Counseling Degrees & Licenses in New Mexico

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Pursuing a counseling career in New Mexico can prove worthwhile given the current pressing needs and challenges within the state’s mental healthcare system. Challenges, including a workforce shortage, a level of diversity amongst mental health professionals not adequately representative of the population’s mixture of cultural, economic, and social backgrounds and associated needs, and a high prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) among its youth population all strain the state’s mental health system.

According to Mental Health America, New Mexico ranks reasonably well regarding mental healthcare access. It recently ranked 22 out of the 50 states and Washington, DC in terms of its access to mental health services. 

Despite this fair access rate, most of the state’s population lives in a designated mental health professional shortage area. This is because most mental health providers are based in Albuquerque or Santa Fe while only 29 percent of professionals work in rural counties. Other metrics also underscore the severity of circumstances common in New Mexico. 

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a majority of New Mexico residents who have a mental illness do not receive services. In addition, rates of opioid overdose deaths, drug overdose deaths, and deaths due to suicide are all considerably higher than the national average.

The impact of trauma on youth development in the state is also noteworthy. New Mexico has one of the highest rates of ACEs in the United States. Inadequate intervention for youth in need impacts their capacity to meet developmental milestones, such as completion of their primary education, and can also affect these individuals once they are adults.

Given the challenges the state’s mental health system faces and the exacerbating influence of the Covid-19 pandemic, newly graduated mental health professionals can expect to find significant employment opportunities should they elect to practice in-state. Read on to discover how to join various counseling careers in New Mexico, including detailed information about academic programs and licensing.

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Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in New Mexico

Eastern New Mexico University

Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) offers a 60-credit master of arts degree in counseling that provides graduates the skills to become a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in New Mexico. The curriculum, composed of 51 credit hours of graduate counseling courses and nine credits of electives, is delivered in a hybrid model, including classes held on the ENMU-Portales campus, distance education, and intensive weekend learning. 

This program is aligned with the core area standards created by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs. Students must also pass a comprehensive exam to graduate. The affordability of its program distinguishes ENMU from other counseling programs. 

ENMU also offers a 48-credit master of education degree with an emphasis in school counseling. This fully online program provides the training necessary to pursue licensure and certification as a K-12 school counselor in New Mexico. Students must also fulfill a 300-hour internship requirement. This internship is completed at an elementary, middle, or high school.

  • Location: Portales, NM
  • Duration: Approximately three years
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); the counseling program is currently seeking CACREP accreditation
  • Tuition: $303 to $401.50 per credit

New Mexico Highlands University

The New Mexico Highlands University Department of Counseling within the School of Education offers a master of arts degree in counseling. Students may choose from one of five concentrations: clinical mental health, clinical rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and rehabilitation counseling with a specialization in vocational evaluation. The curriculum is offered in both in-person and online formats. Courses are offered in summer, fall, and spring semesters.

Each concentration features 30 credits of core coursework, six credit hours focused on training students in research and methodological skills, and coursework specific to the chosen concentration. Total credit hour requirements vary between the different concentrations. Individuals seeking to enter clinical practice must complete a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship. The curriculum also meets the requirements to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in New Mexico.

  • Location: Las Vegas, NM
  • Duration: Two to three years, depending on the pace of study
  • Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
  • Tuition: $316 per credit (resident); $512 per credit (non-resident)

New Mexico State University

The New Mexico State University Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology offers a 60 credit hour master of arts degree in clinical mental health counseling. Successful graduates possess the skills and experience to pursue licensure as clinical mental health counselors (CMHCs). Licensure requires completion of academic requirements, post-graduate supervised practice and successful completion of the National Counselor Exam (NCE).

The curriculum prepares counselors to offer mental health counseling in numerous  settings, including community agencies and hospitals as well as establish a private practice. Students seeking future positions that emphasize research may gain experience by participating in faculty members’ research teams and completing independent study. Students may also enhance their future marketability by choosing minors such as Spanish counseling and integrated behavioral health.

  • Location: Las Cruces, NM
  • Duration: Two (full-time study) to three years (part-time study)
  • Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
  • Tuition: $8,408 for full-time semester tuition and fees (residents); $26,734 (non-residents)

University of New Mexico

The University of New Mexico College of Education and Human Sciences Counselor Education Program offers a 60 semester credit hour master’s degree. Students may choose a clinical mental health counseling or school counseling focus. Degree completion provides graduates with the training necessary to be eligible to become either a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) or a licensed school counselor in New Mexico. Active students and graduates may also pursue a 12-credit advanced graduate certificate in one of the two aforementioned focus areas. 

The curriculum prepares professionals skilled in providing counseling to meet the many needs of the diverse population of New Mexico. The program creates a student body from this population with the intent that it accurately represents and serves the state. The curriculum trains students in core competencies including, but not limited to, professional identity, social and cultural foundations, human growth and development, career development, and research and program evaluation. 

