Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Arkansas
Counseling Schools Search
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“Counseling can be the most rewarding thing that you’ve ever done. To be able to see another person move and get better with tools that you have helped them with is something that is worth its weight in gold.”
Joe Campbell, EdD, Counseling Education Coordinator, Henderson State University
Students will have to meet some specific requirements for counseling degrees and licenses in Arkansas. The state requires a potential counselor to complete an approved master’s degree (or higher) with a minimum of 60 graduate hours to be licensed to provide counseling services to the public.
Students have two paths to receive certification from the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. Individuals who already hold a teaching license in the state of Arkansas take the Professional School Counselor Praxis test. Individuals who are not currently licensed teachers in Arkansas must pass the Professional School Counselor Praxis test, and one of the Principles of Learning and Teaching exams: K-6, 5-9, or 7-12 grades.
The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification administers the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) test for rehabilitation counselor certification. Arkansas is one of 172 states, along with the District of Columbia, that recognize the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Exam (CRCE) in general counseling licensure. Students who complete an approved rehabilitation counselor education program in Arkansas are encouraged to earn the CRCE credential as it provides for salary increases and easier job placements.
Arkansas also has an office dedicated to addiction counseling certification and licensure. Licensure can be obtained by submitting an application and other required documentation to the Arkansas State Board of Examiners of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors. The board offers three credentials: a Licensed Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC), which requires a master’s degree in the health or behavioral sciences field from an accredited college or university; a Licensed Associate Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor (LAADAC), which requires a bachelor’s degree in the health or behavioral sciences field from an accredited college or university; and a Certified Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Technician (CADAT), which requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
The Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling & Marriage and Family Therapy offers licensure for Licensed Associate Counselors (LAC), Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapists (LAMFT), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). In Arkansas, LACs must complete 3,000 direct hours with clients and 175 hours of supervision over approximately three years in order to become an LPC. In addition, Arkansas law requires all counselors to take the National Counselors Exam (or the National Marital and Family Therapy Examination for MFTs) and pass an oral exam, taken in front of board members in which the applicant is expected to answer questions regarding the rules, regulations, and policies in Arkansas.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025) forecasts that careers in counseling fields will grow 19 percent nationally from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. The need for counselors, in general, will grow as a growing population seeks mental health counseling. Demand for rehabilitation counselors is expected to grow at a rate of 2 percent, which is somewhat slower than average for all occupations. On the other hand, the job outlook for marriage and family therapists is expected to grow at a rate of 16 percent during that same decade.
Read on for licensed and accredited programs offering counseling degrees and licenses in Arkansas.
Online Counseling Programs Based in Arkansas
Browse a complete listing of online counseling programs in Arkansas, ranked by in-state (resident) tuition, from most affordable to least. Out-of-state students should refer to the non-resident tuition numbers.
These numbers reflect the estimated tuition cost of the entire program, calculated by multiplying the published per-credit tuition rate (for the latest academic year) by the total number of credits that must be completed.
Please click on any school of interest for a full-page school profile containing complete program details.
| School | Programs | Tuition (resident) |
Tuition (non-resident) |
Programs & Tuition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University |
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Q&A with Expert: Jennifer K. Holtz, PhD
Dr. Jennifer Holtz received her PhD in adult, occupational, and continuing education from Kansas State University. She also has a master of arts in gerontology with a clinical emphasis from Wichita State University.
Since 2016, Dr Holtz has been the director of the University of Arkansas-Little Rock’s School of Counseling, Human Performance, & Rehabilitation. She is an award-winning professor who received the Graduation and Retention Advocate Award from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the Women of Spirit and Action Award from DePaul University. She has published numerous refereed articles over her career along with refereed books and book chapters, and refereed scholarly presentations and technical reports.
CounselingSchools.com: What are some of the core values or philosophies that guide the curriculum?
