A Master of Arts and a Master of Science in Counseling can look like different academic routes, but in California the distinction is usually much smaller than the degree titles suggest.
An MA in Counseling can prepare a graduate for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) licensure. So can an MS. An MA in Counseling Psychology can prepare students for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and LPCC pathways. An MS in Counseling Psychology can do the same. California licensing rules focus on the content, units, practicum, and other requirements within the qualifying graduate degree rather than whether the diploma says Master of Arts or Master of Science.
That makes MA versus MS a different kind of comparison from LPCC versus LMFT or counseling versus social work. The letters themselves usually do not determine professional scope, license eligibility, salary, or whether a program is clinically rigorous.
The more useful questions are:
- Which California license does the program prepare you for?
- Is the exact program CACREP-accredited or otherwise programmatically accredited?
- How much practicum and internship experience is required?
- Does the curriculum emphasize clinical mental health counseling, family systems, school counseling, career counseling, or another specialty?
- Is the program public or private, full time or part time, online or campus based?
- What will the entire degree cost?
This guide compares MA and MS counseling degrees using current California licensing rules and real California programs on both sides.
Students still comparing degree types can also review the broader counseling degree landscape in California.
MA vs MS in Counseling at a Glance
| Question | MA in Counseling | MS in Counseling |
|---|---|---|
| Can qualify for California LPCC licensure? | Yes, if the program meets BBS requirements | Yes, if the program meets BBS requirements |
| Can qualify for California LMFT licensure? | Yes, when the program meets MFT education requirements | Yes, when the program meets MFT education requirements |
| Typical degree names | MA Counseling, MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MA Counseling Psychology, MA Clinical Counseling | MS Counseling, MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS Counseling Psychology |
| Is one inherently more clinical? | No | No |
| Is one inherently more research-focused? | No universal rule | No universal rule |
| Does one require a thesis? | Depends on the university | Depends on the university |
| Can be CACREP-accredited? | Yes | Yes |
| Can lead to private practice? | Yes, after applicable licensure | Yes, after applicable licensure |
| Can lead to the same California license? | Yes | Yes |
| Does the MA/MS label affect BBS supervised-hour requirements after graduation? | No | No |
| Does the MA/MS label determine salary? | No | No |
| More important than the degree label | Curriculum, license alignment, accreditation, practicum, cost, format | Curriculum, license alignment, accreditation, practicum, cost, format |
The short answer is that California students should not choose a counseling program based primarily on whether it awards an MA or MS.
Is There a Formal Difference Between an MA and MS in Counseling?
There is no universal national rule requiring counseling MA programs to follow one type of curriculum and counseling MS programs to follow another.
Some universities use Master of Arts because the degree is housed in a school of education, counseling, liberal arts, or psychology. Others use Master of Science because the program sits in a health sciences, behavioral sciences, or research-oriented academic unit. In many cases, the name reflects institutional convention more than a major difference in professional preparation.
California provides clear examples.
The University of San Diego’s MA in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a 60-unit CACREP-accredited program designed for LPCC preparation.
San Francisco State University’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is also a minimum 60-unit CACREP-accredited program designed for LPCC preparation.
One awards an MA. The other awards an MS. Both belong to the same CACREP specialty and lead toward the same California professional license.
That is more useful evidence than assuming an MS must automatically be more scientific or an MA must automatically be more theoretical.
What Is an MA in Counseling?
An MA in Counseling is a graduate counseling degree that can be designed for clinical counseling, school counseling, marriage and family therapy, college counseling, or another specialty.
The actual curriculum depends on the university.
California examples include:
- University of San Diego, MA in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Alliant International University, MA in Clinical Counseling
- Santa Clara University, MA in Counseling Psychology
- University of San Francisco, MA in Counseling Psychology
- Loyola Marymount University, MA in Counseling
- Saybrook University, MA in Counseling
Some of these programs are LPCC-focused. Some are LMFT-focused. Some can support both.
An MA Can Be a Full Clinical Counseling Degree
The University of San Diego is a good example.
Its MA in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires 60 units and is nationally accredited by CACREP. USD states that graduates are educationally eligible to become Associate Professional Clinical Counselors in California before completing the state’s post-graduate supervised experience and examination requirements.
The curriculum is not less clinical because the degree says MA.
Students complete the graduate coursework and supervised professional practice expected within a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
For 2026-27, USD lists tuition at $1,785 per unit and estimates total tuition at $107,100.
An MA Can Also Be a Counseling Psychology Degree
Santa Clara University awards an MA in Counseling Psychology.
The program requires 90 quarter units and allows students to pursue:
- MFT preparation
- LPCC preparation
- joint MFT/LPCC preparation
- a non-licensure track
Students can also add concentrations such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Community Mental Health, Health Psychology, Latine Counseling, or LGBTQ+ Counseling.
