Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Florida
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“Our faculty are all certified school counselors, so our students get real-life, first-hand information from those who’ve been in the field…We are one of the very few programs nationwide and the only one in Florida that offers specialized training in school counseling only in every course.”
Cindy Topdemir, PhD, Professor of Instruction and Program Coordinator, University of South Florida
Florida is a populous state, which makes it a good candidate for someone who wants to achieve a counseling degree and live and work there to develop a career. Florida has a unique cultural and environmental landscape, with various interesting places to live and activities to enjoy. There is also a demonstrated need for people with counseling degrees and licenses in Florida.
According to NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, in Florida, there is a large number of people living with some form of mental illness in Florida. At the time of the study, 40.8 percent of adults in Florida reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, and 24.8 percent were unable to get needed counseling or therapy. It further stated that in Florida, 648,000 adults have a serious mental illness and 180,000 Floridians aged 12 to 17 have depression issues.
The Mental Health America site ranks all 51 states on various mental health-related criteria. Using 15 standards, MHA ranks states on such things as the number of adults with any mental illness, youths with substance disorders, adults with cognitive issues who reported that they could not afford to visit a doctor, children with private insurance plans that did not cover mental or emotional problems, and the availability of mental health providers. Using all of these criteria, MHA gives Florida a ranking of 35.
According to MHA’s criteria, an overall ranking of one to 13 indicates a lower prevalence of mental illness and higher rates of access to care. An overall ranking of 39 to 51 indicates a higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care. A ranking of 35 puts this large state right in the middle, with issues related to both the prevalence of mental illness and a lack of access to people with counseling degrees and licenses in Florida.
Those considering careers as a mental health provider in Florida are making a wise choice, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) predicts that job openings in the field of substance abuse, behavioral disorders, and mental health will grow 19 percent nationally between 2023 to 2033—a rate of growth that is much faster than the average for all careers.
Counseling degrees and licenses will continue to be in high demand in Florida. According to Projections Central (2023), there were 5,360 mental health and substance abuse workers in the state of Florida in 2022. In 2032, that number is expected to grow to reach 6,280.
To be licensed as a mental health counselor in Florida, practitioners must have earned a master’s degree from a regionally accredited program in mental health counseling or a closely related field comprising at least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours. Florida has different requirements for degrees earned from schools with mental health counseling programs that the Council accredits for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) versus those that are not CACREP-certified.
Per the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, one of the biggest differences is that a degree from a non-CACREP accreditation program requires a letter from the school’s dean or department chair on official school letterhead verifying the course title and the total number of hours completed during the supervised practicum, internship, or field experience. There is no requirement to do this for a degree from a CACREP-certified program.
Read on to discover what to expect from an accredited counseling degree program in Florida, as well as how to join a variety of counseling careers and their salaries.
Ask An Expert: Cindy Topdemir, PhD, LMHC, NCC
Dr. Cindy Topdemir is a professor of instruction and the program coordinator of the counselor education program at the University of South Florida. Before completing her doctorate in 2010, she was a school counselor for 14 years in Pasco County and is still certified as a school counselor. She is also a licensed mental health counselor.
In addition to teaching courses, Dr. Topdemir has coordinated the school counseling and the career counseling master’s programs and the school counseling and the career counseling certificate programs. She has co-chaired and served as a committee member on several doctoral students’ committees.
One of the projects Dr. Topdemir has completed includes aligning the Florida K-12 Guidance Competencies and Florida Educator Accomplished Practices with the school counseling program’s courses. She has also organized many school counseling-related functions in the community.
Dr. Topdemir created and leads the School Counselor Advisory Board meetings at USF each semester. Several of the surrounding counties’ district school counseling supervisors and the school counselor consultant at the FLDOE attend these meetings. She has served as a chair (2021-2022) and member of the Governing Board of the Florida School Counselor Association since 2012.
Additionally, she has chaired committees within this professional association and others. State and national conference presentations and publishing are also her priorities. Some of these topics include school counselor accountability practices, advocacy, the school counselor’s role as a consultant, and student mental health.
CounselingSchools.com: What sets this program apart from others in terms of preparing students for counseling careers?
Dr. Topdemir: We are a CACREP-accredited school counseling only master’s program. Our faculty are all certified school counselors, so our students get real-life, first-hand information from those who’ve been in the field.
From the first semester, our students are getting experience in the schools. Throughout the program, they shadow school counselors, complete assignments based on work while in the schools, complete a practicum, and complete a full-time internship. We are one of the very few programs nationwide and the only one in Florida that offers specialized training in school counseling only in every course. Most programs have students taking courses in “mixed” programs from professors who more than likely have never been school counselors, meaning mental health counseling and/or career counseling students are in courses with school counseling students in most other programs. We are school counseling focused.
