15 Top CACREP Accredited Programs California Offers for Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The mental health industry is expected to grow 25 percent by 2029. California leads the charge with 34,820 mental health professionals hired as of 2021. The right CACREP accredited programs California offers can position you for success in this expanding field. CACREP accredited counseling programs represent the gold standard in mental health counseling training and give you superior preparation for licensure exams. Your credentials transfer easily across state lines. This guide explores 15 of the top masters in counseling programs that meet these rigorous accreditation standards.
Alliant International University – MA in Clinical Counseling
Program Overview and CACREP Accreditation Status
Alliant International University’s California School of Professional Psychology received CACREP accreditation for its MA in Clinical Counseling program on August 8, 2022. This 60-unit curriculum satisfies all California Board of Behavioral Sciences educational requirements for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor credentials. The National Board of Certified Counselors approved the program curriculum in 2021, and it founded a new chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, the International Honors Society in Counseling.
The program originated at the San Francisco campus in 2011 and expanded to Fresno in 2013. An online modality launched in 2017. Graduates achieved an 81% employment rate in the counseling field. First-time test takers posted a 59% pass rate on the Law and Ethics exam and 94% on the NCMHCE.
Key Program Features and Specializations
The curriculum prepares you to assess, treat and prevent cognitive, mental and emotional issues related to personal growth, disability adjustment, psychosocial stressors, substance abuse, crisis and trauma. Course offerings have psychopharmacology, couple and family counseling, and crisis, trauma and emergency response issues in counseling. The program focuses on promoting resilience and mental wellness rather than pathology alone.
Clinical Experience and Practicum Requirements
You’ll complete 700 hours of clinical experience, with a minimum of 280 hours under direct supervision. The fieldwork sequence begins at the end of your first year with a practicum that requires 100 hours over at least two terms and has 40 direct client contact hours. The internship phase spans three terms after this and requires 600 hours with a minimum of 240 direct client contact hours. Weekly clinical supervision has two-hour group seminars plus individual site supervision.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options
Tuition stands at $848 per unit. The estimated total program cost reaches $58,228 for the Fresno campus and $57,953 for the online program. Federal financial aid remains available, but most important changes take effect July 1, 2026. Graduate PLUS loans will be eliminated for new students starting on or after that date. Students whose loans disburse by June 30, 2026 retain access through June 2029.
California State University, Fullerton – MS in Counseling
Program Overview and CACREP Accreditation Status
Cal State Fullerton operates two distinct formats for its MS in Counseling program: the Traditional Program and the Evening Cohort. The program’s accreditation history spans nearly two decades, with original CACREP accreditation granted in January 2007 as a Community Counseling program. It transitioned to Clinical Mental Health Counseling status in January 2015. The current accreditation cycle extends through October 31, 2031. The Board reaffirmed accreditation in 2023 after determining full compliance with all applicable standards.
Both program formats meet California State Board of Behavioral Sciences educational requirements for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist credentials. The Traditional Program accepts around 60 students each fall, while the Evening Cohort admits about 24 students every three years starting in spring.
Key Program Features and Specializations
The 63-unit curriculum emphasizes anti-racist practices and cultural humility in a variety of social locations, including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religious affiliation. The program’s theoretical framework integrates humanistic and relational principles. It acknowledges that emotional distress connects to systemic oppression such as racism and sexism.
The Ánimo: Latinx Counseling Emphasis addresses professional and community needs for serving Latinx and Spanish-speaking clients. This concentration develops bilingual counselor self-awareness and familiarity with culturally appropriate interventions. The Ánimo emphasis remains unavailable in the Evening Cohort program.
Clinical Experience and Practicum Requirements
Students complete practicum fieldwork at community mental health agencies during the program’s midpoint and provide counseling to children, adults, couples, and families. This commitment requires 15-20 hours weekly for one to one-and-a-half years. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and earn a B or better in COUN 526. They must also demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity and ethical conduct to advance to practicum.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options
The Traditional Program costs $7,878 for in-state students. The Evening Cohort charges $675 per unit for the Spring 2025 cohort, totaling around $39,375 for the complete program. Federal Direct unsubsidized loans assist with educational expenses.
