Best Counseling Programs in Louisiana (2026)
Top CACREP-accredited counseling programs in Louisiana for 2026, with tuition, PLPC and LPC requirements, Counseling Compact privileges (LA was the 4th state to go live, April 20, 2026), HBCU CACREP options at Xavier and Southern, NCMHCE prep, and the 3,000 supervised hours pathway.
Key Takeaways
- Louisiana was the 4th state to actively issue Counseling Compact privileges, going live April 20, 2026 alongside Arizona (Sept 30, 2025), Minnesota (Sept 30, 2025), and Ohio (Jan 5, 2026). An active Louisiana LPC is one of the most portable counseling credentials in the country, with practice privileges across other operational Compact states. LA privilege fee is $160 total ($130 state + $30 Commission admin).
- Louisiana has roughly 10 CACREP-accredited counseling programs, including LSU Baton Rouge, University of Holy Cross (New Orleans), Loyola New Orleans, Xavier University of Louisiana (HBCU + Catholic), Southern University (HBCU, Baton Rouge), University of Louisiana Monroe (online, $500/credit), UL Lafayette, Louisiana Tech, Nicholls State, and Southeastern Louisiana.
- Louisiana uses a two-tier license structure. PLPC (Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor) is the post-master's supervised credential. LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) is the independent practice license earned after 3,000 supervised hours.
- Becoming an LPC in Louisiana requires a 60-credit master's, 3,000 supervised hours over 2 to 6 years with at least 1,900 hours of direct client contact, 100 face-to-face supervision hours, and passing the NCMHCE or NCE.
- Louisiana has unusually strong HBCU representation in CACREP counselor education. Xavier University of Louisiana (the only HBCU-Catholic institution in the U.S., CACREP-accredited since 2015) and Southern University and A&M College (HBCU, Baton Rouge) both offer CACREP-accredited CMHC programs.
- Louisiana counselor salaries are among the lowest in the country. BLS Louisiana OEWS estimates place mental health counselor median at approximately $40,200, far below the national median of $59,190. Cost of living offsets some of the gap but not all.
- Louisiana has 171 Mental Health HPSAs covering 3.6+ million Louisianans. The Louisiana State Loan Repayment Program (LSLRP) offers LPCs up to $15,000 per year for a 3-year minimum service commitment in a designated HPSA.
Louisiana is one of the most distinctive LPC markets in the country in 2026 for one big reason: Compact privilege leadership. Louisiana was the 4th state to actively issue Counseling Compact privileges, going live April 20, 2026 alongside Arizona, Minnesota, and Ohio. An active Louisiana LPC can now apply for Compact privileges to practice in other operational Compact states immediately upon licensure, which is one of the most valuable credentialing advantages in U.S. counselor education right now.
The LA licensing path: complete a 60-credit master's from a CACREP-accredited program, apply for PLPC with the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners in Baton Rouge, accumulate 3,000 supervised hours under a Board-Approved Supervisor over a minimum of 2 years (up to 6 years), include at least 1,900 hours of direct client contact and 1,000 indirect hours plus 100 face-to-face supervision hours, and pass the NCMHCE or NCE. Total time from master's to LPC: typically 2 to 3 years.
What makes Louisiana distinct beyond Compact privilege leadership: strong HBCU CACREP representation. Xavier University of Louisiana (the only HBCU-Catholic institution in the U.S., CACREP-accredited since 2015) and Southern University A&M College both offer CACREP-accredited CMHC programs. This HBCU representation is rare among states and meaningful for students seeking culturally responsive training serving Louisiana's significant Black population (~33% statewide, higher in New Orleans). Combined with University of Louisiana Monroe's affordable online CACREP option ($500/credit, no out-of-state premium) and the trauma-informed care expertise driven by Louisiana's post-Katrina, post-Ida, post-Laura disaster response context, LA offers an unusually well-developed counselor education ecosystem.
