Best Counseling Programs in Maryland (2026)
Top CACREP-accredited counseling programs in Maryland for 2026, with tuition, LGPC and LCPC licensure requirements, NCMHCE plus MD Law Test prep, federal pipeline access via NIH and Walter Reed, and the Johns Hopkins / Baltimore academic medical center network.
Key Takeaways
- Maryland has roughly eight CACREP-accredited counseling programs, including Johns Hopkins, Loyola University Maryland, McDaniel College, Bowie State (HBCU, first MD HBCU with CACREP), Hood College, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore (HBCU, most affordable at $346/credit). Towson runs an MPCAC-accredited program (not CACREP); Goucher's school counseling program is via partnership with Loyola.
- Maryland uses a two-tier license structure. LGPC (Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor) is the post-master's supervised credential. LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) is the independent practice license earned after 3,000 supervised hours over 3+ years.
- Becoming an LCPC in Maryland requires a 60-credit master's, 3,000 supervised hours minimum over 3+ years with at least 2,000 hours completed post-master's as an LGPC under board-approved supervision (up to 1,000 graduate-program hours may apply), at least 50% of supervised hours under an LCPC, 100 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision, and passing both the NCMHCE and the Maryland Law Test.
- Maryland is a statutory Counseling Compact member (SB0571, enacted May 18, 2021) but has not yet begun issuing Compact privileges as of mid-2026. Only Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, and Louisiana are actively issuing privileges. Once MD activates, MD LCPCs will gain practice portability across other Compact states.
- Maryland's LCPC market is uniquely defined by federal employer pipelines. NIH main campus (Bethesda), NIMH intramural research programs, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (Bethesda), and federal employee assistance programs across the DC suburbs drive premium demand for counselors in Montgomery County. Counselors with active security clearances command salaries above state median.
- Maryland has two CACREP-accredited HBCU options: Bowie State (first MD HBCU with CACREP, reaffirmed through 2034) and University of Maryland Eastern Shore (60-credit MEd at $346/credit in-state, no GRE required, most affordable CACREP option in MD).
- The Maryland Loan Repayment Programs (MLRP) umbrella includes SLRP (HRSA-funded, covers LCPCs at HPSA sites for 2-year service commitments). Note: the state-funded MLARP-Physician/PA track does not cover LCPCs; only federal SLRP and NHSC offer mental health counselor loan repayment in MD. 2026 cycle deadline: April 15, 2026.
Maryland is one of the more distinctive LCPC markets in the country, primarily because of two factors: federal employer concentration in the DC suburbs and the Johns Hopkins academic medical center pipeline in Baltimore. NIH, NIMH intramural research, Walter Reed, and federal employee assistance programs drive premium demand for counselors with active security clearances in Montgomery County. Johns Hopkins Hospital, Bayview, and Kennedy Krieger anchor one of the top behavioral health employment markets in the country in Baltimore.
The MD licensing path: complete a 60-credit master's from a CACREP-accredited or equivalent program, apply for LGPC status with the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, accumulate 3,000 supervised hours minimum over 3+ years with at least 2,000 hours completed post-master's as an LGPC and at least 50% under an LCPC, complete 100 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision, and pass both the NCMHCE and the Maryland Law Test. Total time from master's to LCPC: typically 3 to 4 years.
What makes Maryland distinct: the HBCU representation. Bowie State and University of Maryland Eastern Shore both run CACREP-accredited counseling programs, providing distinctive culturally responsive training pathways. UMES at $346 per credit is the most affordable CACREP option in the state. The federal employer pipeline in NoVA-adjacent Maryland suburbs (Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Frederick) creates unusually strong wage opportunities for cleared LCPCs serving DoD, NIH, and federal EAP clients.