Dr. Holtz: Philosophically speaking, and in every other way, we are a professional preparation program that follows the precepts of the CACREP accrediting body, even though we’re not currently accredited by them. We follow those same standards because they’re the same standards required by our state licensing body. Our core philosophy is to follow state and national standards to prepare counselors for this state and wherever they may work.
CounselingSchools.com: What sets this program apart from others in terms of preparing students for counseling careers?
Dr. Holtz: One thing that differentiates this program from others is that our students are a little older, sometimes they are mid-career. We also have a rehabilitation counseling program that is aligned with our mental health counseling programs, which is a little different from other programs in the state because it has a disability focus.
We pride ourselves and our school in having that because it means that graduates, whether they’re coming out of the clinical mental health program or the rehabilitation counseling program, they would have had unique experiences in working with people with disabilities, and they would have had required coursework in the field of disability.
Q&A with Expert: Joe Campbell, EdD
Dr. Joe Campbell is a licensed professional counselor, a national board certified counselor, and a national board certified telemental health provider. He is currently the counseling education coordinator at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He attended Concordia University in Illinois, where he received his master of arts degree in school counseling along with a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Marquette University in Wisconsin.
In his role as education coordinator for the counseling department, Dr. Campbell trains and orients new faculty and adjuncts to department procedures and processes and helps develop course content to meet the needs of accreditation and state board requirements. He spends a lot of time guiding students through the national credential and licensure application process, helps students develop interview skills, and mentors and advises students on managing anxiety and stress during their clinical training experience.
Previously at Henderson State University, Dr. Campbell was the department chair and associate director of the online teaching academy and the health, education, and social sustainability program coordinator. Dr. Campbell was also core faculty for counselor education and supervision at Capella University in Minnesota, in addition to his role as a doctoral mentor for counselor education and supervision. From 1919 to 2021, Dr. Campbell was Henderson State University’s practicum and internship coordinator. He also worked in various roles at Argosy University in Illinois, primarily as director of training for master’s and doctoral students and as an assistant professor.
CounselingSchools.com: What drew you to a career in counseling and this program specifically?
Dr. Campbell: I had trouble as I was growing up. My father passed away and I had a counselor. I was lucky to have a good counselor and good mentors to be able to keep me going along the way. I can honestly say that without them, I probably would not have made it. My being in the field of counseling is my way of giving back to the field that gave so much to me.
CounselingSchools.com: What is something you wish the public understood about the field of counseling?
Dr. Campbell: I want them to know that seeking counseling is a strength, not a weakness. I think of counseling as an experience similar to going to the doctor. Sometimes, we go in for a checkup to ensure we are on the right path and doing okay. I would also want them to understand that counseling is a collaborative process. We, as clinicians, cannot help you if you are not willing to let us help. We are only there to assist you on your journey of wellness. We want to see the best version of yourself in the world, and we cannot do it without your help.
CounselingSchools.com: What advice would you give to other students who are considering the field of counseling?
Dr. Campbell: Counseling can be the most rewarding thing that you’ve ever done. To be able to see another person move and get better with tools that you have helped them with is something that is worth its weight in gold. When I was doing counseling as a practitioner, seeing my clients take that final step or have that “aha moment” where everything kind of falls into place was the best feeling for me as a clinician. They got it—they understood what’s going on, they reached the pinnacle of what they wanted to do.
And so if you go into it knowing that you’re there to make someone else’s life a little bit easier and a little bit better, you’ll be fine. You can’t go into it thinking, “I’m going to be rich” or anything like that. You have to go into it knowing that you’re trying to give something of yourself to someone else.
Traditional Counseling Degree Programs in Arkansas
Arkansas State University – College of Education & Behavioral Science
Arkansas State University is the flagship public campus and the second-largest university in Arkansas. The university was founded in 1909.
The psychology and counseling department offers a specialist in education (EdS) degree, which leads to state licensure in counseling, school psychology, and psychology. Three tracks are available: school psychology, clinical and mental health counseling, and a flexible option, which is based on that student’s career goals and experience.
