California offers a comprehensive range of 24 CACREP-accredited counseling programs, showcasing diverse educational pathways across the state. Students can explore Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling, School Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Career Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, College Counseling & Student Affairs, and Counselor Education & Supervision programs. Each program type provides insights into structure, credit requirements, modality options, supervised fieldwork, and licensure preparation, with key highlights such as multicultural competence, social justice focus, and flexible scheduling for working professionals. These programs equip aspiring counselors at both the master’s and doctoral levels with the knowledge, practical experience, and leadership skills needed to serve diverse populations and advance in the counseling profession.
Quick Facts
- CACREP-Accredited Programs in CA: 24
- CACREP-Accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs in CA: 8
- CACREP-Accredited Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling Programs in CA: 4
- CACREP-Accredited School Counseling. Programs in CA: 3
- CACREP-Accredited Rehabilitation Counseling Programs in CA: 3
- CACREP-Accredited Career Counseling Programs in CA: 2
- CACREP-Accredited Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Programs in CA: 1
- CACREP-Accredited College Counseling and Student Affairs Programs in CA: 1
- CACREP-Accredited Counselor Education and Supervision Ph.D. Programs in CA: 2
- Online CACREP-Accredited Programs in CA: 8
Master of Counseling Programs in California
2026 California Counseling Updates
If you’re planning to enter the counseling field in California this year, a few developments are worth flagging. These affect the LPCC licensure path, interstate practice possibilities, and how your supervised hours are counted.
- BBS proposed extending supervised experience validity from 6 to 7 years. As of mid-2025, the California Board of Behavioral Sciences proposed regulatory changes that would give APCCs (Associate Professional Clinical Counselors) an additional year to complete and apply their 3,000 supervised hours toward LPCC licensure. Still a proposal at this point, so watch the BBS pending regulations page for adoption status.
- California remains outside the Counseling Compact. As of early 2026, 39 states plus DC have enacted the Counseling Compact, and Arizona, Minnesota, and Ohio are the first three states operationally issuing interstate practice privileges (Ohio went live January 5, 2026). California has not enacted compact legislation. If you plan to practice remotely across state lines long-term, that gap matters.
- Sonoma State (MPCAC) and Bastyr University-San Diego (MPCAC) offer non-CACREP portability alternatives. California doesn’t require CACREP accreditation for LPCC licensure. BBS reviews degree content course-by-course. But programmatic accreditation still helps if you might practice in another state. The two MPCAC-accredited California programs are covered in the Non-CACREP Alternatives section below.
- The LPCC path in California is separate from the LMFT and LCSW paths. All three sit under BBS, but coursework, exams (LPCC requires NCMHCE, not NCE), and supervised hour requirements differ. If you might pursue dual licensure or eventually shift tracks, the how to become a licensed MFT in California guide walks through the parallel route.
California has one of the largest and most diverse pools of counseling master’s programs in the country, spanning CACREP-accredited clinical mental health counseling programs at CSU campuses, private universities, and specialized institutions. If you’re planning to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California, choosing the right program depends on where you live, whether you need online flexibility, and which program’s culture and curriculum fit how you want to practice.
| CACREP-Accredited Programs | 9 Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs (CACREP directory) |
| Median Annual Salary (National) | $59,350 per year (BLS, May 2025) |
| Licensing Board | California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) |
| Supervised Experience | 3,000 hours post-degree over minimum 104 weeks, including 1,750 direct client hours |
| Job Growth (National) | 19% projected growth (2023-2033, BLS OOH) |
| California Employment | One of the largest employment markets nationally (BLS OES SOC 21-1018, May 2025) |
CACREP-Accredited Counseling Programs in California
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits counseling programs that meet consistent educational standards nationwide. California doesn’t require CACREP accreditation for LPCC licensure specifically. BBS reviews degree content directly. Still, choosing a CACREP program is the cleanest path to portability if you ever move to another state. California has 9 CACREP-accredited clinical mental health counseling programs, organized below by delivery format so you can find the ones that fit your life.
Fully Online CACREP Programs
If you need to keep working or you don’t live near a program campus, these three CACREP-accredited programs are fully online.
