Counseling Degrees & Licenses in New Jersey
Counseling Schools Search
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New Jersey, also known as the Garden State, has over 23,000 mental health counselors working in various disciplines including education, rehabilitation, substance abuse, and marriage and family therapy. Each specialization has unique education, work experience, and licensing requirements.
For example, licensed mental health counselors in New Jersey can be licensed as either Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and Licensed Associate Counselors (LAC). The LAC license is an initial license for counselors who must still complete their supervised work experience. Upon completing the required number of supervised hours, counselors can apply to become LPCs.
Overall the field of mental health counseling is in high demand across the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there is an anticipated 22 percent increase in jobs for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors between 2021 and 2031. Specifically, in New Jersey, there is an anticipated 21.9 percent growth in jobs for substance abuse mental health counselors between 2020 and 2030, according to Projections Central (2023).
This increased demand is primarily driven by an increase in court-mandated substance abuse counseling versus jail time. In New Jersey, mental health counselors earn the fourth-highest mean wage in the country, with an average of $65,090 per year.
In New Jersey, there is a strong need for quality, experienced mental health counselors. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI New Jersey) estimates that 248,000 people in New Jersey have a serious mental health disorder. According to the New Jersey Department of Human Services, in 2021, there were 82,977 people treated for substance abuse disorders.
Mental health counselors work in many different settings. Place of employment is largely determined by the type of counseling a particular mental health therapist performs. Typical employment places can include private offices, government agencies, outpatient clinics, inpatient treatment centers, substance abuse clinics, schools, long-term care facilities, retirement homes, community health centers, and even prisons.
There are numerous programs prospective counselors can pursue. Here is a list of accredited counseling degrees aspiring therapists can complete in New Jersey.
Featured Counseling Programs | ||
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Lamar University | M.Ed. - Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Program Website |
Lamar University | M.Ed. - Counseling & Development - Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling | Program Website |
Lamar University | M.Ed. - Counseling & Development - Professional School Counseling | Program Website |
Abilene Christian University | Online Master of Marriage and Family Therapy | Program Website |
Our Lady of the Lake University | Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Program Website |
Our Lady of the Lake University | Master of Arts in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling | Program Website |
Our Lady of the Lake University | Master of Arts in School Counseling | Program Website |
Grand Canyon University | Graduate Certificate - Christian Counseling | Program Website |
Grand Canyon University | MS - Addiction Counseling | Program Website |
Grand Canyon University | MS - Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Program Website |
Northwestern University | Online MA - Counseling | Program Website |
Northwestern University | Online MA - Counseling: Child and Adolescent Emphasis | Program Website |
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Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in New Jersey
Fairleigh Dickinson University – School of Psychology and Counseling
The School of Psychology and Counseling at Fairleigh Dickinson University offers a master of arts in clinical mental health counseling. This 63-semester credit program is CACREP accredited and meets the requirements for licensure as licensed associate counselors (LACs) in New Jersey. Graduates of this program are well prepared to enter the counseling field, with 100 percent of the graduating class of 2022 passing their licensing exam.
Students can complete a general counselor track or earn a specialization in school counseling or addiction. In addition to extensive classroom coursework in many different aspects of counseling, students will also complete a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship. This program’s admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, three letters of recommendation, copies of official transcripts, a personal statement, and an interview.
The curriculum includes courses such as counseling skills & practices; diagnosis & treatment planning in counseling; development across the lifespan; crisis intervention; group counseling; lifestyle & career counseling; family systems & counseling; multicultural counseling; addictions counseling; and psychopharmacology.
- Location: Madison, NJ
- Accreditation: The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
- Estimated Tuition: $1,188 per credit
Caldwell University – School of Psychology and Counseling
The Caldwell University School of Psychology and Counseling offers three master’s degrees in counseling. Students can earn either a master’s of arts in clinical mental health, art therapy, or school counseling. While the core courses overlap in all three programs, students will take specialized classes such as multicultural counseling; art-based assessment in counseling; and assessment measures and practices in schools. The master’s in clinical mental health counseling degree with art therapy specialization comprises 63 credits, while the other two specializations consist of 60 credits each.
This program is CACREP accredited, and graduates are eligible for licensure in New Jersey. Graduates will have the skills to provide mental health counseling, diagnose mental illnesses, read and evaluate research, and write clearly about mental health issues.
To be considered for admission, candidates must have at least 15 semester-hours of undergraduate psychology coursework, provide a five to ten-page research-based writing sample, have a 3.2 undergraduate GPA, supply two letters of recommendation, and complete an interview with the program coordinator.
