12 CACREP-Accredited Counseling Programs in Georgia

2026 Georgia Counseling Updates

2026 is a big year for Georgia counseling licensure. If you’re planning to enter mental health counseling in Georgia this year, four state-level developments are worth flagging. They affect interstate practice, continuing education reporting, and the education requirements that determine which programs qualify you for LPC.

• Georgia went operational with the Counseling Compact on June 2, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Georgia was the fifth state to go live issuing interstate practice privileges under the Counseling Compact, after Arizona, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Ohio. Georgia LPCs (not LAPCs) can apply for privileges to practice in other operational compact states, and out-of-state LPCs from operational states can apply for Georgia privileges. The Georgia privilege fee is $130 total. As of August 2026, seven jurisdictions are operational: Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Ohio.
• CE Broker becomes mandatory January 1, 2026 for all Georgia LPCs. All licensees must register for CE Broker and report continuing education through the platform. Self-attestation is being replaced with platform-verified reporting. If you’re maintaining your LPC through the September 30, 2026 renewal cycle, plan to register with CE Broker before the January 1 mandate takes effect.
• Georgia Composite Board held rule hearings April 4, 2025 on education and experience Rules 135-5-.01 through 135-5-.06. These rules govern master’s coursework requirements, LAPC registration, supervision contracts, and post-degree experience for LPC. Track the current Board rules page for the adopted text. If you’re applying between now and the effective dates, confirm current requirements directly with the Board before submitting.
• Georgia Behavioral Health Provider Loan Repayment Program (GBHPLRP) remains open for LPCs. The Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce administers loan repayment for LPCs serving in Georgia Mental Health HPSAs, with a 4-year full-time commitment required. This complements federal NHSC loan repayment and gives LPCs a Georgia-specific pathway to substantially cut loan balances after graduation.

Master of Counseling Programs in Georgia

Georgia has a mid-sized pool of CACREP-accredited counseling master’s programs concentrated in the Atlanta metro plus regional programs across the state. If you’re planning to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia, choosing the right program depends on where you live, whether you need online flexibility, and how the Counseling Compact affects your future interstate practice options.

CACREP-Accredited Programs	12 Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs (CACREP directory)
Georgia Median Annual Wage	~$53,760 per year mean (Georgia, BLS OES); Atlanta metro tracks above state
Licensing Body	Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists
Supervised Experience (LAPC → LPC)	3,000 hours over minimum 24 months with at least 30 hours of supervision per year
National Job Growth	17% projected growth (2024-2034, BLS OOH)
Counseling Compact Status	Operational since June 2, 2026 (LPCs eligible for interstate practice privileges)

CACREP-Accredited Counseling Programs in Georgia

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits counseling programs that meet consistent educational standards nationwide. For Georgia LPC applicants whose master’s degrees were conferred after September 30, 2018, the Composite Board requires CACREP or CORE accreditation, or a “substantially similar” regionally accredited program. Georgia has 12 CACREP-accredited clinical mental health counseling programs, organized below by delivery format.

Fully Online CACREP Programs

If you need to keep working or you don’t live near a program campus, these two CACREP-accredited programs deliver the degree in a primarily online format.

Richmont Graduate University (Online)

Degree	M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60 credits
Modality	Fully online + four in-person residencies at Atlanta
Location	Atlanta, GA (online delivery)
Tuition	Contact program for current tuition
Best for	Christian students anywhere in Georgia who want a CACREP online program with faith-informed integration and runway through 2034
Program page	View program details →

Richmont is an Atlanta-based Christian graduate university, and its online CMHC track was CACREP-approved in 2020 and reaffirmed through 2034. The four in-person residencies at the Atlanta campus keep cohort connection strong. The Christian identity shapes the ethics and integration curriculum. Richmont also runs the same program on-campus in Atlanta if you prefer traditional delivery.

Thomas University

Degree	M.S. in Counseling, CMHC specialization
Credits	60 credits
Modality	Fully online
Location	Thomasville, GA (online delivery)
Tuition	Contact program for current tuition
Best for	South Georgia students who want a fully online CACREP program with accreditation through July 2032
Program page	View program details →

Thomas University is in Thomasville near the Florida border, and its M.S. in Counseling runs fully online with a CMHC specialization plus separate options for Clinical Rehabilitation, Addictions, and School Counseling. CACREP reaccreditation runs through July 2032. Practicum placements happen in your local community, coordinated by the program.

Hybrid CACREP Programs

These programs combine online coursework with periodic in-person residencies or on-campus intensives at Georgia campuses.

Columbus State University

Degree	M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60 credits
Modality	Hybrid (online + on-campus)
Location	Columbus, GA
Tuition	~$307 per credit in-state; ~$1,105 per credit out-of-state
Best for	West Georgia and Chattahoochee Valley students who want a public CACREP program with hybrid scheduling
Program page	View program details →

Columbus State is a public university serving West Georgia and the Chattahoochee Valley, and its CMHC program blends online coursework with on-campus intensives. Public in-state tuition is competitive for a hybrid CACREP program. Practicum placements reach into Muscogee County, plus over the border into Alabama’s Russell County if you plan to practice regionally.

Fort Valley State University

Degree	M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60 credits
Modality	Face-to-face and hybrid
Location	Fort Valley, GA
Tuition	Public HBCU in-state graduate range
Best for	Central Georgia students who want a public HBCU CACREP program with dual CMHC and Clinical Rehab options
Program page	View program details →

Fort Valley State is a public HBCU in Central Georgia, and its CMHC program is CACREP-accredited alongside a separate Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling track under the same accreditation. The rural Central Georgia location gives graduates access to federally designated behavioral health shortage area practicum sites. Public HBCU tuition keeps program cost accessible.

LaGrange College

Degree	M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60 credits
Modality	On-campus (LaGrange) plus fully virtual synchronous/asynchronous track
Location	LaGrange, GA
Tuition	Private tuition rates (contact program)
Best for	West Georgia students who want a small private-college CACREP program with virtual delivery option through 2029
Program page	View program details →

LaGrange College is a small private liberal arts college west of Atlanta, and its CMHC program offers both on-campus in LaGrange and a fully virtual synchronous/asynchronous delivery option. CACREP accreditation runs from July 2021 through October 31, 2029. Class sizes are smaller than at the public universities, which some students prefer for the close faculty relationships during practicum and internship.

Mercer University

Degree	M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60 credits
Modality	Hybrid (Macon and Atlanta campuses)
Location	Macon and Atlanta, GA
Tuition	~$900 per credit
Best for	Central Georgia and Atlanta students who want a Baptist-affiliated program with dual CMHC + M.Div. or CMHC + M.T.S. options
Program page	View program details →

Mercer is a Baptist-affiliated private university with campuses in Macon and Atlanta, and its CMHC program runs hybrid across both sites. Mercer also offers combined CMHC + Master of Divinity and CMHC + Master of Theological Studies pathways for students called to pastoral or theologically-informed counseling. The two-campus setup gives students access to both Central Georgia and Atlanta metro practicum networks.

University of West Georgia

Degree	M.Ed. in Professional Counseling, CMHC concentration
Credits	60 credits (~7 semesters full-time)
Modality	On-campus with some online components
Location	Carrollton, GA
Tuition	Public in-state graduate range
Best for	West Georgia students who want a public CACREP program near the Atlanta metro edge
Program page	View program details →

UWG is in Carrollton, about 45 minutes west of Atlanta, and its CMHC program runs primarily on-campus with some online components. The location works for students who want public in-state tuition and can commute from western suburbs. Practicum placements reach into Carroll, Douglas, and Paulding counties.

On-Campus CACREP Programs

These programs run primarily on-campus, with practicum placements built around the region each program serves.

Clark Atlanta University

Degree	M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60 credits
Modality	On-campus
Location	Atlanta, GA (Atlanta University Center)
Tuition	Private HBCU tuition rates (contact program)
Best for	Atlanta HBCU-focused students who want CACREP training embedded in the Atlanta University Center consortium
Program page	View program details →

Clark Atlanta University is part of the Atlanta University Center, the largest HBCU consortium in the country. The CMHC program requires 100 hours of practicum plus 600 hours of internship. Practicum placements reach into Atlanta’s south side, west side, and southwest suburban community mental health providers. If you want HBCU training with strong Black community mental health placement, Clark Atlanta is worth looking at.

