Compare online licensed professional counseling (LPC) programs

What is an LPC program? 

The two most common LPC degree pathways are a master’s degree in counseling or a master’s degree in clinical psychology — you need to earn either of these, or an equivalent, before being able to fulfill any licensure requirements. Typically, these master’s programs consist of academic work that covers the theoretical and practical aspects of counseling. They also include field experience or internship courses that prepare learners to sit for licensure. All licensing requirements vary by state.

Depending on where you intend to practice, you may need to earn a degree at an institution accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent. 

Education requirements for an LPC program

While the nuances of each LPC degree program vary, master’s in counseling degrees offer specialized curricula designed to prepare professional counselors to sit for licensure before being able to practice. Master’s in counseling programs that are accredited by CACREP, the most widely preferred accreditor, must include:

• A practicum that consists of at least 100 supervised hours over 10 weeks

• An internship that spans approximately 600 supervised hours

Explore the specific requirements for accredited online master’s in psychology programs and online MFT programs.

Licensed professional counselor degree curriculum

In addition to the core curriculum set by CACREP, counseling programs often offer concentrations, or specialized areas of study, such as:

• Clinical mental health counseling 

• Marriage, couple, and family counseling

• School counseling

• Rehabilitation counseling

If you already know what specialization within counseling you plan to pursue after graduation, you may wish to include that information in your search for a licensed professional counselor degree program. Focusing your coursework prior to entering the field may better prepare you to pursue licensure in your chosen specialty.

LPC salary 

Salary ranges for licensed professional counselors vary depending on your location, experience level, specialty, and other factors. 

For example, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for substance abuse, behavior disorder, and mental health counselors was $48,520 in May 2021. Those who work in the government saw a median annual salary of $60,450, and the highest 10 percent in any industry earned more than $77,980.^{Footnote 1}

Potential LPC jobs

Regardless of which population you plan to support as a counselor, you will find that the profession is growing quickly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for substance abuse, behavior disorder, and mental health counselors from 2021-2031 is as great as 22%, which is much faster than average.^{Footnote 2}

After obtaining licensure, you may work in the following roles:

• Behavioral disorder counselor

• Career counselor

• Mental health counselor

• Rehabilitation counselor

• Substance abuse counselor

LPC vs LCSW salary 

Social work takes a holistic and community-based approach to wellness, as opposed to counseling, which more often than not focuses solely on an individual’s emotional wellbeing. Both licensed professional counselors and licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) require a master’s degree to sit for licensure, and both offer comparable salary ranges. The median annual wage for social workers, for instance, is $50,390^{Footnote 3}; that of some counselors, $48,520.^{Footnote 4}

How to become an LPC 

Licensed professional counselor education requirements are designed to help graduates become credentialed mental health professionals. While specific licensure requirements may vary depending on the state in which you plan to practice, you will need a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in the field of study that includes a supervised fieldwork component. You will then need to complete national  exams required by your state, and apply for an initial license within your state.

While exploring licensed professional counselor online programs, it’s important to think about the expertise and soft skills you will need to support your future patients. These may include, but are not limited to: 

• Communication

• Compassion

• Critical thinking

• Empathy

• Observation skills

• Non-judgmental attitude

• Problem solving

• Research methods

Find the best online LPC for your licensed professional counselor career

If you want to become a licensed professional counselor, online programs may help you achieve this goal with minimal disruption to your current professional responsibilities and life obligations. An online LPC program may be a good fit for you, for example, if you plan to continue working while pursuing your degree. 

Here are other factors to think about when exploring LPC online programs: 

• School prestige: Research a school’s ranking and reputation.

• Length of study: Compare the duration of online programs to find one with the length and flexibility of study that suits your career needs and current schedule.

• Clinical placements: Determine how much support your universities of choice provide for students who are searching for fieldwork placements.

• Graduation rates: Review graduation and licensure rates to better understand the quality of an online master’s program.

• Career outcomes: Explore employment rates of program graduates, and get to know your future alumni network.