Want to find a masters in counseling program in California that works around your schedule? You’ve made a smart choice. The mental health industry will grow by 25% by 2029, and qualified counseling professionals are needed more than ever throughout the Golden State.

California stands out as the perfect place to get your counseling master’s degree. The state had 34,820 mental health professionals hired as of 2021, which means plenty of job opportunities await graduates. Many universities have created clinical mental health counseling master’s programs that cater specifically to California residents. These programs blend key coursework with hands-on experience to help you qualify as a licensed professional counselor (LPC), whether you choose full-time study or need a part-time schedule.

This guide walks you through 16 counseling master’s programs available in California, giving you all the details you need to advance your counseling career.

1. California Lutheran University – MFT Program

California Lutheran University offers a reliable Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marital and Family Therapy (MFT). The program helps students become skilled professional therapists through detailed mental health education and clinical training.

Program Overview

Cal Lutheran’s MS in Counseling Psychology teaches students a relational and systemic model to provide counseling services. Students get intensive clinical training through a 12-month practicum placement at one of the university’s on-site Community Counseling Centers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor shows that marriage and family therapist jobs will grow by 41% from 2010 to 2020, making this degree valuable.

Specializations

Students choose a six-credit clinical specialization to advance their expertise in specific areas. Current specialization options include:

Psychological Trauma (available online starting fall 2019)
Attachment Theory
Recovery Model
Latino/a Counseling
Family Mediation

Delivery Format

Students can attend classes at two locations:

Thousand Oaks (main campus): Late afternoon and evening classes Monday through Thursday
Oxnard Center: Daytime classes Tuesday and Thursday

Students complete all program requirements at their assigned cohort location.

Accreditation & Licensure

The program has WASC accreditation and prepares students for MFT licensure in California. Students have achieved excellent results in securing internships, passing state licensing exams, and building successful practices.

Tuition & Duration

Students can complete this 60-credit program in two years (full-time) or three years (part-time). The academic calendar includes 15-week Fall and Spring semesters and a 6-week Summer Session. Students must complete 225 hours of practicum experience. Graduates work in private practice, public agencies, hospitals, specialized treatment facilities, schools, and court systems.

2. California Lutheran University – Trauma Concentration

California Lutheran University has a specialized Trauma Concentration in its counseling psychology program that gives students a chance to develop expertise in trauma-informed care.

Program Overview

Cal Lutheran’s trauma specialization starts with foundational coursework that covers basic concepts, models, and theories of psychological trauma. Students learn trauma assessment and treatment in the second course to develop complete skills for working with trauma survivors. This concentration helps students get extra training in this vital clinical area while they advance their specialized knowledge within the broader counseling field.

Trauma Specializations

Students develop expertise in:

Fundamental trauma concepts and theories
Trauma assessment methodologies
Treatment approaches for trauma survivors
Integration of trauma-informed care principles

The program stays current with mental health trends through regular curriculum updates based on new developments in the trauma field and student interests.

Delivery Format

The psychological trauma specialization has been available online since fall 2019. Working professionals and distance learners across California can now complete their specialized trauma studies while keeping their jobs.

Accreditation & Licensure

Cal Lutheran’s WASC accreditation standards apply to the trauma concentration. The program prepares students for California licensure with a curriculum that meets Board of Behavioral Sciences education standards. Cal Lutheran’s graduates perform better than state averages on licensing exams, with pass rates between 83-100% on the Law and Ethics exam compared to state averages of 76-85%.

Tuition & Duration

The trauma concentration is part of the 60-unit counseling psychology program. Students complete six credits of specialized trauma coursework in their degree plan. This concentration prepares graduates for careers in trauma-informed settings, including hospitals, specialized treatment facilities, and private practices focused on trauma recovery.

3. University of La Verne – Educational Counseling

The University of La Verne’s Master of Science in Educational Counseling shapes professionals into ethical and responsive counselors who can lead and promote change in school settings. This California-based counseling program creates supportive environments that enhance cultural responsiveness, academic achievement, and social justice.

