Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Pennsylvania
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“Counselor shortages continue to put a strain on every level of the mental health system, and this is not unique to Pennsylvania.”
Rebecca A. Willow, EdD, Associate Professor and Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, Gannon University
In Pennsylvania, counseling degrees and licenses will continue to be in high demand.
While Pennsylvania’s population growth has slowed after a high a couple of decades ago, according to PennLive, the demographics in the state are becoming older. That gives people with counseling degrees and licenses in Pennsylvania a unique opportunity to work with older people.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2025), the employment of rehabilitation counselors, for example, is projected to grow 1 percent from 2024 to 2034. Rehabilitation counselors can work in various settings, including senior citizen centers. During the same timeframe, job openings are expected to swell much more nationally in related professions:
- Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors: 17 percent
- Marriage and family therapists: 13 percent
Specializations that are possible within the general counseling field give prospective students options of focusing on general aging, along with specific populations, such as veteran or active military families, or people in prisons. Rehabilitation counselors working with the elderly or aging populations might work in hospitals, long- and short-term care facilities, retirement homes, or community senior centers.
Following is a list of just a few of the programs offering counseling degrees and licenses in Pennsylvania.
Online Counseling Programs Based in Pennsylvania
Browse a complete listing of online counseling programs in Pennsylvania, ranked by in-state (resident) tuition, from most affordable to least. Out-of-state students should refer to the non-resident tuition numbers.
These numbers reflect the estimated tuition cost of the entire program, calculated by multiplying the published per-credit tuition rate (for the latest academic year) by the total number of credits that must be completed.
Please click on any school of interest for a full-page school profile containing complete program details.
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Q&A with Expert: Rebecca A. Willow, EdD
Dr. Rebecca A. Willow is an associate professor and director of the clinical mental health counseling program at Gannon University. With over two decades of experience in counselor education, she specializes in multicultural counseling, spirituality in counseling, and experiential learning methodologies. Dr. Willow is a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania and a National Certified Counselor.
Her scholarly contributions include publications in Counseling Today and the Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, focusing on ethics in experiential activities and multicultural training models. An active member of professional organizations, Dr. Willow has held leadership roles in the Pennsylvania Counseling Association and is affiliated with several divisions of the American Counseling Association, including ACES, ASERVIC, and NARACES.
Dr. Willow earned her EdD in counselor education and supervision from Duquesne University, along with master’s degrees from Edinboro University and Bowling Green State University. She teaches courses such as counseling and personality theories, multicultural issues in counseling, and counseling and spirituality.
CounselingSchools.com: What are the top concerns for counselors in Pennsylvania?
Dr. Willow: First, counselor shortages continue to put a strain on every level of the mental health system, and this is not unique to Pennsylvania.
Second, licensure portability—the ability for licensed counselors to get reciprocally licensed in another state—remains a concern. The Counseling Compact (states that have agreed to sign on to this agreement) has not yet been approved by PA. It is under consideration.
Finally, higher pay is warranted. Staffing shortages have helped to drive up salaries but more is needed.
CounselingSchools.com: Is there any advice you’d give to counselors planning to practice in Pennsylvania?
Dr. Willow: Make sure you are completing a CACREP-accredited program. Do an in-person program if possible. Join the Pennsylvania Counseling Association.
Accredited In-person (or Hybrid) Counseling Degree Programs in Pennsylvania
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, a master of science in school counseling, and a master of science in applied behavior analysis. They also offer a certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in professional counseling and a certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in applied behavior analysis. 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.
The master of science in applied behavior analysis focuses on how environmental events influence behavior, as well as genetics and biological factors. The curriculum includes conceptual analysis, personnel supervision and management interventions, behavior analysis, and research methods.
- 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’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, Pennsylvania 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.
- 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 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
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 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
How Much Do Counselors Make in Pennsylvania?
Although data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is generally considered the most reliable, it isn’t always up to date. The following figures are from the BLS (May 2025)—the latest data available as of June 2026.
Marriage and Family Therapist Salaries
| United States | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 66,740 | 2,350 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $76,960 | $67,890 |
| 10th percentile | $44,650 | $47,050 |
| 25th percentile | $50,070 | $56,120 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $66,940 | $66,040 |
| 75th percentile | $93,840 | $80,200 |
| 90th percentile | $123,730 | $91,980 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor Salaries
| United States | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 491,930 | 30,620 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $64,440 | $57,170 |
| 10th percentile | $38,940 | $36,280 |
| 25th percentile | $47,100 | $43,210 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,350 | $52,010 |
| 75th percentile | $76,530 | $65,280 |
| 90th percentile | $97,590 | $81,970 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor Salaries
| United States | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 353,310 | 13,570 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $71,430 | $67,110 |
| 10th percentile | $45,020 | $46,200 |
| 25th percentile | $51,270 | $51,160 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $64,330 | $60,880 |
| 75th percentile | $82,870 | $78,460 |
| 90th percentile | $104,770 | $97,810 |
Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries
| United States | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 94,740 | 4,130 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $51,820 | $52,840 |
| 10th percentile | $35,060 | $36,230 |
| 25th percentile | $38,770 | $39,560 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,850 | $48,650 |
| 75th percentile | $59,260 | $60,050 |
| 90th percentile | $77,170 | $77,220 |
All Other Counselors
| United States | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 28,580 | 1,330 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $58,210 | $60,300 |
| 10th percentile | $36,240 | $38,160 |
| 25th percentile | $43,680 | $43,000 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $50,860 | $59,160 |
| 75th percentile | $66,520 | $75,320 |
| 90th percentile | $91,940 | $87,860 |
Mental Health Counseling Licenses in Pennsylvania
| 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:
| LPC licenses in Pennsylvania are renewed biennially in March of odd-numbered years. Renewals require 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. |
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)
Matt Zbrog
WriterMatt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2020, he’s written extensively about how counselors and other behavioral health professionals are working to address the nation’s mental health and substance use crises, with a particular focus on community-driven and interdisciplinary approaches. His articles have included detailed interviews with leaders and subject matter experts from the American Counseling Association (ACA), the American Mental Health Counselor Association (AMHCA), the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
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.