A counseling master's can open a path to meaningful work, but the wrong track can leave you paying for coursework that does not fit your intended credential. This guide helps prospective students and career changers compare Georgia programs by career goal, licensure fit, time, cost, and likely outcomes. It also features the 2027 Most Valuable Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Georgia, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about which counseling programs are worth considering.
Key findings about Counseling degrees in Georgia
Choose the credential first: Georgia's Licensed Professional Counselor pathway and school-counselor certification have different oversight and preparation requirements (Georgia Composite Board; Georgia Professional Standards Commission).
The national median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025; BLS projects 18% employment growth from 2025 to 2035. Neither figure predicts an individual graduate's pay or job prospects (BLS).
A full-time counseling master's commonly takes about two to three years, but required field placements can make a low-tuition or online program less affordable than it initially appears.
What can I expect from a Counseling degree in Georgia?
Expect a graduate program that combines counseling theory, assessment, ethics, supervised practice, and a defined career track. Clinical mental health counseling generally serves students pursuing practice with clients in behavioral health settings; school counseling prepares students for work with pupils in educational settings. The degree label - M.S., M.A., or M. Ed. - matters less than its curriculum and whether it aligns with the credential you want.
That distinction is especially important in Georgia. The Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists oversees professional-counselor licensure, while the Georgia Professional Standards Commission oversees educator certification, including school counseling. Neither a degree title nor graduation alone establishes eligibility: check required coursework, supervised experience, examinations, and the applicable agency's current rules before enrolling (Georgia Composite Board; Georgia Professional Standards Commission).
A master's is most likely to be worth the investment if your target role requires it and the program offers a feasible route through fieldwork and credentialing. If you mainly want a nonclinical student-support or human-services position, compare its requirements with less expensive credentials before committing to a licensure-oriented degree.
Where can I work with a Counseling degree in Georgia?
Clinical mental health graduates may seek roles in community mental health agencies, hospitals, outpatient practices, or substance-use treatment organizations. School-counseling graduates generally look to public or private schools, subject to employer and certification requirements. Rehabilitation-focused graduates may work with vocational rehabilitation agencies or disability-service organizations (BLS; Georgia Professional Standards Commission).
Location affects the training as well as the eventual job search. If you live outside a major metro area, ask whether a program can approve supervised placements near you and whether local sites can provide the required type of supervision. An online classroom does not remove the need to find suitable in-person clinical or school-based experience.
Pay depends on occupation, setting, location, experience, and credential - not simply on holding a master's. The following national BLS figures use May 2025 median annual wages and 2025-2035 employment projections. They are benchmarks for comparing career directions, not Georgia salary estimates or promises of graduate earnings.
Career direction
U.S. median annual wage, May 2025
Projected U.S. growth, 2025-2035
Clinical mental health or addiction counseling
$59,350
18%
School counseling
$64,330
3%
Marriage and family counseling
$66,940
14%
Rehabilitation counseling
$46,850
2%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections. These categories describe occupations, not the starting salaries of graduates from any particular program. For a Georgia decision, compare current local postings for your intended role and credential with the program's total cost; a national median cannot capture differences between local employers or career stages.
The programs below illustrate an important comparison: a school-counseling degree, a clinical mental health degree, and a more broadly named counseling degree should not be treated as interchangeable. The named program and track are verifiable starting points; confirm current credits, fieldwork, delivery, costs, accreditation, and credential alignment directly with each institution before deciding.
Fort Valley State University - M.S. in Mental Health Counseling: Its explicitly mental-health-focused degree gives prospective clinical practitioners a clearer starting point than a broadly named counseling program. Ask the program to map its current coursework and supervised training to Georgia's professional-counselor requirements (Fort Valley State University).
Augusta University - Counseling M. Ed.: The M. Ed. designation makes the intended counseling track particularly important to verify rather than assuming an education degree leads to school certification. Request the current concentration and credential-alignment information before comparing it with the clinical or school-specific degrees below (Augusta University).
