California has dozens of graduate counseling programs, but similar program names can lead to very different careers.
A clinical mental health counseling degree may be built around Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) licensure. A school counseling program may instead lead to California’s Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) School Counseling Credential. Some marriage and family counseling programs meet coursework requirements for both LPCC and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licensure.
If you’re still comparing the different educational paths available, start with our guide to counseling degrees in California before narrowing your search to a specific program or license.
Before comparing schools, figure out which license or credential you’re working toward.
Students planning to become LPCCs should check whether a program meets current California Board of Behavioral Sciences educational requirements. California requires qualifying LPCC graduate education to include at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units, required coursework, and supervised practicum training.
CACREP accreditation is also worth checking, especially if you may eventually practice outside California. But CACREP accreditation and California licensure eligibility are separate issues. California does not require every LPCC applicant to graduate from a CACREP-accredited program.
The programs below were selected based on licensure alignment, clinical training, accreditation, cost, program format, and the type of student each program is likely to fit.
Best master’s in counseling programs in California at a glance
| School | Program | Format | Approx. Tuition | Accreditation / Licensure Note | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento State | M.S. in Counseling — Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling | In person | About $33,000 for three years for California residents | CACREP; designed for LPCC and LMFT education requirements | Overall value |
| San Francisco State | M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | In person | Public CSU graduate tuition and campus fees | CACREP; clinical counseling curriculum | Bay Area public option |
| Cal State Fullerton | M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Marriage and Family Therapy | Primarily campus-based, part time | About $42,525 at currently published cohort rate | CACREP; LPCC and LMFT preparation | Working professionals |
| Fresno State | M.S. in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling | In person | CSU graduate tuition plus campus fees | CACREP; LPCC and LMFT preparation | Central California |
| Palo Alto University | M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Online or hybrid | Roughly mid-$60,000s based on current tuition and per-unit fees | CACREP; California LPCC pathway | Live online study |
| Alliant International University | M.A. in Clinical Counseling | Online with residencies | About $51,000 before additional fees | CACREP; designed for California LPCC pathway | Online LPCC preparation |
| Concordia University Irvine | M.A. in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Online plus residency | About $42,900 at current tuition | CACREP; clinical mental health counseling | Faith-integrated training |
| San Diego State | M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling | Campus and distance options vary by concentration | Varies by format | Clinical concentration supports California LPCC education requirements | Rehabilitation counseling |
| University of San Diego | M.A. in Counseling, School Counseling | In person | About $105,000 at current published rate | CACREP; California PPS school counseling pathway | School counseling |
| University of San Francisco | M.A. School Counseling with PPS Credential | Hybrid/in person | About $56,000; roughly $69,000 with PCC concentration | PPS credential; optional LPCC-aligned route | School counseling plus LPCC flexibility |
Tuition figures reflect recent university-published rates and estimates and generally exclude housing, books, transportation, health insurance, licensing costs, and other personal expenses. Rates can change while a student is enrolled.
How we selected these programs
We did not assign schools a numerical score or create a formula that gives small differences more precision than they deserve.
Instead, we looked at the factors most likely to affect a counseling student’s decision:
- alignment with California licensure or credential requirements
- relevant programmatic accreditation
- curriculum and clinical preparation
- practicum and internship requirements
- tuition and affordability
- online, hybrid, evening, or part-time options
- specialization choices
- fit for the career the program is designed to support
Accreditation was checked against the CACREP directory where applicable.
General university reputation played a smaller role. For a professional counseling degree, the curriculum, supervised training, cost, and licensing pathway usually matter more than the university’s overall name recognition.
1. Sacramento State — M.S. in Counseling
Best overall value
Sacramento State combines public-university pricing with several counseling concentrations and a substantial amount of field training.
Students can choose from Career Counseling, Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, and School Counseling.
The Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling concentration requires 60 units and is designed to meet California educational requirements associated with both LMFT and LPCC licensure. Students complete clinical practicum work along with supervised field experience.
Career Counseling can also lead toward the LPCC educational pathway, while School Counseling is designed for students working toward a different credential.
Sacramento State estimates roughly $33,000 in tuition and student fees across the three-year program for California residents. That puts it below many private counseling programs in the state.
The program is structured, though. Students move through a cohort and should expect a fairly traditional graduate-school schedule rather than the flexibility of a fully online degree.
Admission is competitive, which is another factor to keep in mind if Sacramento State is high on your list.
This program makes the most sense for students who want strong professional preparation at a public-university price and can commit to a three-year cohort.
2. San Francisco State University — M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Best public option in the Bay Area
San Francisco State offers a 60-unit CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree with a strong clinical focus.
The curriculum includes counseling theory, assessment, diagnosis, addictions, crisis counseling, group counseling, career development, ethics, multicultural counseling, practicum, and internship training.
