Best and Affordable Mental Health Counseling Programs in Georgia
Georgia offers 20 nonprofit colleges and universities with master’s programs in mental health counseling (MHC), clinical mental health counseling (CMHC), and related areas.1 Students can choose from on-campus, online, and hybrid formats to fit their schedules. This guide highlights reputable and affordable programs that meet Georgia’s educational requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure, along with information on job outlook, salary trends, and statewide organizations that support counseling professionals.
Table of Contents
- Georgia MHC Program Comparison
- Best MHC Programs
- Most Affordable MHC Programs
- Online MHC Programs
- Georgia MHC Salary and Outlook Information
- Additional Resources
Comparison of Georgia Schools With Mental Health Counseling Programs
The table below compares 20 Georgia mental health counseling programs across key factors, including accreditation status, institution type, program format, US News & World Report rankings, in-state and out-of-state tuition, and total number of credit hours required. All institutions listed below are not-for-profit. If we’ve missed a Georgia school with a mental health counseling program, please let us know. For more information on these schools, please visit our Georgia counseling degrees page, master’s in mental health counseling degree guide, or individual school websites.
| School Name | Accreditation2,3 | MHC Degrees Offered | Program Format | US News National Rank4 | In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour | Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour | Total Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes Scott College | CACREP | MA CMHC | Traditional | — | $960 | $960 | 60 |
| Albany State University | CACREP | M.Ed. Counselor Education: CMHC | Online | — | $308 | $308 | 60 |
| Augusta University | CACREP | M.Ed. Counselor Education: CMHC | Traditional | #273 tie | $236 | $838 | 60 |
| Brenau University | MPCAC | MS Clinical Counseling Psychology | Traditional | — | $845 | $845 | 60 |
| Clark Atlanta University | CACREP | MA CMHC | Traditional | #329 tie | $1,068 | $1,068 | 60 |
| Clayton State University | MPCAC | MS Clinical/Counseling Psychology | Traditional | — | $205 | $784 | 60 |
| Columbus State University | CACREP | MS CMHC | Hybrid | — | $309 | $309 | 60 |
| Fort Valley State University | CACREP | MS CMHC | Traditional; Hybrid | — | $186 | $720 | 60 |
| Georgia Southern University | CACREP | M.Ed. Counselor Education: CMHC | Hybrid | #343 tie | $284 | $1,160 | 60 |
| Georgia State University | CACREP | MS CMHC | Traditional | — | $408 | $1,348 | 60 |
| LaGrange College | CACREP | MA CMHC | Traditional; Online | — | $755 | $755 | 60 |
| Mercer University | CACREP | MS CMHC | Hybrid | #169 tie | $753 | $753 | 60 |
| Piedmont University | — | MS CMHC | Online | — | $670 | $670 | 60 |
| Richmont Graduate University | CACREP | MA CMHC | Traditional; Online | — | $794 | $794 | 60 |
| Thomas University | CACREP | MS CMHC | Online | — | $635 | $635 | 60 |
| Truett McConnell University | — | MA CMHC | Traditional; Hybrid; Online | — | $540 | $540 | 62 |
| University of Georgia | MPCAC | M.Ed. MHC | Traditional | #46 tie | $545 | $1,677 | 60 |
| University of North Georgia | CACREP | MS Counseling (MSC) | Traditional | — | $291 | $981 | 60 |
| University of West Georgia | CACREP | M.Ed. CMHC | Traditional | #373 tie | $247 | $963 | 60 |
| Valdosta State University | — | M.Ed. CMHC | Online | — | $385 | $1,002 | 60 |
Best Mental Health Counseling Programs in Georgia
The schools below offer the top-ranked mental health counseling programs in Georgia, as determined by program accreditation and third-party school ratings. Tiebreakers are determined by total in-state program cost.
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia (UGA) offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Mental Health Counseling accredited by MPCAC. This 60-credit program is delivered in a traditional on-campus format and emphasizes culturally responsive clinical practice, evidence-based intervention, and professional identity development. Coursework covers counseling theory, human development, psychopathology, appraisal, group work, and ethics, and students complete supervised practicum and internship placements in community mental health agencies, hospitals, and school-based settings. The curriculum is designed to meet Georgia’s educational requirements for LPC licensure and prepare graduates for counseling roles in a range of clinical and community environments.
Mercer University
Mercer University offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) that can be completed through a hybrid delivery model combining online coursework with scheduled on-campus residencies and supervised field experiences. The 60-credit curriculum integrates foundational counseling knowledge with applied clinical skills, covering areas such as diagnosis, counseling techniques, assessment, multicultural counseling, and research. Students begin with core theoretical coursework and advance to practicum and internship placements at mental health agencies and healthcare settings throughout Georgia. Graduates fulfill Georgia’s educational requirements for LPC licensure and are prepared for work in community mental health, hospital services, and private practice.
Augusta University
Augusta University (AU) offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counselor Education with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) concentration. The program is delivered in a traditional classroom format and focuses on developing competent, ethical counselors ready to serve diverse populations. Students complete coursework in counseling theory, human behavior, assessment, group counseling, and research methods, and gain hands-on experience through supervised practicum and internship placements in community agencies and healthcare settings. The 60-credit curriculum is structured to meet the academic requirements for Georgia LPC licensure and supports students in becoming effective clinicians in a variety of mental health environments.
