Best Counseling Programs in Mississippi (2026)
Top CACREP-accredited counseling programs in Mississippi for 2026, with tuition, P-LPC and LPC licensure requirements, NCMHCE plus Mississippi Jurisprudence Exam, Delta region severe shortages, Jackson State HBCU pipeline, and the 3,000 supervised hours pathway.
Key Takeaways
- Mississippi has roughly 7 CACREP-accredited counseling programs, including University of Mississippi (Ole Miss, Oxford, since 2001), Mississippi State (CACREP through 2030), Mississippi College (Clinton, Baptist-affiliated), Jackson State (HBCU, CACREP through October 2031), Delta State (Cleveland, since 1991, longest in MS), William Carey (Hattiesburg), and Belhaven (Jackson, hybrid). Note: USM's Counseling Psychology is MPCAC-accredited (NOT CACREP); Mississippi Valley State offers MSW only.
- Mississippi uses a two-tier license structure. P-LPC (Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor) is the pre-independent practice tier that must work under an LPC-Supervisor (LPC-S). LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) is the independent practice license.
- Becoming an LPC in Mississippi requires a 60-credit master's (for degrees conferred after January 1, 2017: must be CACREP-accredited or a counseling-titled degree meeting CACREP structure across 12 content areas), 3,000 supervised hours over a minimum of 18 months with 1,200 hours of direct services, 100 hours of individual face-to-face supervision (1:25 supervision-to-direct-services ratio), and passing the NCMHCE plus the Mississippi Jurisprudence Exam.
- Mississippi enacted the Counseling Compact via HB1026 on March 16, 2022. MS is a Compact member but is not yet operationally issuing privileges as of May 2026. Only Arizona, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Ohio are actively issuing Compact privileges.
- Mississippi has no traditional reciprocity. LPC by Comity requires 5+ years of independent practice under a current clean license in another state, 3 professional references, and passing the MS Jurisprudence Exam. Plan accordingly if you're considering MS after starting your career elsewhere.
- Mississippi counselor salaries are among the lowest in the country. BLS Mississippi OEWS estimates place the median around $47,500, materially below the national median of $59,190. MS ranks among the five lowest-paying states for mental health counselors.
- Mississippi has 40 Mental Health HPSA designations covering 1.6-2.1 million residents per HRSA April 2026 quarterly report. The Delta region (Bolivar, Coahoma, Sunflower, Humphreys, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tunica) is among the most severely underserved areas in the country. MSLRP offers up to $50,000 for 2-year service (currently paused; verify status).
Mississippi is one of the more challenging LPC markets in the country in terms of salary (among the five lowest-paying states nationally for mental health counselors), but it offers two meaningful counterweights: strong CACREP program supply for a small state (7 CACREP-accredited counseling programs including Jackson State HBCU) and severe Delta region workforce shortages that create strong loan repayment leverage for committed LPCs.
The MS licensing path: complete a 60-credit master's (for post-2017 degrees, must be CACREP-accredited or a counseling-titled degree meeting CACREP structure), apply for P-LPC with the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for LPC (MSBLPC), work under an LPC-Supervisor (LPC-S) credentialed supervisor, accumulate 3,000 supervised hours over a minimum of 18 months with at least 1,200 hours of direct services (face-to-face/synchronous: individual, couples, family, group, testing/assessment) and 100 hours of individual face-to-face supervision (up to 50 may be group, 2:1 ratio), and pass both the NCMHCE and the Mississippi Jurisprudence Exam. Total time from master's to LPC: typically 2 to 3 years.
What makes Mississippi distinct beyond the wage challenge and Delta shortage: strict comity requirements. Mississippi has no traditional reciprocity agreements. LPC by Comity requires 5+ years of independent practice under a current clean license in another state, 3 professional references, and passing the MS Jurisprudence Exam. This is more restrictive than most states. The Counseling Compact (which MS enacted in March 2022) will eventually streamline cross-state practice once MS activates, but as of May 2026 only Arizona, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Ohio are issuing privileges.
