Fastest Way To Become a Counselor in Pennsylvania 2025

Professional counseling is a rewarding career path, though the path to becoming one can be demanding�it often takes at least six to seven years of college education. For this reason, many aspiring counselors look for ways to speed up the process without sacrificing valuable educational opportunities.

Luckily, many schools offer accelerated programs or flexible online learning environments, both some of the fastest ways to become a counselor in Pennsylvania since they help you finish your education requirements quickly. If you're looking for the fastest way to become a counselor, keep reading to learn about alternative pathways to shorten your academic timeline.

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

Becoming a counselor in Pennsylvania typically takes around six years, depending on the program. This includes earning a four-year bachelor's degree, followed by a master's degree in counseling, which takes two to three years. After that, you'll need to complete the necessary experience requirements, including supervised clinical hours and passing exams to become a licensed counselor.

The fastest way to become a therapist in Pennsylvania is to complete an accelerated master's program in counseling, followed by obtaining the necessary licensure through supervised clinical hours and passing the required counseling license exams.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Counselor in Pennsylvania?

Counseling can be a rewarding career path; however, it takes significant dedication and work to get there. If you're looking to enter this field, learn the fastest way to become a therapist in Pennsylvania below.

1. Earn a bachelor's degree: Complete a bachelor's program in a relevant field like general psychology, social services, or social sciences. This typically takes around four years.

2. Earn a master's degree: Next, obtain a master's degree in counseling or a closely related field from an accredited institution, requiring approximately two years of study. Some accelerated bachelor's to master's degrees can shorten the timeline of this degree.

3. Complete supervised clinical experience: Accumulate 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over a minimum of two years and a maximum of six years after earning your master's degree.

4. Complete Pennsylvania counselor licensing requirements: Pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and fulfill other state licensure requirements, including continuing education and application fees.

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

The fastest way to become a counselor in Pennsylvania is to enroll in an accelerated program. By choosing an accelerated path, such as a combined bachelor's-to-master's program or an accelerated master's degree, you can complete your education in a shorter time, typically around five to six years.

Choose an Accelerated Online Master's in Counseling Program

Accelerated master's in counseling programs are great options for those looking to complete their degree quickly. These programs often offer flexible scheduling, allowing students to complete their coursework at a faster pace. With some online programs, you can earn a master's degree in counseling in under two years, while also benefiting from online learning that fits your lifestyle.

Earn a Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degree

Earning a combined bachelor's and master's degree in counseling allows you to streamline your education by completing both programs in a reduced timeframe, typically around five to six years. These programs are designed for efficiency, enabling students to start graduate-level coursework while finishing their bachelor's degree.

Utilize Transfer Credits

Utilizing transfer credits from previous coursework or a related degree can significantly shorten the time it takes to complete your counseling degree. Many programs allow you to transfer credits from accredited institutions, helping you bypass redundant courses and progress faster.

This is especially helpful if you have earned credits in areas like psychology or social work, which align with counseling curriculum requirements. Transfer credit policies vary by program, so it's important to check with the admissions team to ensure your credits will carry over into the program.

Featured Online Counseling Programs in Pennsylvania

If you're looking for flexible learning environments, online degree programs are great options. Below, we discuss some online counseling programs in Pennsylvania.

Eastern University

While based in St. Davids, Eastern University offers a 100% online master's degree in counseling. Evening classes are also available on campus for those seeking face-to-face learning environments. The program equips students to positively impact the mental health of individuals, organizations, and communities, ultimately preparing them to become licensed professional counselors in Pennsylvania.

• Time to completion: It takes full-time students three years to complete the program, though some students may qualify for the accelerated track, which takes two years to finish. Part-time students typically graduate in four years.
• Tuition cost: $790 per credit hour
• Accreditation: The program is accredited by the Master's in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).
• Specializations: Students choose from three tracks: general, trauma studies concentration, or applied behavior analysis certification concentration (ABA).

Saint Joseph's University

Graduate students can pursue a Master of Science (MS) in clinical mental health counseling at Saint Joseph's University. The school is in Philadelphia, though, students can complete this 60-credit degree program fully online aside from the required 700 hours of supervised clinical fieldwork.

• Time to completion: Full-time students can complete this program in two and a half years, which includes summer terms. Alternately, undergraduates can complete an accelerated version, which includes four years of undergraduate studies, and only two years of graduate work.
• Tuition cost: $979 per credit hour
• Accreditation: The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
• Specializations: Students can earn an optional certificate in addiction counseling.

Messiah University

Messiah University offers a flexible master's degree in counseling with many classes available fully online. Students are prepared for the professional counseling licensure exam. Program graduates often go on to work as mental health counselors, school counselors, or couple counselors.

• Time to completion: Students complete their studies in two to six years.
• Tuition cost: $595 per credit hour
• Accreditation: The school is accredited by the MSCHE and the individual counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
• Specializations: Students can choose between three tracks: the clinical mental health counseling concentration, the school counseling concentration, or the marriage, couple and family therapy concentration.

How Much Does It Cost To Become a Counselor?

The cost to become a counselor varies depending on the program type. Bachelor's degrees cost around $10,000 to $40,000 per year. Plus, students need a master's degree, which generally costs $20,000 to $60,000 per year.

The schools on this list range from $595 to $979 per credit hour. Financial aid and accelerated bachelor's-to-master's programs can help lower the total tuition cost.

Are There Affordable Counseling Degree Programs?

Yes, there are affordable counseling degree programs available. Public universities typically offer lower tuition rates for in-state students, making a bachelor's or master's degree more affordable. Additionally, online programs often provide flexibility and affordability for working students.

Some schools also offer financial aid, scholarships, or assistantships to reduce costs. Check with a school's enrollment team to learn more about affordability and institutional financial assistance.

How Much Can I Earn as a Counselor?

While salaries vary by location, most counselors can earn a decent living. In Pennsylvania, counselors earn a median salary between $47,980 and $50,880, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Factors such as experience, education, and type of counseling services (e.g., mental health, school, or marriage counseling) can influence earnings. In larger cities or areas with higher demand, salaries may be on the higher end.

Types of Counseling Career Paths With a Master's Degree

With a master's degree in counseling, there are several rewarding career paths. Some of the specializations include:

• Mental health counselors: These professionals help individuals manage mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
• Social workers: They provide support and resources to individuals and families, often helping with mental health challenges, but also addressing broader social issues such as poverty, housing, and child welfare.
• Marriage and family therapists: They focus on improving relationships within families and couples.
• School counselors: They support students with academic, social, and emotional challenges.
• Addiction, substance abuse, and rehabilitation counselors: These counselors assist those recovering from addiction.

Explore Master's Programs in Counseling

If you're considering a career in the counseling field, exploring a master's program is a key first step. With various specializations, there's a graduate degree program to match your passion and career goals. To help you find the right fit, check out the featured programs on Learn.org, where you can discover accredited schools and start your journey toward becoming a licensed counselor.