Counseling Degree Programs in Georgia

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Updated October 9, 2024

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Interested in a counseling program in Georgia? Here, we outline the best counseling degrees in Georgia and state-specific salary expectations and career outcomes.

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Downtown Atlanta, Georgia Credit: Tetra Images / Brand X Pictures / Getty Images

More than 1.4 million adults in Georgia have a mental health condition. Counseling degree programs in Georgia prepare graduates to pursue in-demand careers to help these individuals. Explore counseling degrees in Georgia, licensure requirements, and potential salaries.

Popular Online Counseling Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Counseling Degree Programs in Georgia

#1 Counseling Degree Programs in Georgia

LaGrange College

  • Lagrange, GA
  • 2 years
  • Online + Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs

Cost per Credit: $755

Credits to Graduate: 60

Learners attending LaGrange College's master's in clinical mental health counseling can choose from hybrid or online formats that include asynchronous or synchronous coursework. Synchronous study uses Microsoft Teams to join on-campus classes in the evenings. Students learn about addiction, family, grief, crisis, and career counseling. Students complete clinical practicums and internship placements at partner sites.

Graduates of the two-year program qualify for Georgia state licensure. Admission requires a 2.5 undergraduate GPA, a two-page goals essay, a background check, and one recommendation letter.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$32,000
Out-of-state
$32,000
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$21,430
Out-of-state
$21,965
Retention Rate
62%
Acceptance Rate
59%
Students Enrolled
683
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
64% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#2 Counseling Degree Programs in Georgia

Mercer University

  • Macon, GA
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs

Cost per Credit: $703

Credits to Graduate: 60

The master's in clinical mental health counseling at Mercer University offers a blended curriculum that prepares students to become licensed counselors. The program offers in-person classes in Atlanta one night a week, with the remaining coursework online. Students can study full or part-time and finish in 30-42 months, although clinical practicums and internships may take additional time.

Learners can choose among electives that include advanced additions treatment, directed independent study, and play therapy. Applicants must submit MAT or GRE scores. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$29,024
Out-of-state
$29,024
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$15,244
Out-of-state
$15,531
Retention Rate
86%
Acceptance Rate
74%
Students Enrolled
8,851
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
34% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#3 Counseling Degree Programs in Georgia

Truett McConnell University

  • Cleveland, GA
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Cost per Credit: $492

Credits to Graduate: 63

Cleveland-based Truett McConnell University's master's in clinical mental health counseling takes a biblical approach to teaching assessment, counseling techniques, and psychological theory. The curriculum prepares students for Georgia licensure as professional mental health counselors. Learners can study online with four required weeklong intensives or attend on-campus classes once a week. Full-time students can graduate in 30 months. 

Admission requirements include a two-page personal statement and a faculty interview. Admitted students may be able to transfer up to 27 credits.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$21,792
Out-of-state
$21,792
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$6,912
Out-of-state
$6,912
Retention Rate
69%
Acceptance Rate
81%
Students Enrolled
2,784
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
59% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

What to Look for in a Counseling Degree Program in Georgia

Consider key factors that set counseling degree programs apart:

Salary and Career Outlook for Counselors in Georgia

Salary for Counselors in Georgia

Georgia compensates counselors below the national average. A marriage and family therapist earns a median annual salary of $34,670 in Georgia, while nationally, they earn $56,570 yearly, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Experienced counselors earn higher salaries. The top 10% of marriage and family therapists earn $70,400 annually. State government agencies pay the highest wages, with therapists earning a national median salary of $77,000 per year.

Your specific role and the employer determine your final take-home pay.

2022 Salary Range for Counselors in Georgia
Career Annual Salary for the Lowest-Paid 10% Median Annual Salary Annual Salary for the Highest-Paid 10%
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors $36,940 $59,490 $96,700
Marriage and Family Therapists $33,680 $34,670 $70,400
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $30,820 $44,990 $74,550
Source: BLS

Career Outlook for Counselors in Georgia

The BLS projects that educational, school, and vocational counseling jobs will increase by nearly 14% from 2020-2030, adding about 980 positions from 2020-2030. This counseling field has the most job openings in Georgia in that period.

Openings for marriage and family therapists are projected to increase by nearly 36% from 2020-2030, with employers creating 20 openings in an area employing only 190 individuals.

Aside from career and school counselors, Georgia's job growth for counselors should outpace national projections.

Career Outlook for Counseling Roles in Georgia 2020-2030
Career New Jobs Projected Percentage Change Job Openings Per Year
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors 9,980 13.9% 980
Marriage and Family Therapists 190 35.7% 20
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors 8,290 32.2% 870
Source: Projections Central

Georgia Counseling FAQs

How long does it take to become a counselor in Georgia?

In Georgia, it takes around 2-3 years to obtain a master's degree to become a licensed counselor. Georgia provides two licensing choices. You'll need the associate professional counselor license while you gain the supervised hours required to obtain a licensed professional counselor (LPC) credential.

Becoming an LPC requires passing the national licensure exam and completing 3-4 years of supervised experience.

The median annual salary for substance use, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors in Georgia is $44,990. Yet, take-home salaries for LPCs in Georgia vary by city, specialty, and experience.

Counseling degree programs in Georgia need programmatic accreditation from the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CACREP) or another counseling accreditation body. The state requires that applicants for licensure show proof of graduating from an accredited program.

Counselors in Georgia need a master's degree, completed supervised clinical hours, and passing scores on the national exam to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC). You can apply for a license in Georgia by exam or exam waiver if you previously passed the national exam. The state requires a $100 application fee and 1,800-2,400 hours of supervised experience to become an LPC.

Many counselors love their jobs because of the personal rewards and the versatility of mental health work. The joy that comes from helping people can overshadow other drawbacks, such as low entry-level salaries and practicums and internships that may not always come with pay. Mental health workers can also work in a variety of settings, including private physician offices, psychiatric facilities, and substance use hospitals.

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