University of West Georgia - counseling program listed as program 69: Its program listing is a separate option to assess by track, curriculum, and placement arrangements, not by university name alone. Confirm the award and intended credential with the department so you compare it against the right alternatives (University of West Georgia).
Columbus State University - School Counseling M. Ed.: Its explicitly school-counseling focus distinguishes it from the university's clinical mental health degree. It is the more relevant Columbus State option for applicants targeting school-based work, provided they confirm current Georgia educator-certification alignment (Columbus State University; Georgia Professional Standards Commission).
Columbus State University - Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S.: This degree provides a clinical alternative to Columbus State's school-counseling M. Ed. Students considering both can compare placement availability and credential requirements without conflating two different career paths (Columbus State University).
University of West Georgia - counseling program listed as program 135: Treat this listing as its own program choice and verify its current track, award, and fieldwork requirements. That check matters most if you are deciding between school settings and clinical practice, where credential pathways diverge (University of West Georgia).
Mercer University - School Counseling: The named school track lets education-focused applicants compare its certification preparation directly with other school-counseling options, rather than with clinical programs. Ask how school placements are arranged for students in your part of Georgia (Mercer University).
Mercer University - Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Its named clinical track offers a different professional target from Mercer's school-counseling option. Compare the two on supervised-site access and the credential you intend to pursue, not on institutional reputation alone (Mercer University).
South University-Savannah - Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A.: Its Savannah location and explicitly clinical degree may be useful to students who need to study and arrange fieldwork in that area. Verify the current attendance format and approved placement options before treating location as a practical advantage (South University).
None of these descriptions substitutes for a current catalog or an accreditation-directory check. Where a program's public information does not establish a comparable outcome or numerical requirement, it would be misleading to assign it a measurable advantage.
Plan on roughly two to three years of full-time study for a counseling master's, with part-time study often taking longer. The actual timeline depends on the required curriculum, course rotation, and when you can complete supervised fieldwork. A program advertised as flexible may still require placements during hours when you normally work.
Before accepting an offer, request a term-by-term plan for your specific track. Ask when practicum and internship begin, whether prerequisites delay enrollment, and whether your work schedule permits the required placement. Compare the time away from paid work as well as tuition: finishing sooner is not automatically cheaper if it requires a substantial earnings interruption.
Online and campus programs can teach similar academic material, but both must solve the field-placement problem. Online study can reduce commuting and expand access for students far from a campus; campus study may make scheduled interaction and local placement coordination easier. Neither format, by itself, establishes quality, accreditation, or Georgia credential eligibility.
For an online program based outside Georgia, ask for written confirmation of how its curriculum addresses the Georgia credential you seek and whether it can support approved placements where you live. For a campus program, ask how often attendance is required and where students actually complete supervised work. The better format is the one you can finish while meeting the correct professional requirements (Georgia Composite Board; Georgia Professional Standards Commission).
There is no single dependable statewide average that represents the price of every Georgia counseling master's: degree length, residency status, institution, and mandatory charges differ. IPEDS reports institutional tuition and fees, but an institution-wide figure should not be presented as the price of a particular counseling program (NCES/IPEDS). Use each school's current program-specific estimate instead.
Compare total expected cost: tuition for all required credits, mandatory fees, books, travel to field sites, and income you may give up during placements. Public-university resident and nonresident rates can differ, so verify how the school classifies you. Private universities may have different published prices and aid offers; neither public nor private status alone establishes the better net value. If price is your main constraint, use the most affordable counseling programs as a shortlist, then request personalized estimates.
Start with the FAFSA and each graduate school's aid office. Depending on eligibility and program availability, funding may include federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, institutional scholarships, graduate assistantships, employer tuition benefits, and relevant service-based awards. Ask whether an assistantship covers tuition, pays a stipend, or requires work hours that could conflict with internship (Federal Student Aid; individual institutions).
