Best Counseling Programs in Georgia (2026)
Top CACREP-accredited counseling programs in Georgia for 2026, with tuition, APC and LPC licensure requirements, HBCU options, NCE prep, and the 3,000 supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia has more than a dozen CACREP-accredited counseling programs across public universities and HBCUs, including Georgia State, University of Georgia, Mercer, Valdosta State, Augusta University, Columbus State, Georgia Southern, plus distinctive HBCU programs at Albany State and Clark Atlanta University.
- Georgia uses a two-tier license structure. APC (Associate Professional Counselor) is the pre-license credential issued after meeting education and passing the NCE or NCMHCE. LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) is the independent practice license earned after completing supervised hours. APC status is capped at 5 years with no extensions.
- Becoming an LPC in Georgia requires a 60-credit master's, 3 years of supervised post-master's experience (3,000 hours) if your master's included a 600-hour practicum/internship (4 years otherwise), at least 1,000 hours of direct client contact, 35 hours of supervision per 12-month period, and passing the NCE or NCMHCE.
- Georgia is a Counseling Compact member (HB 115 signed 2022). Compact privilege rollout depends on Board rules and the Compact Commission's implementation timeline. Once GA implementation completes, LPCs will gain privilege portability across 39+ Compact states.
- Georgia has unusually strong HBCU representation in counselor education. Albany State University, Clark Atlanta University, and Fort Valley State all offer counseling pathways. This is a meaningful differentiator versus states like Florida or Tennessee for students seeking culturally responsive training serving GA's significant Black population (~33% statewide, higher in metro Atlanta).
- In-state public tuition runs roughly $236 to $470 per credit at USG (University System of Georgia) institutions. Total tuition for a 60-credit program at Georgia State, UGA, Augusta, Valdosta, or Georgia Southern typically runs under $25,000 for residents. Private CACREP options like Mercer and Richmont Graduate University run $700 to $1,000 per credit.
- The Georgia Behavioral Health Provider Loan Repayment Program offers $40,000 for master's-level LPCs ($80,000 for doctoral-level) committing to practice in a Mental Health HPSA, with a $150,000 cumulative cap across multiple awards. Next application cycle opens August 1, 2026.
Georgia is one of the more interesting counselor education landscapes in the South. The state has more than a dozen CACREP-accredited counseling programs spread across the major University System of Georgia (USG) public universities and the state's deep HBCU network. Albany State, Clark Atlanta, and Fort Valley State all offer counseling pathways, which is a level of HBCU representation you don't find in most states. Combined with affordable USG public tuition (some programs run as low as $236/credit), Georgia produces counselor graduates at higher volume than its workforce size would suggest.
The Georgia licensing path: complete a 60-credit master's from a CACREP-accredited program, apply for APC (Associate Professional Counselor) status with the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists after passing the NCE or NCMHCE, accumulate 3,000 supervised hours over 3 years (if your master's had a 600-hour practicum) or 4 years otherwise, then apply for full LPC. APC status is capped at 5 years with no extensions, so plan supervision and caseload carefully.
Georgia's major workforce dynamic is the Atlanta metro vs rural shortage divide. Atlanta absorbs the bulk of Georgia's licensed counselor supply, leaving South Georgia, the Black Belt counties, and Appalachian counties with persistent Mental Health HPSA designations. The Georgia Behavioral Health Provider Loan Repayment Program targets exactly this gap, offering $40,000 to $150,000 for LPCs committing to service in shortage areas.