Alliant International University
| Degree | Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling (MACC) |
| Credits | 60 units |
| Modality | Online (with on-campus option at Fresno) |
| Location | Fresno, CA (headquarters) |
| Tuition | $820–$848 per unit |
| Best for | Working adults who want CACREP accreditation with the option to attend on-ground in Fresno |
| Program page | View program details → |
Alliant’s California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) offers this 60-credit program either fully online or on-ground at the Fresno campus. Students complete 700 hours of clinical experience, at least 280 of which are directly supervised. The MACC program received CACREP accreditation in 2022 and satisfies all California BBS educational requirements for LPCC licensure. It’s worth a look if you want CACREP flexibility with a psychology-department-based curriculum rather than an education-department framework.
Palo Alto University
| Degree | Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
| Credits | 93 quarter units |
| Modality | Online (100%) or Hybrid |
| Location | Palo Alto, CA |
| Tuition | $674 per unit including fees (~$57,939 total) |
| Best for | Students who want a research-informed, social-justice-oriented program with fully online or hybrid options |
| Program page | View program details → |
PAU is one of the longer-running online CACREP options in California, with a program built around social justice, evidence-based practice, and preparation for LPCC licensure. Hybrid students attend evening classes weekday nights (4-6 pm or 6-8 pm depending on cohort) either at PAU campuses or live via Zoom. The 93 quarter units translate to roughly 62 semester units, so the total program is comparable to other 60-credit options. PAU is a psychology-focused institution with APA-accredited doctoral programs alongside the counseling master’s.
The Chicago School — Los Angeles
| Degree | Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
| Credits | 60 credits |
| Modality | Fully Online |
| Location | Los Angeles, CA (online delivery) |
| Tuition | Contact program for current tuition |
| Best for | Students anywhere in California who want a fully online CACREP program from a psychology-professional-focused institution |
| Program page | View program details → |
The Chicago School’s Los Angeles branch runs its CMHC program fully online. TCSPP is a professional psychology institution that trains counselors, therapists, and psychologists across several California and national campuses. If you want the flexibility of online delivery with training embedded in a psychology-professional community, this program is one of two fully online CACREP options in California.
Hybrid CACREP Programs
These programs combine online coursework with periodic in-person residencies in California, giving you the flexibility of online learning plus the face-to-face clinical skill practice that some students prefer.
Concordia University Irvine — Townsend Institute
| Degree | Master of Arts in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health |
| Credits | 60 units |
| Modality | Hybrid (live online + 4-day residency in Irvine) |
| Location | Irvine, CA |
| Tuition | ~$684 per unit (~$41,040 total tuition) |
| Best for | Working adults who want a values-informed program with minimal on-campus time |
| Program page | View program details → |
The Townsend Institute at Concordia Irvine designed this 60-credit program for working adults who need flexibility. Coursework happens live online, and students attend one 4-day in-person residency at the Irvine campus during the program to practice clinical skills and connect with cohort. The program can be completed in as little as 24 months. Concordia Irvine is a Lutheran-affiliated private university, and the Townsend Institute leans into values-based clinical formation alongside the standard CACREP curriculum.
Saybrook University
| Degree | Master of Arts in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
| Credits | 60 credits |
| Modality | Hybrid (online + two 5-day residencies per year in California) |
| Location | Pasadena, CA (headquarters) |
| Tuition | Contact program for current tuition |
| Best for | Students drawn to humanistic and existential psychology alongside clinical training |
| Program page | View program details → |
Saybrook’s heritage is in humanistic and existential psychology, and that orientation shapes how the CMHC curriculum is taught. Coursework is fully online, but you attend two 5-day Residential Learning Experiences (RLEs) per year at the beginning of fall and spring semesters. The program requires 700 hours of field experience through practicum and internship. If you want counseling training informed by humanistic psychology traditions rather than a standard cognitive-behavioral emphasis, Saybrook is the one to look at.
On-Campus CACREP Programs
These four CSU and private-university programs deliver the degree primarily on-campus, with practicum placements built around the region each program serves.
