Known as The Natural State, Arkansas is located in the Mid-South region famed for its natural beauty and diverse opportunities for outdoor activities. Arkansas blends rich culture and breathtaking scenery, including the Ozark mountains, crystal-clear rivers, and vibrant communities. It’s a place of outdoor adventure, Southern hospitality, and thriving local traditions.
Arkansas also offers several strong CACREP-accredited master’s programs in mental health counseling. These programs meet the state’s licensure requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors LPCs and prepare graduates to work in schools, community agencies, and private practice, among other career opportunities.
This page highlights only CACREP-accredited programs in Arkansas so you can quickly find options that meet national standards and state licensing requirements.
Quick Facts: CACREP Masters Counseling Programs in Arkansas
- Universities offering CACREP Masters Counseling Programs in Arkansas: 4
- Program Formats: On-campus and online
- Common Specializations: CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and Rehabilitation Counseling.
- Most Affordable CACREP Masters Program: Henderson State University. Tuition: In-state: $340 per credit hour, out-of-state: $470 per credit hour
State of Arkansas CACREP accredited Graduate Counseling Programs
In the State of Arkansas, there are 4 graduate counseling programs that are CACREP accredited and meet the criteria for licensure.
Harding University
- Searcy, AR
- 60 hours
- Online + In-Person + Hybrid
Program: Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Modality: Hybrid (online and in-person) – Searcy, AR
GRE Required: Not specified (check with admissions)
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $425 per credit hour (same for in-state and out-of-state students)
Program Overview:
Harding’s program prepares students to serve diverse communities as licensed professional counselors. Courses combine theoretical foundations, research, and evidence-based interventions, while clinical placements provide supervised experience in community and private-practice settings.
Key Highlights:
- Flexible hybrid format with evening and weekend class options
- Focus on ethical practice and faith-integrated counseling
- Faculty with extensive professional counseling experience
Additional Considerations:
Applicants should review Harding’s admissions deadlines and required prerequisite coursework.
Accreditation: CACREP
Henderson State University
- Arkadelphia, AR
- 60 hours
- Online + Campus + Hybrid
Program: Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Modality: Hybrid (online and on campus) – Arkadelphia, AR
GRE Required: Not specified (confirm with the department)
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $340 per credit hour (in-state); $470 per credit hour (out-of-state)
Program Overview:
Henderson State’s counseling program emphasizes clinical skill development, multicultural competence, and professional ethics. Students gain hands-on experience through practicum and internship placements in a range of community settings.
Key Highlights:
- Small class sizes with personalized faculty mentoring
- Training in individual, group, and family counseling
- Strong focus on preparing graduates for LPC licensure in Arkansas
Additional Considerations:
Students should plan to complete their internships within commuting distance of campus.
Accreditation: CACREP
John Brown University
- Siloam Springs, AR
- 60 hours
- Online + Campus + Hybrid
Program: Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Modality: Hybrid (online and on campus) – Siloam Springs, AR
GRE Required: No GRE required
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $600 per credit hour (flat rate for all students)
Program Overview:
John Brown University offers a rigorous program integrating counseling theory with hands-on practice. Students benefit from a faith-based learning environment and robust support services as they prepare for LPC licensure and work in mental health, school, or private practice settings.
Key Highlights:
- No GRE requirement simplifies the admissions process
- Courses offered evenings and weekends to support working students
- Emphasis on holistic wellness and ethical counseling practice
Additional Considerations:
Students should review the program’s residency and clinical hour requirements before enrolling.
Accreditation: CACREP
University of Arkansas – Fayetteville
- Fayetteville, AR
- 60 hours
- Campus
Program: Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Modality: Traditional on-campus instruction – Fayetteville, AR
GRE Required: Not specified (confirm with department)
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $459.68 per credit hour (in-state); $1,250.24 per credit hour (out-of-state)
Program Overview:
This program prepares graduates to serve as professional counselors in clinical, agency, or private-practice settings. Coursework covers assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and multicultural counseling, with supervised practicum and internship experiences in the community.
Key Highlights:
- Extensive opportunities for supervised clinical training
- Faculty active in counseling research and professional organizations
- Designed to meet LPC requirements in Arkansas and surrounding states
Additional Considerations:
Students should budget for supervision and professional liability insurance during internships.
Accreditation: CACREP
Most Affordable Master’s in Counseling Program in Arkansas
When it comes to choosing a Master’s in Counseling program, many people look toward the price of the program. While the quality of education is important, affordability is also important. The most affordable master in counseling program in Arkansas is Henderson State University, at $340 per credit hour, in state tuition. Out-of-state tuition is $470 per credit hour.
How Much Does a Mental Health Counselor Make in Arkansas?
According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a mental health counselor in Arkansas is $49,900. This is higher than the national average, which is listed at $49,710.
| Type of Counselor | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $24.03 | $49,990 |
| Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselor | $26.37 | $54,860 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $17.89 | $37,800 |
Out-of-State CACREP Online Programs & Arkansas Licensure
Arkansas does not grant true reciprocity with any state for counseling licensure. If you complete a CACREP-accredited online program outside Arkansas, verify that:
- The curriculum meets Arkansas’s LPC requirements.
- The supervised practicum and internship meet Arkansas’s standards.
- The credit hours align with state regulations.
Core Competencies and Professional Roles
Clinical Mental Health Counselors are trained to be proficient in the fundamental principles and practices of diagnosis, treatment, referral, and prevention of mental health issues. Their work often involves collaboration within interdisciplinary teams, which may include other healthcare professionals such as psychiatrists, social workers, and physicians. This team-based approach ensures comprehensive care for clients with complex needs.
Do you want to be a licensed counselor in Arkansas?
