Los Angeles gives counseling students a wide range of graduate options, but the programs are not interchangeable. A master’s degree in counseling, counseling psychology, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, or school counseling can lead toward very different professional outcomes in California.
Some Los Angeles programs are designed around Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) requirements. Others prepare graduates for the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) School Counseling Credential. Cal State LA offers a specialized rehabilitation counseling route, while several private universities provide evening, hybrid, or online formats for students balancing graduate school with work.
The first step is deciding which credential or type of practice you actually want. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences regulates LMFT and LPCC licensure, while the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing oversees the PPS School Counseling Credential. Prospective students who are still sorting through degree types can also review the broader California counseling degree options.
The programs below are numbered for easier comparison, not as a strict best-to-worst ranking.
Counseling Programs in Los Angeles at a Glance
| No. | School and program | Location | Main California pathway | Units / length | 2026-27 cost reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CSU Northridge, M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy | Northridge | LMFT + LPCC | 64-67 units, 2.5-3 years | About $10,038 tuition + mandatory fees for two full-time semesters |
| 2 | Loyola Marymount University, M.A. Counseling | Westchester | LPCC, PPS, or both depending on track | 41-63 units, generally 2-3 years | $1,822 per unit plus fees |
| 3 | Pepperdine University, M.A. Clinical Psychology with MFT emphasis | West LA / Calabasas / Malibu | LMFT + LPCC | 60-66 units for evening format, about 2.5-3 years | $1,655 per unit for 2026-27 evening format |
| 4 | Mount Saint Mary’s University, M.S. Counseling Psychology, MFT | Los Angeles | LMFT + LPCC | 60 units, 2 or 3 years depending on schedule | $1,210 per unit plus semester fees |
| 5 | Antioch University Los Angeles, M.A. Clinical Psychology | Los Angeles | LMFT, with LPCC track available | 90 quarter credits, 8 full-time quarters | $956 per quarter credit |
| 6 | Cal State LA, M.S. Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling | Los Angeles | Rehabilitation counseling; LPCC preparation available through additional certificate | 70 units | About $9,648 tuition + mandatory fees for a full-time 2026-27 academic year |
| 7 | CSU Dominguez Hills, M.S. Counseling | Carson | PPS School Counseling or college counseling | 48-54 units depending on option | About $10,411 in 2026-27 graduate tuition + campus fees |
| 8 | USC, Master of Education in School Counseling | Los Angeles / online | PPS School Counseling | 49 units, about 20-21 months full time or 33 months part time | $2,467 per unit |
| 9 | The Chicago School, M.A. Marriage, Couples and Family Therapy | Los Angeles | LMFT; optional LPCC track | 60 units, 64 with LPCC track | Current 2026-27 tuition should be confirmed directly with the university |
| 10 | CSU Long Beach, M.S. Counseling Psychology | Long Beach | LMFT + LPCC | 65 units, 2-2.5 years | $10,462 tuition + mandatory fees for two full-time semesters |
Costs in this table are planning figures, not guaranteed total program prices. Private-university tuition may rise during enrollment, and public universities can have summer charges, campus fees, books, transportation, practicum expenses, and other costs beyond standard fall and spring tuition.
How We Selected Los Angeles Counseling Programs
This article focuses on graduate programs in Los Angeles and the surrounding Los Angeles County area that lead toward a recognizable counseling, therapy, or school-counseling career. The list includes public and private universities because cost, schedule, and professional outcome vary substantially across the region.
We looked at:
- the exact counseling or therapy degree offered
- California LMFT, LPCC, or PPS alignment
- required units and typical length
- practicum or fieldwork structure
- class format and scheduling
- published 2026-27 tuition when available
- programmatic accreditation where applicable
- whether the school clearly distinguishes clinical licensure from school counseling or other professional routes
Programmatic accreditation was treated separately from institution-wide accreditation. For example, CSU Northridge and The Chicago School have COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs, while Cal State LA’s Rehabilitation Counseling program is CACREP-accredited. A university can be institutionally accredited without its counseling program holding CACREP or COAMFTE accreditation.
1. CSU Northridge M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy
CSU Northridge offers one of the most complete public clinical counseling options in Los Angeles County. Its M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy is designed to prepare graduates for both California LMFT and LPCC licensure pathways.
A Dual Licensure Curriculum
The program requires approximately 64 to 67 units and follows a cohort format lasting about 2.5 to three years. Summer coursework is required. CSUN states that classes are primarily in person, with some hybrid courses, and can be scheduled during both daytime and evening hours.
The curriculum covers work with individuals, couples, families, children, adolescents, groups, trauma, substance use, and severe mental illness. Students begin practicum-related preparation early and move into community field placements during the second year.
CSUN lists potential practice settings that include:
- public and community mental health agencies
- schools
- rehabilitation centers
- private agencies
- hospitals and related clinical settings
- eventual private practice after licensure
COAMFTE Accreditation
The MFT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). That is specialized programmatic accreditation for marriage and family therapy education, not simply university-wide accreditation.
Students primarily interested in LPCC practice should still review the exact California coursework and post-degree requirements with the Board of Behavioral Sciences LPCC information. CSUN’s program supports both pathways, but LMFT and LPCC remain separate licenses.
Public University Cost
CSUN lists 2026-27 full-time graduate tuition and mandatory fees of $5,019 per semester, or about $10,038 for fall and spring. Required summer coursework and scheduled future CSU tuition increases mean a simple two-semester annual figure is not the total price of the degree.
CSUN is a strong fit for a student who wants Los Angeles-area clinical training, public-university tuition, dual LMFT/LPCC preparation, and COAMFTE accreditation.
2. Loyola Marymount University M.A. in Counseling
Loyola Marymount University’s counseling department is unusually flexible because it supports several different professional endpoints rather than requiring every student to follow the same route.
Clinical, School, and College Counseling Paths
LMU lists four main options:
| LMU counseling path | Units | Field experience | Primary direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.A. Counseling, LPCC track | 60 | 600 internship hours | LPCC |
| M.A. Counseling, LPCC + PPS/CWA | 63 | 800 internship hours | LPCC + school counseling |
| M.A. School Counseling + PPS/CWA | 51 | 800 internship hours | K-12 school counseling |
| M.A. College Counseling and Student Affairs | 41 | 300 internship hours | Higher education counseling/student affairs |
That range lets applicants compare clinical counseling and education-based work within one department. The 63-unit option combines LPCC and school counseling preparation.
Schedule and Cost
LMU says its counseling programs generally take two to three years depending on the selected track and pace. Courses are scheduled on weekdays in late afternoons and evenings, which can be more workable for employed students than a daytime-only cohort.
The university publishes an estimated 2026 cost of $1,822 per unit plus fees for these programs. At that rate, a 60-unit LPCC curriculum would represent more than $109,000 in base tuition if the rate remained unchanged, so applicants should compare financial aid and future tuition carefully.
The public CSU programs are substantially less expensive. LMU’s case is instead based on the number of professional pathways available in one counseling department, evening scheduling, and the ability to combine LPCC and PPS preparation.
3. Pepperdine University M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy
Pepperdine is one of the most visible clinical psychology programs in the Los Angeles area and offers multiple schedules and locations through its Graduate School of Education and Psychology.
The evening MFT program is particularly relevant to working students because it is offered in West Los Angeles, Calabasas, Irvine, and online, with evening classes and occasional weekends.
LMFT and LPCC Preparation
Pepperdine states that graduates of the evening Clinical Psychology program meet the educational requirements for both LMFT and LPCC licensure in California. The evening curriculum runs approximately 60 to 66 units and generally takes 2.5 to three years.
Clinical work starts early. Pepperdine reports that students begin supervised clinical experience in the second term and can draw from more than 130 practicum site partners.