Other Notable Programs
- Clark Atlanta University
- Georgia Southern University
- University of West Georgia
Most Affordable Mental Health Counseling Programs in Georgia
The following eight schools offer the most cost-effective mental health counseling degrees, based on their minimum tuition, not including additional fees. Required credit hours may differ depending on the concentration area, so be sure to check with schools of interest for more details on specific program options. For a detailed comparison, you can refer to the comparison table above to find the quality indicators that align with your needs. Tuition shown is the lowest per-credit rate published as of the most recent catalog; confirm totals with each school.
- Fort Valley State University ($11,160)
- Clayton State University ($12,300)
- Augusta University ($14,160)
- University of West Georgia ($14,820)
- Georgia Southern University ($17,040)
- University of North Georgia ($17,460)
- Albany State University ($18,480)
- Columbus State University ($18,540)
Online Mental Health Counseling Programs in Georgia
The following schools offer online or hybrid degrees in mental health counseling:
- Albany State University (Online)
- Columbus State University (Hybrid)
- Fort Valley State University (Hybrid)
- Georgia Southern University (Hybrid)
- LaGrange College (Online)
- Mercer University (Hybrid)
- Piedmont University (Online)
- Richmont Graduate University (Online)
- Thomas University (Online)
- Truett McConnell University (Online; Hybrid)
- Valdosta State University (Online)
Georgia Mental Health Counselor Salary and Outlook Information
Projections for Georgia mental health counselors exceed national trends, with an expected growth rate of 21.7% in the state compared to 18.4% nationwide.5 This demand is projected to create about 720 job openings per year in Georgia through 2032.5 The table below shows salaries by metro area for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, compared to the statewide average.
| City | Number Employed6 | 10th Percentile Salary6 | 25th Percentile Salary6 | 50th Percentile (Median) Salary6 | 75th Percentile Salary6 | 90th Percentile Salary6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 8,680 | $39,020 | $46,150 | $55,320 | $71,980 | $93,200 |
| Albany | 30 | $35,720 | $40,060 | $55,970 | $81,980 | $92,280 |
| Athens-Clarke County | 110 | $33,160 | $39,110 | $48,500 | $69,170 | $83,700 |
| Atlanta | 5,510 | $43,940 | $48,400 | $58,990 | $73,630 | $96,320 |
| Augusta | 390 | $40,430 | $46,150 | $52,630 | $63,390 | $82,410 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons | 60 | $43,160 | $44,870 | $59,060 | $75,740 | $86,240 |
| Columbus | 420 | $37,560 | $43,120 | $48,770 | $59,990 | $75,750 |
| Dalton | 40 | $42,360 | $46,020 | $59,730 | $65,250 | $87,000 |
| Gainesville | 70 | $41,550 | $43,820 | $66,190 | $85,540 | $95,650 |
| Hinesville | 70 | $38,310 | $45,840 | $54,670 | $66,220 | $86,240 |
| Macon-Bibb County | 150 | $39,020 | $45,370 | $55,870 | $69,070 | $83,790 |
| Rome | 70 | $39,090 | $45,830 | $60,800 | $72,290 | $89,670 |
| Savannah | 310 | $43,040 | $46,610 | $55,010 | $73,620 | $89,690 |
| Valdosta | 120 | $36,000 | $45,660 | $49,430 | $62,570 | $77,120 |
| Warner Robins | 80 | $38,760 | $45,820 | $57,160 | $79,710 | $91,650 |
Additional Resources
- American Counseling Association (ACA) of Georgia: The state branch of the ACA, offering professional development, advocacy, networking, and resources for counselors across specialties.
- Counseling Degrees Guide: Explore counseling degree options by level and specialization, including online and on-campus programs.
- Counseling Interviews and Advice: Read interviews and career insights from experienced clinical mental health counselors.
- Counseling School Accreditation Information: Learn about accreditation standards at both the institutional and program levels.
- Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists: Georgia’s official licensing authority for counselors, providing information on education requirements, supervised experience, examinations, and licensure renewal.
- Georgia Counseling Schools: Find accredited counseling programs in Georgia, including on-campus and online options.
- Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD): Oversees statewide behavioral health programs, community mental health services, crisis response, and policy initiatives supporting individuals and families.
- Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH): Administers Medicaid, state health programs, and behavioral health partnerships across Georgia.
- Georgia LPC Licensing Process: Step-by-step guidance on meeting Georgia’s requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential.
- Licensed Professional Counselors Association (LPCA) of Georgia :
Represents LPCs and future LPCs in the state. - Mental Health America of Georgia (MHAG): A statewide nonprofit offering education, advocacy, stigma-reduction programs, and mental health resources for individuals and communities.
- Mental Health Counselor Career Guide: An overview of the counseling profession, including common job duties, key skills, and typical work settings.
- NAMI Georgia: Provides education, advocacy, peer support, and family programs for those affected by mental illness across Georgia.
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, Accredited Programs: https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
3. Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council Accredited Programs: https://mpcacaccreditation.org/accredited-programs/
4. US News & World Report 2025 Best National University Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities
5. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/longterm
6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm