Fastest Way To Become a Counselor in Maryland 2025

Counseling degree programs in Maryland open doors to licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) roles in mental health therapy, marriage and family counseling, career development, and beyond. Do you want to know the fastest way to become a counselor in the state? Keep reading. Below, we'll discuss the fastest way to become a therapist in Maryland when factoring in educational requirements and counseling licensure.

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

The time needed to become a licensed counselor depends on the school and program choice. However, you can generally expect to spend about four years earning a bachelor's degree in psychology or counseling and three years in a master's degree in counseling program. Students must also complete no fewer than two years of post-graduate clinical supervision hours.

Do you want to know how to meet these requirements quickly? Read on to learn more about the fastest way to become a counselor in Maryland.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Counselor in Maryland?

Becoming an LCPC in Maryland requires completing an approved educational program and meeting licensing requirements. Explore the following steps for more information:

1. Earn a bachelor's degree: A bachelor's degree in counseling or psychology explores foundational concepts like behavioral disorders, psychotherapy, social work, and substance use to prepare students for master's programs.

2. Earn a master's or doctoral degree: In Maryland, students need a master's degree (60+ semester credits) or a doctoral degree (90+ semester credits) in professional counseling or a related field from an accredited educational institution approved by the Maryland Department of Health's Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists (Board).

3. Apply to become a licensed graduate professional counselor (LGPC): This temporary license from the state Board allows students to practice graduate professional counseling for a limited time under approved supervision while fulfilling the supervised clinical experience.

4. Pass the NCE and MLA examinations: LGPC applicants must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE), administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), and the Maryland Law Assessment (MLA). The Board will determine eligibility for the NCE when reviewing the LGPC application and provide registration details if approved. LGPC hopefuls can take the MLA beforehand and submit the Certificate of Completion when applying.

5. Complete clinical supervision requirements: Students with master's degrees must complete three years, or 3,000 hours, of supervised clinical experience in professional counseling. Two years, or 2,000 hours, are to be completed post-graduation. Doctoral degree holders need two years, or 2,000 hours, of supervised experience. One year must be completed after earning this degree.

6. Apply for LCPC licensure: To become an LCPC, students must submit a counseling license application showing they meet all education, exam, and other licensure requirements. A criminal background check is also required.

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

There are a few ways to earn a counseling degree in a shorter timeframe. An accelerated program is often considered the fastest way to become a counselor in Maryland since it could help students graduate in as little as two years � however, it's not the only way.

Some schools offer opportunities to pursue a bachelor's and master's degree in counseling simultaneously. Learners could also attend institutions that accept prior learning credits to reduce the number of courses needed to graduate. Learn more about these options below.

Choose an Accelerated Online Master's in Counseling Program

If you're looking for the fastest online master's degree in counseling, enrolling in an accelerated online master's degree program is a great choice. These programs are designed to help students graduate quickly while completing all courses and clinical experiences needed for state licensure.

Northwestern College in Iowa offers a Master of Arts (MA) in clinical mental health counseling that students can complete in two years. This 60-credit online program, accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), offers a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship to help students obtain licensure and become a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in their state.

Earn a Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degree

Some Maryland schools help students earn their undergraduate and graduate degrees simultaneously and expedite the licensure process. A few courses in these programs typically overlap so learners don't have to repeat coursework.

One example of this type of program is the accelerated Bachelor of Arts (BA) in psychology to Master of Science (MS) in counseling with a clinical mental health specialization. Students enrolled in this combined program take up to nine graduate credits that count toward the bachelor's and master's degrees. After completing both programs, graduates will qualify to sit for the NCE exam.

Utilize Transfer Credits

Learners who have earned college credits and want to pursue a degree in counseling can save time and money by transferring qualifying credits to the new institution. Students don't have to retake classes they completed at another school, which helps them speed up the time needed to start their LCPC careers.

Featured Online Counseling Programs in Maryland

Are you ready to pursue a counseling career in Maryland? Review the following list to discover schools offering online counseling programs in the state.

University of Maryland Global Campus - MS in Clinical Professional Counseling

This 60-credit clinical professional counseling program consists of 100 hours of supervised clinical field experiences and two internships at 300 hours each. Online coursework explores substance abuse, family therapy, behavioral health, disability, and more. Enrollees are prepared to sit for the NCE exam and become an LGPC or LCPC (if post-graduation clinical hours are completed).

• Time to completion: 2.5 to 3.5 years
• Tuition cost: $544 per credit (in-state), $659 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) (school accreditation)
• Specializations: N/A

McDaniel College - MS in Counseling

Students enrolled in this 60-credit online program prepare for professional counseling licensure in Maryland and careers as generalists and mental health counselors in private practice, community agencies, hospitals, and more. After taking online courses and an in-person practicum (100 hours) and internship (600 hours), learners qualify for the NCE exam.

• Time to completion: 36 months
• Tuition cost: $613 per credit hour
• Accreditation: MSCHE (school accreditation)
• Specializations: clinical mental health

Loyola University Maryland - Master's in School Counseling

Offered at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, this hybrid program with full-time and part-time enrollment options helps students earn a Master of Education (MEd) or an MA in school counseling. Learners complete 60 credit hours with nine in practicum (100 hours) and internship (600 hours) on their journey to become an LCPC.

• Time to completion: as little as 2 years
• Tuition cost: $760 per credit hour
• Accreditation: CACREP
• Specializations: N/A

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Counselor?

What you'll pay to start an LCPC career in Maryland varies by academic program. Here are some costs you might encounter by program type:

• Bachelor's counseling degree: Tuition for a bachelor's degree in counseling varies by school, residency, and other factors. However, students can find programs costing as little as $13,000 total.
• Online master's degree in counseling: These programs rates vary based on residency, school, and more. In total, students can pay as little as $30,000.
• Doctoral degree in counseling: Rates for doctoral degrees can depend on whether students learn online or in-person, attend as residents or nonresidents, and more. However, learners could pay as little as $35,000 total.

Are There Affordable Counseling Degree Programs?

Yes, affordable counseling degree programs are available in Maryland. For instance, students pay as little as $544 per credit hour to earn an online master's in clinical professional accounting from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Enrollees can apply for scholarships to further reduce costs.

McDaniel College's MS in Counseling with a clinical mental health specialization is another affordable option. This program costs an affordable tuition rate of $613 per credit hour. To save on costs, learners can pursue scholarships and other financial aid.

How Much Can I Earn as a Counselor?

After completing all coursework, in-school clinical experiences (practicum and internship), and post-graduate clinicals, students are ready to become licensed LCPCs and start their counseling careers. Find out how much you can earn in a counseling role by exploring positions below (salaries are based on May 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics median annual wage data):

• Rehabilitation counselors: $44,040
• Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors: $53,710
• Marriage and family therapists: $58,510
• Career and school counselors and advisors: $61,710
• Genetic counselors: $95,770

Types of Counseling Career Paths With a Master's Degree

After learning the fastest way to become a therapist in Maryland, completing all licensure requirements, and discovering what some counselors earn, your next step is to choose your career path. You could work as a licensed professional counselor (in mental health, school counseling, career guidance, etc.), seek a marriage and family therapist position, or even find a role in human services as a social worker. Here are some places these professionals work:

• hospitals
• nursing and residential care facilities
• managed behavioral healthcare organizations
• integrated delivery systems
• state government
• community agencies
• substance abuse treatment centers
• individual and family services
• employee assistance programs

Explore Master's Programs in Counseling

Take steps to start a career in the counseling field by exploring the degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools of interest today to discover how they can help you reach your academic and career goals.