Best Counseling Programs in Tennessee (2026)
Top CACREP-accredited counseling programs in Tennessee for 2026, with tuition, LPC and LPC-MHSP licensure requirements (Tennessee's unique diagnostic tier), NCE plus NCMHCE prep, no state income tax, and the Nashville healthcare hub at HCA and Vanderbilt.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee has roughly 12 CACREP-accredited counseling programs, including University of Memphis, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee Tech, Lipscomb (first faith-based CACREP in TN), Trevecca Nazarene, East Tennessee State, Carson-Newman, MTSU (Ed.S.), Austin Peay, and UT Chattanooga. Liberty University also serves TN students online.
- Tennessee uses a unique two-tier license structure: LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor, generalist) and LPC-MHSP (Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health Service Provider, the clinical-diagnostic tier). Only LPC-MHSPs can independently diagnose and treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders using DSM-based diagnoses. The LPC-MHSP title is unique to Tennessee.
- Becoming an LPC-MHSP in Tennessee requires a 60-credit master's with at least 9 graduate hours specifically in diagnosis, treatment, appraisal, and assessment of mental disorders, 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience over 2 to 4 years, 1,500 hours of direct face-to-face client contact, 150 hours of supervision (75 by a TN-approved LPC-MHSP supervisor), and passing the NCE + NCMHCE + Tennessee Jurisprudence Exam.
- Tennessee has no state income tax, so a TN LPC-MHSP earning $60,000 takes home meaningfully more than a counselor earning the same in California, New York, Oregon, or Illinois. TN is one of nine no-income-tax states.
- Tennessee enacted Counseling Compact legislation May 27, 2022 (11th state to enact) but is not yet operational for issuing privileges as of May 2026. Currently live: Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, and Louisiana. TN draft rules are under public comment in 2026. Track current status at counselingcompact.gov.
- 66% of Tennessee counties (63 of 95) are designated Mental Health HPSAs, with rural Appalachian counties in East TN and West TN Mississippi Delta counties carrying the highest scores. This creates strong loan repayment leverage for LPC-MHSPs willing to serve underserved counties.
- Nashville is one of the most distinctive counselor employment markets in the country. HCA Healthcare (one of the largest hospital systems in the U.S.) is headquartered in Nashville, alongside Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Ascension Saint Thomas. This drives outsized demand for clinical counselors in middle Tennessee.
Tennessee is one of the most distinctive LPC markets in the country, primarily because of the LPC-MHSP title. No other state separates the diagnostic tier from the generalist LPC with a distinct credential of this name. TN regulates two levels of LPC: the LPC (generalist) and the LPC-MHSP (Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health Service Provider, with independent diagnostic authority for DSM-based diagnoses). For most clinical practice, the LPC-MHSP is the credential you actually want.
The TN licensing path: complete a 60-credit CACREP-accredited master's with at least 9 graduate hours in diagnosis, treatment, appraisal, and assessment of mental disorders, apply with the Tennessee Board for LPC, LMFT, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists, accumulate 3,000 supervised post-master's hours over 2 to 4 years with 1,500 hours of direct face-to-face client contact and 150 hours of supervision (75 by a TN-approved LPC-MHSP supervisor for MHSP designation), and pass the NCE + NCMHCE + Tennessee Jurisprudence Exam. Total time from master's to LPC-MHSP: typically 2 to 3 years.
What makes Tennessee distinct beyond the LPC-MHSP title: Nashville is one of the largest healthcare employer markets in the country. HCA Healthcare (the largest U.S. for-profit hospital system) is headquartered in Nashville, alongside Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Ascension Saint Thomas, and a deep nonprofit and private group practice sector. Combined with no state income tax (TN is one of nine no-income-tax states) and a lower cost of living than coastal alternatives, an LPC-MHSP in Nashville often earns better real purchasing power than equivalent positions in California, New York, or Oregon.