  • Location: Albuquerque, NM
  • Duration: Three years
  • Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
  • Tuition: $8,757 in tuition and fees, full-time semester (residents); $27,846 (non-residents)

University of the Southwest

The University of the Southwest offers a fully online 60 credit hour master of science degree in clinical mental health counseling. The curriculum consists of three areas, namely 42 hours of core courses, six hours of electives, and a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship collectively valued at 12 credit-hours.

The curriculum features a combination of traditional academic coursework and experiential learning designed to prepare graduates to work in various settings, including social service agencies, hospitals, shelters, correctional facilities, and private practice. Offered by a faculty composed of skilled mental health clinicians, this program emphasizes individual student support and features electives such as psychopharmacology, play therapy, and spirituality in counseling.

  • Location: Hobbs, NM
  • Duration: 2.5 years 
  • Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
  • Tuition: $625 per credit 

Western New Mexico University

Western New Mexico University offers a 60-credit online master of arts degree in counseling. The curriculum is designed to train professional counselors skilled in meeting the needs of diverse populations found in varied settings, including community mental health centers, state agencies, clinics and hospitals. 

Students select from one of four specialities: clinical mental health counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, or addiction counseling. Graduates can seek licensure as school counselors, licensed mental health counselors (LMHC), and licensed rehabilitation counselors (LRC) within New Mexico. The curriculum also enables graduates to become a National Certified Counselor (NCC) or a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).

  • Location: Silver City, NM
  • Duration: Three years
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) 
  • Tuition: $1,001.37 for three credits (residents); $1,274.07 (non-residents)

How Much Do Counselors Earn in New Mexico?

These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2021—the latest data available as of February 2023.

Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salaries

United StatesNew Mexico
Number employed58,100310
Average annual salary (mean)$99,640$110,410
10th percentile$47,010$52,400
50th percentile (median)$82,510$98,030
90th percentile$167,460At least $208,000

Marriage and Family Therapist Salaries

United StatesNew Mexico
Number employed54,800300
Average annual salary (mean)$59,660$56,070
10th percentile$37,050$37,000
50th percentile (median)$49,880$49,410
90th percentile$96,520$79,890

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor Salaries

United StatesNew Mexico
Number employed310,8801,710
Average annual salary (mean)$53,490$60,720
10th percentile$30,870$36,230
50th percentile (median)$48,520$56,750
90th percentile$77,980$96,710

Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries

United StatesNew Mexico
Number employed90,310340
Average annual salary (mean)$44,740$41,690
10th percentile$28,890$29,170
50th percentile (median)$38,560$38,500
90th percentile$65,880$53,370

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor Salaries

United StatesNew Mexico
Number employed57,1101,590
Average annual salary (mean)$82,770$59,680
10th percentile$49,260$38,430
50th percentile (median)$78,780$60,510
90th percentile$124,950$84,390

Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in N. Mexico

  • New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
  • New Mexico Counseling Association
  • New Mexico Mental Health Counselors Association
  • New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board
  • NAMI New Mexico

Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in New Mexico: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Licensing AuthorityEligibility & DetailsRenewal Requirements
New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board

Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) are the licenses issued in New Mexico.

To earn a LMHC license candidates must:

  • Submit a completed application
  • Pay $75 application fee
  • Provide a 2×2-inch current color photograph
  • Complete a master’s in counseling of at least 48 semester-hours, nine of which must be a practicum. Courses must be in 11 core curriculum areas.
  • Pass the NCE
  • Be 21 years of age
  • Arrange for supervision to complete work experience

In order to be an LPCC, candidates must meet the above requirements as well as:

  • Pass the NCMHCE exam
  • Complete 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised work experience. It must include 100 hours of supervision. Up to 1,000 hours may be from the candidates’ practicum or internship.
  • Pay $75 application fee

New Mexico requires counselors to renew their licenses every two years. The renewal fee is $75 for LMHCs and $150 for LPCs.

Both licenses require 40 hours of continuing education, 12 of which must be in ethics.

School Counseling Licenses in New Mexico

Licensing AuthorityEligibility & DetailsRenewal Requirements
New Mexico Public Education Department

The New Mexico Public Education Department issues school counseling licenses. Candidates for this license must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Have a master’s in school counseling from a regionally accredited institution (at least 36 semester hours and including a practicum)
  • Hold either a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LPCC) license issued by the New Mexico Counseling & Therapy Practice Board and complete six graduate semester hours in school counseling
  • Hold National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) credential issued by National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

All applicants must:

  • Submit a completed application
  • Pass a background check
  • Pay $150 application fee
  • Pass the Praxis Professional School Counselor exam

School counselor licenses in New Mexico expire every three to nine years, depending on the level of the license. Renewals must be completed online and include a $120 renewal fee.

Counselors are not required to complete any continuing education but are required to submit a Superintendent ‘s Recommendation for Continuing Licensure.

Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in New Mexico

Licensing AuthorityEligibility & DetailsRenewal Requirements

Counseling and Therapy Practice Board

The Counseling and Therapy Practice Board in New Mexico licenses Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (LADAC) and three tiers of Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA).

