Missouri Counseling Degrees & Licenses
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“I’m not sure who coined this saying, but it’s definitely something we say in counselor education, and that is, we can only take our clients as far as we have gone ourselves.”
Karrie Swan, PhD, Counseling Program Director, Missouri State University
Pursuing a counseling career in the state of Missouri can be a rewarding professional choice. Persistent challenges within the state’s mental health care system will likely sustain robust demand for newly trained professionals for years to come.
The 2023 Mental Health America report noted Missouri’s overall ranking as 39th place in the United States. This ranking is generated using metrics designed to measure access to care and outcomes for youth and adults. The state’s specific scores for access to care and adult outcomes are particularly concerning, as both rankings include the state among the ten worst-performing states in the nation.
The Missouri mental health system is beset by some of the same challenges that plague other states. Some of these include a workforce shortage attributable to poor compensation and the demands of the Covid-19 pandemic era. The issue of compensation extends across job categories. For example, low insurance reimbursement rates can often disincentivize highly skilled professionals such as doctors from accepting certain forms of insurance coverage. The time-consuming nature of fulfilling the reimbursement requirements of public insurance systems such as Medicaid is also a problem. Finally, Missouri, like many states, faces a particular workforce shortage in its rural areas.
These issues had previously been compounded by Missouri’s refusal to enforce a federal law established by the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. This parity law, created by legislation passed in 2008, requires insurers to provide mental health care no differently than if patients were seeking treatment for physical health concerns. Some Missouri officials had hesitated to comply. In the years since this law was passed, Missouri observed a stark increase in substance abuse and suicide cases. Missouri has had a suicide rate persisting above the national average since 2000. Improved enforcement of the parity law could improve treatment rates for some of Missouri’s worst mental health care problems.
Missouri offers several accredited academic programs for students to pursue training in various counseling specialties. Read on to discover how to enter counseling careers in Missouri, including detailed information about academic programs and licensing information.
Ask an Expert: Karrie Swan, MEd, PhD
Dr. Karrie Swan is a licensed mental health counselor (WA), licensed professional counselor (MO), a child-centered play therapy trainer/supervisor, a child-parent relationship therapy trainer/supervisor, and a certified K-12 school counselor.
Dr. Swan specializes in expressive modalities, including play therapy, expressive arts, transpersonal counseling, and dream work; approaches that are congruent with an Indigenous worldview as she is an enrolled tribal member. She is an experienced rural-based counselor with specific experiences in working with Native American children, teens, adults, and families on a western state reservation.
Dr. Swan received her BS in politics, philosophy, and economics from Eastern Oregon University. She earned her MEd in counseling with a school counseling emphasis from the University of North Texas. She then went on to earn a PhD in counseling with an emphasis in clinical mental health counseling and play therapy from the University of North Texas. She has been the counseling program director at Missouri State University since spring 2022. Her published work ranges from play therapy for children on the autism spectrum to dream work with children, and child-centered play therapy.
CounselingSchools.com: What is something you wish the public understood about counseling?
Dr. Swan: I specialize in working with children and adolescents, and I’m also a parent. The biggest thing I wish the public understood relates to training. Our main accrediting body is CACREP. Within that, there are no specific standards that require students to learn how to work with children and adolescents. Since it is not required, you might have more of a focus in a school counseling program, but essentially, a lot of training programs may not have any training in counseling adolescents, or play therapy, sand tray therapy, or art therapy. All these are modalities that we know are best for children and adolescents.
So when the public is out there looking for someone who can work with your child or your adolescent, you may have to dig deeper and ask questions about what their training has been in working with children. I think the public often assumes that counselors do have training in children and adolescents, but it’s not in our standard set. It’s heartbreaking that it’s not a requirement.
Developmentally, children and adolescents are very different from adults, so of course, they process difficult experiences and their emotions very differently than an adult. My encouragement for parents who are looking for a counselor for their child is to look for specific credentials, such as a child-centered play therapist. And I say that because child-centered play therapy has the most evidence base. A credential like that is a credential that people can sometimes earn within the coursework in their program, or if their program does not offer the training, then they can earn it outside of their normal counseling master’s degree.
CounselingSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring students in the field of counseling?
Dr. Swan: I’m not sure who coined this saying, but it’s definitely something we say in counselor education, and that is, we can only take our clients as far as we have gone ourselves.
My advice for all students who are working towards this degree or potentially thinking about what they want to do with their life is that they need to do their own work and their own counseling. It’s key to being effective in doing this work well. You have to be in a strong place on your own, and you’ve got to really understand what it’s like to be a client to understand that it’s so hard to enter this space as a stranger at first and be vulnerable and share your story. I think doing your own work is one of the most critical things that people need to do in order to be effective in the field.
Ask an Expert: Kirsten LaMantia, PhD, LPC, NCC
Dr. Kirsten LaMantia is an associate professor, counseling clinic director, and mental health counseling program coordinator for Southeast Missouri State University. She is also the chapter faculty advisor for Chi Sigma Iota.
Dr. LaMantia has published extensively, including research on white privilege, campus diversity, and ally development through feminist pedagogy focusing on intersectionality. Courses she teaches include group counseling, social and cultural counseling, counseling skills, counseling practicum, counseling orientation and ethics, counseling theories, developmental theories, and internship-mental health.
She earned her PhD degree in counselor education and counseling from Idaho State University, an MA in community counseling from Saint Xavier University, and a BFA in acting from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.
CounselingSchools.com: How are students evaluated and assessed throughout the program?
Dr. LaMantia: Students receive both formative and summative assessments throughout our program. Our faculty work hard to create supportive relationships with each student so that they are being given feedback throughout the program from someone they trust. This allows students to begin to confront personal growth so that they leave our program feeling like they have built both a solid foundation of professional counseling skills, but also growth as a human being.
CounselingSchools.com: What support systems are in place for students during their clinical training?
Dr. LaMantia: Our mental health counseling students begin their clinical experience in our on-campus counseling clinic. This allows them to see their very first clients while receiving support from the clinic director, more advanced students in our program, and other members of their cohort. They receive live supervision and constant contact with their supervisors so that when they enter their internship site placements, they are more confident with their clinical skills.
Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Missouri
Lincoln University offers a master of education degree in counseling. Students may select from one of three options: school counseling, community/agency counseling, and addiction counseling.
The school counseling program provides graduates the training to become professional school counselors (PSCs) within Missouri. Students entering the program without a teaching certification must complete a set of courses focused on planning, implementing, and evaluating classroom guidance lessons. Students seeking certification as a PSC must pass the Missouri Content Area Assessment for Counselors.
The community/agency counseling program prepares students to become licensed professional counselors (LPCs). Upon completion of coursework, graduates must pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE). Students pursuing this option typically apply their skills within community-based providers.
The addictions counseling program prepares students to become certified alcohol and drug counselors (CADCs) according to the standards of the Missouri Credentialing Board. Upon graduation, students must pass the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam to begin practice within Missouri.
- Location: Jefferson City, Missouri
- Duration: Two years; school counseling is 60 credits and community/agency counseling is 70
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
The Missouri State University Counseling, Leadership and Special Education Department offers a 60-credit master of science degree in counseling. Students choose from one of two tracks: clinical mental health counseling or school counseling. Both tracks feature 48 credits of core coursework and 12 credits specific to the option. Students seeking school counselor certification who enter without a teaching degree or certificate must complete an additional nine credits of teaching coursework (three additional courses) to become certified in Missouri.
The program features a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship. Students must complete a portion of their practicum hour at the Center City Counseling Clinic. Forty percent of the total internship hours must be direct client contact hours.
Near the end of their academic coursework, students must take a comprehensive exam to exit and successfully graduate. Students then must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) to become eligible to apply as provisionally licensed professional counselors (PLPCs).
- Location: Springfield, Missouri
- Duration: 2.5 (full-time) to four (part-time) years
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Northwest Missouri State University
The Northwest Missouri State University School of Health Science and Wellness offers a 45-credit master of science degree in education (MSEd) in school counseling. The curriculum aligns with the tenets of the Missouri Comprehensive School Counseling Program; it provides graduates with the skills to become successful certified elementary or secondary counselors. Students entering without a BSEd must complete an additional 12 credits of coursework to be eligible to graduate.
