New Jersey Master’s in Counseling Programs

New Jersey, known as the Garden State, is in the Mid-Atlantic United States. New Jersey is the fourth-smallest state in the U.S. by area, but the 11th most populated state. This is due to the state’s proximity to New York City and Philadelphia, two of the nation’s largest cities. As a result, O*Net Online predicts that the need for mental health counselors in New Jersey will increase by 22% by 2030. This is higher than the national expected growth in the field of 18%.

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Master of Counseling Programs in New Jersey

The State of New Jersey has two steps of mental health counselor licensure. The first step is the Licensed Associate Counselor license and the second is the Licensed Professional Counselor license. According to the New Jersey Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, a master’s degree must contain 60 credit hours from a regionally accredited university. While some people may prefer to attend a CACREP-Accredited program, that is not required for licensure in New Jersey. However, many programs in the state are Online, CACREP-Accredited, or do not require the Graduate Records Examination (GRE).

Online Master of Counseling Programs in New Jersey

There are many benefits to attending a master of counseling program online. Some of those benefits include flexibility of courses, continued access to course materials, and the ability to take courses at your own pace. Another benefit is being able to enjoy the Jersey Shore while attending class. One program is based completely online and meets the state’s licensure requirements.

CACREP-Accredited Master of Counseling Programs in New Jersey

Accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is becoming an increasingly popular feature of many masters of counseling programs nationwide. Some of the benefits of attending a CACREP-accredited program include meeting the requirements for most states and familiarity with other programs that are accredited. 10 programs in New Jersey are CACREP-Accredited.

New Jersey Online, No GRE & CAREP Accredited Counseling Masters Programs

Specialty	University Name	Degree	City	State	Accreditation	Modality	GRE Required?	Program Length
School Counseling	Monmouth University, Ed Counseling & Leadership	M.S.Ed.	West Long Branch	NJ	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Monmouth University, Professional Counseling	M.S.	West Long Branch	NJ	CACREP
School Counseling	Montclair State University	M.A.	Montclair	NJ	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Addiction Counseling	Montclair State University	M.A.	Montclair	NJ	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Montclair State University	M.A.	Montclair	NJ	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
School Counseling	New Jersey City University	M.A.	Jersey City	NJ	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	New Jersey City University	M.A.	Jersey City	NJ	CACREP
School Counseling	Rider University	M.A.	Lawrenceville	NJ	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Rider University	M.A.	Lawrenceville	NJ	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years
School Counseling	Rowan University	M.A.	Glassboro	NJ	CACREP
School Counseling	Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Graduate School of Education	M.Ed.	New Brunswick	NJ	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, School of Health Professions	M.S.	Piscataway	NJ	CACREP
School Counseling	The College of New Jersey	M.A.	Ewing	NJ	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	The College of New Jersey	M.A.	Ewing	NJ	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	William Paterson University	M.Ed.	Wayne	NJ	CACREP
School Counseling	William Paterson University	M.Ed.	Wayne	NJ	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	New Jersey City University (NJCU)	M.A	Jersey City	NJ	CACREP	Hybrid	No GRE Required	4 Years
Counseling	Kean University	M.A.	Union	NJ	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Rowan University	M.A	Glassboro	NJ	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	2 Years
https://csm.rowan.edu/departments/ psychology/maCounseling/	Rowan University	M.CMHC	Glassboro	NJ	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	60 credit hours
Master of Arts in Counseling	Stockton University	M.A.	Galloway	NJ	CACREP	Campus		2 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Fairleigh Dickinson University	M.A		NJ	CACREP	Campus		60 credit hours
Professional Counseling	Seton Hall University	M.A./Ed.S.	South Orange	NJ	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	60 credit hours
Counseling Psychology	University of New Jersey	M.A.CP	Rutherford	NJ	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	3 Years

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No GRE Required Master of Counseling Programs in New Jersey

The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is a standardized test used to determine the aptitude of potential college admitants. However, many people get anxious about standardized tests or do not want their college admission based on test scores. 13 programs in New Jersey do not require the GRE. 

The only program under the Online Programs category, Seton Hall, does not require the GRE. Under the CACREP-Accredited Programs category, eight programs do not require the GRE. Those programs are located at Caldwell University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Kean University, Monmouth University, Montclair State University, Rider University, Rutgers, The College of New Jersey, and William Patterson University. 

The following programs do not fall under either category above and do not require the GRE:

Most Affordable Master of Counseling Program in New Jersey

Choosing an affordable Master in Counseling program is sometimes just as important as finding one that is academically sound. There is only one program under the Online Programs category, Seton Hall, so that is the most affordable online program for $1,520 per credit hour. The most affordable master of counseling program under the CACREP-Accredited Programs category is located at William Patterson University for a total of $822.15 per credit hour. The most affordable program under the No GRE Required Programs category is located at Stockton University for a price of $917 per credit hour. 