- Location: Caldwell, NJ
- Accreditation: The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
- Estimated Tuition: $1,055 per credit
Kean University – Nathan Weiss Graduate College
There are four distinct master of arts counseling specializations students can earn at Kean University Nathan Weiss Graduate College. These include school counseling, alcohol and drug abuse, clinical mental health, and college counseling and student services. All programs prepare students for state licensure by the pertinent board. To allow students to work while completing their degree, courses at Kean University are offered in the evenings, with occasional weekend classes.
To meet state licensing requirements and provide students necessary hands-on experience, students must complete a practicum and two internships. Admission requirements to this program include an undergraduate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA, two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a current resume. International applicants must provide proof of English proficiency with a TOEFL or IELTS test score. GRE scores are not required.
The alcohol and drug abuse counseling option comprises 48 credits, while all the other options consist of 60 credits each. The curriculum includes courses such as orientation to professional counseling; group process in counseling; counseling skills; multicultural counseling; theories of counseling; career counseling and development; survey alcohol drug abuse counseling; diagnosis and treatment; and counseling children and adolescents.
- Location: Union, NJ
- Accreditation: The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
- Estimated Tuition: In-state ($815.42 per credit); out-of-state ($979.60 per credit)
Monmouth University – Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
The master’s of science in clinical mental health counseling at Monmouth University Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences provides the foundation for a variety of careers in mental health. Graduates are eligible for licensing in the state of New Jersey. This 60-semester-credit program was the first CACREP-accredited program in the state. Graduates will be able to counsel patients, provide interventions when necessary, assess mental health status, and evaluate research and literature pertinent to the field.
To accommodate the needs of working adults, this program offers classes in the evenings. Students must take their courses on campus. The school has partnerships with over 100 clinical internship sites, allowing students to complete their hands-on experience in various settings. Courses include testing and assessment in counseling; psychopathology & psychopharmacology; theories of counseling; crisis intervention & trauma; introduction to alcohol and drug abuse; research methods in counseling; multicultural counseling; and group counseling.
To be considered for admission, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and submit a complete application, two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Applicants must also participate in a group interview.
Monmouth University’s School of Education also has two CACREP-accredited programs in school counseling and student affairs and college counseling, both offered in a hybrid format.
- Location: West Long Branch, NJ
- Accreditation: The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
- Estimated Tuition: $1,095 per credit
New Jersey City University offers a master of arts in counseling with an option in either clinical mental health counseling or school counseling.
The clinical mental health counseling option prepares graduates for positions in human service and community mental health agencies, universities, schools, government, hospitals, industry, business, and independent practice, and provides the core courses required for licensure. This option comprises 60 credits.
The 48-credit school counseling option prepares aspiring school counselors to work in P-12 schools and provide consultation, assessment, and counseling services to families and students.
The curriculum includes courses such as multicultural counseling; family and couple counseling; group counseling theory and practice; foundations of addictions counseling; career counseling and development; case conceptualization and treatment planning in counseling; differential diagnosis of maladaptive behavior; consultation and management of developmental school counseling; and therapeutic intervention techniques: consultation in educational settings.
- Location: Jersey City, NJ
- Accreditation: The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
- Estimated Tuition: In-state ($821.63 per credit); out-of-state ($1,309.95 per credit)
Montclair State University offers a master’s of arts in counseling specializing in clinical mental health counseling, addictions counseling, school counseling, or student affairs and higher education. A strong emphasis on multicultural awareness helps prepare graduates to work with a diverse patient population in various settings. Montclair also boasts a diverse faculty that provides a unique perspective for students. These faculty members hold leadership positions in prominent professional organizations like the American Counseling Association (ACA).
Courses are offered in several different formats to accommodate student needs, including in-person, online, or evening and weekend classes. This flexible format makes this program ideal for working professionals or students with families. All students completing a master’s in counseling must pass a comprehensive exit exam upon completing their program. This comprehensive exam is not a licensing or certification exam and covers eight content areas. Graduates of this program are eligible for licensure in New Jersey.
The curriculum includes courses such as counseling across the lifespan; introduction to professional and ethical issues in counseling; counseling theories; appraisal of the individual; counseling techniques; multicultural counseling and development; introduction to substance abuse counseling; introduction to marriage, couples, and family counseling; clinical applications in addictions counseling; gender issues in counseling; and clinical assessment and diagnosis.
