A low tuition quote does not tell you whether a counseling degree will meet your state's licensing rules - or whether its required internship fits your work schedule. This guide helps prospective students and career changers compare those trade-offs across Southern states. It accompanies the 2027 Most Affordable Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in the South, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about which programs are worth considering. You'll learn how to assess total cost, credentials, training requirements, and career prospects before applying.
Key findings about Counseling degrees in South
Check the credential before the price: Clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, and rehabilitation counseling lead toward different roles and may face different state requirements; a low-cost degree is poor value if it misses your intended credential.
Budget for supervised training: A graduate counseling program's practicum and internship can limit paid-work hours even when tuition is manageable. Compare the full program cost and field-placement schedule, not just the per-credit rate.
Use salary data as context, not a promise: The U.S. median for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025, with employment projected to grow 18% from 2025 to 2035 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Your location, role, and experience will affect the result.
What can I expect from a Counseling degree in South?
Most prospective licensed counselors should compare master's degrees, not undergraduate counseling-related majors alone. A bachelor's degree can support entry into human-services work, but independent clinical practice generally requires graduate education, supervised post-degree experience, an examination, and state licensure. School counseling follows a separate state educator-credential pathway (state counseling and educator licensing boards).
The track matters more than the degree letters. An M.S., M.A., or M. Ed. may be appropriate if its curriculum satisfies the requirements for your intended role. Clinical mental health programs emphasize assessment and treatment; school counseling programs prepare students for work with pupils and school systems; rehabilitation counseling centers on disability, access, and employment. Do not assume that completing one track qualifies you for another credential.
The South spans many licensing jurisdictions. Someone planning to study in Georgia and practice in Texas, for example, should check Texas requirements before enrolling. Ask the program to identify the state boards for which it has evaluated its curriculum and how it arranges supervised placements where you intend to live.
Where can I work with a Counseling degree in South?
Work settings depend on specialization and credential. Clinical mental health and addiction counselors may work in community mental health agencies, hospitals, outpatient practices, or substance-use treatment programs. School counselors work in elementary and secondary schools; rehabilitation counselors may work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies, community organizations, or disability-services providers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Geography changes the practical choice. A campus near a large health system may offer different placement options from one serving a rural area, while rural students may need to travel farther to meet internship requirements. Ask where recent students completed fieldwork and whether the school can approve a placement near your home. An agency's willingness to host interns does not, by itself, establish that its supervision meets your future state board's rules.
National occupational medians offer a starting point for comparing career directions, not a Southern graduate's expected salary. The following U.S. figures are May 2025 occupational medians published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; the occupations include workers at different experience levels and do not isolate new master's graduates.
Career direction
U.S. median annual pay, May 2025
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counseling
$59,350
School and career counseling
$64,330
Marriage and family therapy
$66,940
Rehabilitation counseling
$46,850
A higher national median does not make a mismatched program a better investment. Compare local job postings for the credential you actually intend to hold, then weigh likely earnings against tuition, borrowing, time away from paid work, and the cost of supervised training. Marriage and family therapy, in particular, has its own licensure pathway; a general counseling degree should not be assumed to meet it (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; state licensing boards).
These program descriptions illustrate why similarly priced degrees may serve different goals. They are not substitutes for checking each school's current curriculum, accreditation status, total charges, and the rules of the state where you plan to practice.
Fort Valley State University - M.S. in Mental Health Counseling: The program is specifically identified as a mental health counseling degree at a historically Black university. It merits a closer look from applicants seeking that clinical direction and an HBCU learning environment, rather than a school-counseling credential (Fort Valley State University).
Columbus State University - M. Ed. in School Counseling: This is the school-focused option among Columbus State's listed counseling degrees. Applicants aiming for K-12 positions should examine its educator-certification alignment instead of assuming the university's clinical degree serves the same purpose (Columbus State University).
Columbus State University - M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: The separately named clinical degree offers a clearer starting point for applicants pursuing mental health practice rather than school counseling. Compare its current coursework and supervised-training plan with the rules of your intended state licensing board (Columbus State University).
