7 Top Mississippi Masters in Counseling Programs: Online & Campus Options 2025

Mississippi faces a critical mental health crisis today. The numbers tell a concerning story – 431,000 adults and 27,000 adolescents deal with mental health disorders. More than 2.3 million Mississippians live in areas that don’t have enough mental health resources.

A career in counseling presents an exciting opportunity, with job growth projected at 17% by 2030. Mississippi institutions offer both traditional campus-based and online counseling programs that align with your educational goals. Delta State University stands out as one of the most affordable choices. Students pay $469 per credit hour in their hybrid 60-credit curriculum that prepares future Licensed Professional Counselors.

The programs give you the skills to help Mississippi residents overcome their challenges. You’ll learn to support people dealing with poverty, addiction, trauma and family problems. The curriculum focuses on counseling theories, ethical practices, and practical skills. Your expertise will make a significant impact in communities that need qualified counselors immediately.

1. Delta State University – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi offers a complete Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialty. This program prepares you to practice in mental health settings of all types. Students benefit from a perfect mix of academic excellence and hands-on training at one of the state’s best-value tuition rates.

Program overview

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program features a 60-semester hour curriculum that prepares students for careers in community settings, agencies, or private practice. The program sits within the Division of Counselor Education and Psychology in the College of Education. Students learn to become ethical, competent, and culturally aware counselors.

The curriculum teaches you to work with people of all ages—children, teens, and adults. You’ll learn to help clients with various challenges including addiction disorders, trauma, and eating disorders. Students move through their courses together in cohorts, which creates a supportive learning environment.

Accreditation and licensure path

The program’s prestigious Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation substantially increases its value. This credential will give you confidence that the program meets strict professional standards.

After graduation, you can take the National Counselor Exam and apply to the Mississippi Board of Licensed Professional Counselors for a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor credential. While each state has different requirements, CACREP accreditation usually meets educational requirements for licensure across the United States.

Learning format and flexibility

Students can choose between two learning formats:

• Hybrid Option: For students within 100 miles of campus
• Fully Online Option: For students beyond the 100-mile radius

Full-time students typically finish in 2.5 to 3 years, based on course schedules and semester credit loads. The program requires at least 700 supervised counseling hours split between two field placements. This hands-on experience lets you work with different types of clients.

Tuition and financial aid

Delta State University ranks among Mississippi’s most affordable public universities. Graduate students in 2024-2025 will pay:

• Full-time (9-13 credit hours): $4,217.50 per semester
• Part-time: $469 per credit hour
• No extra out-of-state fees

On-campus graduate students can expect to pay around $23,214 yearly. This covers tuition, fees, books, living costs, and transportation. Students can access various funding options like graduate assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, and loans. The university helps students find federal and state financial aid programs to make education more available.

Admission requirements

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program requires:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited school (any major accepted)
• An overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher, or 3.0 in your last 60 credit hours
• A typed essay explaining why you want to pursue counseling
• Three professional references’ contact details
• Group interviews with faculty
• TOEFL score of 90 or higher for non-native English speakers

Students must keep a 3.0 GPA throughout their studies to stay in good standing.

Career outcomes

The program’s graduates have excellent career prospects. Recent data shows a 97% completion rate and 67% job placement after graduation. Graduates achieve an 82% pass rate on the National Counseling Exam.

You can work in mental health counseling settings throughout the United States or start your own private practice. The program’s CACREP accreditation and thorough curriculum prepare you to tackle Mississippi’s complex mental health challenges. You’ll also have the flexibility to work across state lines.

2. Belhaven University – Marriage and Family Therapy

Belhaven University launched one of Mississippi’s newest graduate counseling programs – a Master of Arts in Counseling with a Marriage and Family Therapy concentration. The program aims to meet the growing need for licensed counseling professionals who have specialized family therapy training. Students benefit from a unique blend of psychological principles and Christian worldview foundations.

Program overview

The Marriage and Family Therapy concentration offers a 60-credit hour curriculum that prepares students for professional counseling licensure. Students complete 12 dedicated hours of specialized coursework that focuses on family therapy principles and practices.

The concentration’s core curriculum has four specialized courses:

• Family Systems Theory (3 credits)
• Advanced Marriage Counseling (3 credits)
• Advanced Family Counseling: Children, Adolescents, and Families (3 credits)
• Human Sexuality (3 credits)

Students also complete a broad counseling foundation that covers professional orientation, abnormal psychology, human development, career counseling, substance use disorders, cultural foundations, and research methodologies. The program’s Christian perspective lets students learn both psychological principles and biblical teachings about helping others.