The school psychology emphasis prepares students for careers as school psychologists. These professionals work with parents, teachers, students, educators, and others to best meet the educational and mental health needs of children. Students who complete the clinical mental health counseling specialization are eligible to become licensed as School Psychology Specialists with the Arkansas Department of Education (or Licensed School Psychologists in other states). Students who complete the program are eligible to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) to qualify for both National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Arkansas Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) status.
Online options include a school counseling program specializing in crisis and trauma. The MSE in school counseling program emphasizes special populations, optimizing a student’s chances of working with students from subgroup populations, including gifted and talented, English language learners, and special education.
These Arkansas State University school counseling online programs prepare students to practice in public or private schools. The school offers graduate certificates in addiction studies, clinical mental health studies, and play therapy.
- Location: Jonesboro, Arkansas
- Duration: The school psychology specialization is 67 credits; the clinical mental health counseling specialization is 60 credits; the school counseling programs are 48 credits
- Accreditation: The clinical mental health counseling program is accredited by CACREP
Harding University – College of Education
Harding University, established in 1924, is a private liberal arts university that is the largest private university in Arkansas. The College of Education’s Mental Health and Wellness department includes master of science degrees in marriage and family counseling/therapy, professional school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, and an educational specialist program in counseling. In addition, the school offers a certificate in counseling skills.
Students who complete the marriage and family counseling/therapy program can graduate and immediately pursue licensure for both LMFT and LPC. The professional school counseling program is approved by the Arkansas Department of Education and meets current course requirements for K-12 licensure/practice for counseling in public or private schools, including higher education. The clinical mental health counseling program can lead to professional credentialing as a Licensed Professional Counselor or Clinical Mental Health Counselor and prepares professionals to practice in various settings, such as schools, community, mental health, private practice and ministry.
The educational specialist in counseling program prepares candidates to become practitioners in three concentrations with additional credits completed: marriage and family counseling/therapy (15 credits), professional clinical mental health counseling (15 credits), and professional school counseling (12 credits).
- Location: Searcy, Arkansas
- Duration: 60 to 75 credits
- Accreditation: CACREP
Henderson State University is a public university founded in 1890. The Henderson graduate school offers a master of science in clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, and an online educational specialist degree.
The clinical mental health counseling program prepares students for their Licensed Counseling Associate credentialing. Graduates of this program may achieve full licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arkansas.
The school counseling program prepares students to work in public or private elementary, middle, or secondary schools in the state of Arkansas. The master of science in education degree in school counseling is a state-approved accredited school counselor preparation program.
The online educational specialist program serves pre-12 educators and is meant to prepare graduates for school leadership positions at both the building and district levels.
- Location: Arkadelphia, Arkansas
- Duration: 60 credits
- Accreditation: CACREP; the MSE in school counseling is also accredited by NCATE
The University of Arkansas is a public research university that is the largest university in Arkansas. The Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Arkansas offers degrees in counseling with four concentrations: clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and addiction counseling.
Each emphasis also has its own course requirements, and graduates are eligible to apply for licensure as professional counselors through the Board of Examiners in Counseling for the State of Arkansas and/or for various certifications through the State Department of Education and National Board for Certified Counselors.
School counseling students must meet certain Arkansas Department of Education requirements and complete the master’s degree.
- Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Duration: 60 credits
- Accreditation: The counselor education program’s school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, and rehabilitation counseling programs are accredited by CACREP
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public research university established in 1927. The Education department offers a master of arts in counseling with four tracks: an emphasis in rehabilitation counseling, mental health counseling, counselor education, and traditional rehabilitation counseling. The clinical rehabilitation counseling, clinical mental health, and traditional rehabilitation counseling tracks are all 60 hours, while the counselor education track is 48 hours.
All coursework is web-based, including two skill-building courses, which are no longer required to be done in person. The two courses require on-campus activities for three days each. Students are admitted on a full- or part-time basis. Graduates of this program qualify for licensure as professional counselors in Arkansas and many other states.
- Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
- Duration: Two years, full- or part-time
- Accreditation: The rehabilitation counseling program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) and recognized by the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling
How Much Do Counselors Make in Arkansas?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2024—the latest data available as of August 2025.
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
| United States | Arkansas | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 342,350 | 2,310 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $71,520 | $61,310 |
| 10th percentile | $43,580 | $42,030 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $65,140 | $60,110 |
| 90th percentile | $105,870 | $81,920 |
Marriage and Family Therapists
| United States | Arkansas | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 65,870 | 120 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $72,720 | $52,710 |
| 10th percentile | $42,610 | $41,120 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $63,780 | $47,090 |
| 90th percentile | $111,610 | $71,020 |
Rehabilitation Counselors
| United States | Arkansas | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 88,930 | 610 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $51,260 | $36,120 |
| 10th percentile | $34,480 | $24,430 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,110 | $29,330 |
| 90th percentile | $77,200 | $57,830 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
| United States | Arkansas | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 440,380 | 2,860 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $65,100 | $58,960 |
| 10th percentile | $39,090 | $31,600 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,190 | $49,990 |
| 90th percentile | $98,210 | $102,400 |
All Other Counselors
| United States | Arkansas | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 33,340 | 80 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $58,070 | $38,580 |
| 10th percentile | $36,160 | $22,880 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,830 | $31,990 |
| 90th percentile | $91,420 | $53,570 |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Arkansas
- Arkansas Association for Play Therapy (ArAPT)
- Arkansas Counseling Association (ArCA)
- Arkansas School Counselor Association (ArSCA)
- Arkansas Mental Health Counselors Association (ArMHCA)
- Women and Children First: Center Against Family Violence (WCF)
- Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter (NWAWS)
- The Haven of Northeast Arkansas
- Women’s Crisis Center of Southern Arkansas
- Rise House (Previously Women’s Shelter of Central Arkansas)
- Southwest Arkansas Crisis & Resource Center
- Committee Against Spouse Abuse (CASA)
- White County Domestic Violence Prevention
- Association For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual And Transgender Issues In Counseling
- Arkansas Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
- Arkansas Addiction Professionals Association (ARAPA)
- Arkansas Substance Abuse Certification Board (ASACB)
- Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV)
- Central Arkansas Development Council (CADC)
- Northeast Arkansas Migrant Education Cooperative (NEAEC)
Mental Health Counseling Licenses in Arkansas
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling and Marriage & Family Therapy | All prospective counselors in Arkansas are first credentialed as Licensed Associate Counselors (LAC). There are several steps to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). For the initial application, they must:
For the written exams and file building, the board issues an authorization for the candidate to take the NCE exam through the NBCC upon verification that education requirements have been met. Candidates schedule, pay for, and take the exam after they:
Candidates then prepare for an oral interview and file completion. They should verify with the board that they have received official transcripts, official test scores, and background check results. Candidates then schedule an oral interview once the board has sent the email requesting the candidate to do so. They may attend other oral interviews to know the format and better prepare. Finally, after passing the oral interview, they can obtain an LAC license. To do this, they must:
To become an LPC, LACs must provide evidence of three years of full-time employment in counseling. One year of experience may be substituted for 30 semester-hours of graduate coursework beyond the initial master’s in counseling. Once the work experience is complete, candidates can submit a petition to the board to become an LPC. | Arkansas LAC and LPC licenses are renewed biennially on May 31st in even-numbered years. Each renewal requires a fee. In addition, counselors must submit proof of 24 continuing education hours. |
Vanessa Salvia
WriterVanessa Salvia is an Oregon-based freelance writer and editor with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. As fun as rigorous studies in math and science were, Vanessa took an independent path and developed a prolific career covering lifestyle and healthcare topics for magazines and newspapers, important industries such as concrete construction and building waterproofing, and even hard science. You can get in touch at Sage Media and Marketing.