Langston University - Rehabilitation Counseling: Rehabilitation counseling is a distinct specialty focused on disability-related counseling and vocational goals. This option deserves particular attention if you want to work with rehabilitation services rather than select a general mental health track by default (Langston University).
East Carolina University - M.S. in Counselor Education: ECU presents the degree through a dedicated counselor-education program, making its available pathways the key point to investigate. Ask which current track corresponds to your target credential and how field placements are coordinated if you live outside eastern North Carolina (East Carolina University).
Texas Tech University - Counselor Education, Clinical Mental Health: The program identifies clinical mental health within counselor education. For students intending to practice in Texas, its most useful comparison point is how the current plan of study maps to Texas professional-counselor requirements, including supervised training (Texas Tech University; Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors).
Augusta University - M. Ed. in Counseling: Augusta offers counseling as a Master of Education, a different degree structure from the listed M.S. clinical programs. Applicants should verify their intended concentration and credential alignment rather than reading "M. Ed." as either automatically limited to schools or automatically sufficient for clinical licensure (Augusta University).
Program names establish a useful shortlist, not a verified comparison of current tuition or licensure outcomes. Students who want to weigh broader measures as well as affordability can also review the best counseling programs.
A full-time counseling master's commonly takes about two to three years; part-time study often takes longer. The precise timeline depends on required credits, course sequencing, placement availability, and whether the school permits summer fieldwork. Finishing coursework is not necessarily the end of the path: clinical licensure commonly requires supervised experience after graduation (program catalogs; state licensing boards).
An accelerated schedule can reduce time out of the workforce, but it may leave less room for paid employment during internship. Ask for a semester-by-semester plan showing when fieldwork occurs, whether placements require daytime hours, and how often required courses are offered. Those details are more useful than an advertised minimum completion time.
Online delivery can remove a commute to classes, but it does not remove in-person practicum or internship obligations. Campus programs may make face-to-face cohort activities easier, while online programs may better suit working adults or students far from a university. Either format can be appropriate if the curriculum, supervision, and placement arrangements meet the requirements relevant to your goal.
For a student studying across state lines, the decisive question is where they will seek licensure - not where the university is located. Confirm that the program is authorized to enroll you where you live, that it can support an acceptable local placement, and that it has assessed its curriculum against your intended state's rules (institutional disclosures; relevant state licensing board). A generic claim that an online degree "prepares you for licensure" is not enough.
There is no single price that accurately represents a counseling master's across the South. Published tuition may be charged per credit or semester, and public-university resident rates can differ from nonresident rates. An institutional graduate-tuition average is also not the same as the total price of a particular counseling program (National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS).
For an apples-to-apples comparison, request the school's current estimate for your complete track. It should account for required credits, mandatory fees, books, travel to placement sites, potential residency sessions, and any additional semester needed to finish fieldwork. Then subtract aid that does not need repayment. This approach is more reliable than treating a low advertised per-credit charge as the full cost.
Public and private nonprofit institutions can both be competitive after aid; ownership alone does not determine value. For a wider comparison of cost alongside outcomes, see the most valuable counseling programs.
Graduate students can investigate federal aid through the FAFSA, university assistantships, scholarships, employer tuition assistance, and relevant state or local workforce programs. Eligibility varies by student and award. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans generally do not require a credit-based aid determination, but borrowing still adds interest and repayment obligations (Federal Student Aid).
Ask departments whether counseling students can realistically hold assistantships while completing fieldwork and whether awards cover fees as well as tuition. State-funded assistance can have residency, employment, or service conditions, so check the rules in the state funding the award rather than assuming it travels with you across the South. Compare each offer using the amount you would actually need to borrow over the full program.
View the chart data as a table
Projected job growth 2025-2035 - Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (U.S.) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
18
All occupations
3
Counseling master's applicants generally need a bachelor's degree and must satisfy the institution's graduate-admissions rules. Programs may request transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, an interview, or prerequisite coursework; requirements differ by school and track (institutional admissions pages). A psychology major is not automatically required, nor does having one waive program prerequisites.