Do not build a new graduate-school budget around Graduate PLUS without checking eligibility. Under federal changes effective July 1, 2026, new graduate borrowers generally cannot newly obtain Graduate PLUS loans; limited transition rules may apply to qualifying students already borrowing for an eligible program. Confirm your individual status and current borrowing limits with Federal Student Aid and the school's aid office (Federal Student Aid; U.S. Department of Education).
Compare aid offers by the amount you would still need to borrow through graduation, not by the first term's award. Also check whether a Georgia-based award is actually open to graduate counseling students; state residence alone does not establish eligibility.
View the chart data as a table
Wage range - Mental Health Counselors in Georgia (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
10th percentile
37,390
25th percentile
46,340
Median
58,960
75th percentile
72,500
90th percentile
90,980
Most applicants should expect to document a bachelor's degree and submit transcripts; schools may also request recommendations, a statement of purpose, a résumé, an interview, or prerequisite coursework. Requirements vary by program and track, so check the current admissions page rather than assuming a psychology major is mandatory (institution admissions offices).
Before applying, ask whether your previous coursework satisfies prerequisites and whether any graduate transfer credits will count toward the specific counseling degree. Transfer approval is not the same as approval for a later credential: retain syllabi for any course you hope to use toward Georgia's educational requirements, and confirm the applicable board or certification rules separately (Georgia Composite Board; Georgia Professional Standards Commission).
Clinical programs commonly include counseling theories, helping skills, human development, assessment, ethics, research, and supervised clinical practice. School-counseling programs add preparation tied to pupils, school systems, and educational practice. Exact titles and credit distributions differ, and an appealing elective list cannot replace required credential-related coursework (institution program catalogs; Georgia Composite Board; Georgia Professional Standards Commission).
Read the course sequence alongside the fieldwork plan. A program with a suitable curriculum but placements you cannot attend may be less practical than one with fewer electives and reliable local supervision.
The most consequential choice is usually between clinical mental health and school counseling, because they point toward different settings and Georgia credentialing authorities. Other interests - such as addiction, rehabilitation, couples and families, or work with particular populations - may appear as distinct programs, tracks, electives, or placement emphases. Those labels are not interchangeable with professional licenses (BLS; Georgia Composite Board; Georgia Professional Standards Commission).
Choose a specialization by working backward from job descriptions and the applicable credential requirements. If you hope to practice as a marriage and family therapist, for example, verify that a proposed counseling degree fits that distinct licensing pathway rather than assuming related coursework will suffice (Georgia Composite Board).
Use a ranking to identify candidates, then test each candidate against your career goal. The best counseling programs offer another comparison lens, but a higher-ranked school is not necessarily the best investment for your intended credential, location, or budget.
Take these questions to admissions and program staff before you commit:
Credential fit: Which Georgia license or certification is this exact track designed to support, and which requirements remain after graduation?
Evidence: Is the program currently CACREP-accredited, if that matters to your goal, and where can you verify its status in CACREP's directory?
Placement feasibility: Who finds and approves sites, what supervision is required, and can you complete placements near home?
Full investment: What is the estimated cost through graduation after aid, and how might placement hours affect your earnings?
Results: What recent program-specific completion, exam, and employment information can the school share, with reporting periods and definitions?
CACREP accreditation applies to specific counseling programs, not automatically to every degree at an accredited university; federal aid eligibility is a separate question (CACREP; U.S. Department of Education). A common mistake is to compare tuition or rankings first and discover the credential mismatch later. Reverse that order, then weigh cost, completion feasibility, and outcomes together.
