What you’ll learn in this article…
- Georgia requires 3,000 supervised post-master's hours before full LPC licensure, plus passing the NCE or NCMHCE.
- CACREP accreditation streamlines license portability across states and is preferred by most Georgia employers.
- Several Georgia institutions offer counseling master's programs with average net prices below $10,000 per year.
- The BLS reports a national median salary of roughly $53,710 for substance abuse and mental health counselors as of 2024.
Georgia's demand for licensed professional counselors continues to outpace supply, with the state projecting steady growth in mental health service roles through the end of the decade. For students weighing where to earn a master's in counseling, the decision often hinges on three factors: CACREP accreditation status, net price after aid, and whether the program format fits a working schedule.
Across the eleven programs ranked here, net prices range from roughly $6,900 at Georgia Highlands College to over $23,000 at Mercer University. Formats vary just as widely, from fully online degrees at Valdosta State and Fort Valley State to hybrid models requiring periodic campus residencies. CACREP accreditation, which streamlines Georgia LPC licensure and eases credential portability to other states, is available at several but not all of these institutions. Students exploring the broader landscape may also want to become a counselor by understanding the national requirements before narrowing their focus to Georgia-specific programs.
Best Master's in Counseling Programs in Georgia, Ranked for 2027
Georgia's strongest counseling master's programs cluster at public universities, where in-state tuition stays low and field placements are built around the districts and agencies near campus. This list focuses on affordable options and programs that working students can complete without relocating, which is why the lineup skews toward public institutions and schools with established distance options. A couple of entries are certificates or undergraduate pathways rather than full counseling master's degrees, and we flag those plainly so you know what you are looking at.
Factors considered
- Pell-eligible student enrollment share
- Net price after grant aid
- Institutional graduation and retention rates
- Student-faculty ratio
- Accreditation and licensure alignment
- Program-level records maintained in house
- Original research on individual programs — cacrep.org
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- Federal College Scorecard outcomes data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- CACREP accreditation directories — cacrep.org
Fort Valley State University
Fort Valley State University is a public HBCU with a long record of preparing Georgia educators, and its graduate offerings extend that mission into counseling. The university fields a CACREP-accredited school counselor education degree built as a grow-your-own pipeline for rural districts, a clinical mental health counseling track aimed at behavioral health shortages outside metro Atlanta, and a social work master's with an addiction counseling concentration. Students who care about licensure portability should note how each of these maps to Georgia credentials before applying.
- CACREP accredited in school counseling
- 60 credit hours, completed in about two years
- 700 clinical hours across three semesters
- Prepares for Georgia school counselor certification
- Entrance exam required; 2.8 GPA minimum
- Capstone research project required
- Application deadline of April 15
- Scholarships and financial aid available
- CACREP accredited in clinical mental health counseling
- 60 credit hours, completed in roughly two and a half years
- Three field experiences required
- Prepares for the Comprehensive Professional Counselor Exam
- Eligible for Georgia licensure
- $58 application fee; three letters of recommendation
- Prepares graduates for diverse mental health settings
- 54 credit hours; two-year program
- Alcohol and drug addiction counseling concentration
- Advanced standing available for BSW graduates
- Full-time and part-time enrollment options
- Prepares graduates for LMSW or LCSW careers
- HBCU with a social justice focus
M.S.Ed. in School Counselor Education, Master's — Online
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S.), Master's — Hybrid
Master of Social Work, Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counseling Concentration — Online
Albany State University
Albany State University is a public HBCU in southwest Georgia whose counselor education department awards both school counseling and clinical mental health counseling master's degrees, each CACREP accredited at 60 credit hours. The programs were shaped around the rural districts and community agencies of the region, so students typically complete supervised hours close to home. Both routes prepare graduates for Georgia licensure and for the National Counselor Examination.
- CACREP accredited in school counseling
- 60 credit hours with full-time and part-time options
- Two 4-day residencies required
- 100% licensure pass rate reported by the university
- 100% job placement rate reported by the university
- 2.8 GPA minimum; three letters of recommendation
- Summer and fall start dates
- Prepares for GACE and the National Counselor Examination
- CACREP accredited in clinical mental health counseling
- 60 credit hours in a cohort-based structure
- 700 clinical hours required
- Entrance exam required (MAT or GRE)
- Faculty advisor assigned to each student
- Eligible for Georgia counselor licensure
- Clinical fee of $125; background check and liability insurance required
Master of Education in School Counseling — Online
Master of Education in Counselor Education, Clinical Mental Health Counseling — Online
Valdosta State University
Valdosta State University's counselor education department keeps its focus on students who plan to practice in South Georgia. Its clinical mental health counseling track is CACREP accredited, spans 60 credit hours, and leans on agency partnerships across the region when it comes time to place students in practicum and internship sites. It is a sensible pick for anyone who wants a licensure track without leaving the area, and border-county residents in neighboring states should ask about regional tuition arrangements.
- CACREP accredited in clinical mental health counseling
- 60 credit hours; summer and fall start terms
- Newly developed CACREP-accredited track
- Two concentration options within counselor education
- Field placements arranged with South Georgia community agencies
- Emphasis on supervised clinical experience
Master of Education in Counselor Education, Clinical Mental Health Counseling — Online
Columbus State University
Columbus State University runs two CACREP-accredited counseling master's degrees, one in school counseling and one in clinical mental health counseling, both anchored in the Chattahoochee Valley that straddles western Georgia and eastern Alabama. Field placements draw on area school districts and community agencies, and faculty keep active clinical practices. The school counseling program is designed with career changers moving into P-12 roles in mind.
- CACREP accredited in school counseling
- 60 credit hours, completed in about three years
- Prepares for P-12 school counseling certification
- Coursework in individual and group counseling
- Emphasis on career development and social-emotional learning
- Training in data-informed comprehensive counseling programs
- Field placements with Chattahoochee Valley school districts
- CACREP accredited in clinical mental health counseling
- 60 credit hours, completed in about two years
- Hands-on clinical training in community agencies
- Faculty who maintain active clinical practices
- Training across eight core counseling areas
- Prepares graduates for licensure and counseling careers
Master of Education in School Counseling — Hybrid
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S.), Master's — Hybrid
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia's entry on this list is a graduate certificate rather than a full master's degree. The 12-credit substance use counseling program is aimed at licensed or license-eligible Georgia clinicians in counseling, social work, and school counseling who want the state's advanced alcohol and drug counselor credential. UGA frames it as professional upskilling rather than a route to an initial counseling license, so readers seeking a first license should look to the master's programs elsewhere here.
- 12 credit hours across four courses
- Prepares for the Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor credential
- Built for licensed or license-eligible Georgia clinicians
- Coursework in trauma assessment and treatment
- Group counseling skill development
- Bio-psycho-social approach to substance use disorders
- Multidisciplinary faculty from across the university
- Not a stand-alone initial licensure program
Graduate Certificate in Substance Use Counseling — Online
Mercer University
Mercer University spreads its counseling and therapy programs across Macon, Atlanta, and Savannah, with the Master of Family Therapy housed inside the School of Medicine's psychiatry department. The university also awards CACREP-accredited school counseling and clinical mental health counseling master's degrees. Clinical training happens in Mercer's own family therapy centers and in partner school districts, which gives students early and sustained contact with real clients.
- COAMFTE accredited
- Clinical training at Mercer Family Therapy Centers in Macon and Atlanta
- Housed within the School of Medicine's psychiatry department
- Curriculum covers family systems, culture, and intergenerational patterns
- Students serve couples, families, and individual clients
- Children's Marriage and Family Therapy Scholarship available
- Program established more than 35 years ago
- Locations in Macon, Atlanta, and Savannah
- CACREP accredited in school counseling
- Completed in 30 to 36 months
- 95% first-time CPCE pass rate reported
- 600 hours of school-based fieldwork
- Classes meet one night per week
- Three start dates per year
- Prepares for LPC and NCC credentials
- Full-time and part-time options
- CACREP accredited in clinical mental health counseling
- Completed in 30 to 42 months
- Immersive internship experience
- Award-winning faculty with clinical experience
- Study counseling abroad opportunities
- Prepares for the NCE and NCMHCE exams
- Two start dates per year; spring and fall
- 16-week semesters
Master of Family Therapy — Hybrid
Master's Degree in School Counseling — Hybrid
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling — Hybrid
Georgia Highlands College
Georgia Highlands College appears here for a different reason than the rest of the list: its bachelor's degree in health science with a social and behavioral health concentration is a pre-counseling pathway, not a counseling master's. The program covers the psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of health and is aimed at students who want an affordable undergraduate foundation before graduate school. It is a reasonable starting point for someone who plans to apply to a Georgia counseling master's later.