CACREP-Accredited Counseling Programs in Tennessee
All 10 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Memphis | ~$615/credit (~$36,900 total) | On-campus | |
| 2 | University of Tennessee Knoxville | ~$695/credit (~$41,700 total) | On-campus | |
| 3 | Tennessee Tech University | ~$540/credit (~$32,400 total) | On-campus | |
| 4 | Lipscomb University | ~$1,180/credit (private, flat rate, ~$70,800 total) | On-campus | |
| 5 | Trevecca Nazarene University | ~$885/credit (private, flat rate, ~$53,100 total) | On-campus + hybrid | |
| 6 | East Tennessee State University (ETSU) | ~$565/credit (~$33,900 total) | On-campus | |
| 7 | Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) | ~$595/credit (~$35,700 total) | On-campus | |
| 8 | Carson-Newman University | ~$685/credit (private, flat rate, ~$41,100 total) | On-campus + hybrid | |
| 9 | Austin Peay State University | ~$560/credit (~$33,600 total) | On-campus | |
| 10 | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | ~$615/credit (~$36,900 total) | On-campus |
University of Memphis
In-State
~$615/credit (~$36,900 total)
Out-of-State
~$1,225/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MS in Counseling at the Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Research (CEPR) Division
- Located in Memphis with placement access at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Regional One Health, and Memphis VA Medical Center
- Strong urban counseling and Black community placement focus
- Active CACREP-accredited doctoral counselor education program
- Affordable in-state public university tuition
University of Tennessee Knoxville
In-State
~$695/credit (~$41,700 total)
Out-of-State
~$1,495/credit
Length
2.5 years (60 credits, thesis optional)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MS in Counseling at UT's flagship campus
- 2.5-year full-time completion track with thesis or non-thesis option
- Strong placements with UT Medical Center and East Tennessee Children's Hospital
- Active CACREP-accredited doctoral counselor education program
- Located in Knoxville serving East Tennessee placement region
Tennessee Tech University
In-State
~$540/credit (~$32,400 total)
Out-of-State
~$1,170/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MA in CMHC at Tennessee Tech
- Located in Cookeville serving Upper Cumberland and rural Middle Tennessee placement region
- Affordable in-state public university tuition
- Strong placements with Cookeville Regional Medical Center and rural community mental health
- Strong NHSC loan repayment leverage given Upper Cumberland HPSA designations
Lipscomb University
In-State
~$1,180/credit (private, flat rate, ~$70,800 total)
Out-of-State
~$1,180/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- First faith-based CACREP-accredited program in Tennessee
- 2nd CACREP-accredited counseling program in Nashville
- Christian-integration curriculum welcoming students of all faiths or none
- Located in Nashville with strong HCA Healthcare and Vanderbilt placement access
- Smaller cohort sizes for personalized faculty mentoring
Trevecca Nazarene University
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 MA explicitly designed for LPC-MHSP licensure pathway
- Christian Nazarene heritage with values-integrated curriculum welcoming students of all faiths or none
- On-campus and hybrid delivery options
- Located in Nashville with strong HCA and Ascension Saint Thomas placement access
- Curriculum includes the 9 graduate hours in diagnosis required for LPC-MHSP designation
East Tennessee State University (ETSU)
In-State
~$565/credit (~$33,900 total)
Out-of-State
~$1,185/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MA in Counseling with CMHC concentration
- Located in Johnson City serving the Tri-Cities region of East TN
- Strong rural Appalachian counseling practice emphasis with HPSA placement options
- Placements with Ballad Health and Mountain States Health Alliance
- Affordable in-state public university tuition
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)
In-State
~$595/credit (~$35,700 total)
Out-of-State
~$1,215/credit
Length
3 years (60+ credits, Ed.S. structure)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited Ed.S. (Education Specialist) in Professional Counseling with CMHC concentration
- Located in Murfreesboro, just southeast of Nashville, with strong Middle TN placement access
- Ed.S. structure provides more credits than typical 60-credit MA, enhancing post-graduate flexibility
- Affordable in-state public university tuition
- Active CACREP-accredited doctoral counselor education program
Carson-Newman University
In-State
~$685/credit (private, flat rate, ~$41,100 total)
Out-of-State
~$685/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 Baptist-affiliated university
- On-campus and hybrid delivery options
- Located in Jefferson City serving the Knoxville-area placement region
- Both CMHC and School Counseling tracks under one program
- Christian-integration curriculum welcoming students of all faiths or none
Austin Peay State University
In-State
~$560/credit (~$33,600 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 counseling program at Austin Peay
- Located in Clarksville near Fort Campbell, creating strong military behavioral health placement opportunities
- Affordable in-state public university tuition
- Strong placements with Fort Campbell Army installations and surrounding community mental health
- Northwest Middle Tennessee placement region with adjacent Kentucky access
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
In-State
~$615/credit (~$36,900 total)
Out-of-State
~$1,275/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MEd in Counseling at UT Chattanooga
- Located in Chattanooga serving Southeast TN and North Georgia placement region
- Strong placements with Erlanger Health System and CHI Memorial Hospital
- Affordable in-state public university tuition
- Active CACREP-accredited doctoral counselor education program
LPC and LPC-MHSP Licensure Requirements in Tennessee
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists
(615) 741-5735
Tennessee regulates LPCs through the Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists, under the Tennessee Department of Health.