Accreditation and licensure path

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has accredited Belhaven University to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees. The Master of Arts in Counseling program meets all educational requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure in Mississippi.

The program follows Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) standards that Mississippi’s LPC Board requires for Licensure. Graduates can apply for provisional licensure in professional counseling in Mississippi. The program also meets licensure requirements in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas.

Belhaven University will apply for CACREP accreditation before the first cohort graduates.

Learning format and flexibility

Belhaven understands working professionals’ challenges and has created a flexible counseling program. Students can complete most coursework online while still engaging in interactive learning through synchronous components.

The learning format has:

• Most coursework online
• Weekly evening classes (synchronous)
• Two one-week campus residencies

Students can plan ahead for residencies scheduled in July 2026, 2027, and 2028. Clinical requirements include two internships of 300 hours each. Students must complete 120 hours of direct client interaction in each internship.

Tuition and financial aid

Belhaven’s Master of Arts in Counseling program costs $625.00 per credit hour. The university offers several discounts:

RUF ministers and interns can earn their online master’s degree without paying tuition. Belhaven’s alumni get special scholarships. Military and first responder benefits can’t be combined with other institutional scholarships or discounts.

Every student at Belhaven receives some form of financial aid. The university makes quality education affordable through competitive rates and targeted scholarships.

Admission requirements

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college to join the Marriage and Family Therapy program. The main requirements are:

• 0 cumulative GPA from undergraduate work (preferred)
• No GRE requirement

The admission process focuses on academic readiness rather than extensive testing or prerequisites.

Career outcomes

Mental health counseling is growing faster than ever. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an 18% growth through 2032. About 42,000 job openings are predicted for substance abuse, behavioral disorders, and mental health counselors during this time.

The program teaches you specialized intervention techniques for marriage counseling and helps couples and families with relationship challenges. Students develop advanced skills in case conceptualization and treatment planning specifically for couples and marriage therapy.

Graduates can help Mississippi families while holding professional credentials that many states recognize.

3. Mississippi State University – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Mississippi State University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program gives aspiring counselors complete training through its Department of Counseling, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Psychology, and Foundations. The program creates a path to professional counseling careers in a variety of settings with great career outcomes and budget-friendly tuition rates.

Program overview

MSU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program helps graduates work in settings of all types. These include community mental health agencies, human service organizations, psychiatric clinics, substance abuse centers, and private practice. The program includes 60 semester hours of well-laid-out coursework. Students learn counseling theories, assessment techniques, and therapeutic interventions.

The curriculum focuses on:

• Core counseling competencies
• Mental health agency orientation
• Assessment and diagnosis skills
• Treatment planning methodologies
• Substance abuse counseling
• Crisis management strategies

Students get valuable experience through academic preparation and 700 hours of supervised clinical experience in mental health settings. The practical part runs through three semesters (summer, fall, and spring) with licensed professionals. Students can apply their classroom knowledge to real-life situations.

Accreditation and licensure path

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has accredited the program through October 2030. This accreditation boosts the program’s value and makes graduates more employable.

Program completion makes you eligible to:

• Apply for Mississippi’s Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) credential
• Get the 3,000 supervised clinical hours for full licensure
• Take the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination or National Counselor Exam

The program meets academic requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) designation in Mississippi. Graduates can start private practices and qualify for third-party insurance payments after finishing post-degree requirements.

Learning format and flexibility

Students can take courses at both Starkville and Meridian campuses. The Meridian campus offers hybrid course delivery that works well for working professionals through:

• Face-to-face instruction
• Live online sessions
• Asynchronous online components

This setup helps you balance work and studies. Students must keep taking classes continuously. Those inactive for one calendar year must go through re-screening for readmission.

Tuition and financial aid

MSU’s competitive tuition rates vary by enrollment type:

Distance education students pay in-state tuition no matter where they live. The university offers several financial aid options:

• Graduate assistantships
• Fellowships
• Scholarships
• Federal and state loans

Admission requirements

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program requires:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
• A minimum 3.00 GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate work
• Application materials submitted by March 1 priority deadline

Students with provisional admission must get a 3.00 GPA on their first 9 hours of graduate courses with no grade below C for regular admission. Students must earn a B or better in each skills course before moving to the next ones.

