Counseling Degrees and Programs in Louisiana
In Louisiana, you will find there are many colleges and universities that offer counseling degree programs in the following five major areas: mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling. To begin a counseling career in this southern state, you will need to choose a school that has a program in your preferred area of counseling, as most counseling careers require a degree. Counseling degrees in Louisiana are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels, offering a range of opportunities for new and experienced students. To earn counseling licensure, a master’s degree in counseling is often required, but undergraduate degrees can help introduce new students to the profession. There are also several online and hybrid degree programs available in Louisiana that provide greater flexibility to students who cannot attend class or live further from campus.
Quick Facts
- There are 16 not-for-profit four-year colleges and universities that offer a program in mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, school counseling, substance abuse counseling, and/or vocational rehabilitation counseling in Louisiana.1,2
- Of the counseling schools offered in Louisiana, 3 offer an associate degree, 5 offer a bachelor’s degree, 1 offers a certificate, and 16 offer a master’s or advanced degree.1,2
- 16 schools offer a degree in mental health counseling.1,2
- 5 schools offer a degree in marriage and family therapy.1,2
- 3 schools offer a degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling.1,2
- 11 schools offer a degree in school counseling.1,2
- 5 schools offer a degree in substance abuse counseling.1,2
- No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Student Counseling Programs 2022.3
- 1 school ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online M.Ed. Programs for Student Counseling 2022.4
- Across 15 schools, 28 counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).2
- Across 1 school, 2 counseling programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).5
Comparison of Louisiana Counseling Schools and Programs
In the table below, you will find information about the public and not-for-profit colleges and universities in Louisiana that offer counseling programs in at least one of the five primary areas of practice: mental health counseling (MH), marriage and family therapy (MF), vocational rehabilitation counseling (VR), school counseling (SC), and substance abuse counseling (SA). Use the table to compare each school by program type offered, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation status, graduation rate, and net price per year. More information about becoming a licensed counselor in Louisiana can be found on our license requirements page.
| School Name | CACREP-Accred Program2 | MH | MF | VR | SC | SA | Grad Rate1 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana State University and A&M College | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 69% | $21,010 |
| Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| Louisiana State University-Shreveport | Yes | Yes | — | — | — | — | 38% | $8,092 |
| Louisiana Tech University | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | — | 59% | $12,154 |
| Loyola University New Orleans | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | — | — | 62% | $24,850 |
| McNeese State University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 42% | $10,487 |
| New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | — | — | 59% | $15,294 |
| Nicholls State University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 50% | $12,907 |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | 44% | $13,500 |
| Southeastern Louisiana University | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | 38% | $12,891 |
| Southern University and A&M College | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | 32% | $16,310 |
| Southern University at New Orleans | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 19% | $13,194 |
| Southern University at Shreveport | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 11% | $9,422 |
| University of Holy Cross | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | 49% | $12,886 |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 48% | $11,818 |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | 54% | $10,408 |
| University of New Orleans | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 39% | $11,341 |
| Xavier University of Louisiana | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 50% | $16,886 |
Top-Ranked Schools with Counseling Programs in Louisiana
US News & World Report’s Best Online M.Ed. Programs for Student Counseling 2022
- Northwestern State University of Louisiana (#253-329)4
Schools in Louisiana with Counseling Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
Southern University at New Orleans
Individuals looking for an addiction counseling program may be interested in the Associate of Arts (AA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees in Addictive Behaviors Counseling and Prevention at Southern University at New Orleans. These degrees teach students about the prevention, assessment, and treatment of various addictions, including substance abuse and addictive disorders. The AA degree requires students to complete 62 hours and provides professionals with enhanced employment opportunities by studying specific areas of addiction counseling. The BS degree requires 39 credits in addiction counseling education and provides students with additional opportunities to develop counseling skills, as well as two internship experiences. BS students can also choose a complementary minor, such as Criminal Justice or Psychology. Graduates of the AA and BS programs will meet Louisiana educational requirements for the Addictive Disorders Regulatory Authority (ADRA), which allows students to apply for certification in different areas, such as Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) and Certified Prevention Professional (CPP).
Southern University and A&M College
Southern University and A&M College is a historically black institution located in Baton Rouge. The school offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Rehabilitation Services that requires 120 hours, including 48 hours and a field experience in the Rehabilitation Services major. An 18-credit minor in Rehabilitation Services is also offered to undergraduate students in other degree programs. At the graduate level, students can choose a 60-credit, CACREP-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling with a specialization in Assistive Technology, Rehabilitation of Ethnic Minorities, or Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment; or a 60-credit Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC).