To become a licensed counselor in Arkansas, you must earn a master’s degree in a graduate counseling program such as clinical mental health counseling. Clinical mental health counseling master’s degrees usually require 60 credit hours.
Why CACREP Accreditation Matters for Arkansas Counselors
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) sets national quality standards for counselor education. When you choose a CACREP-accredited program, you receive training that meets rigorous academic and clinical requirements in coursework, supervised practice, and ethics.
In Arkansas, completing a CACREP-accredited master’s program streamlines the licensure process. The curriculum already aligns with the state’s educational requirements, and many employers prefer candidates from accredited programs. This alignment makes it easier to secure jobs and meet national credentialing standards if you practice in other states.
Graduating from a CACREP-accredited program ensures your coursework, practicum, and internship already match Arkansas’s licensure standards. You can transition smoothly from graduation to licensure without having to fill educational gaps.
The Commission on the Accreditation of Counseling Related Programs (CACREP) accredits many graduate programs in mental health counseling across the United States and in Arkansas
Attending a CACREP-accredited Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling program offers significant benefits, including ensuring you meet the criteria for state licensure upon graduation. Earning a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from a CACREP-accredited graduate program greatly simplifies this application process and streamlines it.
To practice as a mental health counselor in Arkansas, you must be licensed. In Arkansas, you must apply to the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling to take the required licensure exams, the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the Arkansas Jurisprudence Exam.
If you are considering enrolling in a CACREP-accredited master’s counseling program in Arkansas, here’s how the timing for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) works for licensure:
Arkansas CACREP Student Early Application
- The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) allows CACREP students to begin the National Certified Counselor (NCC) application process before graduation through a student pathway. Attending a CACREP accredited graduate program enables you to schedule and take the NCE while still enrolled, usually in your final semester, rather than waiting until you’ve officially graduated.
- This student process is available at programs in Arkansas such as Harding University, Henderson State University, John Brown University, and the University of Arkansas—Fayetteville.
Career Outlook for Counseling Graduates in Arkansas
- Job Growth. O*Net Online reports an expected growth rate in Arkansas of 22 percent by 2030, higher than the national mental health counseling growth rate of 19 percent.
- Employment Settings: private practices, rehab facilities, hospitals, behavioral health facilities, community-based mental health centers, and other specialized treatment facilities
- Salaries: According to ZipRecruiter, salaries range from $30,595 to $105,430, with a typical salary for a mental health counseling being around $63, 044 a year.
Counseling Licensure Requirements in Arkansas
To become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Arkansas, you must:
- Earn a qualifying degree – Complete a master’s in counseling from a CACREP-accredited program with at least 60 semester credits.
- Pass a national exam – Take and pass the NCE (National Counselor Examination) or NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination).
- Complete supervised experience – Accumulate 3,000 total hours, including 1,500 direct client contact hours, under an approved supervisor.
- Submit your application for the Arkansas State Licensing Exam – Include transcripts, proof of supervised hours, exam scores, and the application fee to the Arkansas Board of Behavioral Health.
- Maintain licensure – Renew every year and complete at least 20 continuing education hours annually.
Required Courses for Licensure in Arkansas
For CACREP-accredited programs in Arkansas, the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling requires graduate coursework in the following areas for LPC licensure:
- Professional Identity and Ethics
- Social and Cultural Diversity
- Human Growth and Development
- Career Development
- Helping Relations (clinical helping skills)
- Group Work
- Assessment
- Research and Program Evaluation
- Practicum and/or Internship (extended supervised clinical training)
- Abnormal Psychology / Psychopathology
- DSM and ICD training
- Family and Relationship Counseling
- Psychopharmacology
- Technology-Assisted Counseling
Completing a CACREP-accredited program ensures all these courses are built into your degree plan.
FAQ: Arkansas CACREP Counseling Programs
Do I have to attend a CACREP program to be licensed in Arkansas?
No. Arkansas will accept degrees that are not from CACREP-accredited programs, as long as they meet the same credit and course requirements.
Can I complete my practicum and internship locally?
Arkansas has no online-only MS CACREP counseling programs. Instead, three of the four programs are hybrid, with the fourth, the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville offering traditional in person only coursework.
- Henderson State University allows students to finish their practicum and internships in locations convenient to them.
- The University of Arkansas – Fayetteville allows students to complete a practicum or internship locally, or at one of the program’s approved sites.
- Harding University allows local practicum and internship placements, according to the Field Experience Handbook.
- John Brown University offers 44 different placement sites for practicum and internships, including those in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
Are there fully online CACREP programs in Arkansas?
Arkansas does not currently offer a fully online counseling program that is CACREP-accredited. However, hybrid options combine online coursework with limited campus visits.
Can I use an out-of-state CACREP online program to get licensed in Montana?
Yes, as long as the program meets Arkansas’s coursework, credit hour, and supervision requirements. Always confirm with the Arkansas Board before enrolling.
5 Steps to Choose & Apply to a CACREP Program
- Confirm accreditation: Verify the program is CACREP-accredited in the CACREP directory.
- Check the delivery format: Decide between on-campus, hybrid, or primarily online learning.
- Compare tuition and aid: Review tuition rates, scholarships, and financial aid options.
- Review specializations: Look for concentrations that match your career goals, such as school counseling or marriage and family counseling.
- Gather application materials: Most programs require transcripts, recommendation letters, a personal statement, and sometimes GRE scores.
Finally, make sure you understand licensure steps for Arkansas. Learn Arkansas’s LPC requirements so you choose a program that meets them fully.
Conclusion & Next Action
Choosing a CACREP-accredited counseling program is the most direct and hassle-free path to becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Arkansas. These programs ensure you meet all educational and practicum requirements, making your journey to licensure smooth and successful. Compare the programs listed above to find the best fit for your goals, then contact the admissions office or request more information today to take the next step in your counseling career.
