Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Florida

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 2023. 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
• Estimated Tuition: Graduate resident and non-resident ($303.71 per credit)

University of South Florida

The University of South Florida offers a track specifically for students to become eligible for licensing as a Florida Certified School Counselor 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
• Estimated Tuition: $438.83 per credit

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 health care 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
• Estimated Tuition: Florida resident ($369.65 per credit); out-of-state resident ($1,194.05 per credit)

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 or multiple specializations:

• Clinical mental health counseling (60 credits)
• Marital, couple, and family counseling (66 credits)
• School counseling (60 credits)
• 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)
• Estimated Tuition: $800 per credit

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 62-credit 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 ten 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.

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
• Estimated Tuition: Florida resident ($4,101 per semester); non-resident ($9,015 per semester)

University of Florida – School of Human Development and Organizational Studies in Education

The University of Florida prides itself on being ranked among the top ten 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
• Estimated Tuition: Florida resident ($12,740 plus fees); out-of-state ($30,134)

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
• Estimated Tuition: Florida resident ($479.32 per credit, plus fees); non-resident ($1,110.72 per credit, plus fees)

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 through a dual major. Students take all common and specialty courses required for both programs, typically adding a year or more to degree completion.

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
• Estimated Tuition: Florida resident ($373.38 per credit); non-resident ($1,300.66 per credit)

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
• Estimated Tuition: $675 per credit

