Best Counseling Programs in Hawaii (2026)
Top counseling programs in Hawaii for 2026, with tuition, LMHC single-tier licensure requirements, NCE or NCMHCE flexibility, MPCAC and regionally-accredited pathways (no in-state CACREP CMHC program), Native Hawaiian and AAPI behavioral health needs, and the 3,000 supervised hours pathway.
Key Takeaways
- Hawaii has NO fully CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's program as of May 2026. UH Manoa's CACREP accreditations cover School Counseling and Rehabilitation Counseling specializations, not CMHC. The active CMHC pathway in HI is via MPCAC-accredited or regionally-accredited (non-CACREP) programs that meet HI's 48-credit statute.
- Hawaii has 3 in-state CMHC pathways: University of Hawai'i at Hilo (MPCAC-accredited, the only MPCAC option), Chaminade University of Honolulu (regionally accredited), and Hawai'i Pacific University (regionally accredited).
- Hawaii uses a single-tier license structure. There is NO associate / provisional / LPC-A pathway. You either qualify for the LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) and practice independently, or you do not hold a HI counseling license at all. Pre-licensure supervised hours are accrued while unlicensed, working under a qualified licensed supervisor. This is unusual nationally.
- Becoming an LMHC in Hawaii requires a master's with at least 48 semester hours (most accredited CMHC programs are 60) in 8 core content areas, two academic terms of supervised practicum with ≥300 hours of direct client contact, 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience completed in not less than 2 and not more than 4 years, 100 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision, and passing the NCE or NCMHCE (HI accepts either).
- Hawaii is NOT a Counseling Compact member state as of May 2026. No compact-enabling legislation has been enacted. Practical effect: out-of-state LMHCs cannot use a privilege to practice in HI; full HI license required. This protects local jobs but constrains telehealth supply.
- Hawaii's renewal cycle is triennial (every 3 years) due June 30 (next cycles: 2026, 2029, 2032). Application fee: $60. No CE required for renewal per current Hawaii Administrative Rules (verify with DCCA before publishing; some sources contradict this and the most current HAR text should be confirmed).
- Hawaii counselor salaries run below the national median in nominal terms. BLS Hawaii OEWS estimates show the HI mean for Mental Health Counselors at $54,390, below the national mean of $59,190. Combined with HI's high cost of living, real-dollar compensation is materially worse than the headline number.
Hawaii is one of the most distinctive LMHC markets in the country because of three factors that don't combine anywhere else: no in-state CACREP-accredited CMHC program, a single-tier license structure (no associate / provisional tier), and the country's most acute geographic and cultural diversity challenges (island geography, ~37% Asian American population, ~10% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander). Most LMHC state pages assume CACREP; Hawaii requires a different framing because the state's 48-credit statute does not require CACREP specifically.
The HI licensing path: complete a master's with at least 48 semester hours in 8 core content areas (most accredited CMHC programs are 60) from an MPCAC-accredited or regionally-accredited program, complete two academic terms of supervised practicum with at least 300 hours of supervised direct client contact, accumulate 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience in not less than 2 and not more than 4 years working unlicensed under a qualified licensed supervisor, receive 100 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision (supervisor must be LMHC, psychologist, MFT, LCSW, or psychiatrist), and pass the NCE or NCMHCE (HI accepts either). Total time from master's to LMHC: typically 2 to 4 years.
What makes Hawaii distinct beyond the single-tier license and CACREP gap: the Argosy University Honolulu closure in March 2019 removed a major doctoral and master's pipeline overnight. HPU, Chaminade, and UH Hilo are the practical successor pipelines but the workforce gap remains visible across community behavioral health agencies. Combined with the Honolulu wage paradox (Honolulu mean of $50,090 is LOWER than Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina at $59,350 and Hawaii/Kauai Nonmetropolitan at $55,800), AAPI and Native Hawaiian mental health needs, and HI's Compact non-membership, the state offers a workforce ecosystem unlike any mainland market.
