CACREP-Accredited M.S. in Counseling in Florida

Earn your CACREP-accredited master's in counseling and meet the educational requirements to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida, with real-time Live-on-Line classes and a 600-hour supervised internship.

CACREP Accredited
Florida LMHC Licensure Pathway
600-Hour Supervised Internship
Live-on-Line + Tampa Florida Campus

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Our stunning Tampa Florida Campus is conveniently located on West Hillsborough Ave. just west of Tampa Airport

Why Choose NLU for Counseling?

CACREP

ACCREDITED, THE GOLD STANDARD

NLU's M.S. in Counseling is CACREP accredited under the 2024 standards, the recognized standard for counseling education. Graduates meet licensure requirements in all 50 states and are preferred by employers in schools, hospitals, and community mental health agencies.

600 Hours

SUPERVISED CLINICAL INTERNSHIP

Every student completes a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour supervised internship in a professional counseling setting. You work with real clients under licensed supervision, building the assessment, diagnosis, and intervention skills employers expect on day one.

LMHC

FLORIDA LICENSURE PATHWAY

Completing the program fulfills the educational requirements to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the State of Florida. Choose Clinical Mental Health Counseling for clinical and community settings, or School Counseling aligned to Florida's School Counseling Standards.

M.S. in Counseling at a Glance

CREDIT HOURS?

60 SH

Semester hours to graduate (19 courses)

EARNING POTENTIAL?

$59,190+

Median salary for mental health counselors; school counselors earn $65,140 (BLS, 2024)

JOB GROWTH?

17%

Projected growth for mental health counselors, 2024 to 2034, much faster than average

INTERNSHIP?

600 Hours

Supervised clinical internship, plus a 100-hour practicum

What You'll Learn

Apply evidence-based counseling theories and interventions across individual, group, and family modalities
Conduct clinical assessments and diagnose mental health conditions using the DSM-5
Develop treatment plans aligned with client goals and professional ethical standards
Navigate professional counseling competencies and ethical frameworks in practice
Complete 600 hours of supervised clinical experience in professional counseling settings

Full Course List

Core Courses

Fundamentals of Counseling (HSC 501)

Develop foundational counseling skills , empathy, active listening, reflection, and session structuring , through supervised practice with peers and video review.

Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis (HSC 505)

Learn to conduct clinical assessments and apply DSM-5 diagnostic criteria to mental health conditions , essential preparation for licensure and clinical practice.

Theories of Counseling (HSC 510)

Survey and apply major counseling theories , CBT, person-centered, psychodynamic, solution-focused, and more , to select and adapt interventions for a range of client presentations.

Theories and Techniques of Group Counseling (HSC 512)

Master group therapy facilitation skills: developmental stages, therapeutic factors, leadership styles, and evidence-based group interventions across settings.

Professional Practice and Ethics in Counseling (HSC 511)

Apply the ACA Code of Ethics to real-world clinical scenarios , confidentiality, informed consent, dual relationships, and mandatory reporting obligations.

Clinical Internship

Counseling Internship (HSC 596-597)

600 hours of supervised clinical experience in a professional counseling setting. Work directly with clients under licensed supervision , building the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment skills employers expect from day one.

Next start: September 21, 2026 — seats filling fast.

Admissions Requirements

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
Complete the online application at nl.edu (no application fee)
Official transcripts from all prior colleges and universities
Minimum grade of 'B' required in all program coursework

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National Louis has an excellent Counseling program! The teachers are extremely supportive and provide real-world counseling experience.

Sherika Stennis M.S. in Counseling Graduate

CACREP Accredited

CACREP is the recognized accreditation standard for counseling education. Graduates meet licensure requirements in all 50 states and are preferred by employers in schools, hospitals, and community agencies. It is the credential that matters most to licensing boards and hiring managers.

600 Hours of Clinical Supervision

Nearly double the minimum internship hours required by many programs. You work with real clients under the guidance of licensed professionals, building assessment, diagnosis, and intervention skills employers expect on day one. This clinical depth sets NLU graduates apart.

A Direct Path to Florida LMHC Licensure

Completing the M.S. in Counseling fulfills the educational requirements to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. Specialize in Clinical Mental Health Counseling for private practice and community settings, or in School Counseling, aligned to Florida's School Counseling Standards and the ASCA National Model.

Where Will Your M.S. in Counseling Take You?

$59,190

Median annual salary for mental health counselors (BLS, May 2024)

Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

School Counselor (K-12)

Substance Abuse Counselor

Marriage and Family Counselor

Community Mental Health Clinician

Career / Academic Counselor

NLU M.S. in Counseling graduates enter one of the fastest-growing segments of the healthcare and social services workforce. Mental health counselor positions are projected to grow 17% over the next decade , far outpacing the national average , driven by increased recognition of mental health needs across all populations. NLU’s CACREP accreditation, three-concentration structure, and 600-hour supervised internship produce graduates who meet licensure requirements from day one.

Get Started Now

Just 3 Steps to Your M.S. in Counseling

Request Information

Fill out the short form on this page. An NLU advisor will reach out within one business day to answer questions about CACREP accreditation, the three concentrations, and upcoming start dates.
Talk to an Advisor

A 15-minute conversation. Ask anything about the virtual vs. on-campus options, licensure pathways, the 600-hour internship, or financial aid. We'll be straight with you.
Start Your M.S. in Counseling

Begin your program on September 21, 2026. You're one decision away from a CACREP-accredited degree and a career helping people build meaningful lives.

Get Started

Take the Next Step in Your Counseling Career

No commitment required. An NLU advisor will reach out within one business day to answer your questions about the M.S. in Counseling program, concentrations, and licensure pathways.

Take the First Step

CACREP Accredited , Gold Standard in All 50 States
600-Hour Supervised Clinical Internship
Three Concentrations + Direct Licensure Pathways
17% Job Growth , Faster Than Average (BLS)

**Median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024 data. Job growth projection: 2024-2034.