- Location: Montclair, NJ
- Accreditation: The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
- Estimated Tuition: $809 per credit
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey – School of Health Professions
The master’s in rehabilitation counseling clinical mental health counseling track at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey School of Health Professions is a comprehensive program that combines research, theory, counseling skills development, and supervised clinical experiences. As this is a rehabilitation counseling program, students will gain the skills to counsel patients with psychiatric, developmental, physical, or sensory disabilities.
This program allows students to complete their studies at their own pace. Students can choose from full-time or part-time enrollment, online or in-person coursework, or any combination they may need. Regardless of the format selected, students must take some coursework over the summer as some classes are only offered at that time.
The 60-credit curriculum includes courses such as crisis, disaster, and trauma counseling; addictions and mental illness; substance use counseling and consultation; theories of counseling and personality; foundations of the counseling profession; psychopathology; medical and psychological aspects of disability; and counseling and case management.
Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and completing an interview with a member of the faculty. Volunteer or work experience is not required, although highly recommended, and can improve the chance of admission.
Notably, Rutgers also offers a CACREP-accredited EdM program with school counseling certification at its Graduate School of Education.
- Location: Piscataway, NJ; New Brunswick, NJ
- Accreditation: The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
- Estimated Tuition: School of Health Professions (resident: $855 per credit; non-resident: $955 to $1,280 per credit); Graduate School of Education (resident: $826 per credit; non-resident: $1,405 per credit)
Rider University offers a master of arts program in clinical mental health counseling and a master of arts program in counseling services (school counseling concentration).
The MA clinical mental health counseling program prepares graduates for positions in mental health agencies, community agencies, government facilities, hospitals, corporate settings, private practice, and institutions of higher education. Within this degree, students will also have the option of completing a dance/movement therapy (DMT) concentration. Students without the DMT concentration complete 60 credits and students who are enrolled in the DMT concentration complete 65 credits. All students enrolled in this program will complete at least 700 hours of counseling fieldwork in a clinical mental health setting.
The school counseling program prepares graduates for school counseling positions in secondary and elementary private and public schools. Students in this program may attain specialized training and take coursework in areas such as addictions, trauma, play therapy, advanced psychopathology, creativity in counseling, and disordered eating. This program requires the completion of 60 credits.
The curriculum includes courses such as theories of counseling and helping professions; psychopathology; group counseling; foundations of clinical mental health counseling; legal and ethical issues in counseling and psychotherapy; multicultural counseling and relationship development; counseling children, adolescents, and families; disaster response, trauma, crisis, and grief counseling; and applied counseling & consultation models in educational settings.
- Location: Lawrenceville, NJ
- Accreditation: The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 2.5 to three years
- Estimated Tuition: $1,020 per credit
Rowan University offers a master of arts program in clinical mental health counseling, providing students with the educational requirements necessary for becoming Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). The program’s curriculum helps students develop skills in differential diagnosis, conceptualization, and development of treatment plans for mental health patients. Graduates are exposed to several aspects of this field, giving them extensive knowledge and experience in individualized outpatient treatment and counseling.
In addition to the 60-credit coursework, students in this [program will be required to complete a minimum of 600 hours of supervised practicum experience at an approved placement site. The curriculum includes courses such as counseling theory and techniques; group counseling and psychotherapy; legal, ethical, and professional issues in counseling; psychopharmacology and biological bases of behavior; psychopathology: diagnosis and epidemiology; and psychopathology: conceptualization and etiology.
Rowan University also offers a 48-credit master of arts program in counseling in educational settings that prepares professional practitioners in school counseling.
- Location: Glassboro, NJ
- Accreditation: The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years
- Estimated Tuition: $798.90 per credit
How Much Do Counselors Make in New Jersey?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2022—the latest figures available as of September 2023.