California State University, Fullerton
| Degree | Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Marriage and Family Therapy |
| Credits | 63 units |
| Modality | On-campus (evening cohort) |
| Location | Fullerton, CA |
| Tuition | ~$675 per unit (~$42,525 total) |
| Best for | Orange County students who want dual CMHC + MFT preparation with an evening schedule |
| Program page | View program details → |
CSU Fullerton prepares students for both LPCC and LMFT eligibility in one 63-unit curriculum. The extra 3 units beyond the standard 60 cover the coursework needed to sit for both exams. The cohort format guarantees your class schedule, and evening classes make it feasible for working professionals. Practicum placements are concentrated in Orange County. CACREP accreditation runs through October 2031.
California State University, Fresno
| Degree | Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling |
| Credits | 60+ units |
| Modality | On-campus |
| Location | Fresno, CA |
| Tuition | CSU in-state rates (contact program for current figures) |
| Best for | Central Valley students who want combined CMHC + rehabilitation counseling training |
| Program page | View program details → |
CSU Fresno’s program is the only California CACREP-accredited option that combines Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling into one degree. Graduates can pursue LPCC licensure while also gaining preparation to work with clients experiencing disabilities. If you want to serve rural and underserved Central Valley populations, this program has strong regional practicum partnerships and typical CSU in-state tuition.
San Francisco State University
| Degree | Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
| Credits | 60 units |
| Modality | On-campus (full-time or part-time) |
| Location | San Francisco, CA |
| In-state tuition | ~$448 per unit |
| Out-of-state tuition | ~$892 per unit |
| Best for | Bay Area students who want access to 150+ practicum partners across a diverse clinical population |
| Program page | View program details → |
SF State has been running a Bay Area CACREP-accredited program for decades and holds practicum partnerships with more than 150 clinical agencies across the region. The 60-unit curriculum takes 2 to 3 years depending on full-time or part-time enrollment. In-state tuition is one of the more affordable public options in California. If you want to train and eventually practice in the Bay Area’s diverse clinical population, SF State has the deepest practicum network in Northern California. CACREP accreditation runs through March 2027.
University of San Diego
| Degree | Master of Arts in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
| Credits | 60 units |
| Modality | On-campus |
| Location | San Diego, CA |
| Tuition | Private tuition rates (contact SOLES for current figures) |
| Best for | San Diego students who want a private-university program with 700+ practicum hours |
| Program page | View program details → |
USD’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) runs the CMHC program with a strong social justice and leadership orientation. Students complete a minimum of 700 clock hours of supervised practicum across three semesters, which is on the higher end for California CACREP programs. The San Diego location gives you access to a broad range of clinical settings serving military-connected populations, border communities, and urban San Diego. If you want a private-university program in Southern California with an emphasis on ethical leadership alongside clinical training, USD fits.
Non-CACREP Alternatives with Portability Considerations
If you’re considering a non-CACREP program in California, portability to other states becomes the main practical concern. California is unusual: BBS reviews degree content directly for LPCC licensure, so you don’t need CACREP or MPCAC accreditation to become licensed in California. But if you might move to another state, programmatic accreditation makes portability much smoother. The programs below meet California LPCC coursework requirements and offer varying degrees of out-of-state portability depending on their accreditation status.
Sonoma State University
| Degree | Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
| Credits | 60 units |
| Modality | On-campus |
| Location | Rohnert Park, CA |
| Accreditation | MPCAC (accredited September 2022 – September 2030) |
| Tuition | CSU in-state rates |
| Best for | North Bay students seeking programmatic accreditation as a portability alternative to CACREP |
| Program page | View program details → |
Sonoma State’s program is accredited by the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), which several state boards accept as an alternative to CACREP for LPC/LPCC licensure. Not all states accept MPCAC the way they accept CACREP, so verify with your target state’s licensing board before assuming portability. The Rohnert Park location serves the North Bay region between San Francisco and the wine country, and Sonoma State is a public CSU with in-state tuition rates.
Bastyr University — San Diego
| Degree | Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology |
| Credits | 60 units |
| Modality | On-campus |
| Location | San Diego, CA |
| Accreditation | MPCAC (accredited March 2024 – March 2032) |
| Tuition | Private tuition rates (contact program) |
| Best for | Students interested in integrative and naturopathic-adjacent mental health training |
| Program page | View program details → |
Bastyr is a private university with a heritage in integrative and natural health, and its San Diego counseling psychology program brings that lens to master’s-level counselor training. The MPCAC accreditation (through 2032) means the program meets programmatic standards recognized in several states beyond California, though it’s not a full CACREP substitute for every state. If you’re drawn to holistic, integrative approaches to mental health and want to practice in California specifically, Bastyr is worth considering.