CACREP-Accredited Counseling Programs in Maryland
All 8 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johns Hopkins University | $1,320/credit (private, flat rate, ~$79,200 total) | On-campus + hybrid options | |
| 2 | Loyola University Maryland | ~$1,180/credit (private, flat rate, ~$70,800 total) | On-campus | |
| 3 | McDaniel College | ~$609/credit (private, flat rate, ~$36,540 total) | Fully online | |
| 4 | Bowie State University (HBCU) | ~$525/credit (~$31,500 total) | On-campus | |
| 5 | Hood College | $820/credit (private, flat rate, ~$49,200 total) | On-campus | |
| 6 | University of Maryland Eastern Shore (HBCU) | $346/credit (~$20,760 total) - most affordable CACREP in MD | Evening / weekend on-campus | |
| 7 | Towson University (MPCAC, not CACREP) | ~$615/credit (~$36,900 total) | On-campus | |
| 8 | Frostburg State University | ~$500/credit (~$30,000 total) | On-campus |
Johns Hopkins University
In-State
$1,320/credit (private, flat rate, ~$79,200 total)
Out-of-State
$1,320/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 Johns Hopkins School of Education (accredited 2021)
- Hopkins academic medicine pipeline with placements at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Bayview, and Kennedy Krieger Institute
- Top-tier R1 research university brand value
- Strong APA-adjacent faculty in psychology and clinical counseling research
- Full-time and part-time options available
Loyola University Maryland
In-State
~$1,180/credit (private, flat rate, ~$70,800 total)
Out-of-State
~$1,180/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
~2 years 4 months (60 credits)
Field Hours
600+ supervised field hours
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MS in Clinical Professional Counseling within the Department of Psychology
- Integrated practicum at Loyola Clinical Centers for early-program clinical experience
- Strong LCPC placement pipeline throughout Baltimore-Columbia-Towson metro
- Jesuit Catholic university with values-integrated curriculum welcoming students of all faiths or none
- Multiple campus locations (Baltimore, Timonium, Columbia) for placement flexibility
McDaniel College
In-State
~$609/credit (private, flat rate, ~$36,540 total)
Out-of-State
~$609/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited online MS in CMHC at $609/credit (one of the most affordable private CACREP online options)
- 8-week course sessions for accelerated completion
- Located in Westminster but delivered fully online for statewide and regional access
- 2-year full-time completion track available
- Field placements coordinated in students' local communities
Bowie State University (HBCU)
In-State
~$525/credit (~$31,500 total)
Out-of-State
~$895/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- First Maryland HBCU to earn CACREP accreditation (reaffirmed February 2026 through 2034)
- Located in Bowie with DC metro adjacency for Prince George's County and federal-suburb placements
- Culturally-responsive curriculum with strong social justice frame
- Affordable MD public university tuition
- Strong placements with Doctors Community Hospital and University of Maryland Capital Region Health
Hood College
In-State
$820/credit (private, flat rate, ~$49,200 total)
Out-of-State
$820/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MS in CMHC with active CACREP-accredited PhD in Counselor Education
- Located in Frederick with strong Western Maryland and DC commuter belt placement access
- Integrated healthcare and private practice focus
- CES doctoral pipeline for future PhD work
- Both CMHC and School Counseling tracks under one program
University of Maryland Eastern Shore (HBCU)
In-State
$346/credit (~$20,760 total) - most affordable CACREP in MD
Out-of-State
~$745/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- <strong>Most affordable CACREP-accredited counseling program in Maryland</strong> at $346/credit for residents
- Total in-state tuition runs roughly $20,760 for the full 60-credit MEd
- HBCU with strong culturally-responsive practice emphasis
- No GRE required for admission
- Evening and weekend format built around working adults
Towson University (MPCAC, not CACREP)
In-State
~$615/credit (~$36,900 total)
Out-of-State
~$1,165/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- MPCAC-accredited MA in Counseling Psychology (not CACREP)
- Maryland accepts MPCAC for LCPC pathway alongside CACREP
- Located in Towson with Baltimore metro placement access
- Affordable MD public university tuition
- For students planning to leave MD later, CACREP is more portable than MPCAC
Frostburg State University
In-State
~$500/credit (~$30,000 total)
Out-of-State
~$865/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- MS in Counseling Psychology at Frostburg in Western Maryland (verify CACREP CMHC status before enrollment)
- Located in Frostburg serving Western Maryland and adjacent West Virginia counties
- Affordable MD public university tuition
- Hybrid delivery for working adult flexibility
- Strong rural counseling practice emphasis with HPSA placement options
LGPC and LCPC Licensure Requirements in Maryland
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists
(410) 764-4732
Maryland regulates LCPCs, LGPCs, LCMFTs, and LCADCs through the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, under the Maryland Department of Health.