The program may work well for students who want:
- an LMFT/LPCC curriculum
- evening scheduling
- several Southern California instructional locations
- an online option
- a large clinical placement network
Different Formats Have Different Prices
For 2026-27, Pepperdine lists the evening MFT program at $1,655 per unit. The daytime MFT format is more expensive at $2,060 per unit. That difference is large enough that students should compare format-specific tuition rather than quoting a single Pepperdine graduate rate.
Pepperdine also offers a Clinical Psychology program with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy with Latinx Communities. The 2026-27 rate is also listed at $1,655 per unit, and the program includes coursework and clinical preparation focused on serving Latinx communities.
Pepperdine is not among the low-cost Los Angeles choices, but its location options and evening structure may reduce practical barriers for students who cannot attend a traditional daytime program.
4. Mount Saint Mary’s University M.S. in Counseling Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy
Mount Saint Mary’s University offers a 60-unit MFT specialization within its M.S. in Counseling Psychology. The program is designed to prepare graduates for California LMFT or LPCC licensure.
Two Different Paces
MSMU gives students a clear choice between a faster daytime schedule and a longer evening schedule.
- Daytime option: approximately two years over six fall, spring, and summer semesters
- Evening option: approximately three years over nine fall, spring, and summer semesters
Practicum begins during the second year for daytime students and during the third year for evening students. That schedule difference matters for applicants who plan to continue working while enrolled.
An Option for Spanish Speaking Counselors
MSMU also offers the ¡Enlaces! certificate within the MFT specialization. It is intended for students with conversational Spanish proficiency and incorporates bilingual coursework, professional terminology, cultural issues, and clinical experience with Spanish-speaking clients.
That gives bilingual counseling students a distinct clinical option.
Tuition
For 2026-27, the university lists Counseling Psychology tuition at $1,210 per unit. A simple 60-unit calculation at that current rate is $72,600 before semester fees and future tuition changes. MSMU also lists a $225 university services fee and $115 graduate psychology program fee per semester.
The program does not advertise CACREP or COAMFTE accreditation. Its value is based on California licensure preparation, scheduling choices, location, and the optional bilingual clinical focus.
5. Antioch University Los Angeles M.A. in Clinical Psychology
Antioch University Los Angeles offers a 90-quarter-credit M.A. in Clinical Psychology built primarily around California MFT preparation. Students can add the Professional Clinical Counselor track to meet the educational requirements associated with LPCC practice.
Specializations Are a Major Part of the Program
Antioch’s Los Angeles program includes several specialty areas rather than treating the degree as one general clinical curriculum. Current areas include options related to:
- addiction and recovery
- child studies
- general practice
- LGBTQ-affirmative psychology
- professional clinical counseling
- psychological trauma
- spiritual and depth psychology
The degree can be completed over eight full-time quarters or 16 part-time quarters. Antioch also offers a low-residency version of the Clinical Psychology master’s for students who need greater geographic flexibility.
Clinical Placement Across Los Angeles
The university reports relationships with more than 100 affiliated mental health service agencies. That is particularly relevant in Los Angeles, where the location and schedule of practicum can become as important as the location of the classroom.
Antioch states that the standard degree meets California educational requirements for MFT licensure. Students pursuing LPCC eligibility need to select the additional PCC coursework rather than assuming the base MFT curriculum automatically covers both.
The published cost is $956 per quarter credit for the Clinical Psychology master’s. Multiplying that by 90 quarter credits produces a current-rate base tuition estimate of about $86,040 before fees or future increases.
6. Cal State LA M.S. in Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling
Cal State LA is the most specialized counseling option on this list. Its M.S. in Counseling with an option in Rehabilitation Counseling prepares students to work with people with disabilities and to address vocational, personal, social, and independent-living goals.
CACREP Accredited Rehabilitation Counseling
The Rehabilitation Counseling option is CACREP-accredited. CACREP is programmatic accreditation for counseling education and is separate from Cal State LA’s institution-wide accreditation.
The current curriculum is listed at 70 units. Typical professional settings can include state rehabilitation agencies, disability services, Veterans Affairs programs, hospitals, community organizations, workforce programs, and related counseling environments.