- Location: Maryville, Missouri
- Duration: Two years (includes two summer terms)
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Southeast Missouri State University
The Southeast Missouri State University College of Education, Health and Human Studies offers a 60-credit master of arts degree in mental health counseling. To be admitted, students must possess at least nine credits of coursework in the social sciences. Graduates can become eligible for counselor licensure, national certification, and/or pursuit of further study in the university’s PhD in counselor education and supervision program.
Students seeking valuable experience and financial support while completing coursework may seek graduate assistantships. Graduate assistantships offer the benefits of cultivating relationships with faculty and administrators, gaining experience in teaching or administration, and receiving a per-year stipend.
- Location: Cape Girardeau, Missouri
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
University of Central Missouri
The University of Central Missouri offers a master of science degree in counseling. Three concentration options are available: a 54-credit program in either elementary school or secondary school counseling, or a 60-credit hour program in clinical mental health counseling.
The mission of the counseling programs is to develop reflective practitioners prepared to serve society, advocate for both clients and the counseling profession, and follow the ethical standards articulated by the American Counseling Association.
The curriculum is aligned with CACREP standards and the Missouri Standards for the Preparation of Educators. Coursework focuses on topics including human growth and development, helping relationships, and social and cultural diversity. Graduation requires completing a set of core courses, specialization courses focused on intended primary service populations, and an exit exam.
The Department of Human Services offers a master of science in human development and family science – marriage and family therapy (MFT) option. This option is the only graduate program of its kind in any of Missouri’s public universities.
- Location: Warrensburg, Missouri
- Duration: Two years; 54 or 60 hours
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); the MFT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE) and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT); UCM is the longest continuously CAEP-accredited public institution in Missouri
University of Missouri Columbia
The University of Missouri Columbia offers a fully online 60-credit master of education degree with an emphasis in school counseling. The curriculum includes a 12-credit practicum in which students receive ongoing supervision in a counseling setting. Students not already certified as teachers must take nine additional credits to fulfill state requirements. Graduates of this program are eligible for licensure in Missouri at both elementary and secondary school levels.
The curriculum is designed according to two models: a science-practitioner model of training and a comprehensive school guidance and counseling program model. Dr. Norm Gysbers, PhD, a former faculty member, is recognized as the “father” of modern school counseling and founder of the program curriculum. He has received national and international recognition as an influential scholar in the school counseling profession.
- Location: Columbia, Missouri
- Duration: Three years
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
How Much Do Counselors Earn in Missouri?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest data available as of April 2024.
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor Salaries
| United States | Missouri | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 327,660 | 1,28,770 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $66,990 | $53,940 |
| 10th percentile | $40,140 | $35,480 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,710 | $49,460 |
| 90th percentile | $100,050 | $79,400 |
Marriage and Family Therapist Salaries
| United States | Missouri | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 63,340 | 310 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $68,730 | $68,760 |
| 10th percentile | $39,090 | $44,180 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,510 | $63,580 |
| 90th percentile | $104,710 | $95,920 |
Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries
| United States | Missouri | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 84,750 | 520 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $48,430 | $46,500 |
| 10th percentile | $31,390 | $31,880 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,040 | $43,140 |
| 90th percentile | $73,710 | $66,480 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
| United States | Missouri | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 397,880 | 5,790 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $60,080 | $55,910 |
| 10th percentile | $36,700 | $34,000 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,710 | $48,130 |
| 90th percentile | $89,920 | $77,470 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
| United States | Missouri | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 35,580 | 130 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $52,360 | $42,170 |
| 10th percentile | $33,330 | $24,960 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,130 | $41,440 |
| 90th percentile | $79,880 | $58,620 |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Missouri
- Missouri Mental Health Counselors Association
- Missouri School Counselor Association
- Missouri Psychological Association
- Missouri Addiction Counselors’ Association
- Missouri Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- Missouri Department of Mental Health
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health
- Missouri Protection & Advocacy Services
- Missouri Mental Health Foundation
- Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri
- Mental Health America of the Heartland
- Midwest Special Needs Trust
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Missouri: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors |
Missouri issues Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Provisional Licensed Professional Counselors (PLPC) licenses. The requirements for PLPCs are:
To become an LPC, PLPCs must complete 3,000 hours of supervised work experience over a minimum of 24 months and a maximum of five years. Candidates must complete a minimum of 15 hours per week of direct client contact and one hour of face-to-face supervision. Candidates with doctorates are only required to complete one year and 1,500 hours of work experience. |
Licenses in Missouri are renewed every two years. Counselors are required to submit 40 continuing education hours to renew, of which half the hours must be in a professional setting such as seminars or workshops. There is also a $50 renewal fee. |
School Counseling Licenses in Missouri
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) |
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) certifies Student Services School Counselors. The requirements for the Initial Student Services Certificate (ISS) are:
To upgrade to a Career Student Services Certificate, candidates must:
|
Initial certificates for school counselors in Missouri are valid for four years. During those four years, school counselors are expected to meet the requirements to upgrade to a Career Student Services Certificate. Career Student Services Certificates are valid for 99 years. |
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Missouri
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
The Missouri Credentialing Board (MCB) issues Registered Alcohol Drug Counselor – Provisional (RADC-P), Missouri Associate Alcohol Drug Counselor I (MAADC I), Missouri Associate Alcohol Drug Counselor II (MAADC II), Certified Reciprocal Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CRADC), Certified Reciprocal Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CRAADC), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certifications. The RADC-P credential is valid for two years and is intended to be held while pursuing a full credential such as CRADC. Candidates must:
Requirements for MAADC I include:
Requirements for MAADC II include:
Requirements for the CADC include:
CRADC applicants must meet all the same requirements at CADC, except they must have:
CRAADC applicants must meet all the CRADC and CADC requirements as well as:
| MCB credentials expire every two years. RADC-P MAADC I do not renew, as they are intended to be stepping stones to more advanced certifications. Requirements for certifications which do renew are:
|
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Missouri
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Rehabilitation counselors in Missouri must be either Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Provisional Licensed Professional Counselors (PLPC). The requirements for PLPCs are:
To become an LPC, PLPCs must complete 3,000 hours of supervised work experience over a minimum of 24 months and a maximum of five years. Candidates must complete a minimum of 15 hours per week of direct client contact and one hour of face-to-face supervision. Candidates with doctorates are only required to complete one year and 1,500 hours of work experience. |
Licenses in Missouri are renewed every two years. Counselors are required to submit 40 continuing education hours to renew, of which half the hours must be in a professional setting such as seminars or workshops. There is also a $50 renewal fee. |
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Missouri
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Behavior Analyst Advisory Board |
The Missouri Behavior Analyst Advisory Board issues Assistant Behavior Analyst and Behavior Analyst licenses. Requirements for licensure are:
|
All Assistant Behavior Analyst or Behavior Analyst licenses issued in Missouri expire on October 31st of odd-numbered years. To renew, analysts must:
|
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Missouri
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| State Committee of Marital & Family Therapists |
The Missouri State Committee of Marital and Family Therapists credentials Provisional Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (PLMFT) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (PLMFT) The requirements for a PLMFT license are:
LMFT license applicants must meet the provisional license requirements, as well as:
|
LMFT licenses in Missouri are renewed every two years. Counselors are required to submit 40 continuing education hours to renew, of which half the hours must be in a professional setting, such as seminars or workshops. At least two hours must be in suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management. There is also a $175 renewal fee. |
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Missouri
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors |
Child therapists in Missouri must be either Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Provisional Licensed Professional Counselors (PLPC). The requirements for PLPCs are:
To become an LPC, PLPCs must complete 3,000 hours of supervised work experience over a minimum of 24 months and a maximum of five years. Candidates must complete a minimum of 15 hours per week of direct client contact and one hour of face-to-face supervision. Candidates with doctorates must only complete one year and 1,500 hours of work experience. |
Licenses in Missouri are renewed every two years. Counselors must submit 40 continuing education hours to renew, of which half the hours must be in a professional setting such as seminars or workshops. There is also a $50 renewal fee. |
Bernd Geels
WriterBernd 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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