CACREP-Accredited Counseling Programs in Mississippi
All 7 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) | ~$485/credit (~$29,100 total) | On-campus | |
| 2 | Mississippi State University | $652.21/credit (~$39,132 total) | Hybrid | |
| 3 | Mississippi College | ~$645/credit (private, flat rate, ~$38,700 total) | On-campus | |
| 4 | Jackson State University (HBCU) | ~$455/credit (~$27,300 total) | On-campus | |
| 5 | Delta State University | ~$420/credit (~$25,200 total) | Hybrid | |
| 6 | William Carey University | ~$535/credit (private, flat rate, ~$32,100 total) | In-person | |
| 7 | Belhaven University | ~$615/credit (private, flat rate, ~$36,900 total) | Hybrid |
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
In-State
~$485/credit (~$29,100 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 MEd in Counselor Education with CMHC emphasis at the state flagship
- <strong>Oldest CACREP-accredited counseling program in Mississippi</strong> (continuously since March 2001)
- R1 research university with active doctoral counselor education pipeline
- Located in Oxford with placement access to North Mississippi Medical Center
- Strong rural placement opportunities serving North Mississippi HPSAs
Mississippi State University
In-State
$652.21/credit (~$39,132 total)
Out-of-State
~$1,425/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700+ (clinical practice hours)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through 2030
- Hybrid delivery format with main Starkville and satellite Meridian campuses
- <strong>Graduate assistantships available</strong> (20 hours/week, tuition + stipend)
- Strong East Mississippi placement network including OCH Regional Medical Center
- 700+ clinical practice hours (exceeds CACREP minimum)
Mississippi College
In-State
~$645/credit (private, flat rate, ~$38,700 total)
Out-of-State
~$645/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MS in Mental Health Counseling at a Baptist-affiliated private university
- Two internships plus Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE)
- Located in Clinton in the Jackson metro with strong UMMC and Baptist Health System placement access
- Values-integrated curriculum welcoming students of all faiths or none
- Strong Jackson metro placement network
Jackson State University (HBCU)
In-State
~$455/credit (~$27,300 total)
Out-of-State
~$935/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- <strong>The only Mississippi HBCU with a CACREP-accredited CMHC master's</strong>
- CACREP-accredited through October 2031 (long horizon)
- First HBCU with CORE-accredited master's in rehabilitation counseling (1979) - longest rehab counseling HBCU history
- $875K rehab counseling grant funding for graduate student support
- Located in Jackson with placement access to UMMC and Mississippi Department of Mental Health
Delta State University
In-State
~$420/credit (~$25,200 total)
Out-of-State
~$420/credit (no out-of-state premium for online students)
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- <strong>Longest-running CACREP program in Mississippi (continuously since 1991)</strong>
- <strong>Most affordable CACREP CMHC option in MS</strong> at ~$420/credit with no out-of-state premium for online students
- Hybrid (within 100 mi) or fully online (outside 100 mi) delivery flexibility
- No prerequisite undergraduate major required
- <strong>Serves the Delta region directly</strong> (the most acute MS Mental Health HPSA shortage area)
William Carey University
In-State
~$535/credit (private, flat rate, ~$32,100 total)
Out-of-State
~$535/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MS in Counselor Education with CMHC concentration
- <strong>Four delivery modes:</strong> in-person, online, hybrid, and virtual hybrid (unusual flexibility)
- Baptist-affiliated private university with values-integrated curriculum welcoming students of all faiths or none
- Located in Hattiesburg serving South Mississippi placements
- Summer/fall start dates only
Belhaven University
In-State
~$615/credit (private, flat rate, ~$36,900 total)
Out-of-State
~$615/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- MA in Counseling with CMHC concentration at a Presbyterian Christian university
- Hybrid delivery format
- Located in Jackson with placement access to UMMC and central Mississippi behavioral health
- Values-integrated curriculum welcoming students of all faiths or none
- Verify current CACREP accreditation status against the CACREP directory before enrolling
P-LPC and LPC Licensure Requirements in Mississippi
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors (MSBLPC)
(601) 359-1010
Mississippi regulates LPCs through the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors (MSBLPC) under 30 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2201.