Program Overview

The MS in Educational Counseling gives students the skills to handle school climate and mental health concerns through culturally relevant prevention and intervention practices. The program takes an all-encompassing approach that encourages engagement to maximize learning environments where students thrive in academic, college/career readiness, and social/emotional domains. The coursework focuses on social justice, mindfulness, creativity, excellence, and community involvement with action research elements throughout. Students become skilled at critical thinking and learn to challenge biases while appreciating diversity as transformative leaders.

Specializations

Students can tailor their degree with three distinct concentrations:

Spanish Bilingual Bicultural Counseling (SBBC): A 9-semester hour concentration that prepares graduates to work with Spanish-speaking families and immigrant youth
School and Family Based Counseling (SFBC): A 16-semester hour concentration that readies candidates for work in both schools and clinical settings
Social Justice Higher Education (SJHE): A 9-semester hour concentration for those interested in working at two-year and four-year institutions

Delivery Format

The program offers classes at multiple locations throughout California, including La Verne, Bakersfield, Burbank, Irvine, and Santa Clarita. Classes run in late afternoons, evenings, and some weekends to fit working professionals’ schedules. Students can choose between full-time and part-time study options based on their needs.

Accreditation & Licensure

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing accredits the program, which meets the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential specialization requirements for school counseling. Students who complete their first-year curriculum can apply for an internship credential and potentially work while completing their remaining coursework.

Tuition & Duration

Students need 55-71 credits depending on their chosen concentration. They can complete the program in 2 years of full-time study or 2-3.5 years with a concentration. The La Verne campus charges $800 per credit while regional campuses cost $740 per credit. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects school and career counselor employment to grow 10% from 2021 to 2031, outpacing the average for all occupations.

4. University of La Verne – Spanish Bilingual Bicultural Counseling

The Spanish Bilingual Bicultural Counseling (SBBC) concentration at University of La Verne creates a special path within their counseling masters program. This California program helps professionals who want to work with Latinx communities. Students learn valuable skills to counsel Spanish-speaking students and families.

Program Overview

The MS with Spanish Bilingual Bicultural Counseling concentration helps professionals work with Latinx students in California’s educational settings. This 57-unit master’s degree and credential program focuses on counseling Spanish-speaking students and their families. Graduates receive specialized knowledge and practical skills to help immigrant youth and their families face their unique challenges.

Specializations

The concentration includes these specialized courses:

PPS 532: The World of Immigrant Students (3 semester hours)
PPS 533: Counseling Latino Immigrant Youth and Families (3 semester hours)
PPS 534: Bilingual Educational Theories (3 semester hours)
PPS 573: Counseling Diverse Populations (3 semester hours)

Delivery Format

The program’s specific delivery format details aren’t clearly stated. However, the university makes the program accessible to working professionals. Students get a unique learning experience that builds their bilingual counseling skills in practical settings.

Accreditation & Licensure

The University of La Verne has accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges – Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The university received its original accreditation in 1955. The most recent renewal came in 2020 for 8 years. The SBBC program meets California credential requirements and prepares students for proper licensure.

Tuition & Duration

Students need 9 or 12 semester hours to complete the SBBC concentration. This depends on whether they want just the certificate or the full concentration. Professional practitioners and graduate candidates outside the Educational Counseling program can take SBBC courses. They must meet all admission requirements and pass a Spanish language assessment. The concentration gives students a detailed approach to becoming counselors in California’s diverse educational world.

5. Fresno Pacific University – School Counseling

Fresno Pacific University’s Master of Arts in School Counseling program helps graduates earn a California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential. The program’s counseling curriculum gives professionals the tools they need for meaningful careers in educational settings.

Program Overview

Students must complete 50 units of coursework and at least 800 hours of clinical practice in pk-12 settings. The program requires Child Growth and Development, General Psychology, and Introduction to Statistics as prerequisites. The university launched a school counselor residency program that provides a $45,000 stipend to selected participants as they complete their clinical hours.

Specializations

The dual school counseling/school psychology program option lets students earn separate credentials in both fields with a single master’s degree. Graduates gain expertise in assessment, intervention, and guidance program development. Students need 93 units to finish this three-year dual program.

Delivery Format

Students can attend synchronous online classes two to three nights each week. The university also offers courses at several campus locations including North Fresno, Visalia, Merced, and Bakersfield.

