Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Arizona
Counseling Schools Search
Earning a counseling degree or license for work in Arizona could lead to both a stable career and a satisfying endeavor as you help people in need of quality care for mental health disorders. Arizona is the 14th largest state in terms of population, and according to Nations Online, about 32 percent of Arizona’s population are Hispanic (or of Latinx origin). This makes access to culturally sensitive licensed counselors an even bigger priority there.
According to 2020 data from Mental Health America, Arizona is ranked 18th out of the 50 states on criteria of lower prevalence of mental illness and higher rates of access to care for adults, making it a state of higher prevalence but only moderate access. Arizona is ranked 30th for prevalence and access among its youth. States with rankings 39 to 51 indicate that youth have a higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care. Studies show 19 percent of adults in Arizona experience a mental illness, and 4.55 percent are experiencing a severe mental illness. The Resources to Recover organization says only 40.3 percent of adults with mental illness in Arizona receive any form of treatment.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that careers in mental health, behavioral disorders, and substance abuse are expected to grow 25 percent nationally between 2019 and 2029, more than four times faster than the average for all occupations during the same decade (5 percent).
In Arizona, the Board of Health Examiners oversees professional counselors, substance abuse counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists. There are three levels of counseling licenses in Arizona: Associate Counselor (LAC), Professional Counselor for an existing LAC (LPC), and Professional Counselor.
Arizona requires that master’s degrees be obtained from programs accredited by CACREP, the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE), the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), or the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC).
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs accredits master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling and its specialties. A CACREP-approved program must consist of 60 semester-credits (or 90 quarter-credits), with a major emphasis in counseling, including 700 hours of practicum with 240 hours of direct client contact.
Read on to explore the schools offering accredited programs for counseling degrees and licenses in Arizona.
Featured Counseling Programs | ||
---|---|---|
Wake Forest University | Online MA - Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Visit Site |
Wake Forest University | Online MA - School Counseling | Visit Site |
Bradley University | MAC - Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Visit Site |
Bradley University | MAC - Professional School Counseling | Visit Site |
Lamar University | M.Ed. - Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Visit Site |
Lamar University | M.Ed. - Counseling & Development - Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling | Visit Site |
University of North Dakota | Online MA in Counseling - Addiction Counseling | Visit Site |
University of North Dakota | Online MA in Counseling - Community Mental Health Counseling | Visit Site |
Southern New Hampshire University | Online BA in Psychology - Addictions | Visit Site |
Southern New Hampshire University | Online BA in Psychology - Mental Health | Visit Site |
Sponsored |
Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Arizona
Grand Canyon University – College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Grand Canyon University offers online master of science (MS) degrees in clinical mental health counseling with options for specialization in childhood and adolescent disorders, Christian counseling, marriage and family therapy, and trauma recovery.
GCU is a private Christian university and in 2018 was the Christian school with the largest student enrollment in the world. There is also a separate degree program for a master of science in addiction counseling and an MS in Christian counseling for addiction recovery. The courses for the master’s in clinical mental health counseling meet the requirements of the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) credential, the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential, and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.
- Location: Phoenix, Arizona
- Duration: 48 credits (Christian substance abuse) to 74 credits (all others)
- Accreditation: The addiction counseling program is accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC)
- Tuition: $550 per credit plus fees (online programs)
Northern Arizona University – College of Education
Students in the College of Education at Northern Arizona State can choose from three degree programs: a master of arts in clinical mental health counseling, a master of education in school counseling, and a master of education in student affairs.
The counseling program prepares students to work as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). This program is offered at three campuses and meets the Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) coursework requirements of the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners and for national counselor certification of the National Board for Certified Counselors. LACs in Arizona can continue their work experience to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), who are eligible to work independently.
Successful completion of this degree gives a graduate the potential to transfer licensure to other states. The school counseling program is designed to lead to certification as a Standard School Counselor, PreK-12, and licensure as a professional counselor in the state of Arizona.
- Location: Flagstaff, Phoenix, or Tucson, Arizona
- Duration: 60 credits; the student affairs program is 48 credits
- Accreditation: The clinical mental health counseling program is CACREP accredited; the school psychology program is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
- Tuition: Total estimated cost of attendance for Arizona residents living off-campus is $28,522; non-residents living off-campus would pay approximately $44,130
Prescott College offers a master of science in counseling degree in an online format. Students can pursue areas of emphasis in addictions counseling; marriage, couple, and family counseling; social justice in counseling; and somatic counseling (mind-body centered or holistic therapy). Students also can earn graduate certificates in adventure-based counseling, nature-based counseling, or expressive art therapy.
While the degree program is online, the program also requires an in-person residency. The residency includes a minimum of four colloquia in the course of their degree program or three colloquia and one of the counseling program’s concentration (or graduate certificate) experiential training events.
The master of arts in education in school counseling program allows students to create a self-directed course of study that encompasses broad themes in education.
- Location: Prescott, Arizona
- Duration: 60 credits for counseling, 36 credits for school counseling
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: $598 per credit plus fees for the master of education; $830 for the master of science in counseling
The University of Arizona offers two master of arts in counseling programs: one in rehabilitation counseling and general mental health and one in school counseling. The rehabilitation and mental health emphasis prepares students to become certified rehabilitation counselors and licensed associate counselors. The school counseling program prepares students to become school counselors and licensed associate counselors.
- Location: Tucson, Arizona
- Duration: 60 credits
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: $853 per credit plus fees, Arizona resident; $1,781 per credit plus fees, non-resident
University of Phoenix – College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
The University of Phoenix is a college founded in 1976 that offers a variety of online degrees. The master of science in counseling has an emphasis in general clinical mental health counseling or marriage, family, and child therapy.