You'll move through two stages in MD. First, the LGPC (Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor), the post-master's supervised credential. Second, the full LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor), the independent practice license. Maryland requires 3,000 total supervised hours minimum over 3+ years, with at least 2,000 hours completed post-master's as an LGPC under board-approved supervision (up to 1,000 graduate program hours may apply toward the total). At least 50% of supervised hours must be under an LCPC supervisor.
Note: effective June 20, 2026, the Maryland Board moves to online-only applications. Plan accordingly. The Maryland Law Test is required in addition to the NCMHCE for LCPC licensure.
Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor
Supervised post-master's counseling practice while accumulating hours toward LCPC
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: NCMHCE may be taken at LGPC stage; required before LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Independent clinical practice, mental health diagnosis and treatment, private practice, third-party billing
Hours
3,000
Duration
3+ years (2,000 hours minimum post-master's as LGPC)
Exam: NCMHCE + Maryland Law Test
Maryland offers endorsement for LCPCs licensed in other states with substantially equivalent requirements. Maryland is a statutory Counseling Compact member (SB0571 enacted May 18, 2021) but has not yet begun issuing Compact privileges as of mid-2026. Maryland is in implementation phase pending FBI background-check integration and CompactConnect onboarding. Only Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, and Louisiana are actively issuing Counseling Compact privileges. Once MD activates, MD LCPCs will gain Compact privilege portability across other member states.
Counselor Salary in Maryland
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Maryland counselor salaries run above the national median, driven by the DC metro federal employer pipeline (especially Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Frederick) and Baltimore's Johns Hopkins academic medical center concentration. The BLS Maryland OEWS estimates reflect both dynamics. Counselors with active security clearances at federal agencies, NIH, Walter Reed, or federal EAPs often earn 20-30% above state median.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
National median: $59,190
Top metro: $71,840 (Bethesda-Frederick-Rockville (MD portion of DC metro))
Mental Health Counselors (excluding substance abuse)
National median: $59,610
Top metro: $69,720 (Bethesda-Frederick-Rockville)
Marriage and Family Therapists
National median: $63,780
Top metro: $73,210 (Bethesda-Frederick-Rockville)
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors (School Counselors)
National median: $64,210
Top metro: $82,640 (Baltimore-Columbia-Towson)
Maryland Counseling Job Market and Workforce
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Maryland has two distinct workforce regions creating different career trajectories: the DC suburbs (Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Frederick) with federal employer concentration, and Baltimore with the Johns Hopkins academic medical center pipeline. Both pay above state median; rural Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore pay closer to state median but offer stronger loan repayment leverage.
Major employers include Johns Hopkins Medicine (one of the top academic medical centers in the country, with Johns Hopkins Hospital, Bayview, Kennedy Krieger Institute, and an extensive behavioral health network), University of Maryland Medical System, MedStar Health, NIH (one of the largest federal research employers, with NIMH intramural research programs), Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (Bethesda), VA Maryland Health Care System, the Maryland Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration, federal employee assistance programs across the DC suburbs, and a deep private group practice sector concentrated in Montgomery County and Baltimore.
Three workforce dynamics shape practice in MD:
Federal pipeline: NIH, NIMH, Walter Reed, and federal EAPs drive premium demand for counselors with active security clearances. Salaries for cleared positions often run 20-30% above state median. Bowie State, Hood, and Loyola Maryland all feed this market.
Johns Hopkins academic medicine: Hopkins is a top-5 U.S. academic medical center for behavioral health employment. Hopkins School of Education's CACREP CMHC program (since 2021) is a direct feeder.