Accreditation & Licensure

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the WASC Senior College and University Commission have accredited the program. This accreditation means graduates will meet all requirements to earn the PPS credential in school counseling.

Tuition & Duration

Most full-time students complete the standard program in 2-3 years. Each unit costs between $650 and $770, with the total program cost around $15,000. The program uses a cohort model that creates a supportive learning community throughout your educational experience.

6. University of Redlands – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The University of Redlands runs a 60-unit Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program. Graduates can build careers in community agencies, medical facilities, and private practice.

Program Overview

This detailed masters in counseling California program gives you the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundations needed to succeed in mental health counseling. The curriculum goes beyond regular coursework to promote social justice and advocacy. Students develop multicultural counseling skills and professional leadership abilities. The program uses a cohort model where small class sizes create supportive learning communities.

Specializations

Students can choose between two specialization paths:

Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT): This track has 12 units of specialized training in therapeutic intervention for relational systems. Graduates can pursue dual licensure as both LPCC and LMFT
Child and Adolescent Intervention: Students learn advanced concepts about childhood behavioral health conditions and evidence-based interventions

Delivery Format

The academic year consists of three 14-week terms (Fall, Spring, Summer) with short breaks between them. Students can select:

2-year full-time pathway
3-year part-time pathway

Accreditation & Licensure

The program meets California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements for LPCC licensure. Students must complete the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) in eight core areas.

Tuition & Duration

The yearly tuition costs $26,370. Students complete the program in 24 months. The clinical requirements include 450 hours with 280 face-to-face sessions over three semesters.

7. University of Redlands – K-12 and College Emphasis

The University of Redlands offers a unique Master of Arts in Education program that combines School Counseling K-12 and College Emphasis. Students who graduate from this dual-focus pathway will have the skills to help students transition smoothly from high school to college.

Program Overview

The K-12 and College Emphasis program teaches professionals how to provide counseling services in both Pre-K-12 schools and higher education settings like community colleges and four-year institutions. The curriculum focuses on educational justice and combines counseling training with a deep understanding of modern education’s systemic factors. Students build professional networks and develop their counselor identity through hands-on fieldwork experiences.

Specializations

A specialized 54-unit track prepares counselors to work at multiple educational levels. The program teaches both traditional school counseling and college advising methods. Students learn:

Academic and career development assessment
Evidence-based counseling techniques
Ethical standards and professional identity development
Supporting students facing educational inequities

Delivery Format

The program follows a structured sequence of coursework and field experiences with recommended paths to graduate on time. Students can find complete information about faculty, curriculum, and procedures in the program handbook. They get practical experience by applying theory in different educational settings.

Accreditation & Licensure

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing has authorized this program to meet all standards for the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) School Counseling Credential. Students need a bachelor’s degree, simple skills verification, clear certificate, and completed fieldwork hours before receiving their credential recommendation.

Duration

The program requires 800 hours of fieldwork spread across different educational levels, with a minimum of 200 hours at each level. This complete program takes more time than single-track options because it covers both K-12 and college counseling.

8. Concordia University Irvine – MAEd in School Counseling

Concordia University Irvine offers a Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) in School Counseling with Pupil Personnel Services Credential. This cohort-based program prepares professionals to work in California’s Pre-K to 12 education system.

Program Overview

The 48-unit program supports students in academic, career, and social-emotional domains that line up with American School Counselor Association standards. Students gain practical experience through a combination of coursework and field training to develop competencies in all nine areas of the School Counselor Performance Expectations. Concordia’s mission shapes the program to create servant leaders who change lives through innovative educational practices.

Specializations

The curriculum provides a detailed school counseling program without formal concentrations. Students learn everything in:

Academic, career, personal and social development counseling
Educational assessment
Crisis response and management
School-wide prevention and intervention programs

Delivery Format

Students can choose between two delivery options:

Online Format: Classes meet synchronously for 4 sessions during weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7. The remaining weeks follow an asynchronous format
Required Equipment: Web camera, microphone, and internet connection

Accreditation & Licensure

The WASC Senior College and University Commission accredits this program that prepares candidates for the California Pupil Personnel Services Credential. Qualified students can work full-time with an intern credential while completing their degree.