Counseling Programs in Hawaii (MPCAC + Regional Accreditation)
All 4 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Hawai'i at Hilo (MPCAC-accredited) | ~$489/credit (~$29,340 total at 60 credits) | On-campus | |
| 2 | Chaminade University of Honolulu (regionally accredited, NOT CACREP or MPCAC) | ~$745/credit (private flat rate, ~$44,700 total) | Hybrid / largely online with required residency components | |
| 3 | Hawai'i Pacific University (regionally accredited, NOT CACREP) | ~$895/credit (private flat rate, ~$53,700 total) | On-campus cohort-based | |
| 4 | University of Hawai'i at Manoa (CACREP for School/Rehab, NOT CMHC) | ~$685/credit (~$41,100 total) | On-campus |
University of Hawai'i at Hilo (MPCAC-accredited)
In-State
~$489/credit (~$29,340 total at 60 credits)
Out-of-State
~$1,107/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits: 51 core + 9 electives)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- MA in Counseling Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization
- <strong>MPCAC-accredited (the only MPCAC option in Hawaii)</strong>; the closest equivalent to CACREP in the state
- <strong>60 credits designed to meet Hawaii LMHC coursework requirements</strong>
- Multicultural and student-centered training; small cohort sizes
- Big Island placement experience; significantly cheaper than mainland alternatives for HI residents
Chaminade University of Honolulu (regionally accredited, NOT CACREP or MPCAC)
In-State
~$745/credit (private flat rate, ~$44,700 total)
Out-of-State
~$745/credit (private flat rate)
Length
~30 months (60 credits, can complete in 2.5 years)
Field Hours
700 (practicum + internship in last three terms)
Concentrations
- MS in Counseling Psychology (MSCP) with three concentrations: Mental Health, School, and Marriage and Family
- <strong>NOT CACREP-accredited.</strong> Regionally accredited (WSCUC) only; meets HI 48-credit statute
- Marianist mission/community focus with values-integrated curriculum welcoming students of all faiths or none
- Hybrid/largely online delivery with required residency components
- One of the few Honolulu-based mental health counseling master's options; strong local placement network across O'ahu
Hawai'i Pacific University (regionally accredited, NOT CACREP)
In-State
~$895/credit (private flat rate, ~$53,700 total)
Out-of-State
~$895/credit (private flat rate)
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at HPU's Department of Psychology
- <strong>NOT CACREP-accredited.</strong> Regionally accredited (WSCUC) only
- 60-credit program designed to meet licensure requirements in all states (not just HI)
- Urban Honolulu setting with community placement variety
- HPU absorbed many Argosy students after the 2019 closure and has invested in psychology/counseling pipeline
University of Hawai'i at Manoa (CACREP for School/Rehab, NOT CMHC)
In-State
~$685/credit (~$41,100 total)
Out-of-State
~$1,565/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited at UH Manoa for School Counseling and Rehabilitation Counseling tracks (NOT CMHC)
- <strong>Listed for transparency: UH Manoa does NOT offer a CACREP-accredited CMHC track</strong>
- For CMHC seekers, route to UH Hilo (MPCAC), Chaminade, or HPU instead
- R1 flagship state university; useful context for school counseling and rehabilitation counseling careers
- Affordable in-state flagship public university tuition
LMHC Licensure Requirements in Hawaii
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL), Mental Health Counselor Program
(808) 586-2697
Hawaii regulates LMHCs through the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division (PVL), Mental Health Counselor Program. There is no standalone "Board" of Mental Health Counselors in Hawaii; the program is administered directly by PVL staff under HRS Chapter 453D.
What makes Hawaii distinct is the single-tier license structure. Hawaii is one of the few states with a single license tier. There is no associate / provisional / LPC-A pathway. You either qualify for the LMHC and practice independently, or you do not hold a HI counseling license at all. Pre-licensure supervised hours are accrued while unlicensed, working under a qualified licensed supervisor. This is unusual compared to neighboring Pacific markets (e.g., CA's APCC, WA's LMHCA).
