Fastest Way To Become a Counselor in Florida 2025

Becoming a counselor is a great way to make a difference in your career by helping people. If you're interested in this career path, you may be wondering about the fastest way to become a counselor.

Keep reading as we dive in, exploring the fastest way to become a therapist in Florida and the steps you'll need to take. We'll also look at some common counseling careers, schools offering counseling degree programs, and more, helping you figure out the fastest way to become a counselor in Florida.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Counselor in Florida?

Becoming a licensed counselor is a bit of a process. It typically takes at least six years to meet all the educational and experience requirements necessary to get a state license.

Students will need to complete several years of education and thousands of hours of supervised experience. They will then need to complete national and/or state certification exams to obtain their counseling licensure and begin working in Florida.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Counselor in Florida?

Exact licensing and education requirements can vary depending on the type of counselor you want to become. However, there are some basic steps that all aspiring counselors will need to follow. Let's take a closer look at each of these steps.

1. Earn a bachelor's degree: Getting a bachelor's degree is an important first step in your counseling journey. Majoring in psychology, social work, or a related field can give you a solid foundation for your future career.

2. Earn a master's degree: Aspiring counselors in Florida must earn a graduate degree. Though doctoral programs are common, many candidates pursue licensure after obtaining a master's degree in school counseling, mental health counseling, or a related field.

3. Complete supervised clinical experience: Depending on the specific type of license you're pursuing, you may have to complete up to 6,000 hours of work experience under qualified supervisors. Some of these hours may be obtained through your degree program, while the rest are obtained through entry-level jobs and internships.

4. Earn national certification: To get a Florida state license, most types of aspiring mental health counselors will need to earn national certification by passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Students are graded on their answers to 100 multiple-choice questions and 10 case studies.

5. Complete Florida counselor licensure requirements: Licenses and certifications are available through the Florida Board of Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling, as well as the Florida State Department of Education and the Florida Certification Board. Requirements vary but typically include submitting an application with an application fee, proof of education and experience, and proof of national certification.

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

Though it typically takes at least six years to become a counselor, there are ways to speed up the process a bit. Those looking for the fastest way to become a counselor in Florida can pursue an accelerated or combined degree program and utilize transfer credits to graduate sooner.

Depending on a number of factors, it's possible to finish your counseling education in five years or less. The type of degree program you enroll in and the number of credit hours you have to transfer will determine how long it takes you to graduate.

Choose an Accelerated Online Master's in Counseling Program

Pursuing an accelerated master's in counseling program can be hard work but may ultimately pay off for highly motivated students. Though most counseling master's programs take two to three years to complete, accelerated programs can be finished in under two years.

Accelerated programs typically require full-time study and a commitment to staying on track. Students commonly have to continue their studies year-round, even through the summer sessions.

Earn a Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degree

Combined bachelor's and master's degrees allow students to complete both undergraduate and graduate programs in shorter-than-average timeframes. These programs may also be known as 4+1 or bachelor's-to-master's degrees.

Students in combined degree programs take certain advanced courses that provide credit toward both their bachelor's and master's degrees. When they graduate from their bachelor's program in four years, they already have significant credits toward their master's degree, which they typically earn in just one additional year of study.

Utilize Transfer Credits

Schools typically accept transfer credits from other accredited schools, certain credit-by-examination programs, and (in some cases) work experience. Some of the most transfer-friendly colleges and universities allow students to transfer up to 90 semester hours toward their undergraduate degrees, potentially allowing them to earn a four-year degree in just one year.

Some graduate programs also accept transfer credits, diminishing the time it takes to finish an advanced degree. Students with previous college or test-credit experience or an applicable work history should consider transferring credits to save both time and money on their education.

Featured Online Counseling Programs in Florida

If you're interested in the fastest way to become a therapist in Florida, choosing a quality master's degree program is paramount. Let's look at some top online counseling degrees available at schools in Florida.

Florida State University

Florida State University is a large public school in Tallahassee. Students at this school can earn online Master of Science and Education Specialist degrees in school counseling.

This program is available exclusively online and is designed to help students learn the essential competencies of school counselors. They learn to use data to identify the needs of children in K-12 schools and gain hands-on experience through practicum and internship experiences.

• Time to completion: two and a half years
• Tuition cost: $9,684 annually
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Specializations: None

University of South Florida

The University of South Florida is located in Tampa and offers various graduate degree programs online. One of the online programs is a Master of Arts in rehabilitation counseling and disability sciences.

The program offers a mix of synchronous and asynchronous online classes, with most class sessions running for eight weeks. Students typically take two courses at a time and graduate within two years, but the curriculum is flexible enough to allow for accelerated study if the student chooses.

• Time to completion: two years
• Tuition cost: $600 per credit hour
• Accreditation: SACSCOC
• Specializations: None

Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University is a private school in Fort Lauderdale-Davie. It offers an online Master of Science in counseling degree that can be tailored to students' professional interests.

This program offers flexible coursework options with online, on-campus, and hybrid formats. Students complete anywhere from 48 to 60 credit hours depending on their specialization and previously earned credits.

• Time to completion: varies; flexible
• Tuition cost: $22,890 annually
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, CACREP
• Specializations: clinical mental health counseling, applied behavior analysis, school counseling

How Much Does It Cost To Become a Counselor?

The costs associated with becoming a counselor can vary widely depending on your counseling specialization, the school you attend, and any previous credits you may have earned. It also depends on the level of degree you're pursuing.

All students must begin the education and licensure process by pursuing a bachelor's degree, which costs an average of around $3,840 per year in tuition for in-state students. Exact tuition rates will vary widely from school to school; public schools generally offer lower rates than private schools.

Master's degree costs may also vary significantly. Among the schools listed above, total tuition costs range from around $24,000 to $44,000 for the entire program.

Are There Affordable Counseling Degree Programs?

Yes, several schools in Florida offer highly affordable tuition rates, especially for students who live in the state. Florida State University charges around $445 per credit hour for its online programs, while the University of South Florida charges a flat rate of $600 per credit hour for all graduate students regardless of residency.

Financial aid options are also available to help students save on their out-of-pocket expenses. Federal and state aid may be available through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and graduate students may also want to apply for scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships to earn some extra money toward their education.

How Much Can I Earn as a Counselor?

Median salary expectations vary depending on the type of counselor you become. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), counselors earn an average of $46,130 to $61,710 per year.

The highest-paid counselors are typically school and career counselors; those in the top 10% of earners make more than $100,000 per year in these fields. Counselors in other fields earn significantly less, with some top earners making no more than $79,880 per year.

Types of Counseling Career Paths With a Master's Degree

Counselors work in a variety of fields including healthcare, social work, and education. They specialize in a variety of areas and work with people from all walks of life depending on their specific areas of expertise. Common job titles for counselors include:

• substance abuse counselor
• marriage and family therapist
• licensed mental health counselor (LMHC)
• rehabilitation counselor
• school counselor
• career counselor
• licensed professional counselor
• social worker

Explore Master's in Counseling Programs

If you're ready to become a counselor today, explore degree programs available at schools on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the schools to learn more about their available programs and to find the right one for you.