LPCC Requires Additional Planning
Students who want professional clinical counseling preparation can add Cal State LA’s Certificate in Clinical Counseling. The certificate requires 21 units and is available to students currently enrolled in the Rehabilitation Counseling M.S.
That distinction matters. The rehabilitation counseling degree should not be presented as a standard 60-unit clinical mental health counseling program. Its primary focus is rehabilitation, with an additional route for students who want clinical counseling coursework.
One of the Lowest Tuition Options
Cal State LA lists 2026-27 graduate tuition and mandatory fees of approximately $9,648 for two full-time semesters. Fall 2026 alone is listed at $4,821.04 for graduate students taking more than six units.
For students specifically interested in rehabilitation, disability, vocational counseling, or related public-service settings, the combination of CACREP accreditation and CSU pricing is difficult to ignore.
7. CSU Dominguez Hills M.S. in Counseling
CSU Dominguez Hills is aimed at educational counseling rather than LMFT or general clinical practice. The M.S. in Counseling has School Counseling and College Counseling options, and students can add related credentials or certificates depending on the path selected.
School Counseling and College Counseling Are Different Options
The School Counseling option requires approximately 51 to 54 units and incorporates the PPS School Counseling Credential. The College Counseling option requires approximately 48 to 51 units and focuses on counseling in postsecondary settings.
Students in either option can pursue additional preparation:
- School Counseling students can add a Certificate in College Counseling.
- College Counseling students can add the PPS School Counseling Credential.
- Eligible students can also add the Child Welfare and Attendance authorization.
The program generally requires a two- to three-year commitment and is not currently offered as an online degree.
Fieldwork Is Built In
CSUDH requires field-based practice for its degree and credential objectives. The university’s school counseling preparation is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
California’s PPS route is separate from LMFT and LPCC licensure. The CTC’s current school counseling requirements require California-prepared candidates to complete a Commission-approved program of at least 48 semester units, including practicum preparation, and receive the university’s formal recommendation.
For 2026-27, CSUDH lists graduate tuition of $8,548 plus approximately $1,863 in campus fees for a full-time academic year, or about $10,411 before books, transportation, and living expenses.
8. USC Master of Education in School Counseling
USC Rossier’s Master of Education in School Counseling is designed specifically for K-12 school counseling and is delivered online. It should not be compared directly with an LMFT program simply because both involve counseling coursework.
A 49 Unit PPS Program
The degree requires 49 units. USC lists a full-time completion time of approximately 20 to 21 months and a part-time option of about 33 months.
The curriculum includes:
- a 100-hour practicum
- 700 hours of fieldwork across two terms
- academic and social-emotional counseling
- college and career readiness
- restorative justice
- trauma-informed practice
USC states that qualified graduates who complete all program and credential requirements can be recommended for the California PPS School Counseling Clear Credential and Child Welfare and Attendance authorization.
Online Classes, Local Fieldwork
Although the academic program is online, the field experience is not hypothetical or fully remote. Students complete counseling practice in K-12 school environments, and USC’s placement staff help identify appropriate sites.
For 2026-27, USC publishes tuition of $2,467 per unit. At 49 units, that equals approximately $120,883 in tuition at the current rate before fees and future increases. USC also reports merit scholarships ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 for some admitted School Counseling students.
The program makes the most practical sense for someone who specifically wants school counseling, values online coursework, and can accommodate substantial local field experience.
9. The Chicago School M.A. in Marriage, Couples and Family Therapy
The Chicago School’s Los Angeles M.A. in Marriage, Couples and Family Therapy is a clinical program based on systemic and relational treatment.
COAMFTE Accreditation and an Optional LPCC Track
The standard program requires 60 credit hours. Los Angeles students can add a four-credit Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor track, bringing the curriculum to 64 credits.
The MFT program at the Los Angeles campus is accredited by COAMFTE. That programmatic accreditation applies specifically to marriage and family therapy education.