California State University, Fresno – MS in Counseling
Program Overview and CACREP Accreditation Status
The Kremen School of Education and Human Development holds national accreditation from CACREP, among state-level approval from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Fresno State offers multiple counseling pathways. These include a 60-unit Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling program designed for those pursuing California MFT and LPCC licensure. Students can complete this MFCC program in 5 semesters.
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization previously held CACREP accreditation under 2009 standards from July 2017 through January 2020. The Board approved dual accreditation for CMHC and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling through the CACREP/CORE conversion process in July 2017. Fresno State then transitioned this specialty area to Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling.
The university also provides a 48-unit MS in Counseling with School Counseling and Student Affairs and College Counseling options. The Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program spans 60 units and offers two distinct tracks.
Key Program Features and Specializations
The MFCC curriculum prepares professional counselors following American Counseling Association ethical standards to serve diverse populations throughout California’s San Joaquin Valley. The program satisfies approved degree title requirements for California Marriage, Family and Child Counseling licensure. Students gain practical experience at the Fresno Family Counseling Center and receive academic preparation for entry-level counseling positions.
Clinical Experience and Practicum Requirements
The Student Affairs and College Counseling option requires 100 hours of supervised practicum during the first year. Students then complete 600 hours of field practice over two semesters during the second year. The Clinical Rehabilitation program mandates 100 clock hours of supervised field experience in practicum.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options
Graduate students pay $4,919.50 per semester for full-time enrollment (7+ units) and $3,227.50 for part-time status (0-6 units) for Fall 2025. The estimated total program tuition reaches $16,434.
California State University, Los Angeles – MS in Counseling
Program Overview and CACREP Accreditation Status
The Division of Special Education and Counseling at Cal State LA houses the MS in Counseling program among three other graduate counselor education programs: Applied Behavior Analysis, School-Based Family Counseling, and School Psychology. CACREP accreditation extends through October 31, 2027. The accreditation covers multiple specialty areas that include Rehabilitation Counseling, Career Counseling, Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling, and School Counseling.
The program offers two distinct options. The Rehabilitation Counseling option requires 70 units and prepares you to address the needs of people with disabilities. The School-Based Family Counseling option spans 73 units and merges multicultural conjoint family therapy with school counseling credentials. Both pathways maintain a 90% completion rate. They achieved a 97% job placement rate.
Key Program Features and Specializations
The School-Based Family Counseling option qualifies you for multiple credentials: Pupil Personnel Services, Advanced Authorization in Child Welfare and Attendance, LMFT licensure, and LPCC licensure. This concentration accepts 24 students from over 300 applicants each year. The Rehabilitation Counseling track admits 36 students each fall for full-time study. It prepares counselors through an all-encompassing curriculum that addresses medical, psychological, and social aspects of disability.
Clinical Experience and Practicum Requirements
Fieldwork totals 18 units across both program options. You’ll submit practicum applications through the Tevera platform by the end of the 10th week of the semester before placement. Weekly supervision has site supervisor meetings to review timesheets and reflective practice forms. Classes meet 2-4 days between 4:30 PM and 10:00 PM each week.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options
Full-time students completing the program in three years pay around $24,380 total. Graduate students enrolling in 6.1+ units pay $4,571.20 per semester for 2025-2026. The priority filing deadline for financial aid applications is March 2, 2026.
California State University, Sacramento – Masters in Counseling California
Program Overview and CACREP Accreditation Status
Sacramento State’s College of Education delivers four distinct CACREP accredited counseling programs through a single MS in Counseling degree. Each concentration holds individual accreditation: Career Counseling, Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, and School Counseling. You apply to one specific concentration. All paths qualify graduates for California LPCC licensure. On top of that, only the MCFC concentration meets California State Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements for LMFT credentials.
