Fastest Way To Become a Counselor in Missouri 2025

A counseling degree is the first step toward a rewarding career as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or therapist. In Missouri, students can choose from several degree programs created to help learners quickly qualify for LPC licensure.

But what is the fastest way to become a counselor? Accelerated master's degrees and combined bachelor's and master's programs are great options. Below, we'll highlight the fastest way to become a therapist in Missouri and what this career entails.

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

The time needed to become a licensed counselor in Missouri varies based on factors that include the schools and counseling programs students choose. However, learners might expect to spend about four years earning a bachelor's degree in counseling or psychology and three more in a master's in counseling program.

In Missouri, obtaining LPC licensure also requires two post-graduate years of participation in clinical experiences. If you're looking for the fastest way to become a counselor in Missouri, keep reading to learn more.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Counselor in Missouri?

Becoming a licensed counselor in Missouri requires meeting academic and clinical experience requirements. Review the list below to learn more.

1. Earn a bachelor's degree: A bachelor's degree in counseling or psychology is a common first step for students who want to become professional counselors in the state of Missouri. Coursework explores foundational concepts and prepares students for graduate study.

2. Earn a graduate degree: Students must complete a graduate degree program (master's, specialist, or doctoral) with at least 60 semester or equivalent quarter hours that teaches counseling principles, theories, techniques, and interventions.

3. Pass the NCE exam: After completing their graduate degree, students must take and earn a passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE), administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).

4. Apply for provisional licensure: Becoming a provisional licensed professional counselor (PLPC) enables students to earn post-graduate supervised clinical hours and gain the experience needed to become an LPC. Eligibility is granted to students registered and approved for supervision by the Committee for Professional Counselors. Qualifying students must complete all educational requirements, earn a passing score on the NCE, and have their background check results reviewed by the committee.

5. Pass the Missouri Jurisprudence Examination: Students must pass the Missouri Jurisprudence (Legal and Ethical Responsibilities) Examination, which can be taken at any time while receiving licensure supervision.

6. Complete supervised clinical experience: Learners must complete 3,000 hours and 24 months of supervised experience (at least 1,200 hours must be direct client contact). Students must complete at least 15 hours of counseling or counseling-related duties per week during the supervised experience.

7. Apply for Missouri LPC licensure: After completing all supervised clinical experiences and meeting other state licensing requirements (such as two hours of suicide prevention training), students are ready to apply for an LPC license. Professionals with one or more years of full licensure from another state who want to practice in Missouri can fill out a reciprocity application.

8. Meet continuing education requirements: Licensed professional counselors must obtain 40 hours of continuing education before the expiration date of a license (at least 20 hours must be formal education hours with no more than 20 hours being self-study).

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

Students find that an online accelerated program is one of the quickest ways to earn a counseling degree in Missouri. Courses in these programs explore the same concepts as traditional programs but often have shorter terms or flexible schedules.

Choosing a combined bachelor's and master's degree program or utilizing transfer credits are additional ways to earn a degree quickly. Read on to learn more about the fastest way to become a counselor in Missouri through academic study.

Choose an Accelerated Online Master's in Counseling Program

Enrolling in an accelerated online master's degree in counseling is one of the quickest ways to finish your studies and take the next step toward meeting Missouri's counseling licensure requirements. These degrees often deliver fully online coursework in an accelerated format with shorter course terms or self-paced learning options. If you want to graduate fast, you can find programs that prepare students to complete their certification or licensure process in a fraction of the time it takes to finish a traditional program.

Earn a Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degree

A combined bachelor's and master's program allows students to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree at an accelerated pace. Learners review concepts covered in traditional programs but can typically apply credits from some courses to their bachelor's and graduate degrees.

An example of a combined bachelor's and master's program in Missouri is the five-year accelerated Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Arts in biblical counseling (MABC) from Calvary University in Kansas City. This program prepares students to take the NCE and meet the academic portion of Missouri's professional counseling licensing requirements in five years.

