Master’s in counseling degrees in California – explore online and on-campus options

A master’s degree in counseling may help prepare you for a career that focuses on helping others. Professional counselors provide valuable services to clients during challenging times or life transitions, influencing individuals to families and communities. Whether you hope to help couples and families heal, treat mental health disorders, or guide students searching for a career path, a master’s degree in counseling can open the door to a variety of jobs in the field.

In California alone, several schools offer master’s in counseling programs, with options to specialize in areas such as career counseling, rehabilitation counseling, mental health counseling, and marriage and family therapy. Whether you choose to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or another type of counselor, California’s Master of Counseling programs may help you acquire the necessary skills and training to assist others through life’s pivotal moments.

The program cards and tables featured on this page were last updated in January 2026. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school. 

In this Guide:

Sponsored online MA program in California

Earn an MA in Psychology Online from Pepperdine

Pepperdine University’s online Master of Arts in Psychology program prepares students to pursue doctoral study or a career in human services.

  • Open to all undergrad majors
  • No GRE required 
  • Can be completed in about 18 months

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Education and other requirements for counseling licensure in California

In order to become a licensed counselor in California, there are several requirements you must meet. Below is a general overview of the education and steps required. It is highly encouraged that you also carefully review the information listed on the Board of Behavioral Sciences’ (BBS) website for LPCC requirements.

  1. Earn a qualifying graduate degree (master’s or doctorate) that meets BBS requirements. Your program must meet California’s statutory requirements, including at least 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units), the required counseling content areas, and specific practicum rules.
  2. Complete the required practicum/field study during your program. Qualifying degrees must include at least 6 semester units (or 9 quarter units) of supervised practicum/field study and a minimum of 280 hours of face-to-face counseling with individuals, families, or groups.
  3. Use BBS resources to confirm your program meets California requirements. BBS publishes a “Schools with LPCC Programs” list (including California schools and online programs designed to meet California-specific requirements). Because curricula can change, BBS recommends verifying details directly with the school, and applicants remain responsible for meeting all licensure requirements.
  4. Apply for APCC registration (Associate Professional Clinical Counselor). In most cases, you cannot accrue supervised experience hours in California without APCC registration, except under the 90-day rule. The APCC application includes fingerprinting (Live Scan in California) and a criminal background check.
  5. Accrue the required supervised experience. You must complete 3,000 total supervised hours over at least 104 weeks (minimum), following BBS supervision rules.
  6. Meet the California Law & Ethics Exam requirement while registered. Associates must take the California Law & Ethics Exam annually to renew their registration until they pass it.
  7. Complete required training before licensure/exam approval (if not already in your degree). Before BBS can approve you for the clinical exam, you must complete 6 hours of suicide risk assessment/intervention training and (for applications on or after July 1, 2023) 3 hours of telehealth training that includes law and ethics.
  8. Apply for LPCC licensure and pass the clinical exam (NCMHCE). After you’ve completed supervised experience and passed Law & Ethics, submit your licensure application. Once BBS approves it, you can register for and pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE).
  9. Request issuance of your LPCC license. After passing the NCMHCE, you’ll complete BBS’s license issuance steps and pay the required fee. 

Aspiring LPCCs who are licensed in other states must apply through the BBS, which will evaluate their education and, when required, their supervised experience as part of the California licensure application process before the applicant can be authorized for the Law and Ethics Exam and, later, the NCMHCE. Out-of-state applicants may be able to use a previously passing NCMHCE score if the BBS can verify it through NBCC under the Board’s score-acceptance rules.

This information is included in the BBS Guide to LPCC Out-of-State Applicant Requirements. For both in-state and out-of-state applicants, all these requirements must be met in order to be eligible to obtain your official LPCC license.

New York University

NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

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master of arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness

NYU Steinhardt’s online master of arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness prepares students to work with diverse clients to create lives of health and meaning.

  • Prepare to become a mental health counselor
  • Accredited by the MPCAC
  • As few as 21 months to complete
  • GRE not required 

Northwestern University

The Family Institute at Northwestern University

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Master of Arts in Counseling

Earn a CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling online from top-7 ranked1 Northwestern University.
 

1U.S. News & World Report: 2026 Best National University Rankings 

  • CACREP Accredited
  • Earn your MA in Counseling from Northwestern in as few as 18 months
  • Accelerated full-time, traditional, or part-time tracks available

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Salary and career outlook for counselors in California

There are multiple counseling roles to pursue in California once you complete your degree and become licensed. Counselors in California are expected to see a 22% increase in demand between 2024 and 2034, according to data from O*NET On Line. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in California earned an annual mean wage of $72,530 (May 2024). 

California is also the highest-paying state for educational, guidance, and career counselors, with an annual average salary of $96,440 in May 2024. The BLS projects that employment for school and career counselors and advisors will grow 4% from 2024 to 2034.

BLS pay data also reveals that substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in California earned an annual average salary of $72,530 in May 2024.

Marriage and family therapists nationally are expected to experience 13% job growth from 2024 to 2034. These professionals earned an average annual salary of $74,660 in California in May 2024.Another type of licensed professional in the field, rehabilitation counselors, have the highest rate of employment in California than any other state, according to the BLS. The same data indicates they earned a mean annual wage of $49,520 in California as of May 2024. Rehabilitation counselor jobs are poised to grow 1% between 2024 and 2034, according to the BLS.

FAQ

Find below a few questions and detailed answers covering counselor education and employment in California.

What degree do I need to become a marriage and family therapist in California?

To become an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), you need a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy, or a related topic with equivalent coursework. Your degree must include six semester units or nine quarter units of practicum, a minimum of 150 hours of face-to-face counseling, and 75 hours of either client-centered advocacy and/or additional face-to-face counseling experience.

How much do mental health counselors make in California?

According to the BLS, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in California earned an annual average salary of $72,530 in May 2024.

What jobs can I get with a master’s degree in counseling in California?

Graduates of a master’s program in counseling may work as clinical counselors in areas such as substance abuse, mental health and therapy, marriage and family therapy, and long-term rehabilitation and care. Others may open a private practice or even work in fields such as social services, humanitarian work, or in professional research for public or private organizations.

Is mental health counseling a good career in California?

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in California earned an average salary of $72,530 in May 2024, according to the BLS. Whether or not it is a good fit for you depends on your personal goals.

What is the job outlook for school counselors?

Rising student enrollment is projected to drive a 4% increase in national demand for school counselors through 2034, according to the BLS (May 2024).

How much does a school counselor with a master’s degree make in California?

California requires all school counselors to have a master’s degree. California is also the highest-paying state for educational, guidance, and career counselors; the annual mean wage for school counselors in the state was  $96,440 in 2024, according to the BLS.

Information last updated: January 2026