CACREP-Accredited Counseling Programs in Louisiana
All 10 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana State University (LSU Baton Rouge) | ~$615/credit (~$36,900 total) | On-campus | |
| 2 | University of Holy Cross | $735/credit (private, flat rate, ~$44,100 total) | Online + 2 synchronous residencies | |
| 3 | Loyola University New Orleans | $885/credit (private, flat rate, ~$53,100 total) | On-campus + some online synchronous | |
| 4 | Xavier University of Louisiana (HBCU + Catholic) | ~$775/credit (private, flat rate, ~$46,500 total) | On-campus | |
| 5 | Southern University and A&M College (HBCU) | ~$485/credit (~$29,100 total) | On-campus | |
| 6 | University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) | $500/credit (online flat rate, ~$30,000 total) - no out-of-state premium | 100% online | |
| 7 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | ~$565/credit (~$33,900 total) | On-campus | |
| 8 | Louisiana Tech University | ~$545/credit (~$32,700 total) | On-campus | |
| 9 | Nicholls State University | ~$525/credit (~$31,500 total) | On-campus | |
| 10 | Southeastern Louisiana University | ~$535/credit (~$32,100 total) | On-campus |
Louisiana State University (LSU Baton Rouge)
In-State
~$615/credit (~$36,900 total)
Out-of-State
~$1,365/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MA in Counselor Education at LSU's College of Human Sciences and Education
- Reported 100% NCE first-time pass rate
- Distinctive specialization tracks: Crisis and Trauma, Grief and Loss, Girls' and Women's Mental Health
- Located in Baton Rouge with placement access to Our Lady of the Lake and Baton Rouge General
- Active counselor education doctoral program for future PhD work
University of Holy Cross
In-State
$735/credit (private, flat rate, ~$44,100 total)
Out-of-State
$735/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700+ (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MA with 3-year curriculum and 100-hr practicum + 600-hr internship
- Catholic Marianite of Holy Cross heritage with values-integrated curriculum welcoming students of all faiths or none
- Online delivery with 2 synchronous residencies starting Fall 2026
- Located in New Orleans with strong Ochsner Health and LCMC Health placement access
- 700+ total supervised practice hours
Loyola University New Orleans
In-State
$885/credit (private, flat rate, ~$53,100 total)
Out-of-State
$885/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MS in Counseling at a Jesuit Catholic university
- Dual-degree options with Pastoral Studies (78 cr) and Criminal Justice (75 cr)
- Self-reported 100% completion/licensure pass/placement outcomes
- Located in New Orleans with placement access to Ochsner, LCMC, and Children's Hospital New Orleans
- Active counselor education doctoral program
Xavier University of Louisiana (HBCU + Catholic)
In-State
~$775/credit (private, flat rate, ~$46,500 total)
Out-of-State
~$775/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited since 2015
- <strong>The only HBCU-Catholic institution in the United States</strong>
- Strong culturally responsive practice emphasis serving New Orleans' Black community
- Located in New Orleans with placement access to Ochsner and LCMC Health
- Two CACREP-accredited tracks: CMHC and School Counseling
Southern University and A&M College (HBCU)
In-State
~$485/credit (~$29,100 total)
Out-of-State
~$865/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited at a Historically Black University in Baton Rouge
- Dual CACREP-accredited MS programs: CMHC and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
- Rehabilitation Counseling specializations: assistive technology, rehabilitation of ethnic minorities, vocational evaluation
- Located in Baton Rouge with strong placement access to community mental health and rehabilitation centers
- Affordable in-state public university tuition
University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM)
In-State
$500/credit (online flat rate, ~$30,000 total) - no out-of-state premium
Out-of-State
$500/credit (online flat rate)
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits: 48 core + 12 elective)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited <strong>100% online MS</strong> with no out-of-state tuition premium
- <strong>Most affordable CACREP online CMHC option in Louisiana</strong> at $500/credit flat rate
- Located in Monroe serving the Mississippi/Red River Delta region
- Strong placements coordinated in students' local Louisiana communities
- 48 core credits + 12 elective credits for specialization flexibility
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
In-State
~$565/credit (~$33,900 total)
Out-of-State
~$1,165/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MS in Mental Health Counseling
- Located in Lafayette serving the Acadiana region
- Strong placements with Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center and Lafayette General Health
- Affordable in-state public university tuition
- Strong rural Acadiana practice emphasis with HPSA placement options
Louisiana Tech University
In-State
~$545/credit (~$32,700 total)
Out-of-State
~$1,135/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MA in Counseling and Guidance (MACG) with CMHC concentration
- Located in Ruston serving Northern Louisiana
- Strong placements with Northern Louisiana Medical Center and Lincoln Health System
- Affordable in-state public university tuition
- Rural placement emphasis with strong NHSC loan repayment leverage
Nicholls State University
In-State
~$525/credit (~$31,500 total)
Out-of-State
~$1,055/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Located in Thibodaux serving the Bayou region of Louisiana
- Strong placements with Thibodaux Regional Health System and surrounding community mental health
- Affordable in-state public university tuition
- Rural and small-city placement emphasis with strong post-disaster trauma counseling demand
Southeastern Louisiana University
In-State
~$535/credit (~$32,100 total)
Out-of-State
~$1,065/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MS in Counseling with CMHC concentration
- Located in Hammond between New Orleans and Baton Rouge for placement variety
- Strong placements with North Oaks Health System and Lakeview Regional Medical Center
- Affordable in-state public university tuition
- Strong CCAPS counselor education department engagement
PLPC and LPC Licensure Requirements in Louisiana
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners (LPC Board)
(225) 295-8444
Louisiana regulates LPCs through the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners (LPC Board / LPC-BoE) in Baton Rouge.
You'll move through two stages in LA. First, the PLPC (Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor), the post-master's supervised credential. Second, the full LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), the independent practice license earned after 3,000 supervised hours.
What makes Louisiana distinct: Counseling Compact privilege leadership. Louisiana was the 4th state to actively issue Compact privileges, going live April 20, 2026 alongside Arizona, Minnesota, and Ohio. An active LA LPC can apply for Compact privileges to practice in other operational Compact member states immediately upon licensure. LA privilege fee is $160 total ($130 state + $30 Commission admin). This makes Louisiana one of the most portable LPC credentials in the country.
Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor
Supervised post-master's counseling practice while accumulating hours toward LPC
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: No exam at PLPC; NCMHCE or NCE required for LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Independent clinical practice, mental health diagnosis and treatment, private practice, third-party billing, Counseling Compact privileges
Hours
3,000
Duration
2 years minimum, 6 years maximum
Exam: NCMHCE or NCE
Louisiana offers endorsement for LPCs licensed in another state who meet substantially equivalent requirements. Louisiana was the 4th state to actively issue Counseling Compact privileges, going live April 20, 2026 alongside Arizona (Sept 30, 2025), Minnesota (Sept 30, 2025), and Ohio (Jan 5, 2026). An active LA LPC can apply for Compact privileges to practice in other operational Compact member states immediately upon licensure. LA privilege fee is $160 total ($130 state + $30 Commission admin). This makes Louisiana one of the most portable LPC credentials in the country in 2026.
Counselor Salary in Louisiana
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Louisiana counselor salaries are among the lowest in the country. The BLS Louisiana OEWS estimates place mental health counselor median at approximately $40,200, materially below the national median of $59,190. Louisiana's lower cost of living offsets some of the gap but not all. New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport-Bossier pay the highest medians; rural Acadiana and Delta parishes pay materially less but offer strong loan repayment leverage.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
National median: $59,190
Top metro: $48,640 (New Orleans-Metairie)
Mental Health Counselors (excluding substance abuse)
National median: $59,610
Top metro: $47,840 (New Orleans-Metairie)
Marriage and Family Therapists
National median: $63,780
Top metro: $52,640 (Baton Rouge)
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors (School Counselors)
National median: $64,210
Top metro: $59,420 (New Orleans-Metairie)
Louisiana Counseling Job Market and Workforce
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Louisiana has one of the more distinctive counselor workforce stories in the country. The state has 171 Mental Health HPSAs covering 3.6+ million Louisianans per Well-Ahead Louisiana, with approximately 1 in 5 LA adults reporting unmet treatment need in the past month. Acadiana (Lafayette/Lake Charles inland) and the Mississippi/Red River Delta parishes are among the most underserved regions.
Major employers include Ochsner Health (the largest health system in Louisiana, anchored in New Orleans and Baton Rouge), LCMC Health (Louisiana Children's Medical Center, New Orleans), Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center (Baton Rouge), Children's Hospital New Orleans, Tulane University Medical Center, Willis-Knighton Health System (Shreveport), Our Lady of Lourdes (Lafayette), the Louisiana Department of Health, Compass Behavioral Health, the VA Southeast Louisiana Healthcare System (New Orleans) and VA Northern Louisiana (Shreveport), and a growing private group practice sector.