The program structure operates on WASC regional accreditation, which California mandates for licensure. Sacramento State maintains this national standard in every concentration, though CACREP accreditation isn’t required for California licensing. The MCFC track follows COAMFTE standards, and School Counseling meets CTC requirements.
Key Program Features and Specializations
The 60-unit curriculum divides into 45 core units shared by all concentrations and 15 specialization units specific to each track. This integrated design allows yearly cohorts to intermix and build networks while understanding different mental health profession viewpoints. Students advance together through a structured sequence. They take 9-12 units each fall and spring semester over three years.
The program emphasizes equitable access, inclusive practices, and social justice advocacy. Faculty mentorship extends through advising, student leadership opportunities, and professional development pathways.
Clinical Experience and Practicum Requirements
Practicum occurs during the second year spring semester and requires 100 hours under faculty supervision. You’ll provide counseling services through either the on-campus Center for Counseling and Diagnostic Services or approved K-12 school sites. Third-year internship requires 600 hours for most concentrations and 800 hours for School Counseling. Graduates working in clinical agency or Department of Rehabilitation settings earn starting salaries that range from $50,000 to $75,000.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options
Graduate students pay $4,507 per semester for 6.1+ units during Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. Sacramento State’s Financial Aid Office makes federal financial aid and student loan programs available.
California State University, San Bernardino – MS in Counseling
Program Overview and CACREP Accreditation Status
CSUSB maintains CACREP accreditation running from July 1, 2017 through March 31, 2026, covering Rehabilitation Counseling, Career Counseling, Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling, and School Counseling. The university operates two distinct counseling pathways. The College of Education houses the MS in Counseling program and offers three concentrations: School Counseling, Professional Counseling, or Dual Concentration. This three-year sequence emphasizes professional practice and cultural responsiveness with evidence-based counseling.
The Psychology Department offers a separate MS in Clinical/Counseling Psychology designed for MFT licensure that meets California Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements. This program achieved a 100% pass rate for the licensing exam.
Key Program Features and Specializations
The Professional Counseling concentration prepares you for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor credentials through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. School Counseling leads to the Pupil Personnel Services credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The Dual Concentration option qualifies you for both pathways and expands career opportunities across educational and clinical settings.
The Clinical/Counseling Psychology track accepts only 10-15 students each year. This provides close mentoring. Students complete 60 units for the detailed exam option or 68 units for the thesis track.
Clinical Experience and Practicum Requirements
Students accumulate 225 direct contact hours by graduation. The Clinical/Counseling Psychology program places first-year students at the university’s Community Counseling Center. This builds practical experience early.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options
California residents pay $8,522 each year, while out-of-state tuition reaches $21,842. Total program costs including living expenses amount to $28,763 for California residents and $38,843 for non-residents. Federal financial aid and institutional grants remain available. 93% of first-year students received need-based assistance in fall 2023.
Concordia University Irvine – MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Program Overview and CACREP Accreditation Status
Concordia University Irvine partnered with the Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling to create its MA in Counseling program, which received CACREP accreditation on July 13, 2019. The accreditation extends through October 31, 2027 and covers both campus-based instruction in Irvine and online delivery formats. Bestselling author and psychologist Dr. John Townsend founded the institute, which enrolls over 300 students each year.
You can complete the 60-unit online program in 24-36 months through seven-week courses. WASC Senior College and University Commission accredits Concordia Irvine. The university ranks among “Top Performers on Social Mobility” universities at the national level. The program curriculum lines up with California Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements and prepares you for MFT licensure.
Key Program Features and Specializations
Two specializations let you pursue professional interests: Clinical Mental Health or Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling. The program begins with COUN 600, a hybrid course that features a four-day campus-based intensive learning experience. You’ll build relationships with faculty and participate in process group training that trained facilitators lead.