The most affordable program located in New Jersey is at William Patterson University.

Accelerated Master in Counseling Programs in New Jersey

Due to the nature of the requirements for licensure in New Jersey, all counseling programs are required to contain 60 credit hours. For this reason, most programs take between 2-3 years. While going through the list of counseling programs in New Jersey, there were not any programs that advertised as accelerated.

Required Courses for Licensure in New Jersey

According to the New Jersey Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, courses are required in the following categories:

• Counseling Theory and Practice
• The Helping Relationship
• Human Growth and Development and Maladaptive Behavior 
• Lifestyle and Career Development
• Group Dynamics, Processes, Counseling, and Consulting
• Appraisal of Individuals
• Social and Cultural Foundations
• Research and Evaluation
• The Counseling Profession

Counseling Licensure Requirements in New Jersey

The New Jersey Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners sets the requirements for licensure in the state. According to the Board, there are two stages of licensure. The first stage is Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC):

To obtain this licensure, one must graduate from a regionally accredited university with 60 graduate credits meeting the course requirements listed above, and pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE).

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC):

To obtain this licensure, one must have met the requirements for the Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) license as well as work a total of 4,500 hours under supervision or 3,000 supervised hours plus an additional 30 credit hours.

New Jersey Counseling FAQs (Obtained via the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs)

Who is considered a qualified supervisor?

To be considered a qualified supervisor, the proposed supervisor must submit a Plan of Supervision including documentation of his or her supervising credential directly to the Committee for their approval. For example, an LPC is considered a qualified supervisor if he or she has obtained the Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) certificate OR has taken a three-credit graduate-level course in clinical supervision.

What is a proposed plan of supervision?

A Proposed Plan of Supervision is to be completed by a qualified supervisor and shall outline the work setting, the licensed associate counselor’s job description including the nature of his/her duties, and the supervisor’s qualifications including but not limited to his or her resume.

I’ve completed a practicum/internship as part of my master’s coursework. Can I use those hours for my supervision?

Yes, you may use one (1) calendar year or 1,500 hours earned while enrolled in a practicum or internship during the time you were pursuing your master’s degree as long as the practicum/internship is not used to satisfy the 45 hours distributed in the eight (8) areas of educational requirements for licensure.

How many continuing education credits do I need per renewal period?

40 hours of continuing education credits are needed for the renewal period. 5 of those hours must be in ethics and 3 must be in social and cultural competency.

How Much Does a Mental Health Counselor Make in New Jersey

According to O*Net Online, a mental health counselor in New Jersey is set to make an average of $59,290. This is higher than the national average of $49,710.

How to Become a School Counselor in New Jersey

To become a school counselor in New Jersey, one must hold a School Counselor Standard Certificate. The State of New Jersey requires that those who are seeking out this certificate hold a master’s degree containing 48 graduate credits in the following areas of study:

• 18 credits in Counseling with a course in the categories of Theories and Procedures in Individual and Group Guidance, Counseling and Interviewing Techniques, and Career Counseling 
• 3 credits in Testing and Evaluation
• 6 credits in Psychology 
• 3 credits in Sociological Foundations
• 3 credits in Community Agencies, Organizations, and Resources
• 3 credits in Statistics or Research Methods
• 6 credits in Supervised Counseling Practicum in a school setting
• 6 elective credits

How Much Does a School Counselor Make in New Jersey

According to O*Net Online, a school counselor in New Jersey makes an average of $74,960 per year. This is higher than the national average of $60,140 per year.

How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in New Jersey

There are two levels of substance abuse counselor licensure in New Jersey. Those two stages are the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) and the Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) license. The New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services sets the requirements for each level of licensure. The difference between these two licenses is that the CADC requires supervision and the LCADC can practice independently and unsupervised.

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC):

To obtain this licensure one must obtain a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, or a high school diploma/GED. An applicant must have also completed 270 hours of drug/alcohol addiction treatment education. It is also required that someone applying for this license has two years or  3,000 hours of supervised internship experience. A supervised practicum of 300 hours is also required. Someone applying for this license must also sit in on 30 self-help meetings. Finally, one must pass the examination prepared by the IC&RC.

Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC):

To obtain this licensure one must obtain a master’s degree in addiction counseling that contains 270 hours of drug/alcohol addictions coursework, complete 3,000 hours of supervised internship, 300 hours of supervised practicum, attendance of 30 self-help meetings, and passage of the examination prepared by the IC&RC.

How Much Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Make in New Jersey

According to O*Net Online, a substance abuse counselor in New Jersey makes an average of $59,290 per year. The average in New Jersey is higher than the national average which is listed at $49,170.

What Other Career Options Are Available for a Master’s in Counseling Graduate

The skills learned in a Master of Counseling program open the door for many positions outside of the counseling profession. Some of the positions opened up with this degree include human resources, governmental social services, education, and non-profit leadership.