Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) programs in Pennsylvania provide the essential training and qualifications you need if you plan to build a career in mental health counseling. The LPC credential gives you access to various career opportunities within the mental health field in Pennsylvania.
LPC programs usually combine classroom coursework with extensive supervised clinical practice, making sure you are fully prepared to address the wide range of challenges you will face in professional mental health settings.
This article introduces several well-known LPC programs in Pennsylvania, describing their key features and explaining how they meet the needs of future mental health counselors.
Online LPC Programs in Pennsylvania
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online LPC programs in Pennsylvania:
- Pennsylvania Western University, Clarion
- Eastern University
- Pennsylvania Western University – Global Online
- Saint Joseph’s University
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Arizona State University Online
- Grand Canyon University
Pennsylvania Western University, Clarion
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
At Pennsylvania Western University, Clarion, you have the opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills in mental health through the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. This 60-credit degree follows the guidelines of the Pennsylvania state board and prepares you to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania. It is a strong choice if you want to improve your career opportunities.
When you complete this program, you will be qualified to work in various areas supporting people. You might work with:
- Children and adolescents, either providing direct counseling or supervising teams.
- Youth who have experienced trouble.
- Courts to provide supervision.
- Individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- Clients with substance use or dual diagnoses.
- Psychiatric rehabilitation or older adults.
Your coursework includes multiple areas to strengthen your counseling abilities, such as:
- Assessment
- Case management
- Group therapy
- Therapeutic and crisis interventions
- Ethics
- Cultural awareness
- Clinical instruction
Most courses are offered online, though some use a hybrid format requiring evening or weekend classes.
This program is designed for students who want careers in human services. You gain experience working with many populations, including:
- Individuals with mental health or addiction issues.
- Older adults.
- People with developmental disabilities.
- Adults and juveniles involved in the legal system.
- Clients at public and private human service agencies.
A central part of your training is the practicum and internship. You will work in agencies that deliver counseling and related services, learning directly from professionals. This provides you with practical experience. You are covered by malpractice insurance through the university, but you must also carry your own personal liability insurance.
You may also choose the Directed Studies/Thesis option to fulfill part of your elective credits. This involves conducting a research project under faculty supervision. You may complete the thesis in one or two semesters.
To earn your degree, you must pass a written comprehensive examination. This occurs during the second part of your internship. The test includes short essays based on your major courses, and you are allowed to use your notes and textbooks.
Admission requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. If your GPA is lower, you must take the GRE or MAT. There are no required prerequisite courses, though background in psychology is helpful.
You may also transfer up to 12 credits from approved institutions if the department and dean grant approval, following university transfer policies.
Eastern University
Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Counseling
At Eastern University, you can choose to enroll in the 60-credit Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling program. This program is designed to strengthen your understanding of the human mind and train you to bring positive change to individuals and communities. Located in the quiet neighborhood of St. Davids in Philadelphia, this program offers flexibility with courses available fully online or in the evening to fit your schedule.
You may select from three tracks: General, Trauma Studies concentration, or Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Certification concentration.
Throughout your studies, you will follow a structured curriculum approved by the Pennsylvania Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, preparing you to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania. You must complete 60 credits through lectures and practical training. The subjects you will cover include:
- The ethical rules of counseling.
- How society and culture influence counseling.
- Human growth and development across the lifespan.
- Career development and lifestyle planning.
- Counseling theories and group strategies.
- Methods of assessment and appraisal.
- Research and program evaluation.
You can complete the degree in two, three, or four years, with summer sessions included. A critical requirement is the 100-hour practicum, where you spend about seven hours each week for 15 weeks at an approved site. During this practicum, you will observe and work with clients under supervision, gaining direct exposure to the responsibilities of a counselor.
In your final year, you are required to complete a 600-hour internship. This internship is divided between the fall and spring semesters and usually involves about 20 hours of counseling work each week. You are advised to plan ahead for this large time commitment. In special circumstances, you may begin the internship in the summer before your final year.
Guided by experienced mentors from both Eastern University and your placement site, you will apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. These practical experiences will prepare you for your career in counseling with confidence and professional readiness.
The program is structured to help you grow into a capable counselor and a well-rounded professional, equipped to positively impact both individuals and communities.
Admission requirements include:
- A bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution.
- An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.8 (3.0 required for online study).
- Six credit hours in behavioral science courses (such as psychology, educational psychology, social work, etc.) with a grade of C or higher.