- 124 credit hours; typically eight semesters
- Social and behavioral health concentration
- Pre-professional pathway toward graduate counseling study
- Coursework on psychological, social, and cultural health factors
- Topics include health promotion and disease prevention
- Eight-week and 16-week course sessions
- Prepares students for behavioral health support roles
- Advising pathway checklists available to students
Bachelor of Science in Health Science, Social & Behavioral Health Concentration — Online
University of West Georgia
The University of West Georgia's professional counseling master's is a long-established clinical mental health pathway serving Carrollton, the wider west Georgia region, and the metro Atlanta corridor. The department reports high National Counselor Examination pass rates, a strong completion rate, and full job placement for graduates, most of whom stay in Georgia. It is one of the more transparent programs in the state about publishing its outcome numbers.
- CACREP accredited in clinical mental health counseling
- 60 credit hours across seven semesters
- 600-hour internship plus a practicum
- 79% licensure pass rate reported
- 100% job placement rate reported
- 2.7 GPA minimum; $55 application fee
- Faculty interview and personal statement required
- Prepares for the National Counselor Examination
Master of Education in Professional Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling — Hybrid
Thomas University
Thomas University is a small private institution in Thomasville whose master's in counseling includes a CACREP-accredited school counseling concentration. The department built the degree for working adults in South Georgia and neighboring North Florida, with internship placements arranged through regional school systems. Classmates tend to be teachers and paraprofessionals who are already employed in schools.
- CACREP accredited in school counseling
- School counseling concentration within the M.S. in Counseling
- Four concentration options across the counseling program
- Designed for working adults
- Internship placements arranged with South Georgia school systems
- Prepares graduates for Georgia school counseling roles
Master of Science in Counseling, School Counseling Concentration — Online
Truett McConnell University
Truett McConnell University is a private Christian institution in northeast Georgia whose 62-credit clinical mental health counseling master's pairs standard counselor preparation with a biblical worldview. Students finish a capstone and either an internship or a research practicum, and faculty bring backgrounds in counseling, neuroscience, and sport psychology. Graduates pursue Georgia licensure as professional counselors, and the program is not currently listed as CACREP accredited, which is worth weighing if portability matters to you.
- 62 credit hours; two-year program
- Biblical worldview integrated into coursework
- Capstone project required
- Internship or research practicum
- 3.0 GPA minimum; two letters of recommendation
- Virtual group interview and background check required
- Fall, spring, and summer start terms
- Faculty expertise in counseling and neuroscience
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling — Hybrid
How We Ranked Georgia Counseling Programs
Choosing a counseling program often comes down to a tension between affordability and flexibility. Many students need an online or hybrid format to fit graduate study around work and family, yet they also need a program that will not leave them buried in debt before they ever see a client. Our ranking methodology was designed to honor both of those priorities at once.
What the Rankings Emphasize
We weighted financial factors heavily in our scoring. Net price, which reflects the average cost of attendance after institutional and federal aid has been applied, carried significant influence. Financial aid metrics, including the share of students receiving grant or scholarship support, also factored in. Graduation rate and available program-level outcomes rounded out the picture, helping us distinguish schools where students actually finish and move into the field.
A few important clarifications:
- Net price is an institutional average. It is drawn from federally reported data and represents what students at the institution pay on average after aid. It is not a guaranteed quote for any individual student. Your actual cost will depend on your financial situation, residency status, and the aid package you receive.
- Graduation rate is institution-wide. The figures come from IPEDS and reflect the full university, not a counseling-specific cohort. A school with a high overall graduation rate may still have different completion patterns within its counseling department, and vice versa.
- Only online or hybrid programs qualified. To appear in this ranking, a program had to offer at least a substantial online component. Fully on-campus-only programs were excluded from the eligible pool, which is why some well-known Georgia institutions may not appear here.