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: Official transcripts showing a master’s degree from a CACREP-accredited mental health program of at least 60 semester-hours or 80 quarter-hours. If the program isn’t CACREP accredited it must be regionally accredited and be 60 semester-hours or 80 quarter-hours and meet course requirements. A university-sponsored practicum of at least 1,000 hours A letter from a qualified supervisor noting they have agreed to provide supervision for the internship Completed application A $150 fee To become a full LMHC, candidates must submit: Official transcripts showing a master’s degree from a CACREP accredited mental health program of at least 60 semester-hours or 80 quarter-hours. If the program isn’t CACREP accredited it must be regionally accredited and be 60 semester-hours or 80 quarter-hours and meet course requirements. A university-sponsored practicum of at least 1,000 hours Proof of two years of post-master’s supervised work experience; this must include no less than 100 hours of supervision in 100 weeks, one hour of supervision a week, and at least 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients A passing score on the NCMHCE exam Proof of completion of an eight-hour Florida laws and rules course Proof of completion of a three-hour board-approved HIV course Proof of completion of a two-hour board-approved domestic violence course A $100 application fee and $75 licensure fee A completed application	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: Complete the online application Pay the $120 renewal fee Complete 30 continuing education hours from board-approved providers. 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: Complete a master’s degree (or higher) in school counseling and guidance or a related discipline that meets coursework requirements Pass all three portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) Pay $65 application fee Submit a completed application Pass a background check	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: Pass the IC&RC ADC exam Pass a Department of Children and Families Level 2 background check Hold a high school diploma or GED Complete 270 hours of education and training in nine core areas Have work experience (6,000 hours for a high school diploma or GED, 5,000 hours for an associate or vocational degree or non-related bachelor’s degree or higher, 4,000 hours for a bachelor’s degree in a related field, or 2,000 hours for master’s degree or higher in a related field) Complete 300 hours of on-the-job supervision for those with a high school diploma or GED, 250 hours for an associate or vocational degree or non-related bachelor’s degree or higher, 200 hours for a bachelor’s degree in a related field, or 100 hours for master’s degree or higher in a related field Pay $150 application fee To be certified as a CAP, candidates must meet CAS requirements, in addition to: Holding a bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution Completing 350 hours of training and education in nine core areas Completing 6,000 hours and three years of addiction-specific, professional-level work experience (one year of full-time employment at 40-hours per week, equals 2,080 hours) Completing 300 hours of on the job supervision at a rate of no more than three hours per week or 156 hours per year Passing the Florida Certified Addiction Professional Exam Paying $150 application fee MCAP candidates must: Hold a master’s degree in clinical counseling or a related field from an accredited institution Complete 350 hours of training and education in nine core areas Complete 4,000 hours and two years of addiction-specific, professional-level work experience (one year of full-time employment at 40-hours per week, equals 2,080 hours) Provide three professional references Pass the Florida Master’s Level Certified Addiction Professional Exam Pass the IC&RC ADC Exam Pay $150 application fee	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: Official transcripts showing a master’s degree from a CACREP-accredited mental health program of at least 60 semester-hours or 80 quarter-hours. If the program isn’t CACREP accredited it must be regionally accredited and be 60 semester-hours or 80 quarter-hours and meet course requirements. A university-sponsored practicum of at least 1,000 hours A letter from a qualified supervisor noting they have agreed to provide supervision for the internship Completed application A $150 fee To become a full LMHC, candidates must submit: Official transcripts showing a master’s degree from a CACREP accredited mental health program of at least 60 semester-hours or 80 quarter-hours. If the program isn’t CACREP accredited it must be regionally accredited and be 60 semester-hours or 80 quarter-hours and meet course requirements. A university-sponsored practicum of at least 1,000 hours Proof of two years of post-master’s supervised work experience; this must include no less than 100 hours of supervision in 100 weeks, one hour of supervision a week, and at least 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients A passing score on the NCMHCE exam Proof of completion of an eight-hour Florida laws and rules course Proof of completion of a three-hour board-approved HIV course Proof of completion of a two-hour board-approved domestic violence course A $180 application and licensure fee A completed application	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: Complete the online application Pay the $120 renewal fee Complete 30 continuing education hours from board-approved providers. 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: Send official transcripts showing a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, including a 180-hour practicum Complete an application Pay $150 application fee Obtain a letter from a Board approved Qualified Supervisor and submit to the Board Office Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists must meet the requirements for an intern license, as well as: Show proof of two years of post-master’s supervised work experience (no less than 100 hours of supervision in 100 weeks, one hour of supervision a week, and at least 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients) Pass the AMFTRB exam Complete an eight-hour Florida laws and rules course Complete a three-hour board-approved HIV course Complete a two-hour board-approved domestic violence course Pay the $180 application and licensure fee Submit a completed application	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: Complete the online application Pay the $120 renewal fee Complete 30 continuing education hours from board-approved providers. 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: Official transcripts showing a master’s degree from a CACREP accredited mental health program of at least 60 semester-hours or 80 quarter-hours. If the program isn’t CACREP-accredited, it must be regionally accredited and be 60 semester-hours or 80 quarter-hours and meet course requirements. A letter from a qualified supervisor noting they have agreed to provide supervision for the internship Completed application A $150 fee To become a full LMHC, candidates must submit: Official transcripts showing a master’s degree from a CACREP accredited mental health program of at least 60 semester-hours or 80 quarter-hours. If the program isn’t CACREP-accredited, it must be regionally accredited and be 60 semester-hours or 80 quarter-hours and meet course requirements. Proof of two years of post-master’s supervised work experience; this must include no less than 100 hours of supervision in 100 weeks, one hour of supervision a week, and at least 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients A passing score on the NCMHCE exam Proof of completion of an eight-hour Florida laws and rules course Proof of completion of a three-hour board-approved HIV course Proof of completion of a two-hour board-approved domestic violence course A $100 application fee, $5 unlicensed activity fee, and $75 licensure fee A completed application	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: Complete the online application Pay the $120 renewal fee Complete 30 continuing education hours from board-approved providers. Counselors in their first renewal cycle are exempt from the education requirements.

Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Florida

• Florida Counseling Association
• Florida Mental Health Counselors Association
• Florida School Counselor Association
• Gulf Coast Mental Health Counselors Association
• Suncoast Mental Health Counselors Association
• Central Florida Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (CFAMFT)
• South Florida Association of Christian Counselors
• Florida Psychological Association

Counseling Schools & Licensure in Nearby States

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• West Virginia