Tuition & Duration

The program takes twenty-six months to complete. The 2025-2026 tuition costs $710 per unit. Additional costs include a $60 student success fee and $250 each for Fieldwork I and II. Lutheran educators get a 20% tuition discount, making this program a budget-friendly path to school counseling careers.

9. Concordia University – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers a unique Master of Arts in Counseling with Clinical Mental Health concentration that blends Christian principles with professional counseling education.

Program Overview

This masters in counseling California program connects Christians across the nation and lets students learn directly from Dr. John Townsend and faculty with extensive ground experience. Students develop marketable skills to help people progress from coping to restoration. They become skilled at over 20 techniques that employ relationship dynamics, emotions, and cognitions.

Specializations

The 60-unit program lets students choose 6 units of electives that align with their professional goals. Students learn to participate with people who face depression, anxiety, relational problems, or addictions at a deeply personal level.

Delivery Format

The program features online flexible learning with a 4-day original residency. Students who work full-time should take one course at a time. Each course needs 13-16 hours weekly.

Accreditation & Licensure

This CACREP-accredited program prepares students for licensure in most states. All the same, students should research their state’s specific licensure requirements.

Tuition & Duration

Students pay $695 per unit with 60 total program units and can complete this accelerated program in 24-36 months. A student success fee of $60 applies.

10. Mount St. Mary’s University – Counseling Psychology

Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles has created a challenging Master of Science in Counseling Psychology program. The program prepares students to become Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs).

Program Overview

Students get hands-on clinical training built on solid theoretical foundations. The program teaches therapeutic techniques to work with individuals, couples, families, and groups in a variety of settings. Students learn both theory and practical skills to help people with complex mental health challenges.

Specializations

Students can choose between two licensure tracks:

Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT)
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

Both paths give students complete training in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.

Delivery Format

The Los Angeles campus hosts most classes in person. Evening and weekend classes help working professionals manage their schedules. Students move through the program as a group, which creates a supportive learning environment during their educational experience.

Accreditation & Licensure

The program meets California’s MFT and LPCC licensure requirements. The coursework lines up with Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) standards, so graduates are ready for state exams.

Duration

Students need 60 units to graduate and usually finish in 2-3 years. The program requires 225 practicum hours before graduation. Graduates can work in community agencies, schools, healthcare settings, and private practice.

11. Wright Institute – MA in Counseling

The Wright Institute’s Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program prepares mental health practitioners in Berkeley, California. Students learn through a unique cohort-based approach that puts cultural context at the heart of psychological practice.

Program Overview

The Wright Institute follows founder Nevitt Sanford’s vision to train “clinicians to society” – practitioners who understand social contexts deeply. This two-year master’s program equips you to work in a variety of mental health settings. You’ll learn to help people of different ages, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The program builds your clinical skills and critical thinking abilities. You’ll learn how culture and oppression affect therapeutic relationships.

Specializations

The Wright Institute takes a different approach from many other programs. Instead of formal specializations, MA students follow a detailed curriculum. You’ll experience various therapeutic approaches through your coursework and practicum. The program focuses on culturally-sensitive mental health services that support resilience, recovery, and social justice.

Delivery Format

Working professionals can choose from these flexible scheduling options:

Weekend cohorts: Classes one weekend monthly plus one weekly evening (first year only)
Daytime cohorts: Two weekdays weekly (9am-4pm)

Weekend sessions happen Friday evenings (6pm-10pm), Saturdays (9am-6:45pm), and Sundays (9am-5:45pm).

Accreditation & Licensure

The program has full Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation and Board of Behavioral Sciences approval. It meets requirements for Marriage and Family Therapist licensure (Business and Professions Code 4980.36) and Professional Clinical Counselor licensure (BPC 4999.33).

Tuition & Duration

Students complete this 60-unit program in two years with practicum placement during second-year classes. Working professionals often take three years to finish. Tuition costs between $67,800 and $70,200. Students must complete 500 supervised clinical hours (including 280 direct client hours) and pass a comprehensive exam to graduate.

12. Alliant International University – Clinical Counseling

Alliant International University’s California School of Professional Psychology offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling program. Students get hands-on experience while preparing to become licensed professionals.