Why Methodology Transparency Matters
If you have browsed other "best counseling programs" lists, you may have noticed that many offer no explanation of how they arrived at their rankings. Some appear to be organized alphabetically or by editorial preference without any disclosed criteria. We believe students deserve to understand exactly what is being measured and why. When you know the methodology, you can judge for yourself whether the ranking aligns with your own priorities, whether that is cost, convenience, career outcomes, or some combination of all three.
Whether you are exploring online clinical mental health counseling programs or weighing a broader path like a master's degree in psychology, having clear ranking criteria helps you compare options with confidence. At counselingpsychology.org, we aim to give you the information you need to make a well-grounded decision rather than simply handing you a list and asking you to trust it.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Do you need a CACREP-accredited program to meet Georgia LPC licensure requirements, or are you open to non-CACREP paths?
Are you pursuing clinical mental health counseling for LPC licensure or school counseling for PSC certification?
Can you attend weekend or evening residencies, or do you need a fully asynchronous online format?
Does your target program offer the supervised practicum and internship hours Georgia requires for licensure?
CACREP-Accredited Counseling Programs in Georgia
CACREP-accredited programs and those holding alternative state-level accreditation serve distinct pathways into the counseling profession. For prospective counselors in Georgia, understanding which programs carry CACREP accreditation and why it matters can shape both licensure timelines and career mobility.
What CACREP Accreditation Means
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is the profession's specialized accreditor, setting standards for curriculum, faculty qualifications, clinical training, and student outcomes.1 Graduating from a CACREP-accredited program typically streamlines the path to licensure: Georgia's LPC licensing board accepts CACREP degrees without additional scrutiny of course-by-course content, and many other states offer reciprocity or expedited licensure for CACREP graduates. Employers, especially those in clinical and community mental health settings, often prefer or require CACREP credentials when hiring new counselors.
CACREP accreditation is awarded at the program level, not the institution level. A university may hold CACREP accreditation for its clinical mental health counseling track while its school counseling concentration or an online variant remains unaccredited. Always verify the specific degree and concentration you plan to pursue through the CACREP directory.
CACREP Programs in Georgia's Rankings
Are there CACREP-accredited counseling programs in Georgia? Yes. Among the programs featured in this guide, three hold current CACREP accreditation for clinical mental health counseling:
- Mercer University offers a CACREP-accredited M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling delivered in a hybrid format.2
- Georgia Southern University maintains CACREP accreditation for its hybrid Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.Ed. Note that Georgia Southern's online School Counseling concentration is not CACREP-accredited.3
- Georgia State University provides a CACREP-accredited M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.4
Several other ranked programs, including the University of Georgia, Augusta University, Brenau University, and Clayton State University, hold accreditation through MPCAC (Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council), a newer accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.5 MPCAC accreditation meets Georgia's institutional standards for LPC licensure but may not carry the same interstate portability or employer recognition as CACREP in all contexts.
Online CACREP Programs Carry Equal Weight
When a CACREP-accredited program offers an online or hybrid delivery option, the accreditation applies to that modality as well. Mercer's hybrid clinical mental health track, for example, holds the same CACREP standing as a fully on-campus program. Employers and state boards do not differentiate between CACREP credentials earned online versus in person, provided the program itself is accredited.
If your career goals include moving across state lines, working in specialized settings such as hospitals or Veterans Affairs, or pursuing counseling doctoral programs, prioritizing CACREP accreditation at the master's level offers the clearest path forward.
Online Vs. On-Campus Counseling Programs in Georgia
Online counseling master's programs deliver the same coursework as traditional on-campus degrees but through virtual classrooms, recorded lectures, and web-based practicum coordination. For students balancing work or family responsibilities, this flexibility can make graduate education possible. The good news for Georgia residents is that neither the state licensing board nor the major accrediting bodies discriminate against online formats when programs meet established standards. If you are still weighing program types, exploring best online master's in counseling programs can help you compare options across institutions.