How to Choose Between These Programs
With 9 CACREP-accredited counseling programs in California and 2 MPCAC-accredited alternatives, choosing between them can feel harder than it should. The programs look more similar than different on paper. Most run 60 units, most prepare you for LPCC licensure, and most price in a similar range depending on public vs private. The real differentiators are usually about you and what you want your career to look like.
Start with career goal rather than program prestige. If you want to practice in a Bay Area community mental health setting, San Francisco State’s 150+ practicum partnerships give you the strongest local pipeline. If you want to serve San Diego’s military-connected or border-region populations, University of San Diego and Bastyr University both fit. If you want to serve Central Valley or Fresno-area clients, CSU Fresno or Alliant International (Fresno campus) put you in the right region from day one. If you want dual CMHC and MFT eligibility, CSU Fullerton’s 63-unit combined program is the only California option that does both in one degree.
Geography still matters even for online programs. The Chicago School LA and Palo Alto University’s fully online options give you flexibility to live anywhere in California, but you’ll still need to find practicum placements in your local area. Verify each program’s willingness to support practicum placement in your region before committing to online-only enrollment.
Budget the whole thing, not the per-credit price. California public CSU programs (Fullerton, Fresno, SF State, Sonoma) run well below private tuition, and CSUs also offer graduate assistantships that can further reduce your net cost. Two 60-unit programs with the same per-credit rate can end up costing you very different amounts once fees, textbook costs, licensure exam fees ($130 for the California Law & Ethics Exam alone), and lost income from practicum hours are factored in.
Pace depends on program format more than “accelerated” branding. California LPCC requires 60 semester units plus 3,000 supervised hours regardless of program. What differs is time-to-degree: Concordia Irvine and Alliant online can be completed in about 24 months, Palo Alto’s hybrid runs 2 years 3 months, CSU cohort programs typically run 2 to 3 years, and part-time options can extend to 4+ years. If you’re working full-time now and need to keep working, look closely at Concordia Irvine, Alliant online, Palo Alto online, The Chicago School LA online, and Saybrook.
CACREP accreditation matters most if you might leave California. For California LPCC alone, non-CACREP programs work if they meet BBS coursework standards (Bastyr, Sonoma State, and other non-CACREP California programs qualify). But if you might move to another state, CACREP is the smoothest path to portability. MPCAC (Sonoma State, Bastyr) is a middle path: recognized in some states but not all, and worth verifying with your target state’s board.
No GRE Required Master in Counseling Programs
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test some graduate schools use to evaluate applicants. Most California counseling programs have dropped the GRE requirement in recent admissions cycles, so if you’d rather skip it, you have options.
The California State University counseling programs (Fullerton, Fresno, SF State, Sonoma) generally don’t require the GRE. Private options that don’t require the GRE include Alliant International, Palo Alto University, The Chicago School, Concordia Irvine, and Saybrook. Bastyr University’s counseling psychology program also does not require the GRE.
Confirm current admissions requirements directly with each program’s graduate school before you apply. GRE policies shift year to year, and some programs waive the test if your undergrad GPA is high enough or if you have relevant professional experience.
Most Affordable Master in Counseling Programs in California
Affordability depends on how you count it. California residents attending a CSU pay well below what private programs charge, but total program cost also depends on unit count, fees, and whether the program includes practicum-supervision costs.
For California residents, the lowest per-credit rate among the CACREP-accredited programs listed above is San Francisco State at approximately $448 per credit for residents. Other affordable public options include CSU Fresno and Sonoma State (MPCAC-accredited alternative), both at standard CSU in-state rates. Among the private options, Concordia Irvine’s Townsend Institute at ~$684/credit is one of the more accessible price points before financial aid.
If cost is the deciding factor, start with a CSU within commuting distance. In-state tuition at any California public university runs well below what private schools charge, and CSU counseling programs often offer graduate assistantships that can further reduce your net cost. And compare total program cost (credit hours × per-credit rate + fees), not just the sticker per-credit rate. A private program with a lower published per-credit rate can still cost more overall once required fees are included.