Other HI-specific items: only 48 semester hours are required at the state level (most accredited CMHC programs are 60); HI accepts NCE OR NCMHCE (NCE pathway can be cheaper); the practicum requirement is at least 300 hours of supervised direct client contact across two academic terms; renewal is triennial (every 3 years) due June 30; current Hawaii Administrative Rules indicate no CE required for renewal (verify with DCCA before publishing; this is genuinely unusual).
No formal pre-licensure license tier in Hawaii
Hawaii is one of few states with NO associate/provisional license. Pre-licensure candidates accrue 3,000 hours unlicensed under qualified supervisor
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: No exam at pre-licensure stage
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Hawaii single-tier independent practice)
Independent clinical practice, mental health counseling. Practice limited to mental health counseling per statute.
Hours
3,000
Duration
2 to 4 years (must complete in not less than 2 and not more than 4 years; supervisor must be LMHC, psychologist, MFT, LCSW, or psychiatrist)
Exam: NCE or NCMHCE (Hawaii accepts either)
Hawaii offers license by endorsement if applicant holds an active license from another state with substantially equivalent requirements. All other applicants must qualify under HI's own statute. Hawaii is NOT a Counseling Compact member state as of May 2026. No compact-enabling legislation has been enacted in HI. Practical effect: out-of-state LMHCs cannot use a privilege to practice in HI; full HI license required to practice with HI residents. Mainland-licensed counselors cannot use Counseling Compact privileges in Hawaii.
Counselor Salary in Hawaii
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Hawaii counselor salaries run below the national median in nominal terms, which combined with Hawaii's high cost of living makes the real-dollar compensation picture significantly worse than the headline number. The BLS Hawaii OEWS estimates show counterintuitively that Honolulu pays LESS than Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina for mental health counselors (likely reflecting Maui resort and visitor-industry mental health staffing premiums).
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
National median: $59,190
Top metro: $61,420 (Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina)
Mental Health Counselors (excluding substance abuse)
National median: $59,610
Top metro: $59,350 (Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina)
Marriage and Family Therapists
National median: $63,780
Top metro: $62,140 (Urban Honolulu)
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors (School Counselors)
National median: $64,210
Top metro: $71,840 (Urban Honolulu)
Hawaii Counseling Job Market and Workforce
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Hawaii's counselor workforce is concentrated on O'ahu (Urban Honolulu) with severe shortages across Moloka'i, Lana'i, rural Big Island, and Kaua'i. All five HI counties carry Mental Health HPSA designations to some degree; HI has a chronic behavioral-health workforce shortage compounded by island geography and the 2019 Argosy University closure.
Major employers include Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (state hospital system with facilities on every major island), Hawaii Pacific Health (statewide), The Queen's Health System (Honolulu), Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Adventist Health Castle (Kailua), Hawaii State Hospital (Kaneohe, state psychiatric facility), the Hawaii Department of Health Adult Mental Health Division and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division, Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems (Papa Ola Lokahi-affiliated organizations including Ke Ola Mamo on O'ahu, Hui Malama Ola Na 'Oiwi on Big Island, etc.), the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (Honolulu), and substantial military behavioral health contractors serving Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Schofield Barracks.
Three workforce dynamics shape practice in HI:
Single-tier license + 3,000 hours unlicensed: Unusual nationally. Trainees accrue 3,000 hours before sitting the exam without formal pre-licensure status.
Argosy aftermath: The 2019 Argosy closure removed a major doctoral and master's pipeline overnight. HPU, Chaminade, and UH Hilo are the practical successor pipelines but the workforce gap remains visible across community behavioral health agencies.