You'll move through two stages in MS. First, the P-LPC (Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor), the pre-independent practice tier that must work under an LPC-Supervisor (LPC-S) credentialed supervisor. Second, the full LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), the independent practice license. After LPC, experienced LPCs can pursue LPC-S (Supervisor) credentialing to supervise P-LPCs.
Two MS-specific items: post-2017 degrees must be CACREP-accredited or a counseling-titled degree meeting CACREP structure across 12 specific content areas (more restrictive than many states). And the Mississippi Jurisprudence Exam, a state-specific exam required in addition to the NCMHCE. Continuing education is 24 hours every 2 years, including 6 hours in ethics/legal.
Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor
Supervised post-master's counseling practice while accumulating hours toward LPC. Must work under an LPC-S credentialed supervisor.
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: No exam at P-LPC; NCMHCE + MS Jurisprudence Exam required for LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Independent clinical practice, mental health diagnosis and treatment, private practice, third-party billing
Hours
3,000
Duration
18 months minimum (100 hours individual face-to-face supervision; up to 50 may be group at 2:1 ratio; 1:40 total caseload supervision ratio)
Exam: NCMHCE + Mississippi Jurisprudence Exam
Mississippi has no traditional reciprocity agreements. LPC by Comity requires 5+ years of independent practice under a current clean license in another state, 3 professional references, and passing the MS Jurisprudence Exam. Mississippi enacted the Counseling Compact via HB1026 on March 16, 2022, making it a Compact member. As of May 2026, MS is not yet operationally issuing privileges; only Arizona, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Ohio are actively issuing Counseling Compact privileges. Once MS activates, MS LPCs will gain practice portability across other member states.
Counselor Salary in Mississippi
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Mississippi counselor salaries are among the lowest in the country. The BLS Mississippi OEWS estimates place the median around $47,500 for the combined occupation, materially below the national median of $59,190. MS ranks among the five lowest-paying states for mental health counselors. Mississippi's lower cost of living offsets some of the wage differential, but real purchasing power still lags states like Tennessee or Alabama.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
National median: $59,190
Top metro: $52,840 (Gulfport-Biloxi)
Mental Health Counselors (excluding substance abuse)
National median: $59,610
Top metro: $50,420 (Hattiesburg)
Marriage and Family Therapists
National median: $63,780
Top metro: $58,610 (Jackson)
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors (School Counselors)
National median: $64,210
Top metro: $57,640 (Jackson)
Mississippi Counseling Job Market and Workforce
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Mississippi has three distinct workforce regions: Jackson (UMMC, the state's only academic medical center), Gulf Coast (Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula behavioral health), and the Delta region (severe Mental Health HPSAs). Hattiesburg serves South Mississippi. 40 Mental Health HPSA designations cover 1.6-2.1 million Mississippians per HRSA April 2026 quarterly data.
Major employers include University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) (Jackson, the state's only academic health center), Baptist Memorial Health Care (statewide), Singing River Health System (Gulf Coast), Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, North Mississippi Medical Center (Tupelo), Mississippi State Hospital (Whitfield, state psychiatric facility), the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, VA Gulf Coast Health Care System (Biloxi/Gulfport), VA Memphis (serves North MS), Choctaw Health Center (Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Pearl River), and regional Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs).
Three workforce dynamics shape practice in MS:
Delta region severe shortage: Northwest MS Delta counties (Bolivar, Coahoma, Sunflower, Humphreys, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tunica) are among the most severely underserved Mental Health HPSAs in the country, overlapping with persistent rural poverty, chronic disease, and significant Black population concentration. Delta State University in Cleveland is the closest CACREP pipeline.
