Fastest Way To Become a Counselor in Massachusetts 2025

According to West Health, 51% of Americans have dealt with anxiety, depression, or another mental wellness condition within the last year. Since mental wellness is a pillar of general health, counselors will always be in high demand. Figuring out the fastest way to become a counselor in Massachusetts could be the most fulfilling and stable path.

Read on if you'd like to know the fastest way to become a licensed counselor.

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

If you've already earned your bachelor's degree, then you're well on your way toward becoming a counselor. In Massachusetts, the fastest way to become a therapist is as quick as four years, but the average is around six years.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Counselor in Massachusetts?

Certified counselors have a lot of responsibilities. This means that you'll have to complete several steps to complete your counseling licensure.

1. Earn a bachelor's degree: Your career in clinical mental health counseling starts with your bachelor's degree. Most people can earn this degree in four years in person or online. Continuing education courses are required afterward.

2. Earn a master's degree: Most people earn their graduate degree in two years. You can't pursue state licensure without this higher degree.

3. Complete supervised clinical experience: One of the most important educational requirements of becoming a therapist is gaining supervised clinical experience. You'll need a minimum of 3,360 hours of supervised fieldwork, which takes around two years.

4. Complete Massachusetts counselor licensure requirements: After you complete your graduate program and clinical experience, the next step is to pass your National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) exam. Afterward, you can finally apply for your Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) license.

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

It's possible to complete an accelerated online master's degree in counseling in as little as 18 months. If you don't want to wait six to eight years to become a licensed professional counselor, you can become qualified within four years.

Choose an Accelerated Online Master's in Counseling Program

The fastest way to become a counselor in Massachusetts is to choose a high-quality accelerated online master's in counseling program. These programs should offer useful practicum experience and an extensive array of classes so you can get the well-rounded education you deserve.

Earn a Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degree

Many students' undergraduate degree experience involves exploring different electives to discover their passion. If you know that you'd like to become a clinician, then you can work on your bachelor's and master's degrees at the same time. These types of programs allow full-time students to finish in five years instead of six.

Utilize Transfer Credits

Did you take any Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes in high school? Make sure you talk to someone at your university's registrar's office to see if you can transfer your credits. You might be able to skip some prerequisite classes and save time if your college determines that your past courses are sufficient.

Featured Online Counseling Programs in Massachusetts

For many students, the fastest way to become a therapist in Massachusetts is to attend an online graduate school. This allows them to work from home without making major changes to their everyday schedule. Here are some excellent institutions where you can complete an online master's degree program.

University of Massachusetts Boston

The University of Massachusetts Boston offers a counseling program that's 100% online. The degree is accredited by the Master's in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), and it's designed to meet all state requirements.

• Time to completion: two years for full-time students or three years for part-time students
• Tuition cost: $36,135 total
• Accreditation: MPCAC
• Specializations: forensic services and rehabilitation counseling

Bay Path University

Bay Path University offers a 100% online master's degree that has three start dates each year�January, May, and September. Applicants do not need to submit GMAT or GRE scores and will know if they're accepted to the program within five days. This university is a great option for anyone who wants to get an LMHC license at an affordable price.

• Time to completion: two years for full-time students
• Tuition cost: $925 per credit
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Specializations: advanced trauma-informed counseling, alcohol and drug use counseling, and school adjustment counseling

Merrimack College

With three start times in the fall, spring, and summer, Merrimack College's Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling includes 700 hours of clinical training. The college offers several ways to reduce the cost of tuition, such as the Dean Scholarship and Double Warrior Alumni Scholarship. While there are no specific concentrations available, the coursework covers an impressive range of topics. You'll be well-versed in substance abuse, trauma, relationships, social adjustment issues, and more.

• Time to completion: two years for full-time students
• Tuition cost: $700 per credit hour
• Accreditation: NECHE
• Specializations: none

How Much Does It Cost To Become a Counselor?

Several factors will impact how much you need to invest in your counseling psychology education. You'll need to add up the cost of your bachelor's and master's degrees. Depending on your grades, financial aid, and universities, you could have a small or significant amount of debt.

Since becoming a counselor requires more than a degree, you'll have to factor in your living expenses during your internship experience as well, assuming you don't get paid. The good news is that many of these opportunities are paid or come with a stipend.

Many universities have tuition calculators that take your specific circumstances into account so you can be better prepared.

Are There Affordable Counseling Degree Programs?

Pursuing an online degree tends to be the cheaper option for students nationwide. For example, if you chose Merrimack College's counseling program, you'd save $400 by working remotely. You don't have to worry about the cost of commuting either.

There can be major differences between each online program, which is why it's always worth applying to multiple schools. Each school will offer a unique financial aid package, so it's helpful to compare their offers and the value of their degree based on your interests within the counseling field.

How Much Can I Earn as a Counselor?

A counselor's salary can vary a great deal depending on where they live in Massachusetts. Since the cost of living is higher in larger cities like Boston or Springfield, salaries reflect this. The state average is around $76,000 per year, but the range could be as little as $65,000 or as much as $98,000 according to the U.S. Bureau fo Labor Statistics.

Your experience will also impact how much you make in the counseling field. You should expect a noticeable increase each year to keep up with inflation and your expertise.

Types of Counseling Career Paths With a Master's Degree

Whether you want to become a social worker or a family therapist, you have options when it comes to your degree. It's worth taking the time to reflect on your career aspirations so you can find a program that offers enough classes or a specialization that will help you feel prepared.

For example, if you want to become a school counselor, your classes would focus on multiculturalism and child development. You could also work in family therapy by specializing in family and relationships. This path would involve learning about communication, conflict resolution, and behavioral issues.

Explore Master's Programs in Counseling

Choosing the right master's program in counseling will boost your confidence once it's time to take your licensing exam. With an accelerated program, you can complete your degree and mandatory hours of supervision in four years. If you're ready to find your ideal online university, explore the finest college of programs featured on Learn.org so you can save even more time.