Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Programs in Mississippi

Mississippi, the Magnolia State, is in the southeastern United States and is known for its rich musical history and the iconic Mississippi River. Underneath the cultural significance and southern drawl lie the struggles of the growing mental health crisis. 

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 431,000 adults and 27,000 Mississippians aged 12-17 have a mental health disorder. While this may not seem significant, this is more than 3x of the population of Jackson, the state’s largest city. 

Following a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation in 2011 that reported Mississippi was not doing enough to support its mental health care system, the state has started to invest more resources into improving access to care. Since then, the state has begun to invest more funding into mental health services, including crisis intervention and community mental health programs. While the state admits it has more work to do, it has made great strides since the 2011 DOJ report. 

O*Net Online reports career growth of 17% by 2030 in Mississippi. While this growth is slightly slower than the national growth of 19%, it is still relatively large compared to other professions. NAMI states that 2,375,345 people in Mississippi live in a community without enough mental health resources for the state’s population of only 2.94 million. This means that the need for counselors is not expected to slow down anytime soon and future graduates will have plenty of employment opportunities. 

There are many masters of mental health counseling programs in Mississippi that meet the licensure requirements to fill the growing need for counselors. Those working as counselors or in school can join the Mississippi Counseling Association to network and continue their education.  

Master of Counseling Programs in Mississippi

Becoming a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Mississippi requires completing a master’s degree program in clinical mental health counseling, which requires 60 credit hours. Although there are no accreditation requirements for counseling education in the state, many people choose an accredited program due to the ease of obtaining licensure after graduation. 

Online Master of Counseling Programs in Mississippi

Attending an online master of counseling program has many benefits. Some include the flexibility of courses, continued access to course materials, and the ability to take classes at your own pace.

CACREP-Accredited Master of Counseling Programs in Mississippi

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation is becoming an increasingly popular feature of many master of counseling programs nationwide. Attending a CACREP-accredited graduate program can help you meet the counseling licensure requirements in most states. There are six master of counseling programs in Mississippi that are CACREP-accredited. Delta State University is under the Online Programs category and is also CACREP-accredited. 

No GRE Required Master of Counseling Programs in Mississippi

The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is a standardized test used to determine the aptitude of potential college admittance. However, many people get anxious about standardized tests or do not want their college admission based on test scores. 

Recently, programs have started recognizing that low GRE scores do not necessarily mean someone will not do well in their program. That is why many programs waive the requirement to take the GRE for admittance. 

There are six master of counseling programs in Mississippi that do not require the GRE for admittance. Those programs are at Delta State University, Belhaven University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, Reformed Theological Seminary, and the University of Mississippi. 

Most Affordable Master of Counseling Program in Mississippi

Some people consider choosing an affordable master of counseling program just as important as choosing one that meets the licensure criteria. Of the programs based in Mississippi, the most inexpensive program is at Delta State University. The price tag of this program is $469 per credit hour. This program is online, so if you are looking for an affordable in-person program, look no further than Jackson State University, where the price is $483 per credit hour. 

Accelerated Master of Counseling Programs in Mississippi

Many people seek out a master of counseling program that is affordable and does not take a long time to finish. While none of the programs on this list are advertised as accelerated, two only require two years to complete. These programs are at the Reformed Theological Seminary and the University of Mississippi. Most master of counseling programs require 60 credit hours and take two to four years to complete. 

Required Courses for Licensure in Mississippi

Rules and regulations created by the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors state that those applying for counseling licensure must complete a list of courses to obtain licensure. The course topics that are required include:

• Human Growth and Development
• Social and Cultural Foundations
• Counseling and Psychotherapy Skills
• Group Counseling
• Lifestyle and Career Development
• Testing and Appraisal
• Research and Evaluation
• Professional Orientation to Counseling or Ethics
• Theories of Counseling Psychotherapy and Personality 
• Marriage and/or Family Counseling/Therapy
• Abnormal Psychology and Psychopathology 
• Internship 

Mississippi Counseling Licensure Requirements

According to the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors, there are three stages of counseling licensure. These levels are Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor. 

Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (P-LPC):

This license is available for those with a master’s degree in counseling but who do not yet have the experience to practice independently. Therefore, to obtain this license all one has to do is graduate with a master’s degree in mental health counseling. 

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC):

Those with this license can practice independently without supervision. To obtain this license one has to graduate with a master’s degree in mental health counseling, 3,000 hours of supervised experience within 18 months, 100 hours of supervision, and pass either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE). 

Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S):

To become a licensed supervisor in Mississippi one must have been practicing as a counselor for five years with at least two of those years being independent. One must also complete a graduate-level supervision course, 45 hours of supervision training, or have an approved Clinical Supervisor Credential from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). 

Mississippi Counseling FAQs

How many continuing education hours are required to renew my license? 

24 hours of continuing education are required for license renewal. Six hours must involve topics in professional ethics.

How Much Does a Mental Health Counselor Make in Mississippi

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for mental health counselors in Mississippi is $42,010. This is significantly less than the national average of $53,710. 

How to Become a School Counselor in Mississippi

The Mississippi Office of Educator Licensure states that to become a school counselor in Mississippi one must graduate with a four-year degree in any field. This four-year degree is recommended for education or mental health but does not have to be. Following a four-year degree, one must complete a master’s degree in school counseling and a year-long internship. Finally, after completing academic and internship requirements, the applicant must pass the PRAXIS I and PRAXIS II examinations.

How Much Does a School Counselor Make in Mississippi

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a school counselor in Mississippi is $54,210. This is less than the national average of $61,710. 

How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Mississippi

The Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals (MAAP), reports that there are four levels of substance abuse counselor licensure.

Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor: 

The steps to obtaining this certification include a minimum of 300 hours of education, six of which must be in ethics and supervised training of 300 hours for those with a high school diploma and 250 hours for those with an associate’s degree. 

Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor I: 

Obtaining this certification includes obtaining 300 hours of education, six of which must be in ethics, and 200 hours of supervised training for those with a bachelor’s degree. 

Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor II:

Those seeking to become a CADC II must obtain 300 hours of education, six of which must be in ethics, and 100 hours of supervised training for those with a master’s degree. 

Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor: 

Obtaining this certification includes 300 hours of education, six of which must be in ethics. 

How Much Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Make in Mississippi

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for substance abuse counselors in Mississippi is $42,010. This is significantly less than the national average of $53,710. 

What Other Career Options Are Available to Those with a Degree in Mental Health Counseling

The skills learned in a Master’s of Counseling program open the door for many positions outside the counseling profession. Some important skills learned in a graduate program and the counseling field include communication, problem-solving, and crises. Positions one can hold with this degree include human resources, governmental social services, education, and non-profit leadership. Many mental health counselors also get into counseling consulting to provide business support and training to other counselors.