Our PhD is a counselor education and supervision degree open to school counselors or mental health counselors with a master’s in either of those degrees.
CounselingSchools.com: How does the program balance teaching counseling theory with practical skills training?
Dr. Topdemir: Practical skills begin in the very first semester—we don’t wait until students get to the fieldwork classes. An asset to our program when teaching theory is that [as I mentioned], all of our faculty have been school counselors and can add real-life experiences when teaching the theory of counseling students.
Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Florida
Florida Atlantic University
FAU’s Department of Counseling offers three master’s degree programs: clinical mental health counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, and school counseling. All three programs are CACREP-certified through 2032. FAU also has a program that combines the 60-credit master of education program with the specialist in education program. All three programs are master’s of education (MEd) in counselor education, with specializations within each of those fields.
Students can graduate with their master’s in clinical mental health counseling after 60 credits, and then have a specialization in education after an additional 12 credits. To become licensed as a clinical mental health counselor in Florida, graduates must perform supervised work for two years and take the state licensing exam.
On average, FAU students complete the clinical rehabilitation counseling program to be eligible for licensure in the state of Florida in two-and-a-half to three years. The school counseling program is a 60-credit master’s degree program.
An overview of courses in these specializations includes appraisal and evaluation in counseling; career development; multicultural counseling for diverse populations; group counseling; family counseling; legal, ethical, and professional issues in counseling; consultation and behavior management; substance abuse counseling; foundations of rehabilitation counseling; and fundamentals of school counseling.
- Location: Boca Raton, FL
- Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida offers a track specifically for students to become eligible for licensing as Florida Certified School Counselors through the College of Education. The master of arts (MA) in counselor education provides a concentration in school counseling, so graduates can work as counselors in elementary, middle, or high schools. The program consists of 55 credits.
The child and family studies program through the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences offers an opportunity for a degree in clinical mental health counseling and clinical rehabilitation counseling. This rehabilitation and mental health counseling (RMHC) master of arts program comprises 60 credits.
The master of arts program in counselor education with a concentration in school counseling includes courses such as behavior theory and classroom learning; human sexuality issues for counselors; counseling substance abuse in school and community; counseling theories and practices; and online services in counseling and helping professions.
- Location: Tampa, FL
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years
University of Central Florida – College of Community Innovation and Education
UCF offers three tracks for counseling licensure. The master of arts (MA) in counselor education includes a clinical mental health counseling track that prepares graduates to work in mental health agencies, private practice, and other settings and a school counseling track that prepares students to work as professional school counselors in pre-K through postsecondary school settings.
The master of education counselor education in school counseling/guidance track is designed for the student planning to seek certification as a professional school counselor in K-12 school settings.
The MA is an ideal program for students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education and plan to seek certification as a professional school counselor in pre-K through postsecondary school settings.
The MEd program is ideal for certified educators who want to work as professional school counselors in pre-K through postsecondary school settings. For the MEd, students must have or be eligible for the Florida Professional Teaching Certificate in Counselor Education.
The clinical mental health counseling track in the counselor education MA program comprises 63 credits. This program includes courses such as introduction to the counseling profession; mental healthcare systems; diagnosis and treatment in counseling; individual psychoeducational testing; theories of counseling and personality; techniques of counseling; addictions counseling; and human sexuality and relationships.
The school counseling track in the counselor education MA program consists of 60 credits and includes courses such as legal and ethical issues in professional school counseling; coordination of comprehensive professional school counseling programs; counseling with children and adolescents; group procedures and theories in counseling; and career and college readiness in schools PK-12.
- Location: Orlando, FL
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years
Barry University (Online, On-campus)
Barry University is a private Catholic university with classes offered traditionally in person at the main campus in Miami Shores, and at locations throughout Florida for those who can not commute to the main campus. Although many programs are also offered online and in the Bahamas, the counseling programs are not online.
The master of counseling program allows students to choose from four specializations including clinical mental health counseling (60 credits); marital, couple, and family counseling (66 credits); and school counseling (60 credits). Students can also choose to pursue multiple specializations.
The Council accredits Barry University’s Counseling program for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), which not only meets license requirements in Florida but gives students the chance to transfer their credits to pursue professional licensure in other states.
The curriculum includes courses such as orientation to the counseling profession; crisis intervention; legal & ethical issues in counseling; human growth and development; psychological measurements; social and cultural issues in counseling; individual counseling procedures; group counseling procedures; family counseling; and counseling theories and interventions.
- Location: Miami Shores, FL
- Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Full-time (2.5 years); part-time (four years)
Rollins College
The master of arts (MA) in clinical mental health counseling at Rollins College has a focus on social justice, so the coursework here goes beyond core classes and practicum; in addition to a practicum and internship during the final year, Rollins expects that students participate in 100 hours of non-clinical service activities at a mental health agency and engage in 100 hours of social justice advocacy to promote social change.