Accelerated Master in Counseling Programs in California
California doesn’t have counseling programs that market themselves as “accelerated” the way you’d see with online undergraduate degrees. Every California counseling program that qualifies you for LPCC licensure includes at least 60 semester units of coursework, 280 face-to-face practicum hours, and preparation for the state’s exam requirements. The 3,000 post-graduate supervised hours needed for full LPCC licensure is fixed at 104+ weeks regardless of how fast you finish coursework.
If speed matters, look at the online and hybrid CACREP options. Concordia Irvine’s Townsend Institute program can be completed in as little as 24 months, Alliant International’s online MACC targets a similar 24-month timeline across 11 terms, and Palo Alto University’s program runs about 2 years 3 months. For on-campus programs, most students take 2 to 3 years, depending on whether they’re full-time or part-time and how their practicum and internship placements land.
Financial Aid and Funding for Counseling Programs in California
Counseling master’s programs range from surprisingly affordable to eye-watering depending on where you go and how you fund it. A few strategies California students consistently overlook can noticeably cut your out-of-pocket cost.
Start with graduate assistantships at CSU programs. Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Fresno, San Francisco State, and Sonoma State all have graduate assistant positions (teaching, research, or program administration) that pay a stipend and often include tuition support for in-state students. These positions aren’t advertised heavily and often go to students who ask for them directly during the interview and enrollment process.
The federal Health Resources and Services Administration runs the NHSC Loan Repayment Program for behavioral health professionals who commit to working in Health Professional Shortage Areas. California has designated shortage areas throughout the Central Valley, along parts of the coast, in the Inland Empire, and in border regions. Full-time work in a qualifying site can pay off up to $50,000 in student loans in two years. If you’re open to practicing in a shortage area for your first LPCC role, this program can substantially cut your loan balance.
California also has the California Health Professions Education Foundation (HPEF) loan repayment for behavioral health professionals who commit to serving underserved California communities. Amounts and eligibility vary by program year, so check the current cycle if California-specific rural or safety-net practice fits your career path.
For federal student loans, graduate students qualify for Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans through FAFSA. Complete the FAFSA before program deadlines, which usually fall in the spring before fall admission.
Check each program’s website for departmental scholarships, alumni-funded awards, and diversity-focused funding. Many are small (a few hundred to a few thousand dollars) but they add up. Private universities like Concordia Irvine, Palo Alto University, University of San Diego, and Saybrook sometimes have institutional scholarships worth investigating.
Many California students work as behavioral health technicians, case managers, or peer support specialists during their master’s coursework. These roles pay modestly but give you paid clinical exposure that complements your practicum, and sometimes the employer covers CE credits or provides a tuition benefit. County behavioral health departments across California often actively recruit master’s students with these arrangements.
Required Courses for Licensure in California
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences requires that any counseling master’s include specific coursework for you to qualify for LPCC licensure. If you pick a CACREP-accredited program from the list above, you’re covered automatically. The BBS course requirements are worth knowing so you can spot-check any non-CACREP program you’re considering.
California LPCC coursework must cover the 13 core content areas defined by BBS:
- Counseling and psychotherapeutic theories and techniques
- Human growth and development across the lifespan
- Career development theories
- Group counseling theories and techniques
- Assessment, appraisal, and testing of individuals
- Multicultural counseling theories and techniques including cultural, ethnic, and disability-related issues
- Principles of the diagnostic process
- Research and evaluation
- Professional orientation, ethics, and law of counseling
- Psychopharmacology
- Addictions counseling
- Crisis or trauma counseling
- Advanced counseling and psychotherapeutic theories and techniques
You also need to complete a supervised practicum with at least 280 face-to-face supervised clinical experience hours during your master’s program. That’s before you even start counting toward the 3,000 post-graduate supervised hours needed for full LPCC licensure. Ask each program you’re considering how they support you in finding practicum placements. The best programs have partnerships with community mental health providers across their region.
Non-CACREP programs still need to cover all 13 content areas plus provide the 280-hour practicum for you to qualify for California licensure. BBS reviews non-CACREP program transcripts course-by-course during the LPCC application process. Verify a program’s curriculum against the 13 areas before enrolling if it’s not CACREP or MPCAC accredited.