HBCU representation: Bowie State (first MD HBCU with CACREP, reaffirmed through 2034) and University of Maryland Eastern Shore (CACREP MEd at $346/credit) both provide distinctive culturally-responsive training pathways. This HBCU representation is meaningful versus many other states.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Maryland State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP): HRSA-funded, requires 2-year HPSA/MUA service commitment. LCPCs are eligible as behavioral health providers. Note: the state-funded MLARP-PPA track is restricted to physicians and PAs only and does NOT cover LCPCs. 2026 cycle deadline: April 15, 2026, 11:59 PM. Contact: mdh.loanrepaymentprograms@maryland.gov / 410-767-6123.
NHSC Loan Repayment Program: Federal program. LCPCs are eligible at NHSC-approved sites in MD Mental Health HPSAs. Up to $50,000 initial for 2-year service commitment. Maryland has extensive NHSC site availability in Baltimore, Western MD, and the Eastern Shore.
NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce LRP: Up to $75,000 over 3 years for LCPCs at SUD-focused NHSC sites. Strong fit for LCPCs working in Baltimore's opioid crisis response.
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): LCPCs employed at NIH, Walter Reed, VA Maryland, MD state agencies, federal EAPs, Johns Hopkins nonprofit affiliates, and other qualifying nonprofit employers qualify for federal PSLF after 10 years of qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment plan.
How to Choose a Counseling Program in Maryland
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Choosing a counseling program in Maryland mostly comes down to two questions: DC metro federal pipeline vs Baltimore academic medical center pipeline, and how much you value CACREP accreditation vs the MPCAC alternative (which MD accepts for LCPC but is less portable nationally). Maryland's HBCU CACREP options (Bowie State, UMES) also create distinctive culturally-responsive training pathways.
If you want the strongest DC metro federal pipeline: Bowie State (DC adjacent), Hood College (Frederick), and Loyola Maryland's Columbia campus all serve the federal employer ecosystem including NIH, Walter Reed, and federal EAPs.
If you want the Johns Hopkins academic medical center pipeline: Johns Hopkins School of Education's CACREP MS (since 2021) is the direct Hopkins feeder. Loyola Maryland (Baltimore) also has deep Hopkins-affiliated placement networks.
If you want the most affordable option: University of Maryland Eastern Shore at $346/credit (~$20,760 total) is by far the most affordable CACREP-accredited counseling program in Maryland. Bowie State at ~$525/credit and Frostburg State at ~$500/credit are the next most affordable public options.
If you want fully online delivery: McDaniel College's fully online MS at $609/credit (with 8-week sessions and 2-year completion) is the strongest CACREP online option for MD residents. Johns Hopkins also offers hybrid delivery for working adults.
If you want an HBCU experience: Bowie State University (first MD HBCU with CACREP, reaffirmed through 2034) and University of Maryland Eastern Shore both offer CACREP-accredited counseling programs at HBCUs.
If you want top brand value: Johns Hopkins ($1,320/credit) carries the strongest national brand recognition; Loyola Maryland is the second-strongest. Both are private and expensive.
If you want a counselor education doctorate pipeline: Hood College offers a CACREP-accredited PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision alongside its CMHC master's, creating one of the cleanest master's-to-doctorate pipelines in MD.
If you plan to leave Maryland after graduating: Choose CACREP over MPCAC. MD accepts MPCAC for LCPC but acceptance varies by state. Towson's MPCAC program qualifies you for MD LCPC but creates portability friction if you leave MD.
If you want to leverage Counseling Compact portability: Any CACREP program prepares you for MD LCPC. MD is a Compact member (statutory) but not yet operational. Once MD activates Compact privilege issuance, MD LCPCs will gain practice portability across other member states.
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 LCPCs, LPCs, and LPCCs actually do day-to-day
MSW Programs in Maryland
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
- Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists
- MD Board, Professional Counselor
- MD License Verification
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Maryland Estimates
- NBCC, National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
- Maryland Loan Repayment Programs
- Counseling Compact, Member States