Study Mental Health Counseling in Georgia
Licensed professional counselor (LPC) programs in Georgia provide a path to achieve your professional counselor credential. These programs are specifically designed to meet the rigorous standards established by the state for licensure.
In an LPC program, you will gain the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals. Your studies will include a broad range of topics, such as psychotherapy techniques and ethical practices in counseling. Online programs are particularly suitable if you face challenges balancing work and family commitments.
This guide highlights some of the popular schools offering LPC programs in Georgia—to narrow your focus and identify the school that best aligns with your needs.
LPC Programs in Georgia
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering LPC programs in Georgia:
- Thomas University
- Piedmont University
- LaGrange College
- Liberty University
- Georgia State University
- Georgia Southern University
- Walden University
- National University
- The Chicago School
Thomas University
Master of Science in Counseling
At Thomas University, you can enroll in the online Master of Science in Counseling (MSC) program, designed to prepare you as a skilled counselor dedicated to serving and advocating for individuals and communities in need. This program provides flexibility with four specialization tracks to choose from:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
- Addictions Counseling
- Professional School Counseling
This program holds accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) for Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling.
Your instructors will be doctoral level professors with extensive experience and credentials in the counseling field. The program maintains small class sizes, ensuring a faculty-to-student ratio of 1:12 for core courses and 1:6 for fieldwork supervision. This structure allows for personalized attention and meaningful engagement with peers and faculty, which is essential for building effective interpersonal skills.
The 60-credit hour program includes rigorous academic training and clinical fieldwork, which can be completed locally. You will complete 45 credit hours of foundational coursework that satisfies licensure requirements, along with an additional 15 credit hours specific to your chosen specialization. If you select multiple specializations, you must fulfill the coursework and clinical hours for each track.
If you pursue the Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization, you will take additional courses such as:
- Psychosocial & Multicultural Aspects
- The Helping Professional: Case Management & Community Resources
- Abnormal Behavior
- Marriage & Family Counseling
- Human Sexuality
- Psychopharmacology
The curriculum adheres to CACREP standards and aligns with state licensure requirements, preparing you to work as a licensed professional counselor across the United States. Once you complete 75% of your coursework, you will be eligible to take the National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exams. It is important to ensure that you meet your state’s licensure requirements before graduating.
Thomas University works closely with agencies and organizations to arrange internships and fieldwork placements, offering valuable practical experience to help you transition into professional practice.
The program is structured to equip you with knowledge in theoretical foundations, ethical standards, case management, and cultural awareness. It also prepares you to address the needs of individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses while advocating for societal awareness.
You will learn the importance of ethical practices, developing your personal counseling style, and applying research to improve the counseling profession.
Admissions are open three times per year before the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. To apply, you must submit:
- An online application form.
- A resume.
- A Statement of Purpose outlining your goals (maximum two pages).
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Official transcripts from all institutions where you earned your degrees.
Piedmont University
Online Master of Arts – Clinical & Mental Health Counseling
At Piedmont University, you can earn a Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical & Mental Health Counseling through a fully online program. This program includes 60 semester credit hours, with 9 hours dedicated to supervised field experiences during your practicum and internship. Faculty and staff will assist you in identifying and coordinating with an approved clinical site for these hands-on experiences.
This degree prepares you for various roles in community agencies, businesses, and institutions, meeting the academic qualifications to become an LPC in Georgia. The program emphasizes practitioner-oriented education and thorough clinical instruction, while offering flexibility to balance your studies with personal and professional commitments. You can complete the degree in 2.5 years, encompassing 7 semesters at 9 credit hours per semester.
The program utilizes innovative online learning methods to create an inclusive community, allowing you to connect with instructors, peers, and professionals through live interactions, including Zoom office hours, cyber cafes, and sessions with guest licensed counselors.
Your coursework will encompass a variety of subjects, such as:
- Theories of Counseling: Focuses on the practical application of counseling theories and techniques, particularly with diverse populations.
- Family Systems: Examines family and developmental theories across different family systems.
- Group Counseling and Group Work: Studies the development and effectiveness of group counseling.
- Lifespan Development: Explores stages of human development and their implications for counseling.
- Professional Foundations of Counseling: Introduces the counseling profession, including its foundations and ethical/legal issues.
- Psychopathology and Diagnosis: Teaches the diagnostic process using the DSM and ICD.
- Addictions and Substance Use Counseling: Covers theory, diagnosis, and treatment of addictions.
Your practicum will involve a one-term supervised experience in a facility offering psychological counseling services. During this phase, you will work with diverse clients under careful supervision and document your sessions. You must complete at least 100 clinical hours at this site.
Following the practicum, you will participate in a counseling internship spanning two semesters. This experience will involve working at a site that provides psychological counseling services, applying theoretical knowledge and refining your skills under the guidance of both site and university supervisors. You must complete at least 300 clinical hours at your internship location.