Georgia State University

Degree	M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60 credits
Modality	On-campus (3-semester practicum-internship)
Location	Atlanta, GA (downtown)
Tuition	~$505 per credit in-state; ~$1,406 per credit out-of-state
Best for	Atlanta students who want a public urban CACREP program at the largest R1 university in the metro
Program page	View program details →

GSU sits in downtown Atlanta and is the largest public research university in the metro. The CMHC program runs a 3-semester practicum-internship sequence with placements across Atlanta’s dense clinical training ecosystem: Grady, Emory Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente behavioral health, and multiple community mental health providers. Public in-state tuition is a major cost advantage over Mercer, Richmont, and RTS Atlanta.

Georgia Southern University

Degree	M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60 credits
Modality	On-campus
Location	Statesboro, GA
Tuition	~$291 per credit in-state; ~$1,150 per credit out-of-state
Best for	Southeast Georgia and Coastal Empire students who want a public CACREP program with accreditation since 2009
Program page	View program details →

Georgia Southern is in Statesboro, serving Southeast Georgia including the Savannah metro and coastal counties. CACREP accreditation has run continuously since January 2009. In-state tuition at $291 per credit is one of the lowest public rates in Georgia. Practicum placements reach into Bulloch, Chatham, and surrounding coastal counties.

Augusta University

Degree	M.Ed. in Counselor Education, CMHC concentration
Credits	60 credits
Modality	On-campus (predominantly evening face-to-face classes)
Location	Augusta, GA
Tuition	~$318 per credit in-state; ~$1,270 per credit out-of-state
Best for	Central Savannah River area students who want a public CACREP program with evening class scheduling
Program page	View program details →

Augusta University serves the Central Savannah River area on the Georgia-South Carolina border. Evening class scheduling fits working professionals who need daytime hours to earn income. Practicum placements reach into Richmond, Columbia, and neighboring South Carolina counties across the river. Augusta also holds a separate MPCAC-accredited M.S. in Psychology if you’re comparing counseling and counseling psychology paths.

Reformed Theological Seminary — Atlanta

Degree	M.A. in Counseling
Credits	78 credits
Modality	On-campus
Location	Marietta, GA (Atlanta metro)
Tuition	Private seminary tuition rates (contact program)
Best for	Reformed Christian students who want a seminary-based CACREP program with theological integration
Program page	View program details →

RTS is a Reformed evangelical seminary with its counseling program at the Marietta site north of Atlanta. The 78-credit load includes substantial theological integration coursework alongside the standard CACREP requirements. RTS holds institution-level CACREP accreditation including the Atlanta site. If you want explicit Reformed Christian theological formation alongside counselor training, RTS is one of the few CACREP programs offering this.

Non-CACREP Alternatives with Portability Considerations

If you’re considering a non-CACREP program in Georgia, the Georgia Composite Board accepts MPCAC-accredited programs and other regionally accredited programs meeting the substantially-similar standard for LPC licensure. Portability to other states becomes the main practical concern. The three MPCAC-accredited alternatives below meet Georgia LPC requirements and offer a portability signal in several states beyond Georgia, though not all.

University of Georgia

Degree	M.Ed. in Professional Counseling, Mental Health emphasis
Credits	60 credits
Modality	On-campus
Location	Athens, GA
Accreditation	MPCAC (accredited May 2019 through May 2029)
Tuition	Public in-state graduate range
Best for	Athens-area students who want the flagship UGA credential with MPCAC as a portability alternative
Program page	View program details →

UGA’s flagship counseling program holds MPCAC accreditation, not CACREP. MPCAC is recognized in several states as a portability alternative to CACREP for LPC licensure, and Georgia’s Composite Board accepts the program under the substantially-similar rule. If you want the UGA brand and Athens location and plan to practice primarily in Georgia, this works. Verify with your target state’s licensing board before assuming portability if you might practice outside Georgia.

