Guide to Master’s Degrees in Counseling Psychology

Counseling psychology focuses on helping people with physical, emotional, or mental health challenges improve their personal lives and relationships. Those with counseling psychology degrees often go on to become counselors for students, children with behavioral issues, individuals with addictions, or adults with family or marital difficulties. They may work for an organization, a school, or a business, or even have a private practice.

If topics like vocational psychology and human lifespan development interest you, or if helping others cope with and overcome traumatic situations brings you self-fulfillment, then working as a career in counseling or psychology may be something to consider. A master’s degree in counseling psychology can support some counseling-related career paths, but independent psychologist licensure in the United States generally requires a doctoral degree, supervised training, and state-specific exams.

In a master’s in counseling psychology program, you’ll learn about the role research plays in informing the practice of counseling, in addition to covering a breadth of topics that include mental and behavioral disorders, environmental and situational influences, and crisis intervention and treatment. You’ll also be taught to identify and assess psychological symptoms, and to determine the best ways to help individuals facing these challenges.

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MPCAC-Accredited Master’s in Counseling Psychology & Related Programs

If you decide to pursue a master’s in counseling psychology, you may want to seek a program accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). MPCAC accreditation can be one quality marker for psychology-based counseling programs, but applicants should confirm whether a specific program’s curriculum and accreditation align with their licensure goals in the state where they plan to practice.

Below is a list of all counseling psychology & closely related programs accredited by the MPCAC:

Counseling Psychology Degrees: Master’s vs. Doctorate

Depending on the state in which you want to practice, you may need to complete a doctorate program as part of the requirements to become licensed as a psychologist. Because licensure rules vary by jurisdiction, review the specific educational, supervised-experience, and examination requirements of the state board where you plan to practice.

In addition to knowing what kind of educational training is required for psychologist licensure in your state, it’s important to understand the differences between a master’s and doctorate in counseling psychology. We highlight some of the differences below:

Master’s Degree

A master’s degree in psychology typically takes two to three years to complete. To graduate, you may have to complete a research project, thesis, and/or a field placement. Whether you decide to enter the workforce after completing your program or earn a doctoral degree in the same discipline, the master’s in psychology curriculum can provide you with relevant knowledge and skills to pursue either path.

If you have a master’s in psychology, there are a number of jobs available to you. You could work as a counselor, research assistant, or associate in career centers, public schools, universities, corporations, federal agencies, mental health clinics, prisons and more.

Doctorate

A doctoral program in psychology usually takes four to eight years to complete, including rigorous coursework, a supervised practicum and/or internship, and a dissertation or research project.

After earning a doctoral degree, licensure candidates typically must pass the EPPP (Part 1–Knowledge), and some jurisdictions also require the EPPP (Part 2–Skills) and/or additional state-specific examinations, such as jurisprudence exams, before independent practice.

Academic vs. Professional Degrees

What are you planning to do with your graduate degree? If your ultimate goal is to become a counselor, you’ll probably need a professional degree. This degree focuses on real-world applications and usually requires internships or supervised clinical work.

An academic degree, on the other hand, focuses more on research and theory and may require a thesis or capstone project. For independent psychologist licensure, the APA states that the doctoral degree is generally the recognized educational credential in the United States. Master’s-level psychology graduates may still pursue research, academic support, consulting, or supervised roles, depending on jurisdiction and employer requirements.

Another possible field is forensic psychology, which applies psychological principles to legal and criminal justice settings.

Is a Master’s in Counseling Psychology Right for You?

When deciding if a master’s in counseling psychology is right for you, there are a few questions to ask.

Why do I want to pursue a counseling psychology degree?

If the answer is something like “to help people” or “to change lives,” keep in mind that there are many ways to help people. Counseling psychology can be deeply rewarding, but it’s also time-intensive and challenging. If, on the other hand, you want to help people and are also intrigued by psychological ideas—like how humans problem-solve and how depression affects the brain—then counseling psychology could be the right path for you.

Would a career in mental health, marriage and family therapy, behavior analysis, or social work be a better fit?

Psychology is just one type of vocation within the broad field of mental health and counseling. If your goal is to become a family therapist or a social worker, an undergraduate psychology degree may help to prepare you for graduate studies in either area. But there are other career paths to consider. We’ll walk you through some other options below.

Where do I want to work?

If your goal is independent psychologist licensure, you will generally need a doctoral degree plus state-required supervised experience and exams. Some jurisdictions may allow master ’s-level psychology professionals to work under supervision or under different titles, so check your state board’s rules before choosing a program.

Which graduate program do I want to attend?

A limited number of graduate programs offer master’s degrees specifically in counseling psychology. If you can’t find a counseling psychology program that’s a good fit for you, you may want to consider a similar degree instead.

Then again, before ruling out a program entirely, check what options the school offers for earning your degree. Some schools provide flexible options to get your master’s in counseling psychology online or attend on a part-time basis.

Master’s in Counseling Psychology Compared to a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling

If you want to help people with mental health conditions like PTSD, depression and anxiety, you might consider getting a master’s in mental health counseling. Compared to a master’s degree in counseling psychology, which is often research-driven, a degree in mental health counseling focuses more on patient care or applying research to help people in specific ways.