Native Hawaiian and AAPI behavioral health: ~10% of HI residents are Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander; ~37% are Asian American. Multilingual, bicultural clinicians (Tagalog, Ilocano, Japanese, Korean, Hawaiian, Samoan, Tongan, Marshallese, Chuukese) are in particularly short supply. Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems and Papa Ola Lokahi-affiliated organizations hire culturally competent providers.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Hawai'i State Loan Repayment Program (HSLRP): Administered by Hawai'i / Pacific Basin AHEC at the John A. Burns School of Medicine (UH Manoa). Eligible disciplines include Licensed Professional Counselors / Mental Health Counselors (LMHC), LCSW, LMFT, Health Service Psychologists, alcohol and substance abuse counselors. Minimum 2-year commitment at an eligible non-profit site in a federally designated HPSA in Hawai'i. Next cycle tentatively May 2026. Governor Green announced $30M in expanded loan repayment funding for HI healthcare professionals.
NHSC Loan Repayment Program: Federal program. LMHCs are NHSC-eligible nationally. HI-based NHSC-approved sites include FQHCs and community behavioral health centers on O'ahu and the neighbor islands. Up to $50,000 for 2 years full-time service.
NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce LRP: Up to $75,000 over 3 years for LMHCs at SUD-focused NHSC sites.
NHSC Rural Community LRP: Up to $100,000 for 3 years at NHSC-approved rural sites. Strong fit for Moloka'i, Lana'i, rural Big Island, and Kaua'i placements.
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): LMHCs employed at HI state agencies, VA Pacific Islands, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Hawaii Pacific Health nonprofit affiliates, Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems, 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 Hawaii
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Choosing a counseling program in Hawaii is unusually focused: 3 in-state options (UH Hilo MPCAC, Chaminade regional, HPU regional). The decision mostly comes down to which Hawaiian island you want to live and work on, whether MPCAC accreditation matters to you for portability, and budget. Hawaii's no-CACREP-CMHC reality means most national rankings don't apply.
If you want the strongest accreditation status in Hawaii: UH Hilo is MPCAC-accredited (the closest equivalent to CACREP in HI). Designed specifically around HI LMHC requirements. Most affordable in-state option.
If you want Big Island placement: UH Hilo is the only in-state option on the Big Island. Strong fit for students wanting to serve Hilo-Hamakua-Kohala or Kona-Kohala communities.
If you want Honolulu / O'ahu placement: Chaminade University and Hawai'i Pacific University both serve the O'ahu market with strong local placement networks. Critical caveat: neither is CACREP-accredited; portability to mainland states may require additional documentation.
If you want multiple counseling tracks: Chaminade offers three concentrations (Mental Health, School, Marriage and Family) under one program.
If you want hybrid / largely online delivery: Chaminade is the most online-friendly Hawaii option with required residency components. UH Hilo and HPU are on-campus.
If you want maximum mainland portability: No HI in-state option is CACREP-accredited. UH Hilo's MPCAC accreditation provides the strongest mainland portability among HI in-state programs. Alternatively, pursue a national online CACREP program with HI placement.
If you want the most affordable option: UH Hilo at ~$489/credit (~$29,340 total) is the most affordable in-state Hawaii option for residents. Chaminade and HPU are private and run $44,700-$53,700 total.
If you want Native Hawaiian / AAPI cultural competency training: UH Hilo and Chaminade both explicitly emphasize multicultural training. UH Hilo's Big Island setting provides deep Native Hawaiian community context. Chaminade's Marianist mission emphasizes community-focused practice across O'ahu's diverse populations.
If you plan to leave Hawaii: No HI program offers full CACREP accreditation. UH Hilo's MPCAC is the strongest portability option. Alternatively, pursue a national online CACREP program. Note: Hawaii is NOT a Counseling Compact member, so Compact privileges are not available for HI-licensed LMHCs.
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 LMHCs, LPCs, and LMHCCs actually do day-to-day
MSW Programs in Hawaii
If you're weighing the social work pathway instead
Counseling Programs by State
Compare counseling programs across all 50 states
Sources
- Hawaii DCCA Mental Health Counselor Program
- Hawaii Mental Health Counselor Statute and Rules
- Hawaii License Verification
- CACREP, Directory of Accredited Programs
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Hawaii Estimates
- NBCC, National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
- Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program (HSLRP)
- Counseling Compact, Member States