Career outcomes

Graduate success rates are impressive:

• 100% program completion rate
• 95% licensure/certification rate
• 95% in-field job placement

These numbers show how well the program prepares counselors who meet industry standards. The First Destination Survey looks at graduate outcomes for six months after graduation through surveys, direct contact, and professional networking sites.

Graduates work in community counseling centers, human services agencies, hospitals, business settings, and rehabilitation agencies. Your specialized training in mental health counseling will prepare you to meet Mississippi’s growing need for qualified mental health professionals.

4. William Carey University – School Counseling

William Carey University offers a Master of Science in Counselor Education with a School Counseling concentration. The program creates confident, caring, and reflective educators in a Christian environment. Students learn both theory and hands-on experience to help future school counselors support students throughout Mississippi’s educational institutions.

Program overview

The School Counseling concentration offers a 60-semester hour curriculum that prepares students to become Licensed School Counselors in Mississippi. Students learn everything in counseling theories, human development, and ethical practices, with special focus on multicultural competence.

The curriculum helps you conduct functional assessments, create intervention plans, and put evidence-based strategies to work in educational settings. The program builds on:

• Understanding issues and trends in multicultural and diverse societies
• Developing expertise in counseling skills for educational environments
• Building strong professional counselor identity
• Excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service

Accreditation and licensure path

The School of Education holds prestigious accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) from Fall 2023 through Fall 2030. William Carey has the most accredited education programs among all universities in Mississippi.

Graduates can apply for the Mississippi AA educator license in school counseling and meet requirements for certification as Nationally Certified School Counselors (NCSC). Licensure requires passing specific examinations, meeting experience requirements, and following licensing agency standards.

Learning format and flexibility

The program employs a hybrid learning format that blends online coursework with in-person sessions. Working professionals find this approach flexible as they advance their careers. Many classes are fully online without synchronous meetings. The program maintains its quality through strategic in-person components.

Students move through the program in cohorts that create a supportive learning community. Canvas serves as the learning management system for online coursework.

Tuition and financial aid

The 2024-2025 academic year costs include $14,550 for tuition and fees, plus $7,310 for room and board. Students pay approximately $21,860 in total.

In spite of that, the university makes education available to students:

• 6% of freshmen need financial aid
• 9% of applicants receive financial aid
• All applicants with financial need receive full coverage

The university believes that “the cost of an education should not be a barrier for reaching your potential and your goals”. The financial aid office creates individual funding plans for each student.

Admission requirements

The School Counseling program requires:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher, or 3.0 GPA in the last 30 credit hours
• Current resume and statement of professional counseling career goals
• Two recommendation letters from non-family members
• Completed graduate school application with official transcripts

The program accepts students without GRE scores, making it available to more people.

Career outcomes

School Counseling graduates enter a strong job market. Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors in Mississippi earn an average salary of $50,940. The state offers about 2,080 positions.

The program shows success in preparing counselors from different backgrounds—60% of counselor education graduates are racial-ethnic minorities. This is a big deal as it means that the program exceeds the national average by 23%. Such diversity ensures counselors can serve Mississippi’s varied student populations effectively.

5. University of Mississippi – Counselor Education

The University of Mississippi excels at training counselors. Students can choose between two specialized paths in the Master of Education in Counselor Education program to become skilled professionals who help clients with various needs.

Program overview

Ole Miss’s M.Ed. in Counselor Education features two focus areas: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. Students can complete both 60-credit-hour tracks in two years of full-time study. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling track teaches you to provide adaptable, client-focused therapy that combines traditional psychotherapy with practical problem-solving. The School Counseling track creates certified/licensed educators who can address students’ academic, career, and social/emotional development needs.

Accreditation and licensure path

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has accredited both master’s and doctoral programs. This recognition helps graduates get licensed in other states and meets requirements set by some insurance companies for reimbursement. The program’s graduates have achieved a 100% licensure/certification examination pass rate.

Learning format and flexibility

The program delivers most classes face-to-face rather than online. Students can also take some hybrid courses that mix online and in-person learning. Classes are available at three locations:

• UM Oxford campus
• UM Tupelo campus
• UM DeSoto campus

Evening classes start at 4:30 PM or later to accommodate working professionals. Students can enroll full-time or part-time, with about 5% choosing part-time study.

Tuition and financial aid

The 2024-25 academic year tuition rates are:

Total costs reach $29,112 for in-state students and $46,680 for out-of-state residents after adding food, housing, books, and personal expenses. Students can access substantial financial aid—43% of first-year students receive need-based support averaging $12,962.