To earn an LSAA license, candidates must:

  • Submit a completed application
  • Pay $75 application fee and $75 licensing fee
  • Provide a current passport-sized photo
  • Be 21 years old
  • Submit an experience plan for supervised work experience along with supervisors information and signature
  • Have an associate degree in counseling or a related field for an LSAA Tier 1; those with a bachelor’s can earn an LSAA Tier 2, and those with a master’s can earn an LSAA Tier 3
  • Complete 90 hours of training in alcohol and drug counseling

LADAC license candidates must:

  • Submit a completed application
  • Pay $75 application fee and $150 licensing fee
  • Provide a current passport-sized photo
  • Be 21 years old
  • Pass the NCAC level 1 exam from NAADAC
  • Complete 276 hours of training and education in counseling and drug abuse (at least 90 hours in alcohol abuse, 90 hours in drug abuse, 90 hours in counseling, and six hours in ethics)
  • Complete work experience; applicants with an associate degree must complete three years (3,000 hours), including 200 hours of supervision; those with a bachelor’s must complete two years (2,000 hours), including 100 hours of supervision; and those with master’s must complete one year (1,000 hours), including 50 hours of supervision

Renewals for LSAA and LADAC counselors in New Mexico happen every two years. The LSAA costs $75 and the LADAC costs $150.

Counselors must complete 40 hours of continuing education in order to be eligible to renew. These hours must include six hours in ethics.

Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in New Mexico

Licensing AuthorityEligibility & DetailsRenewal Requirements

New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board

Rehabilitation counselors in New Mexico must be either Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC).

To earn a LMHC license candidates must:

  • Submit a completed application
  • Pay $75 application fee
  • Provide a 2×2-inch current color photograph
  • Complete a master’s in counseling of at least 48 semester hours, nine of which must be a practicum. Courses must be in 11 core curriculum areas.
  • Pass the NCE
  • Be 21 years of age
  • Arrange for supervision to complete work experience

In order to be a LPCC, candidates must meet the above requirements as well as:

  • Pass the NCMHCE exam
  • Complete 3,000 hour of post-graduate supervised work experience. It must include 100 hours of supervision. Up to 1,000 hours may be from the candidates’ practicum or internship.
  • Pay $75 application fee

New Mexico requires counselors to renew their licenses every two years. The renewal fee is $75 for LMHCs and $150 for LPCs.

Both licenses require 40 hours of continuing education, six of which must be in ethics.

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in New Mexico

Licensing AuthorityEligibility & DetailsRenewal Requirements
Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) for national certification

Currently, there are no state certification or licensing requirements for applied behavior analysts in New Mexico.

However, holding a BCBA certification and maintaining membership with the New Mexico Association for Behavior Analysis can help with employment opportunities or job advancement.

Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in New Mexico

Licensing AuthorityEligibility & DetailsRenewal Requirements
New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board

The New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board credentials Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) and Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapists (LAMFT)

To earn an LAMFT license, candidates must:

  • Submit a completed application
  • Pay $75 application fee
  • Provide a 2×2-inch current color photograph
  • Complete a master’s in marriage and family therapy from a regionally accredited institution that meets curriculum requirements
  • Provide statements from supervisors verifying supervision has been arranged
  • Pass the AMFTRB exam
  • Be 21 years of age
  • Arrange for supervision to complete work experience

In order to be an LMFT, candidates must meet the associate license requirements as well as:

  • Complete two years of supervised work experience as a marriage and family therapist, with at least 1,000 hours of client contact and 200 hours of supervision (100 of which must be individual supervision)
  • Submit an LMFT application
  • Pay $75 application fee

New Mexico requires marriage and family therapists to renew their licenses every two years. The renewal fee is $220.

Therapists must complete 40 hours of continuing education units per renewal cycle, six of which must be in ethics.

Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in New Mexico

Licensing AuthorityEligibility & DetailsRenewal Requirements
New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board

Child therapists in New Mexico must be either Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC).

To earn a LMHC license candidates must:

  • Submit a completed application
  • Pay a $75 application fee
  • Provide a 2×2-inch current color photograph
  • Complete a master’s in counseling of at least 48 semester-hours, nine of which must be a practicum. Courses must be in 11 core curricula areas.
  • Pass the NCE
  • Be 21 years of age
  • Arrange for supervision to complete work experience

To be an LPCC, candidates must meet the above requirements as well as:

  • Pass the NCMHCE exam
  • Complete 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised work experience. It must include 100 hours of supervision. Up to 1,000 hours may be from the candidates’ practicum or internship.
  • Pay $75 application fee

New Mexico requires counselors to renew their licenses every two years. The renewal fee is $75 for LMHCs and $150 for LPCs.

Both licenses require 40 hours of continuing education, 12 of which must be in ethics.

Bernd Geels

Bernd Geels

Writer

Bernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].

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