Students complete several semesters of supervised field experience in community agencies and other professional settings.
SFSU also expects applicants to bring substantial human-services experience. For the clinical mental health counseling track, the university has required applicants to document significant prior work in human-services settings.
That makes SFSU a better fit for someone who has already spent time working with clients, patients, students, or other populations in a helping role than for someone entering the field with no related experience.
Because SFSU is part of the CSU system, California residents may pay considerably less than they would at many private Bay Area universities.
Students with relevant experience who want a clinically focused CACREP program in the Bay Area should put SFSU on their shortlist.
3. Cal State Fullerton — M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Marriage and Family Therapy
Best for working professionals seeking LPCC/LMFT flexibility
Cal State Fullerton combines clinical mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy training in one part-time program.
The 63-unit CACREP-accredited degree is designed to cover educational requirements associated with both California LPCC and LMFT pathways.
Classes are largely scheduled for working students, with evening coursework and a cohort format rather than a traditional full-time schedule.
At a published rate of $675 per unit for the applicable cohort, 63 units would cost about $42,525 in base tuition before other expenses.
One issue is timing. CSUF does not necessarily start a new counseling cohort every year, so applicants need to check the next available entry term rather than assume they can begin the following fall.
This is one of the better options for students who want both LPCC and LMFT flexibility while continuing to work.
4. Fresno State — M.S. in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling
Best Central California option
Fresno State offers a 60-unit M.S. in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling built around professional counseling practice.
The program is CACREP-accredited and includes coursework relevant to both California LPCC and LMFT educational pathways.
Students study counseling techniques, group counseling, multicultural counseling, assessment, lifespan development, psychopathology, career development, child and adolescent therapy, family therapy, ethics, and clinical practice.
Location may matter here as much as curriculum. Students who expect to work in Fresno, Bakersfield, Visalia, or elsewhere in the Central Valley may benefit from developing field-placement contacts and professional relationships in the region where they plan to practice.
As a CSU program, Fresno State also avoids the much higher per-unit tuition common at many private universities.
It is a practical option for students seeking dual LPCC/LMFT preparation in Central California.
5. Palo Alto University — M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Best synchronous online program
Palo Alto University gives students an online option without moving entirely to self-paced coursework.
Its CACREP-accredited M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is available in online and residential-hybrid formats. Online students participate in live classes and also complete required in-person residency experiences.
Coursework includes counseling theory, diagnosis, crisis and trauma counseling, ethics, addictions, assessment, career development, multicultural counseling, practicum, and internship work.
PAU identifies the Clinical Mental Health Counseling pathway as meeting the educational component needed to pursue California LPCC licensure.
Students can also take coursework related to marriage and family counseling, but applicants should pay attention to which specific specialty carries CACREP accreditation and which coursework is tied to MFT preparation.
Cost is the main drawback. Current tuition and per-unit fees put the total academic cost well above most CSU programs.
PAU is a strong fit for someone who wants live online instruction and a program built around clinical counseling rather than a general psychology degree.
6. Alliant International University — M.A. in Clinical Counseling
Best online LPCC-focused option
Alliant offers a 60-credit M.A. in Clinical Counseling designed for students planning to pursue professional clinical counseling.
The CACREP-accredited program can be completed online, although students must attend required in-person residencies in California.
Clinical training is built into the degree, including supervised direct counseling experience.
The curriculum is designed around California LPCC preparation. Graduates still need to complete the state’s post-degree supervised experience and examination requirements before becoming licensed.
At the current published rate of $850 per credit, 60 credits come to about $51,000 in base tuition before additional program, residency, licensing, and personal expenses.
For students who know they want the LPCC route and need online coursework, Alliant offers a fairly direct path.
7. Concordia University Irvine — M.A. in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Best faith-integrated counseling program
Concordia University Irvine’s Townsend Institute offers a 60-unit M.A. in Counseling focused on Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Most of the program can be completed online, with an in-person residency included in the curriculum.
At a current published rate of $715 per unit, 60 units would cost about $42,900 in base tuition before other fees and expenses.
The program is CACREP-accredited.
The biggest difference between Concordia and several other online counseling programs is its explicit integration of Christian faith into counselor training.
For some students, that will be a major reason to choose it. For others, it may be a reason to look elsewhere.
Concordia makes the most sense for students who want online clinical mental health counseling education and specifically want faith incorporated into the program.
8. San Diego State University — M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
Best for rehabilitation and disability-focused counseling
San Diego State’s M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling is aimed at students interested in working with people with disabilities across vocational rehabilitation, community agencies, government programs, educational settings, and related environments.
Students interested in LPCC licensure need to pay close attention to the specific concentration they choose.
