Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Pennsylvania

Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Pennsylvania

University of Scranton

The University of Scranton Counseling and Human Services Department offers the following programs: a master of science in clinical mental health counseling, a master of science in rehabilitation counseling, and a master of science in school counseling. They also offer a certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in professional counseling. The University of Scranton is a private Jesuit university with a long history dating back to its founding in 1888.

The clinical mental health counseling master’s degree includes courses such as family counseling and therapy; assessment and diagnosis; addictive behaviors; crisis intervention; and evidence-based practice.

The clinical rehabilitation counseling program includes coursework on professional issues in CMHC; physical and psychosocial aspects of disabilities; disability and employment; psychiatric rehabilitation.

The master of science degree in school counseling includes courses such as group process and practice; professional issues: school counseling; school counseling comprehensive programming; appraisal techniques; and counseling and interviewing skills.

• Location: Scranton, Pennsylvania
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: All programs are 60 credits except for the certificate, which normally takes one year to complete

Alvernia University

Alvernia University’s master of arts (MA) in clinical counseling is offered solely on-campus, but courses are offered at both the Philadelphia Center and main campus sites, in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Alvernia is a private, Franciscan-based college with 121 acres in Pennsylvania’s Amish Country, with a rich cultural history and scenic outdoor destinations not far away. Full-time students take three classes per semester. The schedule is possible to be adjusted if necessary, and Alvernia says it tries hard to accommodate working students with busy lives.

The MA application process does not require scores from graduate entrance exam testing. However, acceptance requires a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for all previous undergraduate and graduate work. Students must complete a practicum of 100 hours, and two internship field experiences at 300 hours each. Most courses are delivered on-site with a few online and blended courses.

This 60-credit program includes courses such as introduction to counseling; ethics and moral leadership; human development across the lifespan; counseling theories; multicultural issues in counseling; counseling children and adolescents; addiction and society; family therapy concepts & methods; and legal and ethical issues in counseling.

• Location: Reading, Pennsylvania
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Three to four years, 60 credits

Pennsylvania Western University

Formerly known as California University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvanian Western University was founded in 1852 and spans about 97 acres in the southwest corner of the state, south of Pittsburgh.

This school’s master of science graduate program in counseling fulfills all requirements for students to become a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and provides all courses needed to pursue a career as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania and other states.

The counseling program includes three concentrations: art therapy, clinical mental health counseling, and school counseling. The CMHC and school counseling programs are offered online and face-to-face, while the art therapy program is only offered online.

Flexible start dates and evening classes make this an accessible program for students already working or having other life demands. This program can also be completed in an online format. The school boasts a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, with courses taught by faculty members who are all Licensed Professional Counselors with years of experience in the field. Graduate testing scores are not required for admission to the school.

The curriculum of the 60-credit graduate counseling program. Course requirements differ based on the specific concentration, though each has a specific requirement for core, specialty, and elective courses.

PennWest also offers a fully online, 12-credit post-master’s counseling certificate, offering flexibility to meet the training needs of applicants with a master’s degree seeking licensure, school counseling certification, or professional development. Courses vary depending on the needs of the candidate, and students can choose from any counseling courses.

• Location: California, Pennsylvania
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Full-time, two years; part-time options are available; the counseling program is 60 credits and the post-master’s counseling certificate is 12 credits

Gannon University

Gannon University offers a master of science program in clinical mental health counseling preparing graduates for careers in professional counseling settings such as clinics and hospitals, mental health and behavioral agencies, human service agencies, residential treatment facilities, and university and college counseling centers. The program’s curriculum provides students with a blend of counselor training experiences necessary for becoming professional counselors. Graduates will be prepared to pursue National Counselor Certification (NCC) and licensure as Professional Counselors (LPC).

As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as research methodology; counseling personality theories; appraisal in counseling; multicultural issues in counseling; family systems; career and development counseling; diagnosis and treatment planning; and child and adolescent counseling.

• Location: Erie, Pennsylvania
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years and nine months; 60 credits

Lock Haven University

Lock Haven University is a public university in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, in the central part of the state. The 200-acre main campus hosts many graduate programs but the clinical mental health counseling program is 100 percent online. Distance education courses utilize the latest technology and synchronous tools to allow every student to participate, regardless of location, through online instruction, streaming audio, streaming video, threaded discussions, real-time chat, face-to-face interactions, and document sharing. No campus visits or on-campus residencies are required for this program.