- Location: Phoenix, Arizona
- Duration: 60 credits, 37 months
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Tuition: $698 per credit
Arizona State University – College of Integrative Sciences and Arts
Arizona State University offers an MC degree—a master of counseling—that is approved by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. The master of counseling program requires students to choose from either a written thesis or a comprehensive final exam for completion. The school also offers an online master of science in psychology, in both full-time and part-time formats.
- Location: Tempe, Arizona campus
- Duration: 60 credits
- Accreditation: Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners
- Tuition: Approximately $6,304 per term for Arizona residents; $12,216 per term, non-resident
How Much Do Counselors Make in Arizona?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2020.
Marriage and Family Therapists
United States | Arizona | |
---|---|---|
Number employed | 59,050 | 720 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $54,590 | $50,260 |
10th percentile | $32,070 | $35,930 |
50th percentile (median) | $49,610 | $48,020 |
90th percentile | $87,700 | $65,140 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
United States | Arizona | |
---|---|---|
Number employed | 284,540 | 6,210 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $49,950 | $49,330 |
10th percentile | $29,520 | $30,690 |
50th percentile (median) | $46,240 | $46,500 |
90th percentile | $76,080 | $70,380 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
United States | Arizona | |
---|---|---|
Number employed | 296,460 | 8,460 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $61,000 | $52,190 |
10th percentile | $34,380 | $33,960 |
50th percentile (median) | $57,040 | $50,850 |
90th percentile | $96,090 | $73,440 |
Rehabilitation Counselors
United States | Arizona | |
---|---|---|
Number employed | 109,040 | 2,370 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $40,160 | $35,410 |
10th percentile | $23,820 | $25,170 |
50th percentile (median) | $39,950 | $34,940 |
90th percentile | $63,790 | $46,670 |
All Other Counselors
United States | Arizona | |
---|---|---|
Number employed | 25,420 | 310 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $48,800 | $44,480 |
10th percentile | $27,030 | $32,590 |
50th percentile (median) | $42,930 | $41,120 |
90th percentile | $77,590 | $62,310 |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Arizona
- Arizona School Counselors Association
- Arizona Counseling Association
- The Arizona Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- Arizona Association of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors
- Arizona Psychological Association
- Arizona Occupational Therapy Association
- The Arizona State Therapeutic Recreation Association
- American Counseling Association – Western Region
- Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners
- Arizona Association for Play Therapy
- Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling
- Arizona Psychiatric Society
- Arizona Psychological Association
- National Alliance on Mental Illness – Southern Arizona
- The NARBHA Institute (formerly Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority)
- National Association of Social Workers – Arizona Chapter
- Arizona Center for Disability Law
- Mental Health America of Arizona
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Arizona: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
---|---|---|
Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AZBBHE) | Arizona credentials Licensed Associate Counselors (LACs) and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). The steps to earn the LAC credential are:
In order to progress from a LAC to an LPC, candidates must:
| LPCs are required to renew their licenses in Arizona every two years. Requirements include:
|
School Counseling Licenses in Arizona
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
---|---|---|
Arizona Department of Education |
The Arizona Department of Education issues a Standard School Counselor, PreK-12 Certificate. Candidates for this certification must:
If all requirements are met (except for the practicum or work experience), a temporary three-year license may be issued to correct this deficiency. |
The Standard School Counselor, PreK-12 Certificate issued in Arizona is valid for 12 years. To renew, applicants must submit a completed application, pay a $30 application fee, and demonstrate 15 hours of continuing education completed for each year the certificate was held. |
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Arizona
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
---|---|---|
Arizona has three levels of licensure for substance abuse counselors. They are Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC), Licensed Associate Substance Abuse (LSAC) Counselor, and Licensed Substance Abuse Technician (LSAT). Requirements for LSAT licensure include:
To earn the LSAC license, candidates must have:
To earn the LISAC license, candidates must meet the above requirements, in addition to having a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in a program accredited by NASAC or board approved with required coursework. The program must include a 300-hour supervised practicum. |
Renewals of substance abuse counselor licenses in Arizona are required every two years. Requirements to renew include:
|
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Arizona
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
---|---|---|
Rehabilitation counselors in Arizona must have credentials as either Licensed Associate Counselors (LACs) and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). The steps to earn the LAC credential are:
In order to progress from a LAC to an LPC, candidates must:
|
Rehabilitation counselors who are LPCs are required to renew their licenses in Arizona every two years. Requirements include:
|
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Arizona
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
---|---|---|
Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners |
The Board of Psychologist Examiners is responsible for issuing Behavior Analyst licenses in Arizona. To qualify, candidates must:
|
Behavior Analyst licenses issued in Arizona expire on May 1st of odd-numbered years. Renewal fees are $500 per biennium. Analysts are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle. Four of those 30 hours must be in ethics. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Arizona
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
---|---|---|
Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AZBHE) |
The Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners issues Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LAMFT) and Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licenses. The requirements for an LAMFT license are:
If candidates have not previously taken the exam, the board can issue an authorization to take the exam when the LAMFT application is submitted. In order to progress from an LAMFT to an LMFT, candidates must:
|
LAMFTs and LMFTs are required to renew their licenses in Arizona every two years. Requirements include:
|
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Arizona
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
---|---|---|
Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AZBBHE) |
Child therapists in Arizona must have credentials as either Licensed Associate Counselors (LACs) and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). The steps to earn the LAC credential are:
In order to progress from a LAC to an LPC, candidates must:
|
Child therapists who are LPCs are required to renew their licenses in Arizona every two years. Requirements include:
|