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, there are several schools that offer master’s in counseling programs, with options to specialize in fields like 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 July 2022. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school. 

In this Guide:

Sponsored online 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. Complete a graduate degree that meets the LPCC requirements from the BBS. California does not require aspiring counselors to attend a school accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Refer to the list put together by the BBS of approved schools with LPCC and LMFT programs to confirm eligibility for licensure.
  2. Apply to register as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) with the BBS and accrue 3,000 supervised hours of clinical experience. These must be completed over a period between two and six years, under professional supervision.
  3. Undergo Live Scan fingerprinting, a criminal background check, and pass the California Law and Ethics Exam.
  4. Take and pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE). The exam can only be taken once all supervised hours are completed.
  5. Apply for official licensure as an LPCC.

Aspiring LPCCs who are licensed in other states will need to have their education and supervised experience approved by the BBS before they are eligible to take the California LPCC Law and Ethics Exam and the NCMHCE, if they have not already passed it. This information is included in the BBS Guide to LPCC Out-of-State Applicant Requirements (PDF, 705 KB). 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.

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 17% increase in demand between 2018 and 2028, according to California’s Employment Development Department (EDD). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), counselors in California earned an annual mean wage of $44,240 as of May 2022.

California is also the highest-paying state for educational, guidance, and career counselors, with an annual average salary of $81,100 in May 2022. Jobs in educational, guidance, and career counseling are projected to grow 11.6% from 2018 to 2028, according to the EDD.

BLS pay data also reveals that substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in California earned an annual average salary of $64,460 in May 2022.

Marriage and family therapists in California are expected to experience 24% job growth from 2018 to 2028. These professionals earned a mean annual salary of $65,320 in May 2022.

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 $44,790 in May 2022. Rehabilitation counselor jobs in California are poised to grow 10% between 2018 and 2028, according to the EDD.

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 semesters or nine quarter units of practicum, a minimum of 150 hours of direct client contact, and 75 hours of either client-centered advocacy or 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 $64,460 in May 2022.

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

Graduates of a master’s program in counseling might work as a clinical counselor in the following areas: 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 $64,460 in May 2022, 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 has led to a projected 5% increase in demand nationally for school counselors through 2032, according to the BLS.

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; annual mean wage for school counselors in the state was $81,100 in 2022, according to the BLS.

Last updated: December 2023