SDSU’s Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling concentration is designed around California LPCC educational requirements. The university has also offered a distance rehabilitation counseling track, but the online and campus options should not be assumed to lead to identical licensing outcomes.
Anyone considering SDSU should verify that the exact concentration and delivery format they plan to enroll in matches their intended license.
For students interested specifically in disability and rehabilitation work, SDSU offers a more specialized curriculum than a general clinical mental health counseling degree.
9. University of San Diego — M.A. in Counseling, School Counseling
Best dedicated school counseling option
Students planning to work in K–12 schools have different training and credential requirements than students pursuing clinical counseling licenses.
The University of San Diego offers a 60-unit M.A. in Counseling with a School Counseling specialization that combines graduate counselor education with preparation for California’s PPS School Counseling Credential.
The program is CACREP-accredited and includes extensive practicum and fieldwork in educational settings.
Cost is the biggest consideration.
At recent published tuition of about $1,751 per unit, the 60-unit program costs more than $100,000 before housing and other expenses.
Applicants should compare financial-aid offers carefully and look at lower-cost public programs before deciding whether USD’s training model justifies the difference.
For students committed to school counseling and comfortable with the cost, USD offers a clearly defined path into the profession.
10. University of San Francisco — M.A. in School Counseling
Best school counseling program with an LPCC option
USF gives school counseling students the option to add clinical counseling coursework rather than locking themselves into a single path.
The standard School Counseling M.A. includes preparation for California’s PPS School Counseling Credential.
Students can add a Professional Clinical Counseling concentration, bringing the curriculum to 60 units and adding coursework tied to LPCC preparation.
That can be useful for someone who expects to work in schools but wants to keep a future clinical counseling option open.
USF uses a mix of hybrid instruction, weekend classes, online coursework, and supervised K–12 field experience.
Recent tuition estimates put the standard school counseling route around $56,000, with the combined School Counseling and Professional Clinical Counseling pathway closer to $69,000.
USF is worth considering if school counseling is your primary goal but you do not want to close off the LPCC pathway.
How to choose a counseling master’s program in California
Start with the job you want to qualify for.
A program can be excellent and still be wrong for your career plan.
If you want to become an LPCC
Review current requirements from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences before applying.
Look for clear confirmation that the exact degree and concentration you are considering meets California LPCC educational requirements.
A 60-unit curriculum by itself does not guarantee eligibility. California also specifies required coursework, practicum training, and other conditions.
If you want to become an LMFT
Choose a program specifically designed around California LMFT education requirements.
Some programs, including Sacramento State, Fresno State, and Cal State Fullerton, include coursework intended to support both LPCC and LMFT pathways.
That can be helpful if you have not decided which license fits your future practice.
If you already know you want to become an LPCC, though, there is no need to choose a dual-license program simply because it covers more ground.
If you want to become a school counselor
School counselors in California follow a different credentialing process.
The PPS School Counseling Credential is overseen by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Look for a graduate program that includes an approved PPS pathway and the required fieldwork in school settings.
A general counseling master’s does not automatically qualify someone to work as a credentialed K–12 school counselor.
What CACREP accreditation means
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs accredits counseling programs that meet its professional education standards.
CACREP accreditation can matter for interstate mobility, some employers, doctoral study, and licensing rules in other states.
It does not replace California licensing requirements.
California LPCC eligibility is governed by state law and administered by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
A non-CACREP program may still satisfy California LPCC requirements, while a CACREP-accredited program still needs to match the license and career path you intend to pursue.
California LPCC licensure requirements
Professional clinical counselors in California are regulated by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Finishing a counseling master’s is only one part of the licensing process.
The general path includes:
- Complete qualifying graduate education. The degree must meet current California educational requirements, including required coursework and supervised practicum training.
- Register as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. Eligible graduates generally begin supervised practice as APCCs.
- Complete supervised professional experience. California requires thousands of supervised post-degree hours before full licensure.
- Pass the required examinations. Candidates must complete California’s applicable law and ethics and clinical examination requirements.
- Apply for LPCC licensure.
Students should review the BBS LPCC applicant requirements before enrolling and again as they get closer to graduation.
Someone starting a three-year program now may not apply for independent licensure until several years later. Requirements can change during that time.
School counselor credentialing in California
School counseling follows a different process.
California’s PPS School Counseling Credential is administered by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Students who plan to work in public K–12 schools should make sure their graduate program includes the appropriate credential pathway.
When comparing school counseling programs, look at:
- whether the university offers an approved PPS pathway
- the amount and type of K–12 fieldwork required
- where students complete their placements
- whether the master’s and credential are earned together
- whether optional clinical counseling coursework is available
This is why a school counseling program should not be compared directly with a clinical mental health counseling degree simply because both contain the word “counseling.”
How much does a counseling master’s cost in California?
Costs vary widely.
Public CSU programs are often among the least expensive choices for California residents.
Sacramento State, for example, estimates roughly $33,000 in tuition and student fees across its three-year counseling program.
At recent published rates:
- Cal State Fullerton’s 63-unit self-support program costs about $42,525
- Concordia Irvine’s 60-unit program costs about $42,900
- Alliant’s 60-credit program costs about $51,000
- USF’s 60-unit combined School Counseling/PCC pathway is roughly $69,000
- USD’s 60-unit School Counseling degree exceeds $100,000
Those numbers are useful for comparison, but they are not complete attendance budgets.
Other costs can include:
- university fees
- books
- health insurance
- travel for required residencies
- commuting
- background checks
- licensing exams
- reduced work hours during practicum
- unpaid or low-paid field placements
Counseling students should pay close attention to debt because the education does not end with graduation. Clinical licenses generally require additional supervised experience afterward.
A large tuition difference between two programs may matter more over time than a modest difference in school reputation.
Online vs. campus counseling programs
Online counseling degrees are much more common than they once were, but they are not entirely remote in the way some other graduate degrees can be.
Counseling requires supervised work with clients.
Programs such as Palo Alto, Alliant, and Concordia combine online classes with residencies, practicum placements, internships, or other in-person training.
Before enrolling in an online program, ask:
- Are classes live or asynchronous?
- How often do I need to travel to campus?
- Who finds the practicum site?
- Can I complete fieldwork near where I live?
- Are placements available outside normal business hours?
- Does the online track have the same accreditation as the campus track?
- Does the online version meet the licensing requirements I need?
The last question deserves extra attention.
Universities often offer several concentrations under one counseling degree, and not every concentration or delivery format necessarily supports the same license.
Check the exact program, not just the university name.
Counseling careers and job outlook
A counseling master’s can lead to several different careers depending on specialization and licensure.
Possible jobs include:
- professional clinical counselor
- marriage and family therapist
- school counselor
- rehabilitation counselor
- career counselor
- behavioral health counselor
- substance use counselor
- community mental health counselor
- college counselor
- private-practice clinician after completing applicable licensing requirements
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes national wage and employment data for mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, rehabilitation counselors, school counselors, and related occupations.
BLS projects faster-than-average growth for several counseling fields, particularly substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counseling.
National statistics are useful for comparing occupations, but they do not tell you exactly what you will earn in California.
Pay varies by license, specialty, employer, location, experience, caseload, and whether someone works in private practice.
Career outlook should be one part of the decision, not the only reason to choose a specialization.
Frequently asked questions
What degree do you need to become an LPCC in California?
California requires qualifying graduate education at the master’s or doctoral level that meets standards established by state law and administered by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Students should review the California BBS LPCC requirements and confirm that their exact degree and concentration meets current requirements.
Does an LPCC program in California have to be CACREP accredited?
No.
CACREP accreditation is not universally required for California LPCC licensure.
It may still be useful for professional mobility, employers, doctoral study, or licensing in other states.
California applicants must meet BBS requirements regardless of whether their program is CACREP-accredited.
How long does a master’s in counseling take?
Most programs take about two to three years.
Full-time programs may be completed closer to two years, while part-time cohorts and programs with extensive clinical training can take three years or longer.
Supervised practicum and internship requirements make counseling degrees harder to compress than some classroom-only master’s programs.
Can I earn a California counseling master’s online?
Yes.
Palo Alto University, Alliant International University, Concordia University Irvine, and other schools offer substantial online coursework.
Students still need supervised clinical experience, and some programs require in-person residencies.
Check that the exact online track meets the California licensing requirements you plan to pursue.
Is an LPCC the same as an LMFT?
No.
Both are mental health licenses regulated by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, but they have different educational and licensing requirements.
Some graduate programs are designed to cover coursework for both pathways.
What is the best counseling program in California?
There is no single best program for every student.
Sacramento State offers a strong mix of cost, accreditation, and specialization choices.
SFSU is a good public option for experienced applicants in the Bay Area.
CSUF may work better for students who need a part-time schedule and want both LPCC and LMFT preparation.
Palo Alto and Alliant offer more flexibility for students who need online coursework.
Students interested in school counseling should focus on PPS credential programs such as USD and USF rather than comparing them directly with clinical mental health counseling programs.
Final takeaway
Start with the license or credential you need, then compare programs.
Prospective LPCCs should verify requirements with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Future school counselors should check the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The CACREP program directory can help verify programmatic accreditation, while the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides independent career and employment data.
Once the licensing path is clear, compare cost, field training, program format, and the populations you want to work with.
Those factors are more useful than chasing a school simply because it sits a few spots higher on a ranking.