What makes Tennessee distinct is the two-tier license structure with a Tennessee-unique title. LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) is the generalist counseling tier and does NOT independently diagnose mental disorders. LPC-MHSP (Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health Service Provider) is the clinical-diagnostic tier with independent authority to diagnose and treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders using DSM-based diagnoses. The LPC-MHSP title is unique to Tennessee. No other state separates the diagnostic tier from the generalist LPC with this distinct credential.
For most clinical practice (private practice, third-party insurance billing, independent diagnosis and treatment of mental illness), the LPC-MHSP is the credential you actually want. LPC alone limits you to non-diagnostic counseling work and is typically only sufficient for certain agency, school, or supervised settings.
Licensed Professional Counselor (Tennessee generalist)
Counseling practice that does not include independent diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders
Hours
3,000
Duration
2 to 4 years
Exam: NCE + Tennessee Jurisprudence Exam
Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health Service Provider (TN-unique title)
Independent clinical practice, mental health diagnosis and treatment using DSM-based diagnoses, private practice, third-party billing
Hours
3,000
Duration
2 to 4 years (75 supervision hours by TN-approved LPC-MHSP supervisor)
Exam: NCE + NCMHCE + Tennessee Jurisprudence Exam
Tennessee offers endorsement for LPCs licensed in other states with substantially equivalent requirements. Tennessee enacted Counseling Compact legislation May 27, 2022 (11th state to enact) but is not yet operational for issuing privileges as of May 2026. Currently live: Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, and Louisiana. TN draft rules are under public comment in 2026. Once TN activates, TN LPC-MHSPs will gain Compact privilege portability across other member states. Track current status at counselingcompact.gov.
Counselor Salary in Tennessee
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Tennessee counselor salaries run close to the national median in nominal terms, but the state's lack of income tax tilts the real take-home picture meaningfully more favorably than equivalent positions in California, New York, Oregon, or Illinois. The BLS Tennessee OEWS estimates reflect strong demand driven by Nashville's healthcare hub (HCA Healthcare HQ, Vanderbilt) and broader middle TN growth.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
National median: $59,190
Top metro: $61,540 (Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin)
Mental Health Counselors (excluding substance abuse)
National median: $59,610
Top metro: $59,720 (Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin)
Marriage and Family Therapists
National median: $63,780
Top metro: $63,140 (Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin)
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors (School Counselors)
National median: $64,210
Top metro: $64,210 (Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin)
Tennessee Counseling Job Market and Workforce
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Tennessee has one of the most distinctive counselor workforces in the country, primarily because of Nashville as a healthcare hub. HCA Healthcare (one of the largest hospital systems in the U.S.) is headquartered in Nashville, alongside Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Ascension Saint Thomas, and a deep nonprofit and private group practice sector. This drives outsized demand for clinical counselors in middle TN. Memphis (West TN) and Knoxville/Chattanooga (East TN) anchor the other major employer markets.
Major employers include HCA Healthcare (Nashville HQ, with 180+ hospitals nationally and a major Nashville-area behavioral health network), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Ascension Saint Thomas, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (Memphis), Erlanger Health System (Chattanooga), Ballad Health (East TN), the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Centerstone (one of the largest community behavioral health nonprofits in the U.S., Tennessee-headquartered), VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, and a deep private group practice sector.