Although classes are not online, Rollins caters to working adults by scheduling late afternoon and evening classes. Rollins keeps class sizes small at only 12 to 15 students who enter and graduate together, so each student is supported and receives personalized attention.
This 61-credit, cohort-based program includes courses such as foundations in clinical mental health counseling; group dynamics and process; counseling theories and practice; theories of personality; multicultural and social justice counseling; advanced theory and practice of group counseling; legal, professional, and ethical issues in counseling; addictive disorders; and community counseling and crisis intervention.
- Location: Winter Park, FL
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Full-time (three years); part-time (three to four years)
- Estimated Tuition: $727 per credit
Florida International University – College of Arts, Sciences & Education
Florida International University, in Miami, is an anchor institution in Florida and with a student body of nearly 56,000, is among the top 10 largest universities in the nation. FIU’s master of science in counseling program offers three tracks: clinical mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and school counseling — all accredited through CACREP.
The school counseling track requires students with an undergraduate degree in an area other than education to enroll for courses in general professional education as required by the Florida Department of Education to meet state certification requirements in Florida.
All programs require the successful completion of 60 credits. The curriculum includes courses such as cross-cultural counseling; group counseling; counseling skills and techniques; human development across the lifespan; ethical, legal, & professional issues in counseling; substance abuse counseling; foundations of mental health counseling; and adult psychopathology.
- Location: Miami, FL
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years
University of Florida – School of Human Development and Organizational Studies in Education
The University of Florida prides itself on being ranked among the top 10 programs nationally since 1998 when the U.S. News & World Report began ranking counseling programs. Students can choose from three tracks: mental health counseling, marriage and family counseling, and school counseling. The program consists of a minimum of 72 credits, leading to the master of education and education specialist dual degrees. Students who complete a master’s thesis receive a master of arts rather than the master of education.
The curriculum includes common courses such as introduction to counseling; counseling theories and applications; professional identity and ethics in counseling; assessment in counseling and development; developmental counseling over the lifespan; and multicultural counseling.
- Location: Gainesville, FL
- Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); the school counseling program has additional accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 2.5 to three years
Florida State University
Florida State University’s clinical mental health counseling program consists of five full-time semesters that include core courses, a practicum, and an internship. Graduates receive both a master of science (MS) and an education specialist (EdS) degree. This program’s connections with several organizations will allow students to gain hands-on experience in settings such as substance abuse centers, student counseling centers, prisons, employee assistance programs, independent practices, hospice care, and managed behavioral health care organizations, to name a few.
FSU requires that an applicant have a bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA. Recent GRE scores are also required, although FSU is waiving the GRE as a requirement for admission to counseling master’s and education specialist degree programs till fall 2026.
This 60-credit program includes courses such as introduction to counseling theories and techniques; psychosocial and multicultural aspects of counseling; foundations of mental health counseling; substance abuse and addictions counseling; adult development and psychopathology; assessment in counseling and rehabilitation; trauma & crisis intervention; and theories and fundamentals of family therapy.
- Location: Tallahassee, FL
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Five full-time semesters
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University’s clinical mental health counseling program allows students to earn degrees in mental health counseling licensure and school counseling certification. Students can pursue both specialty areas through a dual major, which adds about a year of additional coursework. Students take all common and specialty courses required for both programs, typically adding a year or more to degree completion.
The mental health counseling licensure track also offers a couples and family counseling concentration.
This 61-credit program includes courses such as mental disorders; appraisal procedures; counseling techniques; issues in addictions and abuse; trauma counseling; human sexual issues counselor; introduction to group dynamics; introduction to counseling theory and techniques; and legal and ethical issues in counseling.
- Location: Fort Myers, FL
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville University offers a master of science program in clinical mental health counseling. The core curriculum of this program has a specialization in clinical mental health counseling, and the program also offers a concentration in couples, marriage, and family counseling. The program meets the academic licensure requirements for marriage and family therapy and clinical mental health counseling.
The program is delivered in a hybrid style where class attendance will be required once a week in the fall or spring semesters and twice a week during the summer semester. Students must also complete a rigorous 800-hour community-based clinical field experience as part of their academic training.
The curriculum of this 60-credit program includes courses such as counseling theories and practices; introduction to counseling skills and practice; behavioral research and evaluation; diagnosis and treatment of psychopathology; group theories and practice; social and cultural foundations in counseling; career and lifestyle assessment in counseling; community-based counseling; and theories & practice of marriage and family therapy.
- Location: Jacksonville, FL
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
How Much Do Counselors Make in Florida?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest figures available as of October 2024.
