Fastest Way To Become a Counselor in Indiana 2025

Becoming a counselor or therapist requires an undergraduate and graduate degree and a counseling license. Each of these takes several years individually, so many Indiana residents try to find the fastest way to become a licensed counselor to quickly get started in the field.

The fastest way to become a therapist in Indiana includes the same steps as the traditional path but usually employs different degree timelines and increased clinical experience or practicum hours.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Counselor in Indiana?

The average time it takes to become a counselor ranges from seven to eight years, depending on the type of counseling licensure being pursued. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) is the state board that approves counselor licensing. The IPLA has 18 different licensing requirements based on factors such as the highest degree an applicant has earned, their counseling discipline, and their total experience.

The fastest way to become a counselor in Indiana utilizes accelerated or dual degrees, transfer credits, and other methods to reduce the amount of time spent in class.

What Are the Steps To Becoming a Counselor in Indiana?

If want to the fastest way to become a counselor in Indiana, four basic steps must be completed. These state licensure and education requirements are set by the ILPA, but there are ways to reduce the total amount of time it takes to complete them.

1. Earn a bachelor's degree: The first step, whether you're taking the traditional route or looking for the fastest way to become a therapist in Indiana, is to earn a bachelor's degree. There isn't a single degree or major that students must choose, but the most commonly chosen degrees focus on counseling, social work, applied psychology, or a related field.

2. Earn a master's degree: Aspiring counselors should consider a master's degree. Although the ILPA has licensed credentials for bachelor's holders, counseling professionals with master's degrees will have higher earning potentials and more career opportunities. Counseling degrees should be accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

3. Complete supervised clinical experience: Coursework is important for developing skills; however, educational programs for counselors also include face-to-face supervision in a professional counseling setting, such as a hospital, mental health facility, or even a school. Students have 3,000 total hours of supervised experience requirements, which usually take about two years to complete.

4. Complete Indiana counselor licensure requirements: The last step is to apply for your counselor license. The state recognizes 18 different licenses, including licenses for clinical addiction counselors, mental health counselors (LMHC), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), and more. All of these licenses have a nonrefundable $50 application fee. Applicants must clear a federal background check and receive a passing score on the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).

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

On average, earning a graduate-level counseling degree takes about six years total, with four years for an undergraduate and two years for the master's, based on standard loads for semester hours. Although this is the standard path, there are ways students can earn their counseling degrees on a quicker timeline.

Choose an Accelerated Online Master's in Counseling Program

One of the main ways that students can complete their schooling faster is to enroll in an accelerated master's in counseling online. There are two main formats for these accelerated programs.

Some schools offer standalone accelerated master's degrees that can be completed in 12 to 18 months. The other main option is a 4+1 program, where students earn a bachelor's and master's degree in five years through a special curriculum plan.

Earn a Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degree

In addition to 4+1 programs, some schools offer combined degrees. Unlike a 4+1, where a student earns two degrees in sequence, combined degrees occur simultaneously, these programs aren't offered at every school, though, and need to be specially approved due to scheduling and admissions requirements for different courses.

Utilize Transfer Credits

Students with transfer credits (including AP exam results and ACE credits) can use them to reduce their total credit requirements to earn their bachelor's degree. These transfer credits can also save money as they can be earned at more affordable institutions, such as community colleges.

Featured Online Counseling Programs in Indiana

Whether you're looking to become a licensed mental health counselor, school counselor, or any other type of mental health professional, you can find hybrid and online programs in Indiana to help you reach your goals.

Indiana Wesleyan University

Indiana Wesleyan University offers a Master of Arts in school counseling. This program is focused on counselors planning to work in school settings and has two different concentrations: school counseling and school counseling/clinical mental health.

• Time to completion: 2.5 to 3 years (60 total credit hours)
• Tuition cost: $602 per credit hour
• Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission (Institutional) and CACREP (Program)
• Specializations: school counseling and school counseling/clinical mental health

The Chicago School

Students at the Chicago School can earn an MA in clinical mental health counseling. Coursework is delivered fully online; however, students must fulfill in-person experiential learning requirements, such as a practicum or internship.

• Time to completion: Under four years (including field learning)
• Tuition cost: $1,409 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (Institutional) and CACREP (Program)
• Specializations: No designated concentrations or specializations

Butler+ (Butler University)

The online Master of Science in mental health counseling prepares students for dual licensure, but students can also pursue only one license in mental health or addiction treatment. Butler is one of the top-ranking universities in the Midwest and offers the same high-quality education online as on campus.

• Time to completion: 2.5 to 3 years
• Tuition cost: $700 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (Institutional)
• Specializations: No designated concentrations or specializations

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Counselor?

The average total cost to become a counselor in Indiana is around $62,000. According to data from the Indiana state government, the average yearly tuition rate at public schools is $11,000 for an undergraduate degree and $9,350 for graduate degrees.

Are There Affordable Counseling Degree Programs?

There are many counseling degrees offered by public universities with lower tuition rates. These accredited universities also accept federal financial aid programs, which can further reduce costs and make them even more affordable. Indiana universities have below-average tuition rates compared to other public universities in the Midwest.

How Much Can I Earn as a Counselor?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is $53,710 per year. The true median salary will vary based on individual discipline; for example, family therapists often make more than mental health counselors.

Types of Counseling Career Paths With a Master's Degree

Counseling is a diverse career path with multiple specialization options. As a result, there are many career opportunities available to graduates of master's degree programs. Some of the most common job titles in the field of counseling include:

• mental health counselor
• addiction and rehabilitation counselor
• marriage and family therapy counselor
• social work
• school counselor

Explore Master's Programs in Counseling

Whether you want to find an Indiana-based program or are interested in out-of-state options, read our school profiles and articles to learn more about all of your counseling degree options. Once you've found the best program for your goals, use our resources to reach out and begin your application process today.