Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Programs in Pennsylvania

Once one of the largest exporters of steel goods and materials, Pennsylvania has grown into a large technological hub and boasts of increasing state-of-the-art medical facilities. Despite this change from steel mills to the technology industry, the collapse of steel mills led to many people leaving the state to look for work. As a result, the state entered an era of economic depression. With this economic depression came drug use in the form of the opiate crisis as well as many people struggling with mental health concerns.

As a result of the economic depression and the opiate epidemic, the state needed to create new resources for mental health and addiction treatment. According to O*Net Online, there is expected to be an increase in the number of mental health counselors in Pennsylvania by 19% by 2030. 

To meet the growing need for counselors in the state, many masters of counseling programs are needed to meet the need for licensure requirements. Luckily, Pennsylvania is well known for its options for higher education and has been since 1740 when Benjamin Franklin helped found the University of Pennsylvania.

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Master of Counseling Programs in Pennsylvania

To become licensed as a mental health counselor in Pennsylvania, one must graduate from a graduate program in the field. Those programs must contain at least 60 semester hours of 90 quarter credits for licensure in the state. While it is required that the program must be completed at a regionally accredited university, it is not required that the program be accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Online Master of Counseling Programs in Pennsylvania

There are many benefits to attending an online master of counseling program. Some benefits include the flexibility of courses, continued access to course materials, and the ability to take courses at your own pace. Six programs in Pennsylvania are offered online.

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CACREP-Accredited Master of Counseling Programs in Pennsylvania

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 becoming familiar with other programs that are accredited. 22 programs in Pennsylvania are CACREP-accredited. Three programs are in the Online Programs category at the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania at Lock Haven, Geneva College, and Messiah University.

Pennsylvania Online, No GRE & CAREP Accredited Counseling Masters Programs

Specialty	University Name	Degree	City	State	Accreditation	Modality	GRE Required?	Program Length
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Alvernia University	M.A.	Reading	PA	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	California University of Pennsylvania	M.S.	California	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
School Counseling	California University of Pennsylvania	M.Ed.	California	PA	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	2 Years
Addiction Counseling	Carlow University	M.S.	Pittsburgh	PA	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Carlow University	M.S.	Pittsburgh	PA	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Lock Haven Campus	M.S.	Lock Haven	PA	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	4 Years
School Counseling	Duquesne University	M.S.Ed.	Pittsburgh	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling	Duquesne University	M.S.Ed.	Pittsburgh	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Duquesne University	M.S.Ed.	Pittsburgh	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
School Counseling	Edinboro University of Pennsylvania	M.A.	Edinboro	PA	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling	Edinboro University of Pennsylvania	M.A.	Edinboro	PA	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Edinboro University of Pennsylvania	M.A.	Edinboro	PA	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Gannon University	M.S.	Erie	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years, 9 months
Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling	Geneva College	M.A.	Beaver Falls	PA	CACREP
School Counseling	Geneva College	M.A.	Beaver Falls	PA	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Geneva College	M.A.	Beaver Falls	PA	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Immaculata University	M.A.	Immaculata	PA	CACREP
School Counseling	Indiana University of Pennsylvania	M.Ed.	Indiana	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Indiana University of Pennsylvania	M.A.	Indiana	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Kutztown University	M.A.	Kutztown	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
School Counseling	Kutztown University	M.S.	Kutztown	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling	Kutztown University	M.A.	Kutztown	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	La Salle University	M.A.	Philadelphia	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	3 Years
School Counseling	Marywood University	M.S.	Scranton	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Marywood University	M.A.	Scranton	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Messiah University (previously Messiah College)	M.A.	Mechanicsburg	PA	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	2 Years
Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling	Messiah University (previously Messiah College)	M.A.	Mechanicsburg	PA	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	2 Years
School Counseling	Messiah University (previously Messiah College)	M.A.	Mechanicsburg	PA	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	2 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Neumann University	M.S.	Aston	PA	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling	Pennsylvania State University	M.Ed.	University Park	PA	CACREP
Rehabilitation Counseling	Pennsylvania State University	M.Ed.	University Park	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Rosemont College	M.A.	Rosemont	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2½ Years
School Counseling	Rosemont College	M.A.	Rosemont	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2½ Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Slippery Rock University	M.A.	Slippery Rock	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	3 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Thomas Jefferson University	M.S.	Philadelphia	PA	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling	University of Pittsburgh	M.S.	Pittsburgh	PA	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Scranton	M.S.	Scranton	PA	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years
Rehabilitation Counseling	University of Scranton	M.S.	Scranton	PA	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years
School Counseling	University of Scranton	M.S.	Scranton	PA	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years
School Counseling	Villanova University	M.S.	Villanova	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	3 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Villanova University	M.S.	Villanova	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Addiction Counseling	Waynesburg University	M.A.	Waynesburg	PA	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Waynesburg University	M.A.	Waynesburg	PA	CACREP
School Counseling	West Chester University	M.Ed.	West Chester	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	West Chester University	M.S.	West Chester	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Counseling Psychology	Delaware Valley University	M.A.	Doylestown	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	3 Years
Professional Counseling	University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education	M.Phil.Ed	Philadelphia	PA	CACREP	Online & Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Counselor Education	Pennsylvania State University	M.Ed	University Park	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Clarion University	M.S	Clarion	PA	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	60 credit hours.
Master's in Counseling with Concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and Art Therapy.	PennWest University	M.S	California	PA	CACREP	Online	GRE Required	60 graduate credits.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling in Schools and Communities Emphasis	The Pennsylvania State University	M.Ed.		PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	West Chester University	M.S	West Chester	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2½ years
Mental Health Counseling	Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine	M.H.C	Philadelphia	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Clinical Counseling	Eastern University	M.A	St. Davids	PA	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	3 Years
Mental Health Counseling	Temple University	M.Ed	Philadelphia	PA	CACREP
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Thiel College	M.A.	Greenville	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years
Counseling (with two concentrations: School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling)	Gwynedd Mercy University	M.S.	Gwynedd Valley	PA	CACREP	Online & Campus		3½ years
Counseling	Shippensburg University	M.Ed	Shippensburg	PA	CACREP			60 credit hours
School Counseling	Millersville University	M.Ed.	Millersville	PA	CACREP		No GRE Required	51-credit
Counseling Psychology	Chatham University	M.S.	Pittsburgh	PA	CACREP
Mental Health Counseling	Lehigh University	M.Ed.	Bethlehem	PA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years