The current curriculum requires at least:
- 300 hours of face-to-face supervised clinical experience
- 100 hours of MFT relational/systemic supervision
- a clinical competency evaluation
- a written comprehensive examination
The practicum sequence extends across four semesters.
Check the Current Tuition Directly
A clearly published 2026-27 tuition rate for this specific program was not available in the official sources reviewed for this article. Rather than use an older rate or estimate, applicants should request the current per-credit cost directly from The Chicago School.
The program is a useful private-university alternative for students who want COAMFTE-accredited MFT education and optional LPCC coursework.
10. CSU Long Beach M.S. in Counseling Psychology
Long Beach sits outside the City of Los Angeles but remains in Los Angeles County, and CSULB’s Counseling Psychology program is relevant enough to include for students comparing programs across the metro area.
A Faster Public Dual License Option
The M.S. in Counseling Psychology requires 65 units and prepares students for both LMFT and LPCC pathways in California. Students can follow a two-year or 2.5-year sequence.
Classes are primarily scheduled in late afternoons and evenings, with some weekend requirements. The program includes a mix of in-person and synchronous online coursework, but it is not a fully online master’s.
That combination makes CSULB one of the more practical options for a Los Angeles County resident who wants:
- both LMFT and LPCC preparation
- a public-university tuition structure
- a program that may be completed in less than three years
- some evening scheduling
Accreditation and Cost
CSULB does not list CACREP or COAMFTE accreditation for the Counseling Psychology M.S. That does not prevent the program from being designed around California clinical licensure requirements, but applicants specifically seeking specialized accreditation should compare CSUN, Cal State LA, or The Chicago School depending on their intended field.
For 2026-27, CSULB lists full-time graduate tuition and mandatory fees at $5,231 per semester, or $10,462 across two regular semesters. Summer enrollment and future tuition increases can raise the total cost.
Comparing Los Angeles Programs by Career Goal
The easiest way to narrow the list is to start with the credential rather than the school name.
| Career goal | Los Angeles programs to compare |
|---|---|
| LMFT | CSUN, Pepperdine, Mount Saint Mary’s, Antioch, The Chicago School, CSULB |
| LPCC | CSUN, LMU, Pepperdine, Mount Saint Mary’s, Antioch PCC track, Cal State LA with clinical counseling preparation, The Chicago School LPCC track, CSULB |
| PPS School Counseling | LMU, CSUDH, USC |
| College counseling/student affairs | LMU, CSUDH |
| Rehabilitation counseling | Cal State LA |
This is not a substitute for reviewing the exact curriculum. California law and agency rules can change, and universities sometimes revise program requirements from one catalog year to the next.
LPCC Requirements in California
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences regulates Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors. For current applicants, the BBS points to Business and Professions Code Section 4999.33 for the minimum degree requirements.
California programs intended for LPCC preparation generally include at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units and required counseling content areas. Graduation is not the end of the process. Applicants also move through Associate Professional Clinical Counselor registration, supervised post-degree experience, examinations, and other BBS requirements.
The official BBS LPCC applicant page should be treated as the primary authority.
One common mistake is assuming that every counseling master’s qualifies. It does not. A college counseling program, general psychology degree, or school counseling curriculum may not satisfy the BBS educational requirements unless the university specifically structures it for LPCC eligibility.
LMFT Requirements in California
California’s LMFT pathway is also regulated by the BBS. Current qualifying degree requirements generally call for a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related mental health field containing at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of graduate instruction and the required clinical content.
Students also complete supervised practicum during graduate school. After graduation, they must register appropriately with the BBS, accrue qualifying supervised experience, complete required examinations, and satisfy the other licensing rules.
Programs in this guide that explicitly identify LMFT preparation include CSUN, Pepperdine, Mount Saint Mary’s, Antioch, The Chicago School, and CSULB.
The official BBS LMFT applicant page should be checked before enrollment and again as graduation approaches because requirements can change.
School Counseling Is a Different California Credential
A California public-school counselor generally needs the PPS Credential with a School Counseling specialization rather than an LMFT or LPCC license.