The school has set up an interactive tutorial “test drive” so that students can experience the online platform. The program consists of 60 credits. Nine credits are required in one of three specialization areas: counseling military veterans and their families, counseling children and adolescents, and general clinical mental health counseling.

The core curriculum includes courses such as counseling theories; assessment in mental health counseling; clinical mental health counseling as a profession; lifespan development implications for counseling; skills and techniques in mental health counseling; research and evaluation in counseling; multicultural counseling; addiction counseling; advanced skills in mental health counseling; family and couples therapy; and trauma and crisis counseling.

Lock Haven also offers a number of counseling certificates including foundations of trauma-informed care, military resilience and trauma counseling, trauma-informed counseling, and telemental health.

• Location: Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Full-time (2.5 to three years); part-time (3.5 to four years)

Messiah University

Messiah University (formerly Messiah College) is a top-ranked private liberal arts college in the south-central part of Pennsylvania. The change from “college” to “university” reflects the enhancements and expansions of its undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. The master of arts (MA) in counseling degree is designed to prepare students for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Pennsylvania. Courses are eight weeks long, with one-week intensive courses in January and July.

Coursework is entirely online; there is no in-person requirement. The three available specialization tracks are clinical mental health counseling; marriage, couple, and family counseling; and school counseling. All coursework for those three tracks is also entirely online. GREs are not required for admission, but basic documents such as letters of recommendation, transcripts, a personal statement, and an in-person or online interview are required.

The curriculum includes courses such as professional issues and ethics for counselors; lifespan development; multicultural issues for counseling professionals; counseling theories; career counseling across the lifespan; group counseling; spiritual formation and faith-based counseling; counseling techniques; and assessment techniques for individuals, couples, and families.

• Location: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 60 credits; two-, three-, and four-year timelines

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

The Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a public research university in Indiana County, offers a school counseling master of education along with a clinical mental health counseling master of arts. Students who complete the school counseling program will have a strong foundation for work in pre-K-12 schools. They will also complete a 600-hour field experience under the supervision of a certified school counselor.

The clinical mental health counseling program features a curriculum that prepares students to work in various settings, including mental health centers, addiction treatment centers, rehabilitation programs, healthcare settings, and more. Students are ready for licensure after graduation. The Indiana University of Pennsylvania is located 55 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. The master’s in clinical mental health counseling degree is also available at the school’s IUP Pittsburgh East campus.

The curriculum includes courses such as elements of research; counseling across the lifespan; basic counseling skills; multicultural & diversity issues in counseling; career counseling; counseling theories; counseling and consulting within systems; crisis and addictions counseling; and professional orientation and ethical practice in counseling.

• Location: Indiana, Pennsylvania
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 60 credits; two to three years

Kutztown University

Kutztown is southwest of Allentown and 17 miles northeast of Reading, in the mid-southeast corner of the state. Kutztown University is a public institution that sits on 289 acres in Pennsylvania Dutch country. In fact, the campus has received an award for being one of the most beautifully-maintained college campuses in the nation.

Although the campus is in a rural area of Pennsylvania, it is close to some of the country’s other major cities: It is 100 miles from New York City, 120 miles from Baltimore, and 160 miles from Washington, D.C. The counselor education program encompasses specializations in addiction counseling; clinical mental health; school counseling; and marriage, couple, and family counseling. All are master of arts (MA) degrees except for the school counseling program which is a master of science degree. Students admitted to the program are not required to have any specific undergraduate degree to apply. It is also not a requirement to have any psychology or education experience.

The curriculum includes courses such as intercultural issues in counseling; professional orientation and ethics for school counselors; fundamentals of counseling; career counseling issues across the lifespan; tests and assessments in counseling; research methods in counseling; and introduction to problems of addiction.

Kutztown University also offers a post-master’s licensure preparation and certification program meant for those with a master’s degree from a CACREP-accredited program in counseling to complete the requirements for licensure as a professional counselor and.or marriage and family therapist.