View the chart data as a table
Median wage by U.S. state - Mental Health Counselors (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
State
Value
AK
80,770
AL
47,310
AR
51,580
AZ
65,300
CA
59,250
CO
62,390
CT
63,590
DC
60,450
DE
56,020
FL
56,790
GA
58,960
HI
60,090
IA
60,880
ID
63,360
IL
60,730
IN
53,760
KS
59,470
KY
54,190
LA
37,910
MA
59,890
MD
59,530
ME
59,970
MI
61,690
MN
58,780
MO
56,910
MS
46,990
MT
59,000
NC
55,490
ND
68,630
NE
63,770
NH
54,840
NJ
62,820
NM
74,100
NV
57,210
NY
59,450
OH
58,360
OK
59,350
OR
74,590
PA
52,010
PR
46,790
RI
65,120
SC
52,370
SD
53,650
TN
49,580
TX
62,630
UT
63,890
VA
59,880
VT
61,810
WA
68,910
WI
62,220
WV
49,430
WY
62,980
A clinical mental health track can support a pathway toward professional-counselor practice; a school track can support a pathway toward school-counselor positions. Graduates may also pursue roles in community programs, substance-use services, student support, or other settings, depending on the employer and their qualifications. Independent clinical practice and school-based positions may require credentials beyond graduation (Georgia Composite Board; Georgia Professional Standards Commission; BLS).
Early-career and advanced roles should be evaluated separately. Ask employers which credentials they require at hire, which supervised roles are available while you work toward a license, and who provides supervision. A prospective student who wants immediate, independent practice should account for the post-degree requirements rather than treating commencement as the finish line.
View the chart data as a table
Annual earnings-to-program-cost ratio distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
0.50-0.74
1
0.75-0.99
1
1.00-1.24
1
1.25-1.49
0
1.50-1.74
0
1.75-1.99
0
2.00-2.24
3
2.25-2.49
4
The national outlook is stronger for some counseling occupations than others: BLS projects 18% growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors from 2025 to 2035, versus 3% for school and career counselors over the same period. These are U.S. occupational projections, not forecasts of openings for graduates of a particular Georgia program or locality (BLS Employment Projections).
Use that difference to refine - not replace - your local research. Search Georgia postings for the exact credential and setting you want, then note where supervised entry roles and suitable placement sites appear. If you are willing to relocate within the state, compare opportunities near your prospective program with those where you plan to live after graduation. For an additional view of student demand rather than job demand, the most popular counseling programs can help you identify schools to investigate; popularity is not an employment outcome.
2027 Most Valuable Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Georgia
Investing in a graduate degree is a consequential decision. Research.com developed its counseling rankings to make program comparisons more transparent, using education and outcomes data rather than relying on reputation alone. The team evaluates data quality and comparability so readers can use the rankings as a starting point, then verify the details that matter to their own goals.
The ranking draws on these data sources:
IPEDS database: institutional reporting on enrollment, completions, and other education measures.
Peterson's database: program and institution information used in comparisons.
Research.com's counseling methodology considers graduate completion, employment or doctoral admission, applicable licensure-exam pass rates, CACREP programmatic accreditation, federal Title IV eligibility, and cost. Its Best ranking first builds an outcomes-and-accreditation score, then gives cost a smaller role - about 7% of the final score. Criteria that do not apply to a program are excluded and the remaining weights are adjusted; the same approach applies to online and campus programs. Other ranking categories emphasize the dimension named in their title. See Research.com's methodology for more detail. No ranking can determine whether a particular degree meets your intended Georgia credential requirements or whether its net cost works for you.
# 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 Value Score of 64.8/100, supported by $38,662 median earnings and 67% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-03-31.
# 2 position
Augusta University
Master
Master of Education in Counselor Education – School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
63.90
/ 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 Value Score of 63.9/100, supported by $44,303 median earnings and 100% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 3 position
Augusta University
Master
Master of Education in Counselor Education – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
63.90
/ 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 Value Score of 63.9/100, supported by $44,303 median earnings and 93% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 4 position
University of West Georgia
Master
M.Ed. in Professional Counseling - School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
63.20
/ 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 Value Score of 63.2/100, supported by $45,505 median earnings and 75% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 5 position
Columbus State University
Master
M.Ed. in School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
61.20
/ 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 Value Score of 61.2/100, supported by $38,764 median earnings and $17,250 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated). The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 6 position
Columbus State University
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
61.20
/ 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 Value Score of 61.2/100, supported by $38,764 median earnings and $17,250 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated). The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 7 position
University of West Georgia
Master
Master of Education with a Major in Professional Counseling, Clinical Mental Health
Delivery mode: hybrid
60.40
/ 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 Value Score of 60.4/100, supported by $45,505 median earnings and 79% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 8 position
Mercer University
Master
M.S. in School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
26.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
30–36 months full-time
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Acceptance rate
13.11%
Program completion rate
73% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
90% (2023-24)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2023-24)
Application deadline
Fall: February 1; Spring: September 30; Summer: Priority May 18 / Standard April 30
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree with an acceptable GPA from an accredited college or university; degree may be in any discipline. Prior to Practicum/Internship, students must complete 19 semester hours of foundational coursework (COUN 605, 606, 612, 618, 631, 632).