Counseling Licensure Requirements in California
California licenses professional clinical counselors through the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), which also oversees LMFTs and LCSWs. You’ll pursue two clinical credentials in sequence: the APCC (Associate Professional Clinical Counselor) first, then full LPCC.
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC)
The APCC is your working registration after graduation. You’ll submit the following to BBS to get it:
- Master’s degree transcript covering the 13 required content areas plus 280 face-to-face practicum hours
- APCC application with required fees
- Fingerprint-based background check (Live Scan)
- Attestation of good moral character
Once registered as an APCC, you can begin accruing the 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised experience needed for full LPCC licensure. You must also pass the California Law and Ethics Examination, which APCCs take annually until they pass. Plan on APCC registration taking several weeks to process.
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
Once you’re registered as an APCC, you’ll practice under supervision and log 3,000 hours of supervised experience over a minimum of 104 weeks (about two years). Of those, at least 1,750 must be direct client hours. To upgrade to full LPCC, you submit:
- Supervised experience documentation showing all 3,000 hours (with 1,750+ direct hours) are complete
- Proof of passing the California Law and Ethics Examination
- Passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
- LPCC application with required fees
California does not accept the NCE (National Counselor Examination). Only the NCMHCE satisfies the national exam requirement for LPCC licensure. Some programs prepare you specifically for the NCMHCE; others don’t emphasize it as heavily. Confirm during your program search.
2026 developments to watch
BBS proposed regulatory changes in 2025 that would extend the validity of supervised experience hours from 6 years to 7 years. As of early 2026, this is still a proposal. Check the BBS law and regulation changes page for adoption status. California also remains outside the Counseling Compact, so if you plan to practice across state lines long-term, that’s worth factoring into your program choice.
If your goal is marriage and family therapy rather than a general clinical counseling license, the California LMFT licensure path is a parallel route through BBS with different educational requirements and a different exam sequence.
Career Outlook for Counselors in California
California is one of the largest employment markets in the country for mental health counselors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics OES program tracks employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (SOC 21-1018), and California consistently ranks among the top employment states nationally. Employment concentrates in the major metros: Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, Sacramento, and the Inland Empire, with smaller but growing markets in the Central Valley and North Coast.
Nationally, the median annual wage for the occupation is $59,350 and the mean is $64,440 (BLS, May 2025). California wages typically run above the national median due to cost of living, especially in Bay Area and coastal metros. Variation by setting matters: private practice and clinical roles at established hospitals or group practices tend to pay higher than community mental health or residential treatment positions. If you plan to build a private practice, expect income to lag your salaried peers for the first couple of years while you build a caseload, then likely exceed them once you’re established.
Job growth is projected at 19% nationally between 2023 and 2033, according to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. That’s much faster than the average across all occupations. California’s rate of growth is likely to outpace the national number given the state’s population, Medi-Cal expansion of behavioral health services, and continued investment in county behavioral health capacity.
Where you practice inside California matters as much as which credential you hold. Coastal metros have more job openings but more competition and higher cost of living; Central Valley, Inland Empire, and rural North Coast counties have real behavioral health workforce shortages and often qualify practitioners for federal loan repayment programs. More on that in the funding section above.
California Counseling FAQs
What are the best CACREP-accredited counseling master’s programs in California?
There isn’t a single “best” program. The right fit depends on where you live, whether you need online or hybrid delivery, and how you plan to pay. The largest and most established California programs sit at San Francisco State, University of San Diego, CSU Fullerton, Palo Alto University, and Alliant International University. If cost matters most, in-state tuition at any of the CSU campuses is hard to beat. Our roundup of the cheapest CACREP-accredited counseling programs also breaks down the most affordable options nationwide.
Are there fully online CACREP-accredited counseling programs in California?
Yes. California has three fully online CACREP-accredited options: Alliant International University (also offers on-ground at Fresno), Palo Alto University (100% online option available), and The Chicago School’s Los Angeles branch. Concordia Irvine and Saybrook run hybrid programs that are mostly online with brief in-person residencies in California. Verify each program’s ability to support your practicum placement in your local area before enrolling in an online-only program.
How do I become a licensed counselor in California?
