advanced degree available. It requires a bachelor’s or master’s, depending on the competitiveness of the particular program. You can specialize in research with a Ph.D. or clinical counseling with a Psy.D. You’ll likely be qualified for senior and leadership positions upon graduating.

• Graduate Certificate: A graduate certificate is the shortest program, taking only six months to one year. You’ll need a bachelor’s or master’s to begin and can use the certificate to specialize.

Choose the degree option that you’re qualified for, and that will best prepare you for whatever your next step is.

Choose a Counseling Specialty

Counseling programs can avail you of many specialization options as you complete a degree. These might give you a jump start in a particular area of counseling, or they can help you advance further by differentiating yourself. For example, you might consider a specialization in:

• Marriage and family counseling

• Mental health counseling

• School counseling

• Addiction counseling

• Rehabilitation counseling

Check School Accreditation

To ensure that your counseling degree indeed does help you academically and/or professionally, only consider attending accredited programs. An accredited program is guaranteed to meet accepted academic standards.

The most common counseling degree-accrediting organizations are the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP).

Online vs. Traditional Counseling Programs in Mississippi

Accredited programs are offered through both online courses and traditional courses. You may enroll in an online program for its flexibility or lower tuition. You might choose a traditional program if the logistics work for you, and you want more interaction with classmates.

Becoming a Licensed Counselor in Mississippi

To become a licensed counselor in Mississippi, you need to complete an accredited master’s degree in a related field. The degree also has to include 60 semester hours, and a 600-hour practicum (internship). You also need 3,000 hours of supervision, a passing score on the licensing exam, and a fee payment.

Once licensed, you must complete 24 continuing education units (CEUs) annually. Licenses must be renewed each year.

List of Counseling Degree Programs in Mississippi

Are you searching for a counseling degree program in Mississippi? Browse our comprehensive list of schools offering counseling programs, both online and on-campus, and follow the links to learn more about what each program has to offer.