For 2026-27, Santa Clara lists Counseling Psychology tuition at $816 per quarter unit.
The MA title therefore does not point toward one specific California license.
What Is an MS in Counseling?
An MS in Counseling is also a graduate professional counseling degree whose structure depends on the university.
California examples include:
- San Francisco State University, MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Sacramento State, MS Counseling
- CSU Long Beach, MS Counseling Psychology
- CSU Northridge, MS Marriage and Family Therapy
- Cal State Fullerton, MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy
- Fresno State, MS Counseling programs
Again, the degree designation does not create one standard professional route.
An MS Can Be a Conventional LPCC Degree
San Francisco State’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling MS is a minimum 60-unit program designed around California LPCC requirements.
The required curriculum includes areas such as:
- counseling theory
- assessment
- career counseling
- group counseling
- crisis counseling
- addictions
- psychopharmacology
- law and ethics
- case management
- practicum
- internship
CACREP currently lists the program as accredited through October 31, 2027, with reaffirmation in process.
For 2026-27, SF State lists full-time graduate tuition and mandatory local fees of $5,267 per semester.
An MS Can Also Prepare Students for LMFT and LPCC
CSU Long Beach’s MS in Counseling Psychology requires 65 units.
CSULB states that the degree prepares students to meet the competencies required for both California LMFT and LPCC licensure.
Training areas include:
- family systems
- couples counseling
- child and adolescent counseling
- trauma and grief
- substance use
- human sexuality
- multicultural counseling
- group therapy
- clinical case formulation
For 2026-27, CSULB lists full-time master’s tuition and mandatory fees at $5,231 per semester.
The MS label does not make this a laboratory-oriented psychology degree. It is a professional clinical counseling program.
California Licensing Rules Do Not Prefer MA Over MS
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences regulates both LPCC and LMFT licensure.
For LPCC applicants, the BBS focuses on whether the applicant holds a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree that meets California’s statutory education requirements.
The Board’s current LPCC handbook identifies three basic requirements for the qualifying degree:
- at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units
- the content required under California law
- required practicum preparation
The Board does not create one standard for MA graduates and another for MS graduates.
The same principle applies to LMFT education. California law recognizes several qualifying graduate degree titles, including Counseling Psychology and other counseling or psychotherapy degrees that meet the statutory requirements.
A program’s MA or MS designation is therefore secondary to whether the curriculum qualifies.
MA vs MS for LPCC Licensure
Both degree labels appear among current California LPCC programs.
California MA Examples for LPCC
The University of San Diego’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a 60-unit CACREP program designed for APCC eligibility and eventual LPCC licensure.
Alliant’s MA in Clinical Counseling is another example. The program requires 60 credits, can be completed in a minimum of two years, and is CACREP-accredited.
Alliant currently lists Clinical Counseling tuition at $850 per unit.
Santa Clara’s MA in Counseling Psychology also offers a dedicated LPCC track.
California MS Examples for LPCC
San Francisco State’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is CACREP-accredited and LPCC-oriented.
Sacramento State’s MS in Counseling has several CACREP-accredited concentrations that meet California LPCC educational requirements.
Its Career Counseling and Rehabilitation Counseling concentrations support LPCC preparation, while the Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling concentration prepares graduates for both LMFT and LPCC.
The conclusion is straightforward: California does not treat an MA as the LPCC degree and an MS as something else.
MA vs MS for LMFT Licensure
The same flexibility appears in MFT education.
MA Counseling Psychology Programs Can Lead to LMFT
Santa Clara’s MA in Counseling Psychology offers an MFT track.
The University of San Francisco’s MA in Counseling Psychology with a Marriage and Family Therapy concentration is a 60-unit degree designed around California LMFT preparation.
USF also allows students to complete additional requirements associated with LPCC eligibility.
For 2026-27, USF lists Counseling Psychology MFT tuition at $1,350 per unit, or about $81,000 across 60 units at the current rate.
MS Programs Can Lead to LMFT Too
CSULB’s MS in Counseling Psychology supports both LMFT and LPCC preparation.
Sacramento State’s MS in Counseling, Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling is another dual-license example.
The Sacramento State program requires 60 units, a 100-hour clinical practicum, and 600 hours of fieldwork. It is CACREP-accredited under the Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling specialty.
The MA/MS designation therefore tells prospective MFT students very little by itself.
MA and MS Programs Can Both Be CACREP-Accredited
CACREP accreditation is one of the clearest ways to show why the degree letters do not create a professional hierarchy.
CACREP’s current California directory includes both MA and MS programs.