Learning activities require approximately 13 to 16 hours of weekly time investment. Students who work full time should take only one course at a time. Transfer students may apply up to six credit hours from regionally and CACREP accredited universities. Only grades of B or better qualify for transfer, and core curriculum courses cannot be transferred.
Clinical Experience and Practicum Requirements
The clinical sequence totals 700 hours. Practicum requires 100 clock hours with at least 40 hours of direct client service. After practicum, Internship I demands 300 total hours with 120 direct service hours. Internship II adds another 300 hours with 120 direct contact hours.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options
Tuition costs $715 per unit. Federal financial aid, scholarships, partnerships with employers, and veteran benefits through the Yellow Ribbon program remain available. Graduate students qualify for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans up to $20,500 each year.
Palo Alto University – MA in Counseling
Program Overview and CACREP Accreditation Status
Palo Alto University earned CACREP accreditation for its MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in January 2017 and received the maximum eight-year accreditation period. The program serves 269 graduates each year and maintains a 93.2% degree completion rate. Students achieve an 81% pass rate on the LPCC Law & Ethics Exam and 78% on the NCMHCE. Combined employment and doctoral admissions rates reach 75.22%.
The program offers residential hybrid and distance learning formats. You can complete coursework from any location and conduct practicum placements in your local community. Distance learning students attend two mandatory residential training experiences on campus.
Key Program Features and Specializations
The 94.5 quarter-unit curriculum prepares you to assess, diagnose and treat clients in a variety of settings and advocate for equitable care. The program emphasizes social justice, cultural responsiveness and addresses barriers created by discrimination and implicit bias. Graduates develop skills in individual and family counseling, career development and evidence-based practice implementation.
Clinical Experience and Practicum Requirements
You’ll complete a 100-hour practicum followed by 600 internship hours spread over at least three quarters. Some states mandate additional clinical training hours, and PAU assists students in getting these extra requirements.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options
Tuition runs $615 per unit with $61 in fees for a total of $676 per unit. First-year costs reach $33,801, and second-year expenses drop to $25,056. Over 70% of students receive financial aid, which includes scholarships, grants, federal loans and work-study opportunities.
San Francisco State University – MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Program Overview and CACREP Accreditation Status
The Counseling Department trains counselor leaders through an intersectional, community-driven approach grounded in social justice work. CACREP accreditation covers Career Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, College Counseling and Student Affairs, Marriage Couple and Family Counseling, and School Counseling through October 2027. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialty received accreditation on January 18, 2020 under 2016 standards. Applicants to the MS-CMHC program must complete 2,000 hours of paid or unpaid human services work experience before applying.
Key Program Features and Specializations
The curriculum prepares you for California LPCC licensure using a biopsychosocial model of health and behavioral health. Training addresses mental health recovery, community mental health, disability justice, vocational rehabilitation, and trauma-informed care. The program focuses on addressing power, stigma, racism and other forms of societal oppression.
Clinical Experience and Practicum Requirements
You’ll complete 700 total hours with 280 minimum direct client contact hours. First-year placements require 12-16 hours weekly with 3-5 clients. Second-year fieldwork requires 16-20 hours weekly serving 5-8 clients. Supervision averages one hour for every five client contact hours.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options
California residents pay $6,838 in tuition fees plus $1,934 in local fees. Sixty-six percent of students receive financial aid, with access to over 700 campus and external scholarship opportunities.
Saybrook University – MA in Counseling
Program Overview and CACREP Accreditation Status
Saybrook University’s hybrid online MA in Counseling holds CACREP accreditation through October 2026. The program blends distance learning with face-to-face Residential Learning Experiences at the start of each semester. The 60-credit program operates on a cohort model with fall, spring, or summer enrollment options and takes eight to nine semesters to complete. Students achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on licensing exams in 2024-2025. The program maintains a 90% completion rate with 32 graduates, and employment outcomes show 82% of graduates working in the mental health field.
