Fastest Way To Become a Counselor in Tennessee 2025

Counselors work with others to become better versions of themselves in settings ranging from schools to mental health care facilities. This job is often pursued by learners who are passionate about helping others, and many aspiring counselors want to know the fastest way to become a therapist.

For aspiring counselors in Tennessee, there are several educational programs and licensing requirements that must be completed before beginning work. However, the fastest way to become a therapist in Tennessee can take a few years less than a standard route.

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

Becoming a licensed counselor in Tennessee takes about eight years on average, but this can change based on individual programs. The general education requirements to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC) include a bachelor's degree and a graduate degree, which usually are four and two years in length, respectively. Some schools offer accelerated 4+1 programs that allow students to earn a bachelor's and a master's in five years. After earning both degrees, students must complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Counselor in Tennessee?

Most states have similar steps to become a counselor, but there are state-to-state licensing requirements that will vary. Even the fastest way to become a counselor in Tennessee will include the same steps, just on a more accelerated timeline. For aspiring counselors in Tennessee, students will have to complete in-class and in-the-field learning experiences before applying for LPC licensure.

1. Earn a bachelor's degree: The first step to becoming a counselor is to earn a bachelor's degree from a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited program. Most students complete a Bachelor of Science in counseling, and some even choose a concentration including substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health.

2. Earn a master's degree: Next, students enroll in a graduate program. The most common degree earned is a Master of Science in counseling, but some aspiring mental health professionals earn a master's in applied psychology or another related field.

3. Complete supervised clinical experience: Students must complete 3,000 hours of direct clinical experience (at least 10 hours per week) in a real-world setting. Students must earn this experience at a qualified healthcare facility as determined by the Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists.

4. Complete Tennessee counselor licensure requirements: After completing all previous educational requirements and clinical hours of supervision, students must pass the State of Tennessee Jurisprudence exam LPC-MHSP (mental health service provider designation) and the National Counselor Exam (NCE).

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

The average timeline to become a counselor in Tennessee is around eight years, but students can accelerate this path. Students who enroll in a 4+1 or similar accelerated bachelor's to master's program can cut a year off their standard education. Students are required to have a minimum of 10 hours per week in their clinical experience, but increasing the number of hours per week reduces the total number of weeks required to satisfy this requirement. The fastest way to become a counselor in Tennessee can take as few as six years.

Choose an Accelerated Online Master's in Counseling Program

Standard master's degree programs take students two years to complete. However, the fastest master's in counseling degree online can be completed in less time. Enrolling in one of these programs at an accredited online or on-campus university is one of the best ways to speed up your education.

Earn a Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degree

Another lesser-known option is to earn a combined bachelor's and master's degree. These programs allow learners to complete both undergraduate and graduate coursework in the same semester, which ultimately results in less total school time. These programs aren't offered at every school, though, so it's important to research your degree options before enrolling. The fastest ways to become a therapist in Tennessee are also some of the most affordable.

Utilize Transfer Credits

Students with credits from a community college or other university can use these credits to reduce their time in school. Some schools also accept AP credits, ACE credits, or other alternatives.

Featured Online Counseling Programs in Tennessee

Aspiring counselors in Tennessee can find multiple online and hybrid opportunities to earn their degrees in the state. These programs are accredited and align with Tennessee state board requirements.

East Tennessee State University

Students at East Tennessee State University can earn either a Bachelor of Science in human services, which includes a focus on human, social, and behavioral health science, or a Master of Arts in counseling, with a clinical mental health or school counseling focus.

• Time to completion: four years (BS) or two years (MA)
• Tuition cost: $5,236 per semester for undergraduate degrees; in-state students pay $646.00 per graduate credit hour
• Accreditation: CACREP (program) and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) (institutional)
• Specializations: human, social, behavioral health science, clinical mental health, and school counseling

Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University offers 73 fully online degree programs, including psychology, social work, and sociology. Students can also find hybrid enrollment options in these fields of study and many more. There is also a Specialist in Education (EdS) degree in professional counseling with additional counseling concentration options.

• Time to completion: four years (BS/BA) or two years (MA/MS)
• Tuition cost: Undergraduate, In-state tuition costs $331 per credit hour, and graduate tuition is $565 per credit hour.
• Accreditation: CACREP (program) and SACSCOC (institutional)
• Specializations: clinical mental health counseling and school counseling

University of Tennessee Chattanooga

The UTC Counselor Education Program prepares future counselors to work in mental health settings as well as schools. The school offers Master of Education degrees with two different concentrations as well as undergraduate degrees in sociology, social work, and psychology.

• Time to completion: four years (BS/BA) or two years (MEd)
• Tuition cost: Undergraduate tuition costs $10,448 per academic year, and graduate students pay $11,110 per year.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC
• Specializations: clinical mental health and school counseling

How Much Does It Cost To Become a Counselor?

The individual costs will vary from school to school, but the average cost of an undergraduate degree in Tennessee is $10,201 for an in-state student at a public university and $25,750 at a private school. The average graduate costs are $11,687 for public schools and $18,402 for private schools.

Are There Affordable Counseling Degree Programs?

Yes, there are many affordable counseling degree programs. Students can find several in-state programs with low tuition rates, but there are also plenty of scholarships and financial aid opportunities that can further reduce the costs of these programs.

How Much Can I Earn as a Counselor?

Yearly salaries vary within the branches of counseling services, but average yearly salaries can range from $42,000 to over $200,000. This varies based on factors including discipline, employer, and seniority in the field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse and behavioral health counselors make an average of $53,710 per year.

Types of Counseling Career Paths With a Master's Degree

Although all counselors earn similar credentials in the form of degrees and counseling licensure, students can choose different concentrations and continuing education options to follow different career paths within the counseling landscape.

Some of the most common counseling career paths include:

• school counselor
• substance abuse and rehabilitation counselors
• health and wellness educator
• licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT)
• social worker
• mental health counselor

Explore Master's Programs in Counseling

No matter which discipline of counseling you wish to pursue, our school profiles and articles can help you learn more about the degrees and the schools that offer them. Once you've found the best program for you, our resources make it easy to reach out and begin your application process today.