For candidates educated in California, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing currently requires a bachelor’s degree or higher and completion of a Commission-approved post-baccalaureate school counseling preparation program of at least 48 semester units, including practicum experience with school-aged children. The university then formally recommends the candidate to the CTC.
LMU, CSUDH, and USC offer clear Los Angeles-area routes toward the PPS credential. Each has a different structure:
- LMU offers PPS preparation by itself or combined with an LPCC pathway.
- CSUDH allows students to connect school and college counseling preparation.
- USC delivers its 49-unit school counseling curriculum online with extensive fieldwork.
Students who want to provide psychotherapy in clinical settings should not assume a PPS degree is the same as an LPCC or LMFT degree.
How Much Do Counseling Programs in Los Angeles Cost?
Los Angeles has a particularly wide tuition spread.
The CSU programs are the lowest-cost options for California residents. CSUN, Cal State LA, CSUDH, and CSULB all use the CSU systemwide graduate tuition structure, with campus-specific mandatory fees added.
Private programs can move much higher:
| Private university | Current published tuition reference |
|---|---|
| Antioch University Los Angeles | $956 per quarter credit |
| Mount Saint Mary’s University | $1,210 per semester unit |
| Pepperdine evening MFT | $1,655 per semester unit |
| Loyola Marymount University counseling | $1,822 per unit |
| USC School Counseling | $2,467 per unit |
| The Chicago School | Current program-specific 2026-27 rate should be confirmed directly |
Tuition still does not tell the whole story. Fieldwork can reduce paid work hours, while Los Angeles commuting can add substantial time and transportation costs.
A student who can live near CSUN and complete a field placement in the San Fernando Valley may have a very different total cost than someone commuting across the county several days a week, even if the two universities charge similar tuition.
Counseling Careers in the Los Angeles Area
Los Angeles County provides a large employment base for counselors and therapists. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in July 2026 that the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metropolitan area had an overall mean hourly wage of $37.15 across occupations based on May 2025 data. The BLS metropolitan definition includes Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Nationally, the BLS reports that substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors had a median annual wage of $59,350 in May 2025. Employment in that occupation is projected to grow 18% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. See the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for mental health counselors.
Work settings around Los Angeles can include:
- county and community mental health agencies
- hospitals and healthcare systems
- K-12 schools
- colleges and universities
- substance use treatment programs
- disability and rehabilitation agencies
- nonprofit organizations
- residential treatment programs
- private group practices
- independent private practice after applicable licensure requirements are met
The exact job options depend heavily on the degree and credential. A PPS school counselor, rehabilitation counselor, LMFT, and LPCC can all work in helping professions but do not have identical scopes of practice or employment requirements.
How to Choose a Counseling Program in Los Angeles
Start with the professional outcome. If you want to provide psychotherapy, determine whether your preferred path is LMFT, LPCC, or a program that supports both. If your goal is K-12 counseling, focus on CTC-approved PPS programs. If disability and vocational counseling are central to your interests, Cal State LA’s rehabilitation counseling curriculum deserves a separate look.
Then compare the practical details:
- Is the program in person, hybrid, or online?
- Are classes held during the day or evening?
- How many summers are required?
- Where are practicum sites located?
- Can you maintain your current work schedule during field training?
- Is the program CACREP- or COAMFTE-accredited, and does that matter for your goals?
- Does the published tuition apply to the entire program or only the current academic year?
- Are you paying for 60 semester units, 90 quarter credits, or another structure?
- Does the program lead directly toward the California license or credential you want?
Los Angeles has enough counseling programs that students do not need to choose solely on name recognition. A lower-cost CSU may provide a direct clinical route. A private university may offer the evening schedule or specialization that makes graduate school workable. A school counseling program may be ideal for one student and completely wrong for another.
Before enrolling, verify current professional requirements directly with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for LMFT and LPCC licensure or the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for the PPS School Counseling Credential. Licensing, credential, tuition, and curriculum requirements can change.