Another difference is the type of work. While psychologists may work in an academic setting, mental health counselors work solely as counselors. They serve a wide range of demographics, from children to adults and the elderly. Whatever the demographic, their job is to help people manage mental health and relationships through direct counseling. Mental health counselors provide counseling in mental health and addiction treatment centers, outpatient facilities, schools, hospitals, and private practices.

Upon completing a master’s degree in mental health counseling, licensure requirements vary by state. States commonly require a board-approved counseling exam—often the NCE, the NCMHCE, or both, depending on the jurisdiction—plus supervised postgraduate experience and any additional coursework or documentation required by the state board. You may also explore our guide for more information on the differences between a psychologist and a mental health counselor.

If mental health counseling sounds like a good fit for you, check out these online master’s in clinical mental health counseling programs.

Master’s in Counseling Psychology Compared to a Master’s in Psychology

If you’re interested in psychology, counseling isn’t your only option. A master’s in psychology can prepare you for research, academic, support, or supervised clinical-adjacent roles, and it may also strengthen an eventual doctoral application.

In terms of program length and requirements, a master’s in psychology is similar to a master’s in counseling psychology. And, like a degree in counseling, a master’s in psychology usually does not qualify you for independent psychologist licensure. If you want to become a licensed psychologist, you will generally need doctoral study, plus any supervised experience and examinations required by your jurisdiction.

In a psychology program, you’ll focus on analyzing and conducting research rather than applying psychological principles to counseling. You’ll learn about different research methods, statistics, and assessments, and you may also learn about psychotherapy, or how to treat especially serious mental disorders.

In a psychology program, you’ll focus on analyzing and conducting research rather than applying psychological principles to counseling. You’ll learn about different research methods, statistics, and assessments, and you may also learn about psychotherapy, or how to treat especially serious mental disorders.

Sound like a good fit? Check out these online master’s in psychology programs.

Master’s in Counseling Psychology Compared to a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy

A master’s in marriage and family therapy may be a fit for you if you’re interested in supporting families and helping people manage relationships. In terms of required education and work experience, this degree is similar to a psychology counseling degree. Marriage and family therapists need a master’s or doctorate degree (depending on the state and job requirements), at least two years of supervised experience, and a license in order to practice.

Naturally, while some of the courses for this degree overlap with psychology counseling, they focus more on family and marriage relationships. You’ll learn about heightened sensitivity among family members, friends, and coworkers, and how relationships support or challenge people.

Marriage and family therapists work to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, administer psychotherapy, and provide group therapy for couples and families. Much like psychologists, they can operate private practices or work at health facilities, schools, or research centers. Marriage and family therapists also sometimes work in courts or prisons, social service agencies, or veteran organizations.

If you’re interested in becoming a marriage and family therapist, there are a number of online MFT programs to choose from.

Master’s in Counseling Psychology Compared to a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis

While psychologists study people’s behavior and thought processes, behavior analysts go one step further by examining how various factors (environmental, genetic, and experiential) influence behavior. When used for counseling or therapy, applied behavior analysis can help people focus and improve their memory and social skills.

Applied behavior analysis has professional certification and, in many states, separate licensure or regulation. A master’s degree in applied behavior analysis may satisfy part of BCBA eligibility, but certification also requires meeting BACB degree/coursework standards, completing supervised fieldwork, and passing the BCBA exam. State licensure, where applicable, is separate and governed by each state.

Master’s degree holders can also go on to pursue a doctorate in order to teach or work in research. Other career paths include special educators, school counselors, behavioral specialists, and applied psychologists. Many behavior analysts work with autistic patients.

If you’re interested in pursuing this degree, take a look at these online ABA programs.

Master’s in Counseling Psychology Compared to a Master’s in Social Work

Social work is closely related to psychological counseling, but the education and career paths for each are different. The degree is typically a Master of Social Work (MSW); the licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) credential is a post-degree state license, not a degree. Licensure categories and supervised-experience requirements vary by state.

Courses tend to focus on human behavior, psychotherapy, and community resources, which, in turn, prepare graduates to help people cope with a variety of challenges.

Social work degree programs must be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

While psychologists provide clinical treatment and counseling, social workers focus on connecting people with the community services they need. For instance, a social worker might refer someone to a psychologist or a marriage and family therapist. Less research-based than psychology, a master’s in social work is very much a professional degree rather than an academic one.

If you’re considering a master’s in social work, check out these CSWE-accredited online MSW programs.

Summary and Further Reading

Now that you know more about counseling psychology and related career paths, you may begin to think about whether pursuing a master’s in counseling psychology is the best step forward for you. The answer depends on the kind of career you want and your ultimate professional goal. Do you want to work in research? As a counselor? Are you willing to pursue a license?

Or maybe you need to learn more about psychology and related career paths before making your decision.

Related Online Mental Health Degrees

Online Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy
Online Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Online Master’s in Social Work (MSW)

Information last updated: March 2026