Examples include:
| University | CACREP specialty | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| University of San Diego | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | MA |
| University of San Diego | School Counseling | MA |
| San Francisco State University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | MS |
| San Francisco State University | Career Counseling | MS |
| San Francisco State University | School Counseling | MS |
| San Francisco State University | College Counseling and Student Affairs | MS |
| Saybrook University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | MA |
| Sacramento State | School Counseling and other counseling specialties | MS |
CACREP evaluates whether the counseling program meets its standards. It does not treat an MS as inherently stronger than an MA.
For students who care about professional portability, checking the exact CACREP status is more useful than choosing based on the degree designation.
MA vs MS: Is the MS More Research-Focused?
Sometimes, but not reliably enough to use as a rule.
In some academic disciplines, universities use MS for programs with more quantitative research, laboratory science, or a formal thesis and MA for programs with more humanities or applied coursework.
Professional counseling programs do not consistently follow that pattern.
A counseling MS may be overwhelmingly practice-oriented. A counseling MA may include research methods, assessment, statistics, and evidence-based practice.
Licensure-track programs also need to devote substantial credit hours to professional education and supervised practice, which limits how much the MA versus MS distinction can predict.
A prospective student who cares about research should check:
- required research methods courses
- statistics requirements
- thesis versus comprehensive exam
- capstone or culminating project
- faculty research opportunities
- access to research assistantships
- preparation for doctoral study
Do not infer those features from the degree letters.
Does an MS Look Better Than an MA to Employers?
There is no general reason to assume it does.
For licensed counseling roles, employers are usually more interested in:
- whether you hold the required license
- associate versus fully licensed status
- clinical experience
- specialization
- population served
- practicum and internship background
- language skills
- experience with evidence-based treatment
- supervision
- fit with the employer’s setting
An LPCC with an MA and an LPCC with an MS hold the same California license.
The same applies to LMFTs.
The professional license is generally more relevant to scope of practice than the wording of the master’s degree.
Before licensure, employers hiring APCCs or AMFTs may pay closer attention to the university, training, clinical experience, and program fit than to MA versus MS.
Does MA vs MS Affect Salary?
Not by itself.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish separate salary categories for counselors with MA degrees and counselors with MS degrees.
BLS tracks occupations.
For substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook reports a median annual wage of $59,350 in May 2025.
For marriage and family therapists, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $66,940 in May 2025.
Those figures reflect occupations, not MA versus MS status.
Actual earnings depend on factors such as:
- license
- experience
- employer
- geographic location
- specialization
- private versus public employment
- insurance participation
- clinical setting
- self-employment or private practice
A more expensive MS does not automatically lead to a higher salary than a less expensive MA.
MA vs MS Program Costs in California
The degree letters also do not predict tuition.
Public MS programs can be much less expensive than private MA programs, but that difference comes from institutional type rather than the MS designation.
Consider four current California examples:
| Program | Degree | Current published cost reference |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco State Clinical Mental Health Counseling | MS | $5,267 per full-time semester in 2026-27 |
| CSU Long Beach Counseling Psychology | MS | $5,231 per full-time semester in 2026-27 |
| University of San Diego Clinical Mental Health Counseling | MA | $1,785 per unit; $107,100 estimated total tuition |
| Santa Clara Counseling Psychology | MA | $816 per quarter unit |
That does not mean MS programs are inherently cheaper.
Alliant’s MA in Clinical Counseling currently costs $850 per unit, while the University of San Francisco’s MA in Counseling Psychology MFT costs $1,350 per unit. Private MS programs can also carry private-university pricing.
Cost follows the university’s funding model, program structure, and tuition policies, not the Arts versus Science label.
A Direct Comparison: MA vs MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The clearest California comparison is University of San Diego versus San Francisco State.
| Feature | University of San Diego | San Francisco State |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | MA Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling | MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
| Units | 60 | Minimum 60 |
| Main California pathway | LPCC | LPCC |
| CACREP accreditation | Yes | Yes |
| Delivery | In person | In person |
| Professional identity | Clinical mental health counseling | Clinical mental health counseling |
| 2026-27 cost reference | $1,785 per unit; $107,100 estimated tuition | $5,267 per full-time semester |
Both programs are built around Clinical Mental Health Counseling and California LPCC preparation.
The substantial differences are tuition, institution type, program environment, admission process, faculty, location, and student experience.
MA versus MS is one of the least consequential differences between them.
A Direct Comparison: MA vs MS in Counseling Psychology
Santa Clara University and CSU Long Beach provide a similar contrast.
| Feature | Santa Clara University | CSU Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | MA Counseling Psychology | MS Counseling Psychology |
| Units | 90 quarter units or more depending on track | 65 semester units |
| California pathways | MFT, LPCC, joint MFT/LPCC, or non-licensure | LMFT + LPCC |
| Optional concentrations | Yes, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Community Mental Health | Program uses broader integrated clinical curriculum |
| Programmatic accreditation | Institutional accreditation; licensure-aligned tracks | No CACREP/COAMFTE accreditation identified for this program |
| 2026-27 cost reference | $816 per quarter unit | $5,231 per full-time semester |
Both are Counseling Psychology master’s degrees. One is an MA and one is an MS.