Admission requirements

Applicants must meet these requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credit hours
• Current resume and statement of purpose
• Three reference forms
• Faculty interview

March 1 is the priority deadline for fall admission. The admission process has two steps: application review and interviews for selected candidates.

Career outcomes

The program boasts impressive results with perfect completion, job placement, and examination pass rates. Students get detailed support from the Career Center through alumni networking, job interviews, resume help, and career testing. Graduates work in schools, community counseling centers, human services agencies, hospitals, and private practice.

6. Jackson State University – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Jackson State University’s Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation and Psychometric Services offers an MS in Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration. Students learn vital skills to help people with psychological, social, and emotional challenges across different communities.

Program overview

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program has a complete 60-semester hour curriculum that balances theory and hands-on practice. The program aims to develop skilled counseling professionals who can deliver modern counseling techniques to their clients. The coursework covers professional orientation, individual analysis, career development, counseling principles, group processing, human development, and supervised clinical work.

Accreditation and licensure path

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has accredited JSU’s program through October 2023. This accreditation means graduates can apply for counselor licensing. Students who finish the program meet educational requirements to become Licensed Professional Counselors in Mississippi and possibly other states.

Learning format and flexibility

Available resources suggest the program uses traditional on-campus teaching with some hybrid elements.

Tuition and financial aid

The 2024-25 academic year costs $8,795 for in-state students and $10,795 for out-of-state students. Graduate Studies offers assistantships that come with monthly stipends and tuition for qualified students who maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher. Students can also apply for partial or full tuition waivers through their departments.

Admission requirements

You’ll need:

• A 3.00 GPA for regular admission (2.80 for conditional)
• An interview and writing sample
• Three recommendation letters
• Fall or Summer enrollment only

Career outcomes

The program shows excellent results:

• 98-100% completion rate
• 77-98% licensure/certification examination pass rate
• 98-100% job placement rate

These numbers show how well the program prepares counseling professionals to serve Mississippi’s communities.

7. Mississippi College – Mental Health Counseling

Mississippi College’s Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling stands out with its biopsychosocial model approach to treating mental disorders. The in-person program at Clinton, MS equips future practitioners with solid training in counseling theories and techniques.

Program overview

Students must complete 60 semester hours of coursework that prepares them to treat adults and children in healthcare settings. The program helps students create treatment plans for mental disorders and develop core competencies they need for effective counseling practice.

Accreditation and licensure path

CACREP accreditation runs through October 31, 2024, which ensures the program meets professional standards. Students can pursue their Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credentials after graduating.

Learning format and flexibility

The program runs exclusively in-person and students complete their supervised clinical training at approved locations.

Tuition and financial aid

Each credit hour costs $750, and students can access several financial aid options.

Admission requirements

Students must have:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• 5 minimum undergraduate GPA
• Required undergraduate foundation coursework

Career outcomes

The program’s track record speaks for itself with 90-100% completion rates, 90-96% CPCE pass rates, and 90% job placement. Graduates build successful careers in hospitals, agencies, and private practice mental healthcare settings.

Pick the Right Mississippi Master’s in Counseling Now

Mississippi’s counseling programs provide excellent ways to address the state’s pressing mental health needs while advancing your professional career. These seven outstanding programs share common strengths – CACREP accreditation, detailed 60-credit curricula, and multiple learning formats that give you flexibility.

These universities show impressive job placement rates that exceed 95%, which proves how valuable these credentials are in the mental health field. The programs also prepare you for licensure exams with pass rates consistently above 80%, so you’ll be ready for professional practice when you graduate.

Tuition costs range from Delta State’s budget-friendly $469 per credit hour to pricier options, but financial aid is accessible to more people. Almost all students get some form of assistance, making these educational investments possible whatever your financial situation might be.

You can arrange your education with your career goals through specialized concentrations – Clinical Mental Health, Marriage and Family Therapy, and School Counseling. These help you develop expertise that matches Mississippi’s unique challenges. Traditional campus experiences at Ole Miss or online options through Belhaven accommodate learning priorities of all types.

Mississippi faces major gaps in mental health services, and your choice to pursue counseling education lets you make meaningful contributions where they’re needed most. Counseling careers should grow 17% by 2030, which means strong professional opportunities await graduates who complete these challenging programs.

These seven Mississippi counseling programs are more than just educational credentials – they revolutionize your preparation for a career that addresses vital community needs. Your experience begins when you choose the program that matches your goals, learning style, and professional dreams.