Graduating with an MA in Clinical & Mental Health Counseling from Piedmont University prepares you for diverse roles in the field and fulfills academic requirements for LPC licensure in Georgia, as well as certification as a National Certified Counselor.
To apply, you must meet the following requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- GRE waiver.
- Submission of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
- Two professional references, preferably including one academic reference.
- A detailed Statement of Intent and current resume.
- Completion of a background check by your second semester.
- Participation in a virtual interview to assess your suitability for the program and profession.
LaGrange College
Online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
LaGrange College’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offers an online program designed to suit your lifestyle. You can select between synchronous (live online classes) and asynchronous (flexible schedule for coursework) learning formats, making it easier to balance your current job or family commitments.
This 60-credit program, accredited by CACREP, can be completed in as little as two years. The program combines structured coursework, research, and field experiences, preparing you for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor after graduation.
Throughout your studies, you will take a variety of courses designed to develop essential skills for professional counseling. Key courses include:
- Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Group Dynamics
- Crisis, Trauma, and Grief Counseling
- Addictions Counseling
- Principles of Management, Consultation, Collaboration, and Advocacy
The CACREP accreditation ensures that field experiences are integrated into the curriculum. To meet this requirement, LaGrange College includes practica and internships that fit seamlessly into your schedule. These fieldwork opportunities enhance your professional growth by providing hands-on experiences. The program also supports your development through research, training, and participation in conferences.
Additional focus areas within the program include addressing specific counseling challenges such as community service, social justice, and mental health research. There is also emphasis on family counseling, career counseling, and multicultural counseling.
You can apply to LaGrange College’s program online at any time. To qualify for admission, you must have an undergraduate degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. The application process requires the following:
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
- Three professional references.
- A two-page essay detailing your motivation for pursuing a career in counseling.
Additionally, you must complete a background check and demonstrate a clear history regarding license or certification revocations to be considered for admission.
Liberty University
Online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
At Liberty University, you can enroll in the CACREP-accredited 60-credit online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree, designed to provide you with specialized training essential for acquiring state licensure and becoming a licensed professional counselor.
As an LPC, you will be a licensed mental health professional trained to support individuals, families, and groups in addressing mental health and behavioral concerns. This online degree enhances your understanding of human psychology through proven techniques and teaches you best practices for improving mental health and overall wellness for clients across various communities.
The program is structured in mostly 8-week sections, allowing you to complete most of your degree from the comfort of your home. Additionally, you can fulfill your field experience requirements locally. At Liberty University, you can complete the clinical counseling program in approximately 2.5 years, including the necessary internship and practicum requirements for hands-on experience critical for pursuing licensure.
The foundational courses of the program cover core topics in human behavior, training you in ethical and legal counseling issues, multicultural counseling, counseling theories, and other significant areas for evidence-based best practices. The program meets the advanced counseling content areas required for private practice licensure as a clinical counselor.
This master’s degree in mental health counseling prepares you to be an ethical, well-trained mental health counselor, equipped with the knowledge, values, and skills needed to empower others toward positive life changes. By engaging in rigorous academic courses, dynamic interactions with mentors and faculty, and a structured practicum and internship process, you will be ready for professional counseling practice.
Through the practicum and internship requirements, you will gain invaluable real-world experience under professional counselor supervision. This hands-on training exposes you to practical insights beyond textbook knowledge or lectures.
For the practicum, you must complete 100 hours of field experience, including 40 direct client hours and 60 hours for related activities such as literature review, case note creation and examination, and treatment plan development. The practicum should be completed near the end of your online mental health degree but before starting the internship. To register for the practicum, you must fulfill all prerequisites and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.
The internship involves 600 total hours of field experience, typically spread over two semesters. Unlike the practicum, the internship includes group supervision, though group supervision is recommended for the practicum when possible.
Liberty’s online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling equips you with the training, knowledge, and experience to become a professional counselor. With counseling licensure and an LPC degree accredited by CACREP, your expertise will be recognized as meeting high standards.
The program also guides you through the state licensure-required areas of knowledge and practice, enabling you to pursue regulated counseling positions in private, public, and nonprofit settings. After completing Liberty’s counseling degree online and fulfilling state licensure prerequisites, you may start your private counseling practice.
As an LPC, you could work in hospitals, inpatient mental health facilities, mental health agencies, or private practices. Additional licensure may open opportunities as school counselors, addiction counselors, marriage and family therapists, among other roles.
Admission to this program requires a bachelor’s degree, accredited regionally or nationally, with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher. Applicants must submit:
- An admission application.
- Application fee.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- A personal statement.
- Official college transcripts. Unofficial transcripts may be accepted temporarily with a completed official transcript request form.
How Much Does an LPC Get Paid in Georgia?
As of January 2026, the average annual salary for an LPC in Georgia is $93,449. More experienced LPCs in Georgia earn well over $150,000 per year.