Three workforce dynamics shape practice in TN:
LPC-MHSP credential value: The LPC-MHSP credential is required for independent diagnosis and treatment. Most clinical employers in Tennessee specifically recruit LPC-MHSPs over LPCs for clinical positions. Plan for the full LPC-MHSP pathway, not just LPC.
Nashville healthcare hub: Nashville's concentration of healthcare employers creates exceptional clinical training and post-graduate employment opportunities. HCA, Vanderbilt, and Ascension Saint Thomas all maintain substantial behavioral health staffs and run extensive EAP networks.
No state income tax: Tennessee is one of nine no-income-tax states. A $60,000 TN LPC-MHSP takes home meaningfully more than a $60,000 counselor in California (which loses 6-13% to state income tax), Oregon (top rate 9.9%), or Illinois (4.95%).
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Tennessee State Loan Repayment Program (TSLRP): Administered by TN Department of Health Division of Health Disparities. Up to $50,000 for initial 2-year service commitment, renewable up to $20,000 per year for additional years. LPCs and LPC-MHSPs are explicitly eligible alongside psychiatrists, LCSWs, psychologists, MFTs, and psychiatric NPs. Site must be in a federally designated HPSA.
NHSC Loan Repayment Program: Federal program. LPC-MHSPs are eligible at NHSC-approved sites in TN Mental Health HPSAs. Up to $50,000 for 2 years full-time service. Tennessee has extensive NHSC site availability concentrated in rural Appalachian counties and West TN Mississippi Delta counties.
NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce LRP: Up to $75,000 over 3 years for LPC-MHSPs at SUD-focused NHSC sites. Strong fit for counselors working in TN's opioid crisis response.
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): LPC-MHSPs employed at TN state agencies, county behavioral health authorities, VA hospitals, Centerstone, 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 Tennessee
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Choosing a counseling program in Tennessee mostly comes down to two questions: Nashville metro vs East TN vs West TN placement pipeline, and whether you want a faith-integrated program (which is unusually well-represented in TN). All major TN CACREP programs prepare you for both the LPC and LPC-MHSP pathways.
If you want the strongest Nashville healthcare hub pipeline: Lipscomb, Trevecca Nazarene, and MTSU (Murfreesboro) all have established placement relationships with HCA Healthcare, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Ascension Saint Thomas.
If you want the strongest East TN pipeline: University of Tennessee Knoxville, Carson-Newman (Jefferson City), and East Tennessee State (Johnson City) all serve East TN with placements at UT Medical Center, Ballad Health, and East Tennessee Children's Hospital.
If you want the strongest West TN pipeline: University of Memphis has the strongest Memphis-area placement network with Methodist Le Bonheur, Regional One Health, and Memphis VA.
If you want the strongest Chattanooga / Southeast TN pipeline: UT Chattanooga has placement access with Erlanger Health System and CHI Memorial.
If you want the lowest tuition: Tennessee Tech at $540/credit, Austin Peay at $560/credit, and ETSU at $565/credit are the most affordable CACREP options for TN residents. Total tuition runs roughly $32,400 to $33,900 for the full 60-credit program.
If you want a faith-integrated curriculum: Lipscomb (Church of Christ heritage), Trevecca Nazarene, and Carson-Newman (Baptist) all integrate values-based formation while welcoming students of all faiths or none. Liberty University's online MA also serves TN students.
If you want military behavioral health placement: Austin Peay (Clarksville) sits adjacent to Fort Campbell, creating strong military behavioral health placement opportunities.
If you plan to pursue a counselor education doctorate later: University of Memphis, UT Knoxville, MTSU, and UT Chattanooga all offer active CACREP-accredited doctoral counselor education programs.
If you plan to leverage Counseling Compact portability: Choose a CACREP-accredited program. TN is a Compact member (statutory, 2022) but not yet operational. Once TN activates Compact privilege issuance, TN LPC-MHSPs 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 LPCs, LMHCs, and LPCCs actually do day-to-day
MSW Programs in Tennessee
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
- Tennessee Board for LPC, LMFT, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists
- TN Licensure Information
- Tennessee License Verification
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Tennessee Estimates
- NBCC, National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
- Counseling Compact, Member States