Program Overview

The Clinical Counseling program gives you the skills to diagnose and treat cognitive, emotional, and psychological challenges. You’ll build expertise in professional counseling through a 60-unit curriculum that helps people overcome disabilities and achieve personal growth. The program helps build resilience and mental wellness. Graduates learn to help clients with anxiety, depression, grief, and anger management.

Specializations

The program teaches evidence-based therapeutic techniques. Students learn everything in these key areas:

Multicultural counseling and techniques
Lifespan development
Grief and loss in clinical counseling
Play therapy and expressive arts

Delivery Format

Working professionals can choose between online and on-campus learning options. This flexibility works well with different schedules and learning styles.

Accreditation & Licensure

The program earned CACREP accreditation in August 2022, which ensures exceptional educational quality. Graduates meet California’s LPCC licensure requirements. The program showed a 60% pass rate for the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam.

Tuition & Duration

Each unit costs $820, and online students pay about $56,383 for the whole program. The program requires 700 hours of clinical practice, with 280 hours under direct supervision. About 86.1% of graduates find jobs in the field or continue their education in doctoral programs.

13. Palo Alto University – MA in Counseling

Palo Alto University’s CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program gives you the skills to become a mental health professional. The program builds on social justice principles and evidence-based practices.

Program Overview

Palo Alto’s masters in counseling curriculum prepares students to provide professional counseling services in various work settings. Students learn leadership and advocacy skills related to human development issues while delivering quality service. The program teaches expertise in mental health promotion, wellness, social justice, and vocational well-being through a multicultural framework.

Palo Alto – Counseling Specializations

Students can customize their education by choosing either:

Two elective courses, or
The Marriage, Family, Child Counseling (MFCC) emphasis

The MFCC emphasis meets California’s requirements for Marriage and Family Therapist licensure or dual MFT/LPCC licensure. Graduates become eligible to register as Associate Marital and Family Therapists and/or Associate Professional Clinical Counselors.

Delivery Format

Students can choose between residential hybrid and distance learning formats. Distance learning students complete their coursework remotely and perform practicum/internship in their local communities. The program requires distance learners to attend two in-person residencies at the Bay Area campus for intensive experiential training. Hybrid classes meet weekday evenings from 4-6pm or 6-8:50pm.

Accreditation & Licensure

The program received CACREP accreditation in January 2017. The coursework satisfies requirements set by CACREP and the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. LPCC licensure candidates must complete 3,000 post-graduate supervised clinical hours and pass licensing exams.

Tuition & Duration

Students must complete 94.5 quarter units and a minimum of 700 clinical hours, including 280 face-to-face client hours. Each unit costs $676 ($615 plus $61 fees). First-year costs total $99,746, while second-year expenses are approximately $69,987.

14. San Francisco State University – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

San Francisco State University offers a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that prepares counselors through an intersectional, community-driven, and social-first approach to justice principles.

Program Overview

SFSU trains counselors to serve vulnerable populations, including historically marginalized communities and people with co-occurring health conditions. The curriculum adopts a biopsychosocial model that emphasizes conceptualization through contemporary frameworks like WHO’s International Classification of Functioning and the Mental Health Recovery Model. Students learn beyond traditional talk therapy and advocate for healthcare equity, resources, and housing.

Specializations

The program develops expertise in:

Health assessment, diagnosis, and intervention
Social justice advocacy and community mental health
Disability competency and vocational rehabilitation
Trauma-informed care and harm reduction approaches

Delivery Format

Students can complete this 60-unit degree among other specializations in career, college, gerontological, and school counseling. The program accommodates both full-time and part-time students throughout their educational trip.

Accreditation & Licensure

CACREP accreditation extends through March 31, 2027. Graduates fulfill all educational requirements for California LPCC licensure and qualify for the National Counselor Examination.

Tuition & Duration

Mental health counselor employment projections from 2020-2030 show a 36.3% increase – this is a big deal as it means that the growth rate surpasses the 11% average for all occupations. Students must complete 700 clinical hours, with 280 hours dedicated to face-to-face client interaction.