CACREP-Accredited Counseling Programs in Georgia
All 10 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia State University | ~$241/credit (~$14,460 total) | On-campus | |
| 2 | University of Georgia | ~$306/credit (~$18,360 total) | On-campus | |
| 3 | Mercer University | ~$995/credit (private, flat rate, ~$59,700 total) | Blended | |
| 4 | Valdosta State University | ~$258/credit (~$15,480 total) | On-campus | |
| 5 | Augusta University | ~$236/credit (~$14,160 total) | On-campus | |
| 6 | Georgia Southern University | ~$272/credit (~$16,320 total) | On-campus | |
| 7 | Albany State University (HBCU) | ~$244/credit (~$15,398 total) | On-campus + online | |
| 8 | Richmont Graduate University | $740/credit (private, flat rate, ~$48,840 total at 66 credits) | On-campus | |
| 9 | Clark Atlanta University (HBCU) | ~$985/credit (private, flat rate, ~$59,100 total) | On-campus | |
| 10 | Columbus State University | ~$258/credit (~$15,480 total) | Hybrid |
Georgia State University
In-State
~$241/credit (~$14,460 total)
Out-of-State
~$845/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MS in CMHC at Georgia's largest urban research university
- Among the most affordable CACREP options in the country at $241/credit for GA residents
- Located in downtown Atlanta with placement access across all major Atlanta hospital systems and community mental health centers
- Hispanic-Serving Institution serving Atlanta's rapidly growing Hispanic population
- Active CACREP-accredited doctoral counselor education program for future PhD work
University of Georgia
In-State
~$306/credit (~$18,360 total)
Out-of-State
~$887/credit
Length
2 years (60 credits, cohort)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MEd in Professional Counseling (Mental Health emphasis) at UGA's Mary Frances Early College of Education
- Two-year cohort model with clinical work in 4 of 5 semesters
- Strong placement pipeline with Piedmont Healthcare, Athens Regional, and surrounding Northeast GA community mental health
- Affordable in-state tuition for one of the top research universities in the South
- Active CACREP-accredited doctoral counselor education program
Mercer University
In-State
~$995/credit (private, flat rate, ~$59,700 total)
Out-of-State
~$995/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
600+ (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MS in CMHC at Mercer's College of Professional Advancement
- Blended delivery (one night per week + online) built around working adults
- Located at Henry County campus south of Atlanta for southern metro placement access
- CPCE exit exam required for graduation, preparing students for the NCE
- Strong alumni network throughout the Atlanta metro behavioral health workforce
Valdosta State University
In-State
~$258/credit (~$15,480 total)
Out-of-State
~$842/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MEd in Counselor Education at the Dewar College of Education
- Affordable USG in-state public tuition
- Located in South Georgia where Mental Health HPSA designations and loan repayment leverage are strongest
- Strong rural and small-city practice emphasis
- Placements throughout South Georgia community mental health and the Moody AFB military behavioral health system
Augusta University
In-State
~$236/credit (~$14,160 total)
Out-of-State
~$842/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MEd in Counselor Education with both CMHC and School tracks
- Among the most affordable CACREP options in the country at $236/credit for GA residents
- Located in Augusta with placement access to AU Medical Center, Charlie Norwood VA, and Eisenhower Army Medical Center
- Strong military-focused counseling pipeline given Fort Eisenhower presence
- Affordable USG public university tuition
Georgia Southern University
In-State
~$272/credit (~$16,320 total)
Out-of-State
~$890/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MEd in Counselor Education with CMHC concentration
- Two campus locations (Statesboro and Savannah) for coastal and rural Georgia placement access
- Affordable USG in-state public tuition
- Pathway to NCC + LPC built into the curriculum
- Strong placements with Memorial Health Savannah and East Georgia Regional Medical Center
Albany State University (HBCU)
In-State
~$244/credit (~$15,398 total)
Out-of-State
~$849/credit (~$53,498 total)
Length
2.5 to 3 years (63 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MEd in Counselor Education at a Historically Black University
- 63-credit program exceeds the 60-credit Georgia LPC minimum
- On-campus and online delivery options serving Southwest Georgia
- Strong culturally-responsive practice emphasis serving Black communities in South Georgia
- Affordable USG in-state public tuition
Richmont Graduate University
In-State
$740/credit (private, flat rate, ~$48,840 total at 66 credits)
Out-of-State
$740/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
3 years (66 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP reaffirmed through 2034, one of the longest accreditation horizons in Georgia
- On-campus (Atlanta) and fully online delivery options
- Christian-integration emphasis in coursework welcoming students of all faiths or none
- 66-credit program exceeds the 60-credit GA LPC minimum
- Strong placements throughout Atlanta metro counseling centers and faith-aligned practices
Clark Atlanta University (HBCU)
In-State
~$985/credit (private, flat rate, ~$59,100 total)
Out-of-State
~$985/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MA in CMHC at one of the most prominent HBCUs in the country
- Located in the Atlanta University Center alongside Morehouse, Spelman, and Morehouse School of Medicine
- Strong culturally-responsive practice emphasis with deep Black community placement networks
- Atlanta metro placement access across all major hospital systems and community mental health centers
- Distinctive HBCU experience with national alumni network in behavioral health leadership
Columbus State University
In-State
~$258/credit (~$15,480 total)
Out-of-State
~$842/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MS in CMHC at a USG public university
- Hybrid delivery combining on-campus and online coursework
- Located in Columbus with placement access to Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) military behavioral health and Piedmont Columbus Regional
- Affordable USG in-state public tuition
- Strong military-family counseling pipeline given Fort Moore presence
APC and LPC Licensure Requirements in Georgia
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists
(478) 207-1670
Georgia regulates LPCs, LCSWs, and LMFTs through one combined board: the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists, housed under the Georgia Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards Division in Macon. The combined board structure means LPCs share regulatory bandwidth with two other professions.