The larger differences are quarter versus semester structure, private versus public tuition, track flexibility, concentration choices, and programmatic accreditation.
Again, the degree letters explain very little about professional eligibility.
MA vs MS for Doctoral Study
Neither designation automatically provides a better route to a doctorate.
Doctoral admissions committees can look at:
- GPA
- research experience
- statistics and research methods preparation
- faculty recommendations
- clinical experience
- scholarly writing
- fit with the doctoral program
- prerequisite coursework
A student interested in a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision may place extra weight on graduating from a CACREP-accredited master’s program.
A student interested in a psychology doctorate may need additional psychology prerequisites or research experience depending on the program.
The master’s label is only one small part of the application.
Students with doctoral goals should review the admissions requirements of likely doctoral programs before selecting the master’s degree.
MA vs MS for Interstate Licensure
The exact accreditation and curriculum are more useful than the degree designation.
Most states use counselor licenses such as LPC, LCPC, LMHC, or LPCC. State boards examine education, practicum, supervised experience, exams, and other requirements.
A CACREP-accredited MA and a CACREP-accredited MS generally present the same basic national counselor-education credential.
For example, CACREP recognizes both USD’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and SFSU’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling as accredited programs.
Students who may move should check the licensing board in the destination state before enrolling.
Do not assume an MS will travel better simply because it says Science.
Admissions: Is an MA Easier to Get Into Than an MS?
There is no consistent rule.
Admissions standards are set by each university.
Counseling programs may consider:
- undergraduate GPA
- prerequisite psychology or statistics coursework
- human-services experience
- letters of recommendation
- statement of purpose
- interview performance
- experience with diverse populations
- professional goals
- fit with the counseling profession
USD’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling currently lists a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and does not require a standardized admissions test. Qualified applicants may be invited to a group interview.
Other MA and MS programs use different criteria.
Applicants should compare actual admissions requirements rather than assuming one degree type is academically harder to enter.
What About MA vs MS for School Counseling?
The same principle applies.
California’s PPS School Counseling Credential is controlled by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, not by whether the master’s says MA or MS.
Current CACREP-accredited California school counseling programs illustrate both degree types:
- University of San Diego awards an MA
- Sacramento State awards an MS
- San Francisco State awards an MS
All can provide professional school counseling preparation within their respective approved curricula.
The credential pathway and program approval are more important than the graduate degree letters.
What About MA vs MS for Counseling Psychology?
Counseling Psychology creates even more variation because California universities use the title for several different professional paths.
An MA in Counseling Psychology can be:
- MFT-oriented
- LPCC-oriented
- dual MFT/LPCC
- school counseling-related
- non-licensure, depending on the university
An MS in Counseling Psychology can be structured similarly.
The phrase “Counseling Psychology” does not mean the degree leads to psychologist licensure. California psychologist licensure requires a qualifying doctoral degree through the California Board of Psychology.
A master’s in Counseling Psychology should therefore be evaluated based on the specific BBS license it supports.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose the program, not the letters.
An MA may be the better option when it offers:
- the exact LPCC or LMFT curriculum you want
- CACREP accreditation
- better practicum placements
- a concentration aligned with your clinical interests
- online or evening scheduling
- a location that works for you
- a lower total cost
- stronger faculty fit
An MS may be the better option for the same reasons.
Before enrolling, compare:
- California licensure eligibility
- exact programmatic accreditation
- required graduate units
- practicum and internship hours
- curriculum and specialty courses
- faculty expertise
- delivery format
- program length
- total tuition and fees
- field-placement opportunities
- admissions requirements
- portability to any state where you may later practice
- doctoral preparation if further study is part of your plan
If two programs lead to the same license and have similar accreditation, the MA versus MS distinction should usually be far down the decision list.
Bottom Line
In California counseling education, MA versus MS is primarily a degree-designation difference, not a separate professional pathway.
Both can lead to LPCC licensure. Both can lead to LMFT licensure when the curriculum is designed for it. Both can be clinically rigorous. Both can include research, assessment, diagnosis, practicum, and supervised field experience.
Both can also be CACREP-accredited. The University of San Diego awards an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, while San Francisco State awards an MS in the same CACREP specialty. Both prepare students for California LPCC practice.
Counseling Psychology shows the same pattern. Santa Clara awards an MA and offers MFT, LPCC, and dual tracks. CSU Long Beach awards an MS and prepares students for both LMFT and LPCC pathways.
The practical decision should be based on license alignment, accreditation, clinical training, specialization, format, cost, and career goals.
California licensing requirements can change. Before enrolling, verify the exact program with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and confirm that the curriculum is designed for the license you plan to pursue.