The California path is: earn a 60-semester-unit (or 90-quarter-unit) master’s degree covering BBS’s 13 required content areas, complete 280 face-to-face practicum hours during the program, register with BBS as an APCC (Associate Professional Clinical Counselor), pass the California Law and Ethics Examination, complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience over 104+ weeks (including 1,750 direct hours), and pass the NCMHCE. If your career direction is more relational/family-systems focused, our how to become an LMFT in California guide walks through the marriage and family therapy licensure route instead.
How long does it take to get an LPCC license in California?
Plan on about five to six years total. That’s roughly two years for your master’s (some programs run three), then two to three years to complete the 3,000 supervised hours as an APCC. California requires those hours be spread over a minimum of 104 weeks, so 24-month timelines are possible but tight. After that, BBS review adds several more weeks. The exact timeline depends on your enrollment pace and how many supervised hours per week you can log.
What’s the difference between an LPCC and an LMFT in California?
An LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor) is trained to address a broad range of mental health concerns — anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions, or life transitions, with individuals, couples, or groups. An LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) works from a systems-oriented framework focused on relational and family dynamics. Both are master’s-level licenses regulated by BBS, both can practice psychotherapy in California, and both can bill insurance. The main differences are the required graduate coursework and the theoretical lens each brings to the work. CSU Fullerton offers a combined 63-unit program that prepares you for both.
How many continuing education credits do California LPCCs need each renewal?
California LPCCs need 36 continuing education hours per two-year renewal period, with specific hours required in law and ethics (six hours), suicide risk assessment, cultural humility, and other required topics. Check the BBS continuing education page for current requirements. California does not currently mandate a specific CE tracking platform the way some other states do.
How do I find a supervisor as an APCC in California?
BBS maintains information about supervisor requirements but doesn’t publish a searchable supervisor directory. Most California counseling agencies, group practices, community mental health providers, and county behavioral health departments offer supervision to their APCCs as part of employment. Professional associations like the California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (CALPCC) often maintain supervisor referral lists for members.
Is a CACREP-accredited program required to become an LPCC in California?
No. California is unusual: BBS reviews degree content directly rather than relying on CACREP accreditation as a shortcut. Non-CACREP programs work in California as long as they cover all 13 BBS-required content areas and include a 280-hour supervised practicum. But CACREP accreditation is still the smoothest path to portability if you might ever move to another state. MPCAC accreditation (Sonoma State, Bastyr) is a middle path recognized in some states but not all, so verify with your target state’s licensing board before assuming portability.
References
- California Department of Health Care Access & Information. (2025). Supply and demand modeling for California’s behavioral health workforce. https://hcai.ca.gov/visualizations/supply-and-demand-modeling-for-californias-behavioral-health-workforce/
- California Employment Development Department. (2025). California jobs market report: 2025 edition. https://edd.ca.gov/siteassets/files/pdf_pub_ctr/2025_california_jobs_market_report.pdf
- California Health Care Foundation. (2022). Mental health in California: For too many, care not there. https://www.chcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/MentalHealthAlmanac2022.pdf
- CSU System. (2025, January 27). Student mental health. https://magazine.csusystem.edu/2025/01/27/student-mental-health/
- Department of Health Care Access and Information. (2025). Supply and demand modeling for California’s behavioral health workforce. https://hcai.ca.gov/visualizations/supply-and-demand-modeling-for-californias-behavioral-health-workforce/
- EdSource. (2022). California made a historic investment in school counselors. Is it enough? https://edsource.org/2022/california-made-a-historic-investment-in-school-counselors-is-it-enough/668168
- Healthforce Center at UCSF. (2023). California’s current and future behavioral health workforce. https://healthforce.ucsf.edu/publications/california%E2%80%99s-current-and-future-behavioral-health-workforce
- Public Policy Institute of California. (2024, October 28). Working helps keep Californians with disabilities out of poverty. https://www.ppic.org/blog/working-helps-keep-californians-with-disabilities-out-of-poverty/
- UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. (2024). Health and long-term services and supports among diverse Californians. https://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/our-work/publications/health-diverse-californians-needs-long-term-services-and-supports
- UCLA Fielding School of Public Health & University of Michigan. (2025, October 9). For third year in a row, college students report lower rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, research shows. UCLA News. https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/college-students-mental-health-report-ucla