You'll move through three stages in GA. First, the APC (Associate Professional Counselor / LAPC), which is the pre-license credential issued after meeting education and passing the NCE or NCMHCE. APC status is capped at 5 years with no extensions. Second, the full LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), the independent practice license earned after completing supervised hours. Third, optionally, the CPCS (Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor), issued by LPCA of Georgia (not the Board itself), for LPCs who want to supervise APCs.
The Georgia twist: the supervised experience requirement is 4 years by default but reduces to 3 years if your master's included a 600-hour practicum/internship. Most CACREP-accredited programs satisfy this and qualify graduates for the 3-year track. Plan supervision to maximize the 1,000-hour annual cap (under post-9/30/2018 rules, 1 "year" = 1,000 hours over at least 12 months, so 3 years = 3,000 hours).
Associate Professional Counselor (Georgia pre-license tier)
Supervised counseling practice under LPC supervision while accumulating hours toward LPC. 5-year maximum, non-renewable.
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: NCE or NCMHCE
Licensed Professional Counselor
Independent clinical practice, mental health diagnosis and treatment, private practice, third-party billing
Hours
3,000
Duration
3 years (4 years if master's lacked 600-hour practicum/internship)
Exam: NCE or NCMHCE
Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPCA of Georgia credential)
LPC scope plus authority to supervise APCs accumulating hours toward LPC
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: No additional exam
Georgia offers licensure by endorsement for counselors licensed in other states with substantially equivalent requirements. Georgia is a Counseling Compact member via HB 115 signed in 2022. Compact privilege rollout depends on Board rule-making and the Compact Commission's technical implementation timeline. Track current Georgia implementation status at counselingcompact.gov. Once GA Compact privileges are live, an active GA LPC will be able to apply for privilege to practice in other Compact member states (39+ as of 2026).
Counselor Salary in Georgia
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Georgia counselor salaries run somewhat below the national median, with the Atlanta metro pulling the statewide average up. The BLS Georgia OEWS estimates reflect the substantial geographic spread between Atlanta and rural Georgia. South Georgia counties pay lower nominal wages but offer dramatically better cost-of-living ratios and stronger loan repayment leverage given near-universal Mental Health HPSA designations.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
National median: $59,190
Top metro: $58,640 (Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell)
Mental Health Counselors (excluding substance abuse)
National median: $59,610
Top metro: $57,420 (Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell)
Marriage and Family Therapists
National median: $63,780
Top metro: $61,290 (Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell)
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors (School Counselors)
National median: $64,210
Top metro: $66,840 (Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell)
Georgia Counseling Job Market and Workforce
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Georgia has a sharply uneven behavioral health workforce concentrated in metro Atlanta. The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro absorbs the bulk of the state's licensed counselor supply, anchored by major Atlanta hospital systems and a robust private group practice sector. South Georgia, the Black Belt counties, and the Appalachian counties of North Georgia all face persistent mental health shortages with high HPSA scores and active loan repayment incentives.
Major employers include Emory Healthcare (Atlanta's largest integrated health system with extensive behavioral health programs), Grady Health System, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), Northside Hospital, Piedmont Healthcare, Wellstar Health System, Augusta University Health in Augusta, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (which operates state hospitals and community service boards), VA Medical Centers in Atlanta, Augusta (Charlie Norwood), and Decatur, plus a deep private group practice sector. The state's 15 community service boards (CSBs) are the primary employers in rural counties.
Three workforce dynamics shape practice in GA:
Atlanta concentration with severe rural shortages: Atlanta absorbs the majority of GA counselor employment while South Georgia and the Black Belt face near-universal Mental Health HPSA designations. Loan repayment leverage is highest outside Atlanta.
