Fastest Way To Become a Counselor in New Jersey 2025

The credentials to become a counselor in New Jersey can be intimidating, but they're all necessary for those looking for a career in counseling services. Becoming a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or licensed associate counselor (LAC) can be a fulfilling career with lots of room for advancement.

The fastest way to become a therapist is to study at a high-quality institution and consider taking accelerated courses. You can also combine your bachelor's and master's degree programs to complete both in a shorter amount of time.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Counselor in New Jersey?

Becoming a certified counselor can be a long process, taking approximately six years. Of course, the length of your time in school depends on the program and whether you can study full-time.

New Jersey sets education requirements for counselors, including a master's degree or doctorate in counseling and a passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE).

To become an LPC, you need 4,500 hours of supervised experience. To become an LAC, you don't need any. However, New Jersey counseling requires rigorous study and a high level of dedication regardless of your certification details.

The fastest way to become a counselor in New Jersey is to study hard and meet all state licensure requirements. To become a licensed counselor, it's important to study at a high-quality university, especially for your graduate degree.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Counselor in New Jersey?

There are several steps to becoming a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or licensed associate counselor (LAC) in New Jersey. Both require both undergraduate and graduate degrees, though some universities offer accelerated or combined courses to speed up the process.

Aside from attending an accredited university, counselors in training must also complete supervised clinical experience and meet New Jersey counselor licensure requirements.

1. Earn a bachelor's degree: Earning a bachelor's degree in a relevant field is imperative to becoming a counselor. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in psychology, social work, or sociology are all good options to set you up for continuing education.

2. Earn a master's degree: A master's degree in counseling is the next step to becoming a licensed counselor. Programs can be found either in-person or online; however, they must be from an accredited institution.

3. Complete supervised clinical experience: Clinical experience is required to become an LPC in the state of New Jersey. Aspiring LPCs need 4,500 hours of supervised clinical experience, with up to 1,500 of them possible to be obtained by 30 graduate credits.

4. Complete New Jersey counselor licensure requirements: The licensing requirements to become a counselor in NJ are:

• a master's or doctorate degree through a CACREP-or-MPCAC-accredited program
• a criminal background check (including fingerprinting)
• 4,500 hours of clinical experience as approved by the State Board of Marriage & Family Therapy Examiners and Professional Counselor Examiners Committee
• passing score on the NCE

What Is the Fastest Way To Get a Counseling Degree in New Jersey?

The fastest way to become a therapist in New Jersey is to choose an accelerated program. Some universities offer a combined bachelor's and master's degree, while others offer accelerated online graduate programs to expedite your learning.

The typical timeline for a counseling degree is six to seven years � this includes four years for undergrad, and two to three years for graduate school (including your practicum).

The most time-consuming piece of getting a counseling degree is your practicum, also known as clinical experience or supervised experience. This time gives budding providers the chance to practice their counseling skills with supervision and professional guidance.

However, with an accelerated or combined program, it's possible to get a counseling degree in as little as five years, speeding up coursework and focusing more on your practicum.

Choose an Accelerated Online Master's in Counseling Program

An accelerated online master's degree is one way to earn your counseling degree faster. Many online programs offer students the chance to work at their own pace. With commitment and dedication, it's possible to finish your online graduate degree in as little as two years, rather than the typical three.

Getting an accelerated master's in counseling online is an efficient and cost-effective way to earn your counseling degree.

Earn a Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degree

Earning a combined bachelor's and master's degree is one of the fastest ways to become a counselor in New Jersey.

Several schools offer combined degrees, including The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and Rutgers University. Both offer a 3+2 program, allowing students to earn their bachelor's degree in three years and their master's degree in two.

Utilize Transfer Credits

Utilizing transfer credits can help save you time and money when obtaining a degree in counseling. Many of New Jersey's colleges accept transfer credits, especially for general education courses or those in related educational programs.

It's important to check with the college you plan to transfer to, so you can ensure that they'll accept your credits. Make sure that you're transferring from an accredited institution of higher education.