15. Saybrook University – MA in Counseling

Saybrook University in Pasadena has a CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Counseling program. The program builds on humanistic principles and prepares students for licensure through a flexible low-residency format.

Program Overview

Saybrook’s MA in Counseling is a career-focused clinical program that combines practicum and internship training. Graduates can shape their professional growth within the counseling profession. The curriculum builds on core humanistic principles and practical skills needed for clinical practice. Students can prepare for careers in mental health, human services, education, private practice, government, military, business, and industry. The program leads to professional counselor licensure in most states.

Specializations

Clinical Mental Health Counseling is the program’s focus, requiring 60 credits spread across key counseling domains. The coursework has assessment and testing, simple counseling skills, career development, child and adolescent therapy, counseling theories, crisis intervention, human sexuality, group counseling, lifespan development, cultural responsiveness, ethics, psychopathology, psychopharmacology, family intervention, substance abuse, and research. Students can transfer up to 9 credits from another graduate program if approved.

Delivery Format

This three-year program offers a low-residency, blended learning experience. Students must attend residential conferences at the beginning of fall and spring semesters, though most coursework is online. Face-to-face sessions help expand knowledge, aid clinical skills practice, and promote professional development. Students take part in asynchronous online discussions and occasional synchronous teleconferences between residencies.

Accreditation & Licensure

CACREP accreditation runs through October 2026. The program’s graduates meet educational requirements to become Licensed Professional Counselors in 49 states and several U.S. territories. Kansas and Wisconsin do not accept the program. California licensure candidates must pass clinical examinations and complete required post-master’s supervised experience.

Tuition & Duration

Each credit costs $1,446, with possible annual increases up to 5%. Students pay a one-time $195 fee for Tevera access, a system that tracks paperwork and fieldwork progress. The program takes 8-9 semesters over three years. Clinical training requires 700 total hours with 280 direct client contact hours across three fieldwork semesters.

16. University of San Diego – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The University of San Diego offers a 60-unit Master of Arts in Counseling with Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization. This program prepares students to provide professional counseling services in various settings.

Program Overview

The non-thesis program equips students to deliver professional counseling services to diverse client populations. The program’s mission focuses on developing exemplary counselors who practice ethically in diverse global contexts. Students learn leadership and advocacy skills related to human development issues while providing quality service.

Specializations

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization emphasizes:

Evidence-based practice as the foundation for culturally responsive interventions
Case conceptualization and treatment planning skills
Clinical assessments using DSM-IV-TR and creating psychosocial histories
Professional mental health ethics integrated throughout coursework

Delivery Format

The program schedules classes during afternoons and evenings, making it available for working students. Mental health professionals with private practice experience teach clinical courses and use a case-based training approach.

Accreditation & Licensure

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits this program. Graduates can register as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Interns in California. LPCC Interns must then complete 3000 post-graduate supervised hours and pass licensing exams to become fully licensed.

Tuition & Duration

The total estimated program cost runs approximately $106,303. Students must complete a minimum of 600 hours of supervised experience. While the program meets licensure eligibility requirements in most states, specific requirements vary by location.

Choose Your California Masters in Counseling Today

The path to a rewarding career in California’s mental health sector starts with picking the right master’s program in counseling. This piece shows you many options that include Marriage and Family Therapy, School Counseling, and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. These programs are available in online, hybrid, and in-person formats to fit your schedule, whatever your current commitments might be.

The job market looks bright for counseling graduates. California needs qualified professionals in settings of all types, with mental health jobs set to grow 25% by 2029. You’ll find a program that matches your career goals whether you want to work with children, families, or specialized populations.

Quality standards matter a lot in choosing your program. Most universities mentioned here have earned CACREP accreditation or California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences approval. Program costs vary substantially from public to private institutions, which lets you find an option that works with your budget.

Most students complete their programs in 2-3 years, though part-time options take longer for those who need more flexibility. These programs are a great way to get hands-on experience through required fieldwork hours while building your theoretical knowledge base.

Now that you have a full picture of California’s counseling master’s programs, you’re ready to move toward your counseling career. The right program is out there – one that fits your interests, schedule, and professional goals while preparing you to make a real difference in people’s lives.