HBCU representation: Albany State, Clark Atlanta, and Fort Valley State all offer counseling pathways, giving GA an unusually deep HBCU pipeline. This is a meaningful differentiator for culturally responsive practice serving GA's significant Black population (~33% statewide).
Bilingual demand growth: Gwinnett, Cobb, and DeKalb counties have rapidly growing Hispanic and Asian populations driving demand for bilingual and culturally-responsive counselors. Spanish-speaking LPCs in Atlanta metro command premium caseloads.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Georgia Behavioral Health Provider Loan Repayment Program: Administered by the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce. Service-cancelable loan up to $150,000 cumulative across awards for behavioral health professionals practicing in a Mental Health HPSA. Master's-level LPCs qualify for $40,000 per award; doctoral-level providers qualify for $80,000. Full-time requirement: 40 hrs/week with 32 hrs direct patient contact. Next application cycle opens August 1, 2026.
NHSC Loan Repayment Program: Federal program. LPCs are eligible at NHSC-approved sites in Mental Health HPSAs. Up to $50,000 for 2 years full-time service or $25,000 for half-time. Georgia has hundreds of approved NHSC sites concentrated in community service boards and federally qualified health centers.
NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce LRP: Up to $75,000 over 3 years for LPCs serving SUD populations at NHSC-approved sites. Strong fit for LPCs with addiction counseling specialization.
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): LPCs employed at GA state agencies (DBHDD), community service boards, VA hospitals, and qualifying nonprofit health systems all qualify for federal PSLF after 10 years of qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment plan.
How to Choose a Counseling Program in Georgia
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Choosing a counseling program in Georgia mostly comes down to two questions: Atlanta metro pipeline or downstate, and USG public tuition vs private. Georgia's USG public university tuition is among the most affordable in the country for CACREP options, so cost is rarely the deciding factor for residents.
If you want the strongest Atlanta metro pipeline: Georgia State, Mercer (Henry County campus), Richmont Graduate University, and Clark Atlanta all have established placement relationships with Emory, Grady, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and the major Atlanta community mental health centers.
If you want the most affordable in-state public option: Augusta University at $236/credit, Georgia State at $241/credit, Albany State at $244/credit, and Valdosta State at $258/credit are the most affordable CACREP options for GA residents. Total tuition for a 60-credit program runs roughly $14,200 to $16,300.
If you want an HBCU experience: Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta) and Albany State University (Albany) both offer CACREP-accredited counseling programs at HBCUs. Each provides distinctive culturally-responsive training and deep alumni networks in Black community behavioral health leadership.
If you want maximum flexibility: Richmont Graduate University offers a fully online MA with on-campus options. Albany State and Columbus State both offer hybrid delivery. Mercer's one-night-per-week + online format is purpose-built for working adults.
If you want a South Georgia or rural focus: Valdosta State, Georgia Southern (Statesboro/Savannah), Albany State, and Columbus State all serve regions where Mental Health HPSA designations are most severe and GA Behavioral Health Provider LRP leverage is strongest.
If you want a faith-integrated curriculum: Richmont Graduate University (Christian integration), Mercer (Baptist heritage), and Clark Atlanta (rooted in AME Methodist tradition) all integrate values-based formation while welcoming students of all faiths or none.
If you plan to pursue a counselor education doctorate later: Georgia State and UGA both have active CACREP-accredited doctoral counselor education programs, creating clean master's-to-doctorate pipelines.
If you plan to leverage Counseling Compact portability: Choose a CACREP-accredited program. Georgia is a Compact member (enacted 2022) with implementation rolling out. Once GA Compact privileges are live, an active GA LPC will be able to practice in other Compact states without additional licensure.
Related Pages
Best Online Counseling Programs
National ranking of the top CACREP-accredited online counseling programs
Best Online Master's in Psychology
If you're still weighing psychology vs counseling at the master's level
Counselor Career Guide
What LPCs, LMHCs, and LPCCs actually do day-to-day
MSW Programs in Georgia
If you're weighing the social work pathway instead
Counseling Programs by State
Compare counseling programs across all 50 states
Sources
- CACREP, Directory of Accredited Programs
- Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists
- Georgia Composite Board FAQ
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Georgia Estimates
- NBCC, National Counselor Examination (NCE)
- Georgia Behavioral Health Provider Loan Repayment Program
- Counseling Compact, Georgia Enactment