Before paying an application fee, confirm three points with admissions: whether your prior degree and courses qualify, whether transfer graduate credits can apply to the counseling curriculum, and whether the program is designed for your intended credential. Transfer acceptance is particularly important when supervised or sequential courses must be completed through the degree-granting school.
Core graduate study commonly covers counseling theories, helping relationships, ethics, assessment, research, human development, and culturally responsive practice. Students also complete supervised practicum and internship experiences. Courses then diverge: clinical tracks may emphasize diagnosis and treatment planning, school tracks work within educational systems, and rehabilitation tracks address disability and vocational counseling (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; institutional catalogs).
Compare course content, not just titles. For licensure-bound students, the useful question is whether the full sequence - including fieldwork and any required specialty content - matches the current rules of the state board where they expect to apply.
The options represented among Southern programs include clinical mental health, school, and rehabilitation counseling. Other institutions may offer addiction, marriage and family, or college and career counseling pathways, but a concentration label does not establish eligibility for a particular license or certification (institutional catalogs; state licensing boards).
Choose a specialization by working backward from the job. If you want to counsel pupils within K-12 schools, investigate school-counselor certification. If you want to provide clinical mental health services, compare programs against professional-counselor licensure rules. If disability and employment access motivate you, rehabilitation counseling may be a stronger curricular match than a general clinical track.
Start with the credential and state where you expect to work, then test each affordable option against the same questions. This order prevents a common mistake: selecting the lowest sticker price before discovering a mismatch in training or placement requirements.
Identify your target role and ask the relevant state board which degree content, supervised experience, and examinations it requires.
Verify institutional accreditation and check any programmatic accreditation important to your credential or employer; confirm a program's current status with the accreditor and board.
Request a complete program cost and term-by-term schedule, including internship timing and likely travel.
Ask for program-level completion, exam, and employment information where available, including the reporting period and the number of students represented.
Compare aid, likely borrowing, foregone earnings, and a realistic completion date before deciding which offer is affordable for you.
Return on investment depends on more than tuition or a national salary median. Consider your current earnings, completion probability, debt, post-degree opportunities, and the years over which the investment might pay off; future earnings are uncertain. Use the most popular counseling programs to explore additional options, but do not mistake enrollment interest for evidence of personal fit.
View the chart data as a table
Reported total program cost distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
$0–$19,999
14
$20,000–$39,999
117
$40,000–$59,999
70
$60,000–$79,999
12
$80,000–$99,999
7
$100,000–$119,999
0
$120,000–$139,999
4
$140,000–$159,999
2
A counseling master's can support a path toward licensed professional counseling, school counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or another specialty when the degree satisfies the applicable credential rules. Graduates may first work in supervised positions before becoming independently licensed. Job titles are not interchangeable: a school-counselor credential, a professional-counselor license, and a marriage and family therapist license have different governing requirements (state licensing and educator boards).
If you want to enter helping work sooner but are not ready for graduate study, explore bachelor's-level human-services roles while checking their actual employer requirements. If your goal is independent clinical practice, evaluate the master's and post-degree supervision as one combined pathway rather than assuming a short certificate can replace them.
View the chart data as a table
Projected job growth 2025-2035 by counseling career path (U.S., BLS) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
Mental Health Counselors
18
Marriage & Family Therapists
14
Postsecondary Teachers
7
Psychologists
6
School & Career Counselors
3
Rehabilitation Counselors
2
All occupations
3
National employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18% from 2025 to 2035 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections). That is an occupation-wide U.S. projection, not a forecast of openings in every Southern community or a guarantee of a job after graduation.
Demand also differs by specialty and location. Before committing to a placement or planning to move, search current openings in the particular state and commuting area where you want to work; note the license, supervision status, setting, and schedule employers request. In smaller labor markets, willingness to travel for fieldwork or a first supervised role may matter as much as the number of programs nearby.