Featured Online Counseling Programs in New Jersey

These online counseling programs are taught by some of the best social workers and professors in the state, and are highly favorable toward transfer students and working adults. All three are transparent about cost, affordability, and post-graduation success stories.

MA in Counseling Psychology�Felician University

Felician University offers an online Master of Arts in counseling psychology with over 600 clinical hours to prepare students to enter the field of mental health counseling. They offer three intakes for new students � in the spring, summer, and fall.

Felician University also offers what they call the Ed Assist Discount for students who are employed full-time at a participating employer and are enrolled in at least half-time classes. This discount can give qualifying students a 20% reduction in tuition costs.

• Time to completion: seven semesters (full-time); 10 semesters (part-time)
• Tuition cost: $925 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC)
• Specializations: general counseling and forensic counseling

MS in Rehabilitation Counseling�Rutgers University

The Rehabilitation Counseling program at Rutgers University offers students the chance to study at either of its two campuses or online. The program is comprehensive and includes supervised clinical experience for students to become certified counselors in over 30 states.

• Time to completion: two to three years
• Tuition cost: $890 per credit for in-state students, $995 per credit for out-of-state students
• Accreditation: CACREP
• Specializations: clinical mental health counseling

MA/EdS in Professional Counseling�Seton Hall University

The fully online MA/EdS in Professional Counseling from Seton Hall University sets students up to obtain their counseling licensure upon graduation for New Jersey and many other states. Their admission requirements include official transcripts, as well as three letters of recommendation, but do not include standardized test scores.

• Time to completion: two years
• Tuition cost: $1,1,50 per credit hour
• Accreditation: APA and CAEP
• Specializations: none

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Counselor?

Many factors determine the cost to become a counselor in New Jersey. Undergraduate tuition, graduate tuition, exam fees, and licensing fees can all add up to an expensive degree � students can expect to pay anywhere between $30,000 and $50,000 for their cumulative requirements.

However, choosing an affordable degree program and utilizing resources such as transfer credits, scholarships, and financial aid can all make obtaining a counseling degree more financially manageable.

Are There Affordable Counseling Degree Programs?

There are absolutely affordable counseling degree programs out there. While many graduate schools are expensive, obtaining your counseling license online is both attainable and affordable.

Utilizing transfer credits and choosing an accelerated program can both help make your graduate degree more affordable. Many degree programs also accept financial aid including grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities.

How Much Can I Earn as a Counselor?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, those in community and social service occupations make $52,000 per year on average. They also project nearly 300,000 new jobs in the counseling profession each year.

In New Jersey, counselors can expect to make just above the national average at $53,000 per year. Licensed professional counselors can expect to make more, averaging $73,000 per year in the state.

Some counselors can make upwards of $115,000 per year, depending on experience, though six-figure incomes are mostly limited to clinical supervisors and those who have practiced with their LPC license for many years.

Types of Counseling Career Paths With a Master's Degree

There are many avenues for counseling career paths once you've obtained your master's degree, including:

• Rehabilitation counselor: Rehabilitation counselors help those struggling with disabilities or chronic illnesses that may impact their quality of life, employment opportunities, and daily functioning.
• Substance abuse counselor: Substance abuse counselors provide help for those struggling with substance use and/or abuse. This can be done in various settings, including in-home visits, outpatient clinics, and in-patient rehabilitation centers.
• Marriage and family therapist: Marriage and family therapists can provide support for behavioral disorders and cognitive functioning in the context of a marriage or other relationship.
• School counselor: School counseling includes advising students on coursework, helping them build and maintain healthy self-image, and helping high school students with their post-graduation plans.
• Private practice therapist: Owning a private practice can give counselors the freedom to choose their own clients depending on their specialization and preferred age to work with.

Explore Master's Programs in Counseling

Obtaining a master's degree in counseling can be challenging and time-consuming, but it's ultimately a rewarding career. Achieving your state licensure can open up a world of possibilities and careers focused on helping others.

If you want more options besides these featured online master's degrees in counseling, consider other high-quality and affordable programs featured here on Learn.org.