Utilize Transfer Credits

Have you attended a community college, four-year college, or university and earned undergraduate or graduate credits? Some schools accept these credits if you choose to transfer to their institution. Transfer or prior learning credits (from exams, work experience, or military training) can help you expedite degree completion and secure your counseling license sooner.

Featured Online Counseling Programs in Missouri

Missouri is home to several master's degrees for students interested in becoming professional counselors. Review the list below to discover some of the best online counseling programs in the state.

Truman State University

At Truman State University in Kirksville, students can choose from three online MA in counseling programs: mental health counseling, school counseling, and rehabilitation counseling. The graduate programs offer 100% online coursework, a practicum, and an internship to prepare for licensure in Missouri or another state.

• Time to completion: unspecified
• Tuition cost: $562 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) (for school counseling and mental health counseling programs); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Specializations: mental health counseling, school counseling, and rehabilitation counseling (tracks)

Webster University

Webster University offers an MA in counseling with in-person and online course options that prepare students for roles as mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, school counselors, and substance abuse counselors. Learners explore psychology coursework and participate in hands-on practicums to gain licensure to start a private practice, work at a counseling agency, or pursue a doctoral degree.

• Time to completion: two to four years (depending on course load)
• Tuition cost: $752 per credit hour
• Accreditation: CACREP
• Specializations: N/A

Missouri Baptist University

Missouri Baptist University's online MA in school counseling prepares students to meet state requirements for K-12 certification from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). This accelerated program is one of the fastest in the Midwest, enabling students to complete their studies in just two years.

• Time to completion: 24 months
• Tuition cost: $745 per credit
• Accreditation: CACREP
• Specializations: N/A

How Much Does It Cost To Become a Counselor?

The amount you'll pay to start a career in counseling depends on factors such as the school you choose, your enrollment status (full-time vs. part-time), and licensing board costs. Your degree type also matters. Take a look at the differences in costs depending on the type of counseling degree you earn:

• Bachelor's degree: When earning this undergraduate degree, where you live and whether you attend classes online or in-person could impact costs. While tuition varies, you can find programs costing as little as $13,000 in total costs.
• Master's degree: Students earning an online master's degree can pay as little as $500 per credit or $30,000 in total costs for a 60-credit program. Factors like in-state vs. out-of-state residency can impact tuition rates.
• Doctoral degree: Though prospective counselors typically don't need a doctoral degree, this advanced education can help students enhance their experience in the field. A doctoral program can start as low as $35,000 in total costs.

Are There Affordable Counseling Degree Programs?

Yes, you can find affordable counseling degree programs in Missouri. For instance, the online MA programs from Truman State University each cost just $562 per credit hour.

However, securing low tuition is only one way to make your counseling degree affordable. You can also apply for scholarships and fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for financial aid. Another way to save is to take prerequisite courses at a college with lower tuition and transfer the credits to your counseling degree program.

How Much Can I Earn as a Counselor?

Now that you've learned the fastest way to become a therapist in Missouri, you might want to learn more about the money you could earn in this career. Here is a breakdown of salaries you could earn as a counselor based on median annual wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2023 data:

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

Types of Counseling Career Paths With a Master's Degree

Students with a master's degree and practical experience in the field can pursue various careers depending on their chosen specialization, concentration, or emphasis area. Graduates might focus on family therapy or work in substance abuse and rehabilitation facilities. Opportunities are also available in mental health clinics, schools, correctional facilities, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. Here are some counseling and therapy roles for graduate degree holders:

• substance abuse and addiction counselors
• mental health counselors
• marriage and family therapists
• child and adolescent counselors
• social workers
• career counselors
• rehabilitation counselors
• school counselors
• grief counselors
• military counselors

Explore Master's Programs in Counseling

Start your journey toward a rewarding career in counseling by exploring the accredited degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools of interest directly to learn how they can help you reach your goals.