2027 Most Affordable Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in the South
Education is a consequential investment, so Research.com evaluates affordability alongside evidence that a program can help students reach their goals. Its counseling rankings use program completion, employment or doctoral-admission outcomes, applicable licensure-exam pass rates, accreditation, federal Title IV eligibility, and program cost. The Most Affordable ranking orders programs by cost; it should be read alongside the other measures rather than as a claim that the least expensive program is the best fit for every applicant.
Research.com draws on the following sources to check program and institutional information:
IPEDS database: institutional enrollment, completions, and reported costs.
For context, Research.com's Best ranking first combines completion (40%), employment or doctoral admission (20%), applicable licensure-exam results (20%), CACREP programmatic accreditation (16%), and Title IV eligibility (4%). Inapplicable criteria are renormalized; cost then contributes about 7% of the final Best score. The same approach applies to online and on-campus programs. Readers can review further details on Research.com's methodology page. Rankings narrow the search, but applicants should confirm current prices and licensing eligibility directly with each program and state board.
# 1 position
Fort Valley State University
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Master of Science)
Completed graduate application; professional resume; 550–600-word statement of purpose; three professional recommendations; official transcripts from every postsecondary institution attended; immunization records.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Fort Valley State University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 99.8/100, supported by $16,380 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-03-31.
# 2 position
Columbus State University
Master
M.Ed. in School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
99.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Completion Time: 3 Years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: Priority Dec 1; Final March 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution; minimum 2.75 GPA (regular) or 2.50 (provisional); resume; statement of purpose; faculty interview. Teaching experience and teacher certification are not required.
Additional requirements
Resume, Statement of Purpose, successful completion of an interview with departmental faculty; minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (regular) or 2.50 (provisional)
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Columbus State University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 99.2/100, supported by $17,250 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 3 position
Columbus State University
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
99.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 Years (Full-time)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 (regular admission) or 2.50 (provisional admission)
Application deadline
Priority: Dec 1; Final: Mar 1 (Fall admission)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
An earned undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university
Additional requirements
Resume, Statement of Purpose, successful completion of an interview with departmental faculty, minimum GPA (2.75 regular / 2.50 provisional)
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Columbus State University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 99.2/100, supported by $17,250 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 4 position
Langston University
Master
Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
98.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Average completion: 24 months
Specialization
Rehabilitation Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Employment or doctoral admission
94.4% (2023-24)
Class size
23
Application process
direct
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Langston University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 98.9/100, supported by $17,710 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 5 position
East Carolina University
Master
Master of Science in Counselor Education
Delivery mode: hybrid
98.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years (full-time)
Specialization
College Counseling and Student Affairs
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
January 15 (priority: November 3)
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
No specific prerequisite coursework; all majors considered. Requires a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA, demonstrated leadership/work experience, three letters of recommendation, a Statement of Intent, and a departmental interview.
Additional requirements
Minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA; demonstrated leadership/significant work experience; three letters of recommendation; Statement of Intent; departmental interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
East Carolina University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 98.4/100, supported by $18,377 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-03-31.
# 6 position
East Carolina University
Master
Master of Science in Counselor Education – School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
98.40
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Acceptance rate
47.6%
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
82% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
90% (2024-25)
Application deadline
January 15 (priority: November 3)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
All undergraduate majors are considered; no specific prerequisite coursework stated.
Additional requirements
Official transcripts from all institutions; at least three letters of recommendation from supervisors/former professors; Statement of Intent; minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA; demonstrated leadership or significant work experience.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
East Carolina University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 98.4/100, supported by $18,377 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-03-31.
# 7 position
East Carolina University
Master
Master of Science in Counselor Education
Delivery mode: hybrid
98.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years (full-time)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
60% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
93% (2024-25)
Application deadline
January 15 (priority: November 3)
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
No specific prerequisite coursework; all majors considered. Requires a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA, demonstrated leadership/work experience, three letters of recommendation, a Statement of Intent, and a departmental interview.
Additional requirements
Minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA; demonstrated leadership/significant work experience; three letters of recommendation; Statement of Intent; departmental interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
East Carolina University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 98.4/100, supported by $18,377 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-03-31.