Marriage and Family Therapist Salaries
| United States | Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 63,340 | 1,640 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $68,730 | $61,170 |
| 10th percentile | $39,090 | $33,670 |
| 25th percentile | $45,250 | $38,470 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,510 | $46,000 |
| 75th percentile | $78,440 | $55,590 |
| 90th percentile | $104,710 | $86,170 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor Salaries
| United States | Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 397,880 | 19,310 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $60,080 | $56,980 |
| 10th percentile | $36,700 | $35,520 |
| 25th percentile | $44,600 | $44,990 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,710 | $52,260 |
| 75th percentile | $70,130 | $63,100 |
| 90th percentile | $89,920 | $80,370 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor Salaries
| United States | Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 327,660 | 21,560 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $66,990 | $56,920 |
| 10th percentile | $40,140 | $38,180 |
| 25th percentile | $48,760 | $47,010 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,710 | $50,950 |
| 75th percentile | $78,780 | $64,460 |
| 90th percentile | $100,050 | $81,250 |
Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries
| United States | Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 84,750 | 2,940 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $48,430 | $47,290 |
| 10th percentile | $31,390 | $30,230 |
| 25th percentile | $36,440 | $33,990 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,040 | $40,080 |
| 75th percentile | $56,610 | $52,230 |
| 90th percentile | $73,710 | $77,320 |
All Other Counselors
| United States | Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 35,580 | 2,340 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $52,360 | $44,830 |
| 10th percentile | $33,300 | $32,300 |
| 25th percentile | $38,890 | $39,150 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,130 | $42,000 |
| 75th percentile | $59,340 | $45,660 |
| 90th percentile | $79,880 | $57,100 |
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Florida: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling |
In Florida, aspiring counselors can be Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns, and upon completion of qualified work experience, Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs). Requirements to be a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern include:
To become a full LMHC, candidates must submit:
|
Registered mental health counselor intern licenses are valid for five years and cannot be renewed. LMHC licenses expire on March 31st of odd-numbered years. To renew, counselors must:
Counselors in their first renewal cycle are exempt from the education requirements. |
School Counseling Licenses in Florida
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Department of Education |
The Florida Department of Education requires school counselors to be certified teachers, as well as meet the requirements for a certification in school counseling. The requirements are:
|
Florida requires school counselors to renew their teaching license every five years. The fee to renew is $75. School counselors must complete six semester hours of continuing education. One of those hours must be in special education. |
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Florida
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
The Florida Certification Board (FCB) |
There are three certifications issued by the Florida Certification Board (FCB). They are Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC), Certified Addiction Professional (CAP), and Master’s-Level Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP). CAC candidates must:
To be certified as a CAP, candidates must meet CAS requirements, in addition to:
MCAP candidates must:
|
FCB certifications expire annually on June 30th. Renewals must include a completed application, 20 continuing education hours, and a $100 fee for CACs or $125 for CAPs and MCAPs. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Florida
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling | In Florida, aspiring rehabilitation counselors can be Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns, or upon completion of qualified work experience, they can become Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs). Requirements to be a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern include:
To become a full LMHC, candidates must submit:
|
Registered mental health counselor intern licenses are valid for five years and cannot be renewed. LMHC licenses expire on March 31st of odd-numbered years. To renew counselors must:
Counselors in their first renewal cycle are exempt from the education requirements. |
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Florida
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) for national certification |
Currently, there are no state certification or licensing requirements for applied behavior analysts in Florida. However, BCBA certification can help with employment opportunities and career advancement. Applied behavior analysts in Florida can apply for the special designation of Florida Certified Behavior Analyst (FL-CBA) by meeting all the BCBA requirements and practicing in Florida. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Florida
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling |
The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling licenses Marriage and Family Therapist Interns, as well as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. Requirements to become a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern are:
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists must meet the requirements for an intern license, as well as:
|
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern licenses are valid for five years and cannot be renewed. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist licenses expire on March 31st of odd-numbered years. To renew, counselors must:
Counselors in their first renewal cycle are exempt from the continuing education requirements. |
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Florida
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling |
In Florida, aspiring child therapists can be Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns, or upon completion of qualified work experience, they can become Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs). Requirements to be a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern include:
To become a full LMHC, candidates must submit:
|
Registered mental health counselor intern licenses are valid for five years and cannot be renewed. LMHC licenses expire on March 31st of odd-numbered years. To renew counselors must:
Counselors in their first renewal cycle are exempt from the education requirements. |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Florida
- Florida Counseling Association (FCA)
- Florida Mental Health Counselors Association (FMHCA)
- Florida School Counselor Association (FSCA)
- Gulf Coast Mental Health Counselors Association (GMHC)
- Suncoast Mental Health Counselors Association (SMHCA)
- Central Florida Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (CFAMFT)
- South Florida Association of Christian Counselors (SFACC)
- Florida Psychological Association (FPA)
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.