Key Program Features and Specializations
The curriculum follows humanistic principles and prepares you to obtain LPC, LPCC, or LMHC licensure across different states. You’ll attend three required Residential Learning Experiences throughout the program. These sessions connect you with faculty through intensive workshops and skill development. Students may transfer up to 9 credits from other graduate programs.
Clinical Experience and Practicum Requirements
The clinical sequence totals 700 hours and includes 280 direct client contact hours. Practicum spans one semester. A two-semester full-time or three-semester part-time internship sequence follows.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options
Annual tuition ranges from $26,920 to $27,104 for two semesters. Students borrow $70,728 in federal loans over two years on average, which results in monthly payments around $590 under standard repayment plans.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology – MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Program Overview and CACREP Accreditation Status
The Chicago School operates CACREP accredited clinical mental health counseling programs at four locations: Chicago, Dallas, Washington D.C., and online delivery formats. Each campus program meets CACREP standards for institutional settings, the program’s mission, content, practicum experiences, student selection, advising, faculty qualifications, program governance, and self-evaluation. The online program received an eight-year accreditation that lasts until March 31, 2026.
Key Program Features and Specializations
The program centers on three core areas: ethical practice, multiculturalism/social justice, and advanced clinical practice. This prepares you to work in underserved communities. A dedicated faculty member will provide customized advising and guide your academic experience. The curriculum addresses a variety of clinical settings that include couples/family counseling, social service agencies, college counseling centers, and private practice.
Clinical Experience and Practicum Requirements
You’ll progress through two internship phases totaling 600 hours (300 hours each) after you complete the 100-hour practicum successfully. The complete sequence accumulates 700 total hours.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options
Annual tuition is $32,550. Financial aid options remain available whatever your financial status.
University of San Diego – MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Program Overview and CACREP Accreditation Status
The School of Leadership and Education Sciences received CACREP accreditation for its Clinical Mental Health specialization on January 9, 2015, with accreditation extending through April 30, 2034. The 60-unit curriculum prepares you for California Associate Professional Clinical Counselor status upon graduation. After you complete your degree, you’ll need to complete 3000 post-graduate supervised clinical hours and pass the licensing exam to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. The program maintains a 3.0 minimum GPA requirement in undergraduate coursework.
Key Program Features and Specializations
The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based clinical practice and prepares you to work in educational settings, mental health agencies, correctional institutions, and private practice. You’ll develop a clinical sub-specialty while learning individual and group counseling delivery, clinical assessments using the DSM, and treatment planning. Classes meet during afternoons and evenings to accommodate working students. Faculty members maintain active private practice experience and hold licenses or board certifications.
Clinical Experience and Practicum Requirements
The practicum sequence spans three semesters and totals 700 hours with a minimum of 280 direct client contact hours. Supervision has both onsite individual and group sessions, plus weekly group and bi-weekly individual supervision from USD faculty.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options
Financial aid remains available to qualified students.
National University – MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Program Overview and CACREP Accreditation Status
National University’s 100% online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is working to comply with 2024 CACREP standards to pursue accreditation. The 60-credit program prepares graduates for licensure as a professional counselor and satisfies academic requirements for both LPC and National Counseling Certification. California students complete 63 credits and add COUN 6116 Contemporary Issues in Counseling to meet state requirements.
Each course runs eight weeks. Practicum and internship courses extend to 12 weeks. You can complete your degree within two years by taking 9-12 credits per semester. Classes range from 6-25 students and meet in the evenings. This allows you to keep working during the day.
Key Program Features and Specializations
The curriculum gives you a thorough exploration of counseling theories and ethical standards. You’ll learn evidence-based approaches to diagnosis and treatment. You’ll develop therapeutic skills to identify serious mental illness and work with divorce and violence. You’ll also create risk management plans. The program accepts students with Bachelor’s degrees in any field without undergraduate prerequisites. More than 1,200 alumni serve as leaders in the mental health field.
Clinical Experience and Practicum Requirements
Practicum requires a minimum of 100 clock hours with at least 40 hours of direct service with actual clients. You’ll receive weekly synchronous supervision with a counseling faculty member for two hours weekly over 12 weeks.
After practicum, you’ll complete 600 internship hours split across two courses, with 240 hours in direct client service. Site supervisors must hold master’s degrees and LPC licensure, with LPC-S preferred.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options
The School of Education offers all students pursuing this masters in counseling California program a 25% tuition award for semesters in which you complete six or more credits. National University provides scholarship offerings to reduce financial burden and help you finish faster while focusing on your goals.
Azusa Pacific University – MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Program Overview and CACREP Accreditation Status
Azusa Pacific University holds institutional accreditation through WASC Senior College and University Commission. The School of Education operates educator preparation programs accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. APU offers two counseling pathways that prepare graduates to get California licensure: the 62-unit MAEd in Educational and Clinical Counseling integrates the Pupil Personnel Services Credential with coursework that the California Board of Behavioral Sciences requires to become eligible as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. The MS in Counseling Psychology with Specialization in Children and Adolescents has 60 units and prepares you to pursue LPCC licensure.
Key Program Features and Specializations
The Educational and Clinical Counseling program covers the 50-unit MAEd in Educational Counseling plus 12 additional LPCC-required units. This dual pathway qualifies you to work in K-12 school settings and clinical mental health practice. The Counseling Psychology track specializes in serving children and youth populations and addresses a high-demand specialty area.
Clinical Experience and Practicum Requirements
You’ll complete 100 practicum hours in K-12 or approved clinical settings. EDCO 575 coursework verifies these hours before you advance to fieldwork or internship phases.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options
Tuition runs $815 per unit in School Counseling and LPCC programs, while Counseling Psychology costs $800 per unit. APU alumni receive a $500 per term discount that totals up to $2,000 over the program duration. Federal loans, state grants, and military benefits remain available to qualified students.
Vanguard University – MA in Clinical Counseling
Program Overview and CACREP Accreditation Status
Vanguard University offers an MS in Clinical Psychology program at its Santa Ana campus with both on-campus and online formats. The program holds WASC accreditation rather than CACREP accreditation. The 61-66 unit curriculum spans 2-4 years depending on your chosen track. Full-time students complete the degree in 3 years (7-8 semesters) or 2 years (5 semesters). This program fulfills all academic requirements for Marriage and Family Therapist licensure set forth by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Graduates can meet all academic requirements for Professional Clinical Counselor licensure in California by adding five units and additional practicum hours.
Key Program Features and Specializations
The program emphasizes integration of Christianity and psychology, with faculty who are licensed professionals working in their expertise areas. Clinical class sizes are limited to 15 students, while practicum classes cap at 8 students. Track options include full or part-time study, and evening-only schedules are available. Students complete an exit project in place of a thesis.
Clinical Experience and Practicum Requirements
You’ll complete 225 clinical hours at approved practicum placements with a minimum of 150 face-to-face client contact hours. Students in Orange County may complete practicum placement at the Journeys at Vanguard counseling center located at the Santa Ana campus. The program requires 30 sessions of personal therapy concurrent with coursework.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options
Tuition costs $855 per unit, with estimated total program tuition ranging from $48,495 to $52,470.
Find Your Program Today
Selecting the right CACREP accredited programs California offers requires careful assessment of program costs, specializations, and format options. The 15 programs outlined here range from $7,878 to $58,228. Financial planning remains critical for long-term success. Assess multiple programs based on your career goals, whether you’re pursuing LPCC or LMFT licensure.
The first research phase might seem overwhelming, but you can simplify the decision. Narrow your choices to programs that match your budget and specialty interests. After you identify your top options, connect with current students and alumni. They can give you a firsthand point of view on program quality and career outcomes.