# 8 position
Texas Tech University
Master
Counselor Education - Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.Ed.
Delivery mode: campus
98.10
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Application deadline
Fall: Mar 15
Application process
direct (TTU Graduate School application)
Additional requirements
Graduate School online application; unofficial transcripts; resume; three professional recommendations; applicant statement; GRE scores listed (suspension announced through at least Summer 2026).
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Texas Tech University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 98.1/100, supported by $18,780 total tuition and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 9 position
Augusta University
Master
Master of Education in Counselor Education – School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
97.90
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.50 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2021-22)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2021-22)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2021-22)
Application deadline
Fall 2027: February 15, 2027
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university; minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Additional requirements
Three recommendations; three-page autobiographical essay on motivation, counseling strengths, and interpersonal limitations with plans to address them; faculty interview for selected applicants; criminal background check.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Augusta University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 97.9/100, supported by $19,005 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 10 position
Augusta University
Master
Master of Education in Counselor Education – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
97.90
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.50 - 4.00
Program completion rate
93% (2021-22)
Employment or doctoral admission
93% (2021-22)
Licensure exam pass rate
93% (2021-22)
Application deadline
Fall 2027: February 15, 2027
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university; minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, calculated across all attempted undergraduate work.
Additional requirements
Three recommendations; three-page autobiographical essay on counseling motivations, strengths, potential interpersonal limitations, and plans to address them; faculty interview for selected applicants; criminal background check.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Augusta University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 97.9/100, supported by $19,005 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 11 position
North Carolina Central University
Master
School Counseling, MA
Delivery mode: hybrid
97.90
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: February 1; Spring: no admission; Summer: no admission
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
Additional requirements
Online graduate admission application; $50 non-refundable application fee; two letters of recommendation; official transcripts of all schools attended; personal statement; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00;
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
North Carolina Central University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 97.9/100, supported by $19,078 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 12 position
North Carolina Central University
Master
Career Counseling, MA
Delivery mode: hybrid
97.90
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Career Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: February 1
Application process
GradCAS
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Accredited bachelor's with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 and an undergraduate major of at least 30 semester hours in counselor education or a related area; educational research and statistics coursework is part of the program.
Additional requirements
Online graduate admission application; $50 non-refundable application fee; two letters of recommendation; official transcripts of all schools attended; personal statement; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00; interview required.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
North Carolina Central University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 97.9/100, supported by $19,078 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 13 position
North Carolina Central University
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MA
Delivery mode: hybrid
97.90
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: February 1
Application process
GradCAS (Liaison)
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Accredited bachelor's; minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00, with 3.0 or better in an undergraduate major (or related area) of at least 30 semester hours in the graduate field; international applicants need TOEFL 500 or equivalent.
Additional requirements
Online graduate admission application; $50 non-refundable application fee; two letters of recommendation; official transcripts of all schools attended; personal statement; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00; an interview is required.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
North Carolina Central University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 97.9/100, supported by $19,078 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 14 position
University of West Georgia
Master
M.Ed. in Professional Counseling - School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
97.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years or 6 semesters of full-time study
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.70 - 4.00
Program completion rate
33% (2022-23)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2022-23)
Licensure exam pass rate
75% (2022-23)
Application deadline
Summer: February 15
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Students entering the program who have not acquired a teaching certificate are required to take an additional course in special education mandatory for initial certification in Georgia.
Additional requirements
Online Graduate Application, $55 application fee, official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended sent directly to UWG Graduate Admissions Office.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
University of West Georgia earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 97.4/100, supported by $19,710 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 15 position
Texas Woman's University
Master
M.S. in Counseling and Development
Delivery mode: campus
97.20
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
61 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
91% (2024)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024)
Application deadline
Fall: February 15; Spring: September 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
A bachelor's degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or equivalent foreign degree, completed before entry. Minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 undergraduate semester credits and in all previous graduate coursework.