Traditional Graduate Programs
Louisiana State University
At Louisiana State University (LSU), students can complete a CACREP-accredited Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling. The degree is comprised of 60 credits and new students are admitted in the fall. In the M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, students can complete an optional thesis and, upon completion of the degree, will meet the educational requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license in Louisiana. Students in the M.Ed. in School Counseling program will be eligible to become school counselors. LSU also offers an Educational Specialist (EdS) in Counseling available to individuals who already have a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling. In this program, students complete advanced training in a specific area of counseling or complete additional coursework to meet state coursework requirements for licensure.
Southeastern Louisiana University
Southeastern Louisiana University offers a Master of Science (MS) with three CACREP-accredited tracks: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; School Counseling; and Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy. The MS degree requires 60 credits and all tracks fulfill the state coursework requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license. Students in the school counseling track will also meet the academic requirements to become school counselors in Louisiana. While the program is based at the Hammond campus, some courses may be offered in a hybrid format. All students complete 42 credits of core counseling courses, nine credits of concentration courses, and nine credits of on-site field work, including 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship. Students must also pass a final comprehensive exam.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette offers a Master of Science (MS) in Counseling with CACREP-accredited tracks in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. The degree is comprised of 60 credits, including 30 credits of counseling core courses and additional coursework in the area of specialization. Students in the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling learn various types of counseling skills, such as individual and group counseling, couples and family counseling, crisis counseling, and play therapy. Upon completion of the program, graduates will meet Louisiana’s academic requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license. The MS in School Counseling degree teaches students about child and adolescent development, as well as age-appropriate counseling techniques. Graduates of the program will be able to become school counselors in Louisiana in K-12 settings. New students are admitted into the MS program in the fall term. A dual-concentration degree in both Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling is available consisting of 72 hours.
Online and Hybrid Programs
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU) offers two online or hybrid Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees focused on addiction: a BS in Addiction Studies and a BS in Psychology with a concentration in Prevention Specialist or Substance Abuse. Both degrees are comprised of 120 credits, including 42 credits of general education, and teach students about human behavior, addictive disorders, and counseling techniques. In addition to the general education courses, the BS in Addiction Studies requires students to complete 33 credits of addiction studies, 27 credits of psychology, and 18 credits of electives, while the BS in Psychology provides students with a greater focus on psychology coursework, requiring 48 credits in psychology, 12 credits for the Substance Abuse or Prevention Specialist concentration, and 30 credits of electives. Addiction counseling coursework from both degrees can be applied to the educational requirements for the Registered Addiction Counselor (RAC), Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC), and Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credentials in Louisiana. NSU also offers a CACREP-accredited on-campus Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling degree with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling.
University of Holy Cross
The University of Holy Cross is a Marianite institution in New Orleans. The school offers several online undergraduate counseling degrees that may be of interest to prospective counselors who prefer a faith-based educational environment. The Associate of Science (AS) in Addiction Counseling and the AS in Juvenile Counseling are 61-credit programs that introduce undergraduate students to interviewing, counseling, psychology, and recovery. The AS in Juvenile Counseling requires students to take additional courses in Juvenile Delinquency and Adolescent Psychology. The 120-credit Bachelor of Science (BS) in Addiction Counseling builds on the AS curriculum and includes additional coursework in addiction studies and counseling techniques. The 120-credit BS in Social Counseling enables students to take a wider range of counseling-related courses to meet degree requirements. Students in the BS programs can apply for early admission to the university’s on-campus MA in Counseling programs, enabling them to complete both degrees in a shorter time. The MA degree has three CACREP-accredited specialty areas: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, and School Counseling. Each specialization of the MA degree meets state educational requirements to become a licensed counselor in the area of specialization. For those prospective students who prefer a flexible online option, the University of Holy Cross now offers MA degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling; and School Counseling.
University of Louisiana at Monroe
The University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) offers online and on-campus counseling degrees at the graduate level. The Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in School Counseling, and MS in Addiction Counseling are all offered online and on campus. All tracks require 60 credits and take approximately three years of full-time study to complete. Part-time study is permitted but all degree requirements must be completed within six years. Graduates of the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling meet coursework requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Louisiana, while MS in School Counseling graduates fulfill state requirements to become school counselors. Those pursuing the Addiction Counseling track can become Addiction Counselors and may qualify for LPC licensure as well. A 75-hour combined track is also available in which students would focus on two of the three specialties. ULM also offers an online non-clinical Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Marriage and Family Therapy with a Concentration in Systemic Studies. This program helps students develop advanced knowledge of systems theories. A clinical, on-campus PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy that meets LPC and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licensure requirements in Louisiana is also available.
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. US News & World Report Best Student Counseling Programs 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/student-counseling-rankings
4. US News & World Report Best Online Master’s in Education Programs Offering Student Counseling and Personnel Services 2022: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/student-counseling-rankings
5. Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, Directory of COAMFTE Accredited Programs: https://coamfte.org/COAMFTE/Directory_of_Accredited_Programs/MFT_Training_Programs.aspx