Licensing Board and Accreditation Perspectives
The Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists oversees LPC licensure in the state. The board evaluates whether your degree comes from a regionally accredited institution and whether your program meets content requirements, not whether you attended classes in person or online. CACREP applies identical accreditation standards to online and on-campus programs, meaning a CACREP-accredited online degree carries the same weight as its campus-based counterpart. The National Board for Certified Counselors follows similar principles, recognizing accredited online programs for National Certified Counselor credentialing.
Employer Considerations
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not compare employer preferences between delivery formats, but clinical supervisors and hiring managers typically focus on accreditation status, supervised clinical hours, and interview performance rather than how coursework was delivered. That said, individual employers may have preferences, so gathering firsthand information helps.
Getting Reliable Placement Data
If you are considering an online program, contact the admissions office directly. Ask about graduate placement rates, employer partnerships, and feedback from supervisors at practicum sites. Georgia institutions with CACREP-accredited online options, such as Mercer University and the University of West Georgia, can often share information about where recent graduates have found employment and how employers have responded to online credentials. This direct outreach gives you concrete data rather than assumptions about how your degree will be received in the job market.
Related Articles
Most Affordable Master's in Counseling in Georgia
The table below ranks Georgia institutions with counseling-related programs by their average net price after financial aid, from lowest to highest. Net price figures are institution-wide averages reported to the federal government and reflect typical aid packages; your actual cost will depend on your program, enrollment status, and individual aid offer. Public universities in Georgia consistently offer the lowest net prices, generally falling between roughly $6,900 and $14,000, while private institutions tend to range from about $18,500 to $22,200. For students asking how much an online master's in counseling costs, this data shows the spread can be significant: from under $7,000 per year at the most affordable public option to over $22,000 at a private school, making it well worth comparing across both sectors.
| School | Net Price (Avg. After Aid) | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Sector | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Highlands College | $6,928 | $3,120 | $10,080 | Public | Online |
| Fort Valley State University | $10,338 | $5,790 | $18,268 | Public | Online |
| Valdosta State University | $10,945 | $6,316 | $18,934 | Public | Online |
| Albany State University | $11,898 | $5,008 | $15,880 | Public | Online |
| University of West Georgia | $12,786 | $6,046 | $19,600 | Public | Hybrid |
| Columbus State University | $13,115 | $8,268 | $10,140 | Public | Hybrid |
| University of Georgia | $13,936 | $11,002 | $29,774 | Public | Online |
| Thomas University | $18,499 | $13,290 | $13,290 | Private | Online |
| Piedmont University | $20,599 | $12,320 | $12,320 | Private | Online |
| Truett McConnell University | $22,227 | $10,008 | $10,008 | Private | Hybrid |
Georgia Counseling Program Earnings at a Glance
Program-level earnings data for one year and four years after completion are not yet published for these Georgia counseling master's programs. The institution-level median earnings shown below, reported ten years after enrollment, give a useful benchmark for comparing long-term earning potential across schools. These are College Scorecard medians for all graduates at each institution, not guaranteed salaries or program-specific figures.
Georgia Counseling Licensure: How a Master's Gets You There
Earning a master's degree in counseling is only the first milestone on your path to practicing independently in Georgia. The Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists sets specific requirements that aspiring counselors must meet before receiving full licensure. Understanding this pathway from the start helps you choose the right program and plan your timeline realistically.
What Are the Requirements to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia?
To qualify for LPC licensure in Georgia under 2025-2026 rules, you must complete a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution with at least 60 semester hours of graduate coursework.1 Your program must cover nine core content areas specified by the Board, and you must complete a minimum of 600 internship hours during your degree. For a broader look at the credentialing process, our guide on how to become a licensed professional counselor breaks down the national requirements.
After graduation, you will need to pass a board-approved national examination. Georgia accepts both the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). You must receive Board approval before sitting for either exam.1
Once you pass your exam, you will work under supervision as an Associate Professional Counselor (APC). Georgia requires between 2,400 and 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, which typically takes two to four years to accumulate depending on your work schedule. You have up to five years to complete this requirement and transition from APC to full LPC status.1
Clinical Mental Health Counseling vs. School Counseling
Prospective students should understand that clinical mental health counseling and school counseling follow entirely different credentialing pathways in Georgia. The LPC track described above applies to clinical mental health counselors who work in community agencies, private practice, hospitals, and similar settings.
School counselors, by contrast, do not pursue LPC licensure. Instead, they earn certification through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). School counseling programs typically require fewer credit hours and focus on educational settings rather than clinical diagnosis and treatment. If you envision yourself working in K-12 schools, you will want a degree specifically designed for school counseling certification rather than an LPC-track program.
Typical Timeline from Enrollment to Full Licensure
Most students complete their 60-credit master's degree in two to three years of full-time study. Part-time students may take longer. After graduation, expect another two to four years of supervised practice before achieving full LPC status.
In total, the journey from starting your master's program to independent practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor typically spans four to seven years. Planning for this timeline helps you set realistic expectations for your career trajectory. Students interested in becoming a mental health counselor will find that this timeline is broadly consistent across most states, though specific hour requirements vary.
Additional Details to Keep in Mind
Georgia participates in the Counseling Compact, which may simplify practicing across state lines once you hold full LPC status.2 The application fee for licensure is $110, with renewal fees of $100. Licensed counselors must complete 35 hours of continuing education per renewal period, including 5 hours focused on ethics.1
By selecting a program that meets the Board's 60-credit-hour requirement and includes adequate practicum and internship experiences, you position yourself for a smooth licensure process after graduation.
The Path From Master's to Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia
Earning your LPC in Georgia follows a defined sequence. This pathway applies specifically to the clinical mental health counseling track, which is the most common route to full licensure in the state.
Career Outcomes and Earnings for Georgia Counseling Graduates
Master's-level counselors in Georgia enter a labor market shaped by both strong demand and significant regional variation in compensation. Understanding what to expect after graduation requires looking beyond anecdotal reports to authoritative wage data and program-specific outcomes.
Georgia Wage Data by Counseling Specialty
The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes occupation-specific median wages that can be filtered by state. For Georgia counseling graduates, two occupational codes matter most. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (SOC 21-1018) earned a median annual wage of $48,460 in Georgia as of May 2023, the most recent published figure. Marriage and family therapists (SOC 21-1013) earned a median of $56,200 in the same period. These figures reflect statewide medians and do not account for differences between metro Atlanta, rural counties, or coastal regions. The Georgia Department of Labor maintains an Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics tool that breaks down median wages by region and metropolitan area, offering a more granular view of what counselors earn in specific communities.
Program-Level Outcomes and Graduate Surveys
Many Georgia universities that offer CACREP-accredited counseling programs publish annual outcomes reports or graduate surveys. These documents typically include first-destination employment rates, median starting salaries, and the percentage of graduates who passed the National Counselor Examination within six months of graduation. Program-specific data often reveals more about career trajectories than statewide averages, particularly for specialized tracks like school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, or addiction counseling online programs. When comparing programs, request the most recent outcomes report and ask whether the data includes all graduates or only those who responded to surveys.
Professional Associations and Salary Benchmarking
Local professional organizations offer another layer of salary intelligence. The Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (LPCA-GA) and the Georgia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (GAMFT) periodically survey members about compensation, benefits, and practice settings. These surveys capture nuances that government data miss, including private-practice earnings, supervision fees, and differences between employed counselors and independent contractors. Contacting these associations directly or attending their annual conferences can provide access to salary reports and networking opportunities that clarify realistic earnings expectations for new graduates entering the Georgia market in 2026.
Admission Requirements for Georgia Counseling Programs
Admission requirements are the specific credentials, documents, and benchmarks a Georgia counseling program asks you to submit before it will consider you for a seat in the cohort. While every university sets its own standards, the requirements across the state share a recognizable pattern, and knowing what to expect will help you prepare a stronger application.
GPA Minimums and Prerequisite Degrees
Every program requires a completed bachelor's degree, though it does not necessarily need to be in psychology or a related field. Minimum GPA thresholds typically fall between 2.5 and 3.0. Georgia State University and Augusta University both list a 2.5 cumulative GPA as the floor for their counseling programs12, while Agnes Scott College recommends a 3.0 for its M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.3 Some programs will consider applicants who fall slightly below the stated minimum if other parts of the application are strong, so it is worth contacting the admissions coordinator before ruling yourself out.
Most programs do not require a specific set of prerequisite courses for admission, although a background in introductory psychology, statistics, or human development can smooth the transition into graduate-level coursework.