Marriage and Family Therapist Salaries
United States | New Jersey | |
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Number employed | 62,080 | 4,220 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $63,300 | $83,590 |
10th percentile | $36,840 | $60,430 |
25th percentile | $44,730 | $74,860 |
50th percentile (median) | $56,570 | $77,080 |
75th percentile | $75,220 | $96,800 |
90th percentile | $98,700 | $98,950 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor Salaries
United States | New Jersey | |
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Number employed | 344,970 | 11,790 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $56,230 | $65,090 |
10th percentile | $34,580 | $36,680 |
25th percentile | $39,810 | $47,330 |
50th percentile (median) | $49,710 | $59,290 |
75th percentile | $64,400 | $75,170 |
90th percentile | $82,710 | $99,950 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor Salaries
United States | New Jersey | |
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Number employed | 308,000 | 7,110 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $64,200 | $76,580 |
10th percentile | $38,280 | $51,570 |
25th percentile | $47,380 | $61,040 |
50th percentile (median) | $60,140 | $74,960 |
75th percentile | $76,590 | $95,480 |
90th percentile | $98,530 | $105,150 |
Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries
United States | New Jersey | |
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Number employed | 82,420 | NA |
Average annual salary (mean) | $46,020 | $51,700 |
10th percentile | $29,120 | $34,030 |
25th percentile | $33,790 | $35,650 |
50th percentile (median) | $39,990 | $38,720 |
75th percentile | $53,470 | $64,620 |
90th percentile | $71,270 | $82,710 |
All Other Counselors
United States | New Jersey | |
---|---|---|
Number employed | 37,270 | 1,020 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $49,770 | $84,100 |
10th percentile | $31,930 | $47,960 |
25th percentile | $36,730 | $58,040 |
50th percentile (median) | $43,390 | $88,660 |
75th percentile | $52,770 | $101,770 |
90th percentile | $75,340 | $123,260 |
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in New Jersey: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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Professional Counselor Examiners Committee |
New Jersey issues licenses for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Associate Counselors (LAC). Candidates apply for licensure prior to completing supervised work experience. They are then granted an LAC license to earn the work experience. LAC license candidates must:
To earn an LPC license, candidates must meet the LAC requirements in addition to:
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Renewals for LPC and LAC licenses in New Jersey are required in November of even-numbered years. The fee is $250 for LPCs and $180 for LACs. Counselors are exempt from continuing education requirements in their first biennium, but every renewal cycle after that, they are required to complete 40 continuing education units. Five hours must be in ethics and three must be in social and cultural competency. |
School Counseling Licenses in New Jersey
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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New Jersey Department of Education Office of Certification and Induction |
The New Jersey Department of Education Office of Certification and Induction issues a School Counselor Standard Certificate. The requirements for this certificate are
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Standard school counselor certificates issued in New Jersey do not need to be renewed. School counselors are expected to maintain professional standards by completing 20 hours of state-approved professional development each year. |
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in New Jersey
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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The New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs, State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners’ Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee issues Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certifications and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) licenses. CADC certification candidates must:
LCACD applicants must meet the same requirements as CADCs, as well as:
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LCADC licenses and CADC certifications issued in New Jersey are valid for two years and expire on July 31 of even-numbered years. Renewal fees are $180 for CADC and $250 for LCADC. CADCs are required to complete 60 continuing education hours per renewal period while LCADCs are only required to complete 40 hours. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in New Jersey
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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Rehabilitation counselors in New Jersey must be either Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Associate Counselors (LAC). Candidates apply for licensure prior to completing supervised work experience. They are then granted an LAC license to earn the work experience. LAC license candidates must:
To earn an LPC license, candidates must meet the LAC requirements in addition to:
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Renewals for LPC and LAC licenses in New Jersey are required in November of even-numbered years. The fee is $250 for LPCs and $180 for LACs. Counselors are exempt from continuing education requirements in their first biennium, but every renewal cycle after that, they are required to complete 40 continuing education units. |
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in New Jersey
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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State Board of Applied Behavior Analyst Examiners | In 2020, the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act became law in New Jersey. This law establishes a State Board of Applied Behavior Analyst Examiners that will license behavior analysts. While the board has been appointed, as of July 2022, formal regulations have yet to be adopted. However, according to the law, requirements for licensure will include:
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To maintain licensure, behavior analysts in New Jersey will need to renew their licenses every two years. They will need to pay a fee (TBD) and provide proof of current BCBA and BCaBA certification. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in New Jersey
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners |
The New Jersey State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners credentials Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) and Associate Marriage and Family Therapists (AMFT). Requirements for an AMFT license are:
Candidates for an LMFT license must meet associate license requirements, as well as:
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Renewals for marriage and family therapy licenses in New Jersey are required every two years. Associate licenses cost $180 to renew and full LMFT licenses cost $250. Associate license holders must complete 20 hours of continuing education per renewal and full LMFTs must complete 40 hours. |
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in New Jersey
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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Child therapists in New Jersey must be either Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Associate Counselors (LAC). Candidates apply for licensure prior to completing supervised work experience. They are then granted an LAC license to earn the work experience. LAC license candidates must:
To earn an LPC license, candidates must meet the LAC requirements in addition to:
| Renewals for LPC and LAC licenses in New Jersey are required in November of even-numbered years. The fee is $250 for LPCs and $180 for LACs. Counselors are exempt from continuing education requirements in their first biennium, but every renewal cycle after that, they are required to complete 40 continuing education units. |