Brenau University

Degree	M.S. in Clinical Counseling Psychology
Credits	Contact program
Modality	On-campus
Location	Gainesville, GA
Accreditation	MPCAC (accredited January 2007 through February 2027)
Tuition	Private tuition rates (contact program)
Best for	North Georgia students who want an MPCAC private-university counseling psychology program
Program page	View program details →

Brenau is a private university in Gainesville, north of Atlanta, and its Clinical Counseling Psychology M.S. holds MPCAC accreditation through February 2027 (renewal pending). MPCAC works for Georgia LPC through the Composite Board’s substantially-similar review. Verify current MPCAC renewal status and portability to any target state before applying.

Clayton State University

Degree	M.S. in Clinical/Counseling Psychology
Credits	Contact program
Modality	On-campus
Location	Morrow, GA (south metro Atlanta)
Accreditation	MPCAC (accredited December 2016 through December 2026)
Tuition	Public in-state graduate range
Best for	South metro Atlanta students who want a public MPCAC program at the lowest in-state tuition among Georgia MPCAC options
Program page	View program details →

Clayton State is a public university in Morrow, south of Atlanta, and holds MPCAC accreditation on its Clinical/Counseling Psychology M.S. through December 2026 (renewal pending). Public in-state tuition beats the private MPCAC options at Brenau and UGA’s cost-per-credit. Confirm current MPCAC renewal status and Georgia Composite Board acceptance before applying.

How to Choose Between These Programs

With 12 CACREP-accredited counseling programs across Georgia plus MPCAC alternatives, choosing between them can feel harder than it should. The programs look more similar than different on paper. Most run 60 credits, most prepare you for LPC 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 Atlanta’s community mental health system, Georgia State, Clark Atlanta, Mercer, or Richmont put you in the right region. If you want to serve Southeast Georgia including the Coastal Empire, Georgia Southern is the flagship option. If you want to serve Central Savannah River area, Augusta University. If you want to serve West Georgia, Columbus State, UWG, or LaGrange. If you want to serve rural Central Georgia HPSAs, Fort Valley State’s HBCU program with its rural network is a fit. If you want a Christian or Reformed theological integration, Richmont, Mercer’s dual M.Div. option, or RTS Atlanta.

Geography still matters even for online programs. Thomas University’s online program and Richmont’s online track let you live anywhere in Georgia, but you’ll still need to find practicum placements in your local community. Verify each program’s ability to help with local placement before committing to online-only enrollment, especially if you live outside the Atlanta metro.

Budget the whole thing, not the per-credit price. Georgia public universities (Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Columbus State, Augusta, Fort Valley State, UWG) run well below private tuition. Georgia Southern at ~$291 per credit and Columbus State at ~$307 per credit are the lowest in-state rates. Public programs offer graduate assistantships that can further cut your net cost. Compare total program cost (credits × 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.

Pace depends on program format more than “accelerated” branding. Georgia LPC requires 60 semester credits plus 3,000 supervised hours over a minimum of 24 months. Online programs at Thomas and Richmont can move faster during the coursework phase. On-campus programs typically run 2 to 3 years for full-time students, longer for part-time.

CACREP accreditation matters most if you might leave Georgia. For Georgia LPC alone, the substantially-similar rule accepts MPCAC and other regionally accredited programs. But if you might practice in Ohio (which now requires CACREP as of July 2025) or another CACREP-required state, CACREP is the smoothest path. The Counseling Compact operational status Georgia earned on June 2, 2026 gives LPCs a real alternative for interstate practice in the seven current operational states.

No GRE Required Master in Counseling Programs

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test some graduate schools use to evaluate applicants. Most Georgia counseling programs have dropped the GRE requirement in recent admissions cycles, so if you’d rather skip it, you have options.

Among the CACREP-accredited programs, most Georgia public universities (Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Columbus State, Augusta, Fort Valley State, UWG) do not require the GRE. Private and hybrid options that don’t require the GRE include Clark Atlanta, LaGrange, Mercer, Richmont (both online and on-campus), RTS Atlanta, and Thomas University.

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 Georgia

Affordability depends on how you count it. Georgia residents attending a public university pay well below private tuition, but total program cost also depends on fees, credit count, and whether the program includes practicum-supervision costs.

For Georgia residents, the lowest per-credit rate among the CACREP-accredited programs on this page is Georgia Southern at approximately $291 per credit. Other affordable public options include Columbus State (~$307), Augusta University (~$318), and Georgia State (~$505). Fort Valley State and UWG round out the affordable public options. Among private options, Mercer’s ~$900 per credit sits in the middle of the private range.

If cost is the deciding factor, start with a public university within commuting distance. Georgia public in-state tuition beats private tuition. Public counseling programs also offer graduate assistantships that can further cut your net cost. Compare total program cost (credits × 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. The Georgia Behavioral Health Professions Service Cancelable Loan through the Georgia Student Finance Commission also reduces cost for eligible students who commit to Georgia service.

Accelerated Master in Counseling Programs in Georgia

Georgia doesn’t have counseling programs that market themselves as “accelerated” the way you’d see with online undergraduate degrees. Every Georgia counseling program that qualifies you for LPC licensure includes at least 60 semester credits of coursework, a supervised practicum/internship of at least 600 hours, and preparation for the exam requirements. The 3,000 post-master’s supervised hours needed for LPC clinical designation require a minimum of 24 months regardless of how fast you finish coursework.

If speed matters, look at online and hybrid CACREP options. Thomas University’s fully online program and Richmont’s online track let you set your pace. LaGrange’s virtual delivery option can also move faster. 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 Georgia

Counseling master’s programs range from surprisingly affordable to eye-watering depending on where you go and how you fund it. A few strategies that Georgia students consistently overlook can noticeably cut your out-of-pocket cost.

Start with the Georgia Behavioral Health Provider Loan Repayment Program (GBHPLRP). Administered by the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce, GBHPLRP requires a 4-year full-time commitment in a Georgia Mental Health HPSA and pays loan repayment for LPCs. The Behavioral Health Professions Service Cancelable Loan (BHP SCL) through the Georgia Student Finance Commission is a separate pathway that supports students in behavioral health master’s programs with service-cancelable loans.

Georgia public universities also have graduate assistantships (teaching, research, or program administration) at Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Columbus State, Augusta University, Fort Valley State, and UWG that pay a stipend and often include tuition support for Georgia residents. 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 also runs the NHSC Loan Repayment Program for behavioral health professionals in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas. Georgia has HPSAs across rural South Georgia, the Southwest region, and pockets of Atlanta and Savannah. Full-time work in a qualifying site can pay off up to $50,000 in student loans in two years. NHSC and GBHPLRP can sometimes stack depending on the site.

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 Mercer, Richmont, LaGrange, and RTS Atlanta sometimes have institutional scholarships worth investigating.

Required Courses for Licensure in Georgia

The Georgia Composite Board requires that any counseling master’s include specific coursework and clinical training for you to qualify for LPC licensure. If you pick a CACREP-accredited program from the list above, you’re covered automatically. Rule 135-5-.01 spells out the required content areas.

Georgia LPC coursework must cover the following content areas across 60 semester hours minimum:

• Counseling theories and practice
• Human growth and development
• Social and cultural foundations
• Group dynamics and counseling
• Career and lifestyle development
• Appraisal (assessment) of individuals
• Research and program evaluation
• Professional orientation and ethics

You’ll also need to complete a supervised practicum and internship of at least 600 hours total (for degrees conferred after September 30, 2018). That’s before you even start counting toward the 3,000 post-master’s supervised hours needed for LPC. 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.

For master’s degrees conferred after September 30, 2018, the Composite Board requires CACREP/CORE accreditation or a substantially similar regionally accredited program. MPCAC accreditation is generally accepted under the substantially-similar rule. If you’re considering a non-CACREP and non-MPCAC program, verify Composite Board approval before enrolling.

Counseling Licensure Requirements in Georgia

Georgia licenses professional counselors through the Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists, under the Georgia Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards Division. You’ll pursue two credentials in sequence: LAPC after your master’s, then full LPC after supervised experience.

Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC)

The LAPC is your working credential after graduation. Unlike some states that use “Intern” or “Associate” as an informal designation, Georgia’s LAPC is a distinct licensed credential, not a trainee status. You’ll submit the following to the Composite Board:

• Master’s degree transcript covering the required content areas plus 600-hour practicum/internship
• LAPC application with $110 fee ($100 application + $10 processing)
• Registered Directed Experience Under Supervision (DEUS) contract with a Board-approved supervisor
• Passing score on the NCE or NCMHCE (either accepted)

The LAPC can be held for up to 5 years while you complete post-degree supervised experience. Once registered, you can begin accruing the 3,000 hours of directed experience needed for full LPC.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

The LPC is Georgia’s independent-practice license. To upgrade from LAPC to LPC, you complete:

• 3,000 hours of post-master’s directed experience under supervision, completed within 60 months (minimum 24 months in practice)
• At least 30 hours of supervision per year (approximately 105 hours total across the experience period)
• Passing score on the NCE or NCMHCE if not already passed at LAPC stage
• LPC application with fee

Georgia does not require a state-specific jurisprudence exam.

Counseling Compact interstate practice

Georgia went operational with Counseling Compact privileges on June 2, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. ET, becoming the fifth state to launch privileges after Arizona, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Ohio. If you hold a Georgia LPC (not LAPC) and reside in Georgia, you can apply for the interstate practice privilege to counsel clients located in other operational compact states. The Georgia privilege fee is $130 total. As of August 2026, seven jurisdictions are operational: Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Ohio. Privilege holders must comply with the laws and ethics of the state where the client is located.

Continuing education

Georgia LPCs need 35 continuing education contact hours per biennial renewal cycle, with renewals due September 30 of even years. Requirements include 5 hours in professional ethics (must be live/synchronous, no independent study), 15 core hours minimum in professional counseling content, up to 15 hours in allied related fields, and a maximum of 10 asynchronous hours per cycle. Effective January 1, 2026, all continuing education must be reported through CE Broker.

Telehealth

Georgia Composite Board Rule 135-11 governs telemental health practice. LPCs must complete 7 hours of telemental health CE before delivering telehealth: 1 hour of overview prior to starting plus 6 additional hours within 6 weeks of the first telemental health session. This is a one-time requirement, not per cycle. Supervisors delivering telemental health supervision need an additional 6 telemental health CE hours plus 3 hours in supervising telemental health.

If your goal is marriage and family therapy rather than a general professional counseling license, the Georgia LMFT licensure path runs through the same Composite Board with different educational requirements.

Career Outlook for Counselors in Georgia

Georgia is a mid-sized employment market for mental health counselors, driven mostly by the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Bureau of Labor Statistics OES program tracks employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (SOC 21-1018). Approximately 7,890 counselors work in Georgia, with employment concentrated in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta metro. Smaller but real markets exist in Savannah, Augusta, Athens, Columbus, and Macon.

Georgia’s mean annual wage for the occupation is approximately $53,760 (BLS May 2023). Nationally, the median is $59,190 (May 2024). Georgia wages track below the national median, which reflects the state’s lower cost of living compared to coastal and northeastern metros. Atlanta metro wages track above the state average due to Atlanta’s cost of living and market density. 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.

National job growth is projected at 17% between 2024 and 2034, according to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. That’s much faster than the average across all occupations. Georgia’s rate of growth is likely to match or exceed the national number given continued state investment in behavioral health capacity, ongoing implementation of the Georgia Mental Health Parity Act (HB 1013, 2022), and DBHDD workforce initiatives.

Where you practice inside Georgia matters as much as which credential you hold. Atlanta metro has the most job openings but the most competition. Rural South Georgia, Southwest Georgia, and Appalachian North Georgia have real workforce shortages and often qualify practitioners for GBHPLRP and NHSC loan repayment. The Counseling Compact operational status Georgia earned on June 2, 2026 adds a new career mobility factor: if you earn Georgia LPC, you can practice remotely in six other operational compact states.

Georgia Counseling FAQs