No GRE Required Master of Counseling Programs in Pennsylvania

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. 25 programs in Pennsylvania do not require the GRE. Five programs under the Online Programs category do not require the GRE and 18 programs under the CACREP-Accreditation Programs category do not require the GRE.

The five programs under the Online Programs category that do not require the GRE are at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania at Lock Haven, Geneva College, Messiah University, Eastern University, and Clarks Summit University.

The 18 programs under the CACREP-Accredited Programs category that do not require the GRE are at Alvernia University, Carlow University, Duquesne University, Gannon University, Immaculata College, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown University, LaSalle University, Marywood University, Neumann University, Pennsylvania State University – University Park, Rosemont College, Shippensburg University, Slippery Rock University, Thomas Jefferson University, The University of Scranton, Waynesburg University, and West Chester University.

Most Affordable Master of Counseling Program in Pennsylvania

Choosing an affordable Master in Counseling program is sometimes just as important as finding one that is academically sound. Under the Online Programs category, the most affordable program is at Clarks Summit University for a price of $620 per credit hour. 

The most affordable program located under the CACREP-Accredited Programs category is located at West Chester University for a price of $153.98 per credit hour. 

The most affordable program located under the No GRE Required Programs category is located at PennWest California for a price of $516 per credit hour. 

Therefore, the most affordable master of counseling program in Pennsylvania is located at West Chester University.

Accelerated Master of Counseling Programs in Pennsylvania

Due to the nature of licensure requirements in Pennsylvania, there are not many programs in the state that are labeled as “Accelerated.” However, the program at Eastern University is advertised as Accelerated. This program is online and only takes two years to complete. There are a few other programs on the lists above that are not advertised as accelerated but only take two years to complete. Those programs are at Messiah University, Duquesne University, PennWest California, and Lehigh University.

Required Courses for Licensure in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of State lists a few course requirements to obtain licensure in the state. Courses in the following areas of study are required:  

• Human Growth and Development
• Social and Cultural Foundations
• Helping Relationships
• Group Work
• Career and Lifestyle Development
• Appraisal
• Research and Program Evaluation
• Professional Orientation
• Clinical Instruction

Counseling Licensure Requirements in Pennsylvania

There is only one stage of mental health counseling license in Pennsylvania. This stage is known as the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license. The Pennsylvania Department of State lists a few requirements to obtain licensure as an LPC. Those requirements are listed as: 

• Obtaining a Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Three Hours of Continuing Education in Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting for Initial Licensure 
• Passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) 
• 3,000 hours of experience as a counselor under supervision for those with a master’s degree or 2,400 hours of experience as a counselor under supervision for those with a doctoral degree. A qualified LPC must give supervision 
• An initial $100 licensing fee

Before obtaining LPC status, a counselor works unlicensed for two or more years (3,000 hours) under the supervision of an LPC. Once a clinician obtains LPC status, they can practice independently without supervision. To maintain the LPC license, a clinician must complete 30 hours of continuing education each renewal period of two years (three hours in ethics, two hours in Child Abuse Reporter Training, and one hour in suicide prevention).

Pennsylvania Counseling FAQs (Obtained via the Pennsylvania Department of State)

How long is the renewal period for LPCs? 

Each renewal period is two years.

How many continuing education credits are required to renew a counseling license? 

To maintain the LPC license, a clinician must complete 30 hours of continuing education each renewal period of two years (three hours in ethics, two hours in Child Abuse Reporter Training, and one hour in suicide prevention). 

Can I practice without supervision before obtaining an LPC?

No. If you do not have an LPC, you must be supervised by a qualified supervising LPC.

How Much Does a Mental Health Counselor Make in Pennsylvania

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a mental health counselor in Pennsylvania is $46,630 per year. This is less than the national average of $49,710.

How to Become a School Counselor in Pennsylvania

According to the Pennsylvania School Counselors Association, to become a school counselor in Pennsylvania one must have a master’s degree in school counseling, complete a practicum with 360 hours of direct client experience, an internship with 420 hours of direct client experience, and passage of the Professional School Counseling Praxis.

How Much Does a School Counselor Make in Pennsylvania

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a school counselor in Pennsylvania is $61,760. This is slightly higher than the national average of $60,140.

How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Pennsylvania

According to the Pennsylvania Certification Board, there is one level of substance abuse counselor in the state. This is the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) license. To obtain this license, one must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Experience requirements include two years of full-time experience or 4,000 hours of part-time experience with a relevant degree or three years of full-time experience or 6,000 hours of part-time experience without a relevant degree. 200 hours of on-the-job supervision are required along with 300 hours of relevant education of which 100 hours must be directly related to substance abuse. Finally, one must pass the IC&RC Examination for Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ADC Examination).

How Much Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Make in Pennsylvania

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a substance abuse counselor in Pennsylvania is $46,630. This is less than the national average of $49,710.

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

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