Additional requirements
Online application, official transcripts, and letter of intent (max 350 words) on motivation, experience, and program fit. Selected applicants attend a faculty interview. From Fall 2027, a 45–60 second video on interest in counseling needed.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Texas Woman's University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 97.2/100, supported by $20,060 total tuition (estimated) and 61 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 16 position
Texas Woman's University
Master
M.S. in Counseling & Development – Professional School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
97.20
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
61 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024)
Application deadline
Fall: Feb 15; Spring: Sep 15
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution (conferred before starting); minimum 3.0 GPA for last 60 credits and for any graduate work; letter of intent (350 words); short video (from Fall 2027); interview day. No GRE.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Texas Woman's University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 97.2/100, supported by $20,060 total tuition (estimated) and 61 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 17 position
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Master
Counseling, M.S.
Delivery mode: campus
97.10
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years full-time
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Application deadline
November 15 (Fall only)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Admission to the M.S. in Counseling in a specific concentration is required to enroll in core counseling coursework (e.g., CED 610, CED 620, CED 653 practicum); other prerequisites are set by the Graduate School.
Additional requirements
Online application; two professional recommendations (one academic); resume/CV; three written statements; transcripts; GPA-contextualization statement if undergrad GPA ≤2.75; interview for selected applicants.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
University of North Carolina at Greensboro earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 97.1/100, supported by $20,215 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 18 position
University of West Georgia
Master
Master of Education with a Major in Professional Counseling, Clinical Mental Health
Delivery mode: hybrid
96.80
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2-1/2 years or 7 semesters of full-time study
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.70 - 4.00
Program completion rate
94% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
79% (2024-25)
Application process
direct
Additional requirements
Online Graduate Application ($55 fee), official transcripts, resume, personal statement (3-5 page double-spaced essay)
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
University of West Georgia earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 96.8/100, supported by $20,505 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 19 position
Texas State University
Master
M.A. Major in Professional Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
96.20
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application process
direct
GRE
yes
Prerequisites
Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university or qualifying international equivalent; minimum 3.0 overall GPA or 3.0 in the last 60 undergraduate hours plus completed graduate coursework.
Additional requirements
Online application, official transcripts, official general GRE scores (waivers may be available with a master's or doctorate), informed consent form, resume/CV and statement of purpose; English proficiency scores unless exempt.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Texas State University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 96.2/100, supported by $21,442 total tuition (estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 20 position
Texas State University
Master
M.A. Major in Professional Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
96.20
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Required credits
60
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application process
direct
GRE
yes
Prerequisites
Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university (non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor's degree).
Additional requirements
Online application; official transcripts; minimum 3.0 GPA overall or in last 60 hours; GRE general test (may be waived with a master's/doctoral degree); informed consent form; resume/CV; statement of purpose; English scores for international.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Texas State University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 96.2/100, supported by $21,442 total tuition (estimated) and 60 credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about Counseling degree in South
What is the cheapest route to becoming a licensed counselor?
Compare the total net cost of master's programs that meet your intended state's licensing requirements. Resident tuition, aid, fees, internship travel, and time away from work can change which offer is cheapest for you.
Can I become a counselor with a bachelor's degree?
A bachelor's may qualify you for some support roles, but independent clinical counseling generally requires a qualifying graduate degree, supervised experience, and state licensure (state licensing boards).
Does a CACREP-accredited degree automatically grant licensure?
No. CACREP accredits programs; states issue licenses. Check the board's degree, experience, and examination rules separately (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; state licensing boards).
Can I complete an online counseling degree without visiting a placement site?
Generally, no. Online classes do not eliminate supervised practicum and internship requirements. Confirm where those experiences can occur and who will approve and supervise them.
Should I choose school counseling or clinical mental health counseling?
Choose school counseling if your intended role is within a school system and the program aligns with that state's educator credential. Choose clinical mental health if your goal is a clinical counseling pathway, subject to the state professional-counselor board's rules.
Is an affordable counseling master's worth it?
It can be if it meets your credential goal and its full cost, training schedule, and likely career options fit your finances. A low tuition price alone cannot answer that question.
See What Experts Have To Say About Studying Counseling
Langston University - Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling Official program page (curriculum, tuition, admissions). https://langston.edu/rehab/