Pennsylvania Western University – Global Online
Online Master’s in Counseling
Do you feel motivated to assist and guide others? Are you ready to support them as they face and overcome challenges, helping them become stronger? By enrolling in PennWest’s online master’s in counseling program, you prepare yourself for a career focused on serving others.
This program, offered fully online, gives you the ability to influence lives positively while also establishing a meaningful professional path.
PennWest University’s Counseling Department is committed to developing professional counselors who follow ethical practices, maintain cultural awareness, support social justice, and build a strong counselor identity. As a student, you will be guided to improve the lives of families, groups, couples, and individuals, while also contributing to the progress of the counseling field.
You may specialize in one of the following areas:
- Art Therapy: You will be prepared to address diverse needs through art. This path highlights the wide role of art therapists and offers opportunities to practice counseling individually and in groups using art therapy.
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling: You will join a learning community where students and faculty collaborate for academic excellence, leadership, and service. You gain knowledge to design, apply, and evaluate psychoeducational programs and interventions. This track prepares you to become an ethical clinical professional capable of supporting mental health across diverse contexts.
- School Counseling: You will be trained to work as a school counselor in elementary and secondary schools, meeting all requirements for Pennsylvania certification. This track also provides a pathway to licensure as a professional counselor within Pennsylvania and beyond.
If you choose the Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration, you will be prepared to work with individuals, couples, families, and groups in many mental health settings. Some of the required courses include:
- Counseling & Consult Theories
- Career Development
- Group Counseling & Group Work
- Multicultural Counseling
- Addictions Counseling
- Crisis and Trauma Counseling
- Lifespan Development
Regardless of concentration, you must complete a practicum requiring at least 120 hours at a placement site, giving you direct training in professional settings.
You must also complete a clinical internship requiring 600 hours of on-site counseling work after finishing core courses. You may request to divide the internship across two semesters, but the 15-week semester schedule must be followed.
At PennWest, you will be taught by diverse faculty members experienced in counseling and art therapy. They use engaging teaching approaches to help you gain knowledge, develop self-awareness, strengthen counseling skills, and maintain an ethical perspective in a multicultural environment.
When you graduate, you will be:
- Knowledgeable about the counseling profession.
- Able to counsel across social and cultural contexts.
- Capable of applying theory and research to practice.
- Ethical in your professional role.
- Self-reliant and responsible as a counselor.
Admission requirements include:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- An essay.
- An interview.
- GRE/MAT scores if GPA is below 3.0.
Saint Joseph’s University
Online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
If you are dedicated to supporting others, the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Saint Joseph’s University may be the right choice for you. This program, offered mainly online, prepares you to help individuals facing challenges such as addiction, relationship issues, anxiety, and depression.
In this 60-credit program, you will complete 700 hours of supervised fieldwork, with the option to specialize in addiction counseling. You will learn to assess, understand, and support individuals dealing with mental health concerns and life difficulties, including grief, loss, and wellness challenges.
The courses are guided by experienced instructors with professional expertise. The program fulfills Pennsylvania’s standards for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) eligibility and also prepares you for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential, which is recognized by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
The structure of the program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals. You can choose a pace that fits your schedule, balancing work, family, and academic responsibilities. While most coursework is online, in-person participation is required for practical sessions and internships. You may complete the degree in two years if studying full-time, or extend the timeline if needed.
During your studies, you will take courses such as:
- Counseling Across the Lifespan
- Counseling Theories & Techniques
- Group Counseling
- Counseling Skills & Techniques
- Assessment Practices for Counseling
- Family & Couples Counseling Techniques
- Addictions Counseling
- Crisis Counseling Trauma, Violence
Upon graduation, you may qualify for positions in healthcare facilities, schools, and community agencies. Possible job titles include:
- Counselor
- College Counselor
- Family Counselor
- Addiction Counselor
- Mental Health Specialist
The learning outcomes of the program include:
- Developing strong foundational knowledge and counseling skills.
- Gaining expertise in clinical mental health settings.
- Making ethical decisions with sound judgment.
- Building a professional identity with commitment to growth and self-awareness.
- Advocating for clients and the counseling profession.
- Acquiring the skills needed to succeed as a professional counselor.
To apply, you must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
How Much Do Licensed Mental Health Counselors Make in Pennsylvania?
As of August 2025, the average annual salary for a licensed mental health counselor working in Pennsylvania is $83,353. More experienced mental health counselors working in Pennsylvania make over $130,000 per year.
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