• Location: Kutztown, Pennsylvania
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 60 credits; three years

Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Pennsylvania: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Licensing Authority	Eligibility & Details	Renewal Requirements
State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors	Pennsylvania credentials Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). To apply, LPC candidates must: Pass one of seven national counselor exams (NCE, CRC, ATCB Certification Examination, CBMT Board Certification Examination, NAMP Exam, IC & RC/AODA Advanced Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Counselor Examination, or NBCC Examination for Master Addictions Counselors) Complete a master’s or doctorate degree in counseling from an accredited institution (at least 48 semester-hours or 72 quarter-hours) Complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience (or 2,400 hours if the candidate has a doctorate), of which half the hours must be providing assessment, counseling, therapy, psychotherapy, other therapeutic interventions, consultation, family therapy, or group therapy. There must be two hours of supervision for every 40 hours of supervised clinical experience. Submit a resume or CV Complete a criminal history check Complete three hours of approved child abuse continuing education Pay $100 application fee Complete a Databank Report	LPC licenses in Pennsylvania are renewed biennially in March of odd-numbered years. Renewals cost $95. LPCs are required to complete 30 continuing education units per renewal cycle. One of those hours must be in suicide prevention and three must be in ethics.

School Counseling Licenses in Pennsylvania

Licensing Authority	Eligibility & Details	Renewal Requirements
Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)	The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) issues an Educational Specialist Certificate  Elementary and Secondary School Counselor certificate. The requirements for this certificate are: A master’s degree in school counseling from an approved program A 300-hour internship, including 70 hours of direct contact at the elementary school level or 75 hours at the secondary level Passing scores on the Professional School Counselor Praxis exam and a basic skills test A complete application An application fee The first certificate a counselor receives is a level one certificate and is valid for six years. To apply for a level two certificate, school counselors must: Complete three years of work experience in a PA public school Complete 24 semester hours of graduate coursework Complete a two-year induction or mentorship Have six satisfactory work performance assessments	A level one Educational Specialist Certificate with an Elementary and Secondary School Counselor certificate issued in Pennsylvania cannot be renewed A level two certificate does not expire. However, school counselors must complete six semester credits of continuing education every five years in order to keep their certificate active.

Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Pennsylvania

Licensing Authority	Eligibility & Details	Renewal Requirements
Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB)	Associate Addiction Counselor (AAC), Certified Associate Addiction Counselor (CAAC), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) are the substance abuse counselor certifications issued by the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB). AAC certificate candidates must: Have a high school diploma or GED Be currently employed and supervised as an addiction counselor Supply a current job description Complete one full year and at least 2,000 hours of supervised work experience Have at least 100 hours of supervision with at least 10 hours in each critical domain Complete 100 hours of education in substance abuse disorders Pay $150 application fee CAAC certificate candidates must: Pass the ADC exam from IC&RC Have a high school diploma or GED Be currently employed and supervised as an addiction counselor Supply a current job description Complete three years and at least 6,000 hours of supervised work experience Have at least 300 hours of supervision with at least 10 hours in each critical domain Complete 300 hours of education, of which at least 100 must be in substance abuse disorders and six must be in ethics Pay $375 application fee CADC certificate candidates must: Pass the ADC exam from IC&RC Have earned a bachelor’s degree Be currently employed and supervised as an addiction counselor Supply a current job description Complete two years and at least 4,000 hours of supervised work experience, if the applicant has a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; if the degree is not in a relevant field, then applicants must complete three years (at least 6,000 hours) of supervised work experience Have at least 200 hours of supervision with at least 10 hours in each critical domain Complete 300 hours of education, of which at least 100 must be in substance abuse disorders and six must be in ethics Pay $375 application fee CAADC certificate candidates must: Pass the AADC exam from IC&RC Have earned a master’s degree in a relevant field Be currently employed and supervised as an addiction counselor Supply a current job description Complete one year and at least 2,000 hours of supervised work experience Have at least 100 hours of supervision with at least 10 hours in each critical domain Complete 180 hours of education in substance abuse disorders Pay $375 application fee	Certifications issued by the PCB expire every two years. AAC certificates cost $100 to renew, while CAAC, CADC, and CAADC certificates cost $200. AAC certificates may only be renewed once as it is intended to be a stepping stone to higher certification. All counselors are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education. Three of those hours must be in ethics.

Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Pennsylvania

Licensing Authority	Eligibility & Details	Renewal Requirements
State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors	Pennsylvania rehabilitation counselors must be Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). To apply, LPC candidates must: Pass one of seven national counselor exams (NCE, CRC, ATCB Certification Examination, CBMT Board Certification Examination, NAMP Exam, IC & RC/AODA Advanced Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Counselor Examination, or NBCC Examination for Master Addictions Counselors) Complete a master’s or doctorate degree in counseling from an accredited institution (at least 48 semester-hours or 72 quarter-hours) Complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience (or 2,400 hours if the candidate has a doctorate), of which half the hours must be providing assessment, counseling, therapy, psychotherapy, other therapeutic interventions, consultation, family therapy, or group therapy. There must be two hours of supervision for every 40 hours of supervised clinical experience. Submit a resume or CV Complete a criminal history check Complete three hours of approved child abuse continuing education Pay application fee Complete a Databank Report	LPC licenses in Pennsylvania are renewed biennially in March of odd-numbered years. Renewals cost a fee. LPCs are required to complete 30 continuing education units per renewal cycle. One of those hours must be in suicide prevention and three must be in ethics.

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania. However, holding a BCBA certification and maintaining membership with the Pennsylvania Association for Behavior Analysis (PennABA) can help with employment opportunities or job advancement. The Better Access to Treatment (BAT) Act was introduced as HB 1900 in 2018. If passed, this law will create a path to licensure for behavior analysts in Pennsylvania.

Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Pennsylvania

Licensing Authority	Eligibility & Details	Renewal Requirements
State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors	The Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors credentials Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT). To apply, candidates must: Pass the AMFTRB exam Complete a master’s or doctorate degree in marriage and family therapy from an accredited institution Complete two years and 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, 2,400 hours if the candidate has a doctorate, of which half the hours must be providing assessment, counseling, therapy, psychotherapy, other therapeutic interventions, consultation, family therapy, or group therapy (there must be two hours of supervision for every 40 hours of supervised clinical experience) Submit a resume or CV Provide two recommendations Complete a criminal history check Complete three hours of approved child abuse continuing education Pay $100 application fee Complete a Databank Report	LMFT licenses in Pennsylvania are renewed biennially in March of odd-numbered years. Renewals cost $95. LMFTs are required to complete 30 continuing education units per renewal cycle. One of those hours must be in suicide prevention and three must be in ethics.

Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Pennsylvania

Licensing Authority	Eligibility & Details	Renewal Requirements
State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors	Pennsylvania child therapists must be Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). To apply, LPC candidates must: Pass one of seven national counselor exams (NCE, CRC, ATCB Certification Examination, CBMT Board Certification Examination, NAMP Exam, IC & RC/AODA Advanced Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Counselor Examination, or NBCC Examination for Master Addictions Counselors) Complete a master’s or doctorate degree in counseling from an accredited institution (at least 60 semester-hours or 90 quarter-hours) Complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience (or 2,400 hours if the candidate has a doctorate), of which half the hours must be providing assessment, counseling, therapy, psychotherapy, other therapeutic interventions, consultation, family therapy, or group therapy. There must be two hours of supervision for every 40 hours of supervised clinical experience. Submit a resume or CV Complete a criminal history check Complete three hours of approved child abuse continuing education Pay a $100 application fee Complete a Databank Report	LPC licenses in Pennsylvania are renewed biennially in March of odd-numbered years. Renewals cost $95. LPCs are required to complete 30 continuing education units per renewal cycle. One of those hours must be in suicide prevention and three must be in ethics.

Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania Counseling Association (PCA)
• Pennsylvania School Counselors Association (PSCA)
• Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling (PACAC)
• Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA)
• Pennsylvania Association for Addiction Professionals (PAAP)
• Allegheny County School Counselors Association (ACSCA)
• Pennsylvania Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (PAMFT)
• Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania (MHAPA)
• Lancaster County School Counselors Association (LCSCA)
• Lehigh Valley Psychological and Counseling Association (LVPCA)

Counseling Schools & Licensure in Nearby States

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Washington DC