GRE Policies: A Shifting Landscape
Since 2020, GRE-optional and GRE-waived policies have expanded significantly across Georgia institutions. As of the 2025 to 2026 admissions cycle, the University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Augusta University, and Agnes Scott College all offer GRE waiver options for their counseling programs.4123 UGA's M.Ed. in Professional Counseling, for example, accepts fall applications only with a December 1 deadline and lists a GRE waiver as available.4 If you have been putting off the GRE, check each program's current policy directly, because waiver eligibility criteria can vary (some tie it to GPA, professional experience, or both).
Beyond the Numbers: Statements, Interviews, and Background Checks
Most Georgia counseling programs ask for two or three letters of recommendation, ideally from faculty or supervisors who can speak to your interpersonal skills and readiness for clinical work. A personal statement or statement of purpose is nearly universal and is your chance to explain why you want to enter the counseling profession and what draws you to that particular program.
Many programs also include an admissions interview, either in person or virtual, as a final step. Because counseling master's programs involve supervised clinical placements, expect a criminal background check before you begin practicum or internship hours. Some programs initiate this at the point of admission.
How Long Does a Master's in Counseling Take in Georgia?
LPC-track programs in Georgia typically require 60 semester credit hours, which is the standard set by CACREP-accredited curricula. Full-time students generally complete the degree in two to three years, while part-time students should plan for three to four years. The timeline accounts for both coursework and the required practicum and internship hours that are built into the program sequence. If you are balancing work or family obligations, ask each program about its scheduling format; some offer evening, weekend, or hybrid options that make part-time completion more manageable without significantly extending the timeline. Students who want to compare Georgia options against a broader national landscape can explore counseling master's programs online for additional perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Master's Programs in Georgia
Choosing the right master's in counseling program means sorting through details on cost, accreditation, licensure, and career outcomes. Below are answers to the questions Georgia students ask most often, drawn from program data and state licensing requirements covered throughout this guide.
- How much does an online master's in counseling cost in Georgia?
- Tuition varies widely depending on the institution and residency status. Among Georgia's more affordable options, total program costs for in-state students can fall in the range of roughly $15,000 to $25,000, while out-of-state or private university tuition may exceed $40,000. Many online programs charge a flat per-credit rate regardless of residency, so comparing cost per credit hour is essential.
- Are online master's degrees in counseling respected by employers and licensing boards?
- Yes, provided the program holds proper accreditation. The Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists accepts degrees from regionally accredited and CACREP-accredited programs regardless of delivery format. Employers in community mental health, hospitals, and private practice similarly recognize online degrees from accredited institutions.
- What pays more, LPC or LMFT?
- Nationally, the BLS reports that marriage and family therapists earn a median salary lower than that of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (the category that captures most LPCs). In Georgia specifically, LPCs generally have broader scope-of-practice opportunities across clinical settings, which can translate to higher earning potential. Actual pay depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
- Are there CACREP-accredited counseling programs in Georgia?
- Georgia is home to numerous CACREP-accredited programs across public and private universities, including options at Georgia State University, University of Georgia, Mercer University, and Columbus State University, among others. CACREP accreditation streamlines the licensure process and is increasingly preferred or required by employers in clinical and school counseling settings.
- How long does it take to complete a master's in counseling in Georgia?
- Most full-time students complete a 60-credit-hour clinical mental health counseling program in two to three years. Part-time and online formats may extend the timeline to three or four years. Programs requiring a 600-hour internship component, which Georgia licensure mandates, can also influence the total duration depending on site availability and scheduling.
- What are the requirements to become a licensed professional counselor in Georgia?
- Georgia requires a master's degree of at least 60 semester hours in a counseling-related field from an accredited institution, completion of supervised clinical experience (including a practicum and internship during the program), passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), and completion of post-master's supervised experience before earning full LPC status.
- Can I get a master's in counseling in Georgia without taking the GRE?
- Several Georgia programs have moved to GRE-optional or test-free admissions, particularly since the pandemic accelerated that trend. Schools such as Mercer University and certain University System of Georgia institutions no longer require GRE scores for counseling applicants. However, policies vary by program, so check each school's current admission requirements before applying.
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