Three workforce dynamics shape practice in LA:
Counseling Compact privilege leadership: Louisiana was the 4th state to issue Compact privileges (April 20, 2026). LA LPCs have practice portability into other operational Compact states from day one of independent licensure.
Hurricane and disaster trauma demand: Louisiana's post-Katrina, post-Ida, post-Laura/Delta context drives sustained trauma-informed care demand. LSU's crisis-and-trauma specialization track aligns directly. This creates distinctive clinical training opportunities not available in most states.
HBCU CACREP pipeline: Xavier University of Louisiana (the only HBCU-Catholic in the U.S.) and Southern University A&M College both run CACREP CMHC programs. This HBCU representation is rare among states and meaningful for students seeking culturally responsive training serving Louisiana's significant Black population.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Louisiana State Loan Repayment Program (LSLRP): Administered by LA Department of Health, Bureau of Primary Care and Rural Health (Well-Ahead Louisiana). LPCs are eligible. Up to $15,000 per year for non-physician primary care and mental health providers ($30,000/year for physicians/dentists). Service commitment: full-time, 3-year minimum, 5-year maximum. Site requirement: designated HPSA in Louisiana.
NHSC Loan Repayment Program: Federal program. LPCs are eligible at NHSC-approved sites in LA Mental Health HPSAs. Up to $50,000 for 2 years full-time service or $25,000 for half-time. Louisiana has extensive NHSC site availability across rural Acadiana, Delta, and HBCU-adjacent parishes.
NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce LRP: Up to $75,000 over 3 years for LPCs at SUD-focused NHSC sites. Strong fit for LPCs working in LA's opioid crisis response.
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): LPCs employed at LA state agencies, VA Southeast Louisiana, VA Northern Louisiana, Compass Behavioral Health, 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 Louisiana
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Choosing a counseling program in Louisiana mostly comes down to two questions: New Orleans vs Baton Rouge vs greater Louisiana placement, and whether to leverage Louisiana's Counseling Compact privilege leadership immediately upon licensure. Louisiana's HBCU CACREP options and ULM's affordable online program create distinctive pathways.
If you want maximum affordability: ULM's 100% online MS at $500/credit flat rate (~$30,000 total) is the most affordable CACREP online option. Southern University at $485/credit and Nicholls State at $525/credit are the most affordable on-campus in-state public options for residents.
If you want the strongest New Orleans metro pipeline: University of Holy Cross (online + residencies), Loyola New Orleans, and Xavier University of Louisiana (HBCU) all have established placement relationships with Ochsner Health, LCMC Health, Tulane Medical, and Children's Hospital New Orleans.
If you want the strongest Baton Rouge pipeline: LSU Baton Rouge and Southern University (HBCU) both serve the Baton Rouge market with Our Lady of the Lake, Baton Rouge General, and the Louisiana Department of Health.
If you want Acadiana / Lafayette placement: UL Lafayette is the primary feeder into Our Lady of Lourdes Regional and Lafayette General Health.
If you want Shreveport / Northern Louisiana placement: Louisiana Tech (Ruston) serves Northern Louisiana with placement access to Willis-Knighton Health System.
If you want an HBCU experience: Xavier University of Louisiana (HBCU + Catholic, the only such institution in the U.S.) and Southern University A&M College (HBCU, Baton Rouge) both offer CACREP-accredited counseling programs.
If you want crisis and trauma counseling training: LSU Baton Rouge's Crisis and Trauma specialization track is purpose-built for Louisiana's hurricane response and disaster-affected populations. Distinctive among CACREP programs nationally.
If you want to leverage Counseling Compact portability immediately: Louisiana was the 4th state to issue Compact privileges (April 20, 2026). Any LA CACREP program prepares you for LA LPC, which carries Compact privilege rights from day one of independent 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 Louisiana
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
- Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners
- LA LPC Board, PLPC Application
- LA License Verification
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Louisiana Estimates
- NBCC, National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
- Louisiana State Loan Repayment Program
- Counseling Compact Begins Issuing Privileges (Louisiana goes live April 2026)
- Counseling Compact, Louisiana Detail