Arkansas offers master’s and specialist-level psychology and counseling programs at five universities, most leading to state licensure as a counselor or certification as a School Psychology Specialist rather than the “psychologist” title itself, which Arkansas reserves for doctoral-level practitioners. Programs typically run two to three years, or about five years for Ed.S. tracks, and include a supervised internship.
Five Arkansas universities offer master’s or specialist-level psychology and counseling programs, each preparing graduates for a specific state-recognized credential rather than the “psychologist” title itself. Before comparing schools, it helps to know exactly what a master’s-level credential does and doesn’t qualify you to do in Arkansas.
Master’s-Level Psychology Programs vs. the Doctoral Path in Arkansas
A master’s or Ed.S. in psychology, counseling, or school psychology is a complete, licensable credential on its own. It is not a watered-down version of a doctorate. Graduates of Arkansas’s 60-credit-hour counseling programs can pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) through the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling, typically starting with a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) credential while completing post-degree supervised hours. See how Arkansas licenses psychologists for the full doctoral-level requirements.
School psychology works differently in Arkansas than in most states. Arkansas law reserves the title “school psychologist” for practitioners licensed at the doctoral level through the Arkansas Board of Psychology. Graduates of a master’s or Ed.S. program in school psychology instead earn the title School Psychology Specialist (SPS), an ancillary license issued by the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. An SPS can provide psychological services in K-12 schools but cannot use the “school psychologist” title or practice outside the school setting. Anyone considering full doctoral-level practice or private-sector work should plan for that distinction before choosing a program and can compare Arkansas’s doctoral psychology programs before deciding.
Arkansas Master’s and Specialist-Level Psychology Programs at a Glance
All five programs below carry regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) varies by program and can change between review cycles. Current accreditation status for each