Additional requirements
$35 non-refundable application fee ($100 international); official transcripts from all previously attended institutions; two letters of recommendation; background check (DISA/Castle Branch); goal statement; current résumé; 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).
Mercer University earned a Research.com Value Score of 26.2/100, supported by $52,203 median earnings and 100% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 9 position
Mercer University
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
19.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
30-42 months
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Acceptance rate
27.79%
Program completion rate
75% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
90% (2023-24)
Licensure exam pass rate
98.4% (2023-24)
Application deadline
Spring: September 30; Fall: February 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university with an acceptable GPA; no specific prerequisite courses are listed.
Additional requirements
Application; official transcripts from all prior institutions; background check; two professional references; current résumé; autobiographical goal statement; interview; identity verification. International applicants need TOEFL or IELTS.
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).
Mercer University earned a Research.com Value Score of 19.2/100, supported by $41,850 median earnings and 98.4% licensure exam pass rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 10 position
South University-Savannah
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
11.80
/ 100
Final score
Program length
8 or 10 quarters
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
91 quarter credits
Acceptance rate
30.95%
GPA range
2.30 - 4.00
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; minimum GPA of 2.3 for the last 60 semester/90 quarter hours or overall; or a graduate degree with GPA of at least 3.0. English proficiency testing for non-native English speakers.
Additional requirements
Application; personal/professional statement on counseling interests, goals, and qualifications; official transcripts; résumé; background check; faculty interview; admissions committee approval; English proficiency if applicable.
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).
South University-Savannah earned a Research.com Value Score of 11.8/100, supported by $41,585 median earnings and $61,925 total cost (tuition and fees). The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
Frequently asked questions about Counseling degree in Georgia
Is a counseling master's worth it in Georgia?
It may be if your target credential or job requires the degree and you can complete its supervised training at a manageable total cost. Compare likely post-degree opportunities with debt, lost earnings during study, and the time needed to qualify for your intended role.
Does a Georgia counseling master's automatically qualify me for an LPC?
No. The Georgia Composite Board sets requirements beyond possessing a degree, which may include specified education, supervised experience, and an examination. Check the current rules against the exact program and track before enrolling (Georgia Composite Board).
Do I need a different program to become a school counselor?
Often, yes: school counseling follows an educator-certification pathway overseen by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, rather than the professional-counselor license pathway. Confirm that the program is intended to prepare applicants for the school credential you seek (Georgia Professional Standards Commission).
Can I complete a counseling master's entirely online?
Academic courses may be online, but required supervised placements generally involve work at an approved site. Ask who arranges and approves local placements and whether the degree aligns with Georgia requirements.
How long does a counseling master's usually take?
A full-time program commonly takes about two to three years; part-time schedules and placement availability can extend that timeline. Request the course and fieldwork sequence for your intended track.
Is CACREP accreditation the same as Georgia licensure approval?
No. CACREP accredits individual counseling programs, while Georgia's relevant authorities determine credential requirements. Verify program accreditation in CACREP's directory and credential eligibility with the Georgia Composite Board or Georgia Professional Standards Commission, as appropriate (CACREP; Georgia Composite Board; Georgia Professional Standards Commission).
See What Experts Have To Say About Studying Counseling