HBCU representation: Jackson State University is the only Mississippi HBCU with a CACREP-accredited CMHC master's. JSU was also the first HBCU with a CORE-accredited rehab counseling master's (1979). Strong placement opportunities serving Mississippi's significant Black population.
Tribal behavioral health: Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (Pearl River, Neshoba County) operates Choctaw Health Center with behavioral-health services, the Osapausi Amasalichi (Little Garden of Healing) program, and SAMHSA-funded Choctaw Youth Resilience Initiative.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Mississippi State Loan Repayment Program (MSLRP): Administered by Mississippi Center for Rural Health and Population Studies / MSDH. Up to $50,000 toward educational loans for 2-year service at approved HPSA sites. Eligible disciplines include mental/behavioral health professionals. Status as of May 2026: not currently accepting new applications; MSDH targeting resumption pending FY funding decision. Verify before applying.
NHSC Loan Repayment Program: Federal program. LPCs are eligible at NHSC-approved sites in MS Mental Health HPSAs. Up to $50,000 for 2 years full-time service or $25,000 for half-time. MS has extensive NHSC site availability across Delta and rural counties.
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 MS's opioid crisis response.
Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program: Up to $50,000 for 2-year service at IHS or tribal facilities. Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians operates the Choctaw Health Center.
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): LPCs employed at MS state agencies (MDMH), VA Gulf Coast, UMMC, Mississippi State Hospital, 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 Mississippi
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Choosing a counseling program in Mississippi mostly comes down to two questions: which MS region you want to serve (Jackson/UMMC vs Gulf Coast vs Delta vs Hattiesburg South MS), and whether you want fully online flexibility. Mississippi's strict comity requirements mean if you start in MS, plan to stay in MS or commit to the Compact pathway once it activates.
If you want the strongest Jackson / UMMC pipeline: Jackson State (HBCU), Mississippi College, and Belhaven all feed UMMC, Baptist Health System, and Mississippi Department of Mental Health placements.
If you want the strongest North Mississippi / UMMC research pipeline: University of Mississippi (Ole Miss, Oxford) is the dominant feeder with strong rural North MS placements.
If you want Delta region / severe shortage placement: Delta State University in Cleveland is the closest CACREP feeder to the most severely underserved counties in the country. Strong NHSC loan repayment leverage.
If you want Gulf Coast / Hattiesburg pipeline: William Carey University (Hattiesburg) serves South Mississippi with strong placement access to Singing River, Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, and VA Gulf Coast.
If you want East Mississippi placement: Mississippi State University (Starkville + Meridian campus) serves the eastern half of the state with OCH Regional and Anderson Regional placements.
If you want an HBCU experience: Jackson State University (HBCU) is the only MS HBCU with a CACREP-accredited CMHC master's. CACREP through October 2031.
If you want the most affordable option: Delta State University at ~$420/credit (~$25,200 total) is the most affordable CACREP CMHC option in MS. Jackson State (HBCU) at ~$455/credit and Ole Miss at ~$485/credit are the next most affordable.
If you want fully online delivery: Delta State (fully online for students outside 100 miles), William Carey (4 delivery modes), and Mississippi State (hybrid) offer the most online flexibility. Delta State has no out-of-state tuition premium for online students.
If you want a faith-integrated curriculum: Mississippi College (Baptist), William Carey (Baptist), and Belhaven (Presbyterian Christian) all integrate values-based formation while welcoming students of all faiths or none.
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 Mississippi
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
- Mississippi State Board of Examiners for LPC (MSBLPC)
- MSBLPC LPC by Comity
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Mississippi Estimates
- NBCC, National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
- Mississippi State Loan Repayment Program
- HRSA Health Workforce Shortage Areas Find
- Counseling Compact, Member States