Fastest Way To Become a Counselor in 2025

Those who want to fast-track their counseling careers can do so by pursuing accelerated degree programs and understanding their state's licensure requirements.

Counselors have an important job in helping people achieve mental well-being. They can work in various aspects of human services, including school or career counseling, mental health counseling, behavioral disorder counseling, and marriage and family therapy.

To work as a licensed counselor, you'll typically need a master's degree, which takes several years of study. The fastest way to become a counselor is to accelerate your education, and there are a few things you can do to make that happen. Keep reading to learn more about the fastest way to become a therapist or counselor.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Counselor?

On average, it takes about six or seven years to become a counselor. However, the length of time it takes depends on multiple factors, including:

the type of counselor you want to become
the licensing requirements for your state
the type of program you select
your previous education

Becoming a licensed counselor requires a master's degree. Most take about two to three years, but there are ways to accelerate your education and become a counselor faster.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Counselor?

Several steps are required to become a licensed counselor. While the steps may vary slightly based on your state and your prior experience, they generally include:

1. Earn a bachelor's degree: Because you need a master's degree to work as a counselor, you'll first need to earn a bachelor's degree. Look for options in counseling, therapy, or closely related fields like social work or psychology. Bachelor's degrees take an average of four years.

2. Earn a master's degree: Pursue a master's degree in the field of therapy or counseling you want to pursue.

3. Complete supervised experiences: Many master's programs in counseling, as well as many state licensure boards, require some amount of supervised experience in a counseling setting.

4. Receive certification from your state: The specific certification requirements will depend on the type of counselor you want to be and the state you're in.

Counseling Licensure Requirements

As mentioned, the requirements to become a licensed counselor vary depending on the type of counselor you want to become and the state you're in. There are a few different types of counselors, including:

behavioral counselors
career counselors
marriage and family therapists
mental health counselors
rehabilitation counselors
school counselors
substance abuse counselors

In general, to become a licensed counselor, you will need a master's degree or higher in your chosen counseling field, a minimum number of clinical hours or supervised experience hours, and you need to pass an exam.

Many states use the exams provided by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). They offer both the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Your state may require a specific one, both, or allow you to choose which one to take.

Because state requirements vary, it is important to check with your state board to find out what you need to do to be licensed where you live. You can find a directory of state boards on the NBCC website.

What Is the Fastest Way To Get a Counseling Degree?

The fastest way to become a therapist or counselor is to choose programs that allow you to finish quickly. For those who already have their bachelor's degree, an accelerated master's degree in counseling is a good option. For those who don't, look for combined bachelor's to master's programs. We've broken down these different options below.

Choose an Accelerated Online Master's in Counseling Program

If you already have your bachelor's degree and are ready to fast-track graduate school, look for accelerated master's in counseling programs. Typically, a master's degree in counseling requires two to three years of full-time study. An accelerated program lets you finish more quickly, often by offering shortened, condensed terms or running courses during the summer months.

Look for programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or the Master's in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). Accredited programs all meet the educational requirements set by the council, and some states require the graduate program to be accredited to receive a license.

Learning online is a great option for many graduate students, as it allows them the flexibility to continue working at their current job or taking care of family while earning their graduate degree. Note that the clinical hours or practicum needed for your program will still need to be completed in person.

Earn a Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degree

If you still need to earn an undergraduate degree, a combined bachelor's-to-master's in counseling is a fantastic way to earn your graduate degree quickly.

Most bachelor's degrees take about four years of full-time study to complete. Add a master's on top of that, and you're looking at a total of six to seven years.

However, bachelor's-to-master's programs allow you to start taking some graduate-level coursework while still in your undergraduate program. This can often shave up to a year off your total education time.

Featured Online Counseling Programs

Online programs are a great option for students who need flexibility in their schedules. They also allow students to look outside where they live for accelerated counseling programs. Below, we've highlighted a few excellent online counseling degrees.

Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a private research institution in Evanston, IL. It offers an online, CACREP-accredited Master of Arts (MA) in counseling that prepares students for real-world practice as mental health professionals. Clinical training can be completed at an approved site near you.

Time to completion:18 months for full-time students
Tuition cost:$22,304 per quarter (financial aid options are available)
Accreditation:Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and CACREP
Specializations:child and adolescent counseling

New York University

At New York University, students can earn an MA in mental health counseling online. It covers mental and behavioral health topics and prepares students to become licensed therapists or counselors and make a difference in people's lives.

NYU, a private research university, is based in New York City. It does require one on-campus immersion experience in addition to clinical experiences.

Time to completion:21 months for full-time students
Tuition cost:$2,185 per credit (financial aid is available)
Accreditation:Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and MPCAC
Specializations:none

Auburn University

Auburn University offers three online Master of Education (M.Ed) programs in counseling: clinical mental health counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, and school counseling. The public research university is located in Auburn, AL.

All majors are CACREP-accredited and require 60 credit hours. Each requires a practicum course as well as clinical experiences or internships.

Time to completion:Five semesters for full-time students
Tuition cost:$6,653 per semester for Alabama residents and $17,993 for non-residents
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and CACREP
Specializations: clinical mental health counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, and school counseling

Education Requirements for Mental Health Counselors

As mentioned, master's degrees are generally necessary to become a mental health counselor. We've broken down a few key facts about the education requirements below.

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Counselor?

While requirements can vary between states, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that essentially all states require at least a master's degree in counseling to become a mental health counselor. As a result, the fastest way to become a counselor is through an accelerated master's program or a bachelor's-to-master's option.

Some students choose to continue their studies with a doctoral degree or other type of post-graduate study. However, this is not generally a requirement.

Can You Become a Licensed Professional Counselor Without a Master's Degree?

The Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is typically a master's-level credential. Most states will require you to have a master's in counseling or therapy, although a few may accept degrees in related fields, such as a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Counselor?

The amount it costs to become a counselor depends on a multitude of factors, including what school you choose and what financial aid you qualify for. It can also depend on the type of degree you're earning:

Master of Arts: average of $71,140
Master of Science: average of $61,380
Master of Education: average of $44,640

Financial aid opportunities are available to students to help them cover the cost of their degree.

Are There Affordable Counseling Degree Programs?

Many schools offer online counseling programs at low tuition rates. For example:

National University: $635 per credit hour
Southern New Hampshire University: $637 per credit hour
University of Massachusetts Global: $730 per credit hour

Additionally, filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and applying for financial aid options can help you significantly reduce the cost of your tuition.

Find Master's Programs in Counseling Near You

Fast-track your career path in counseling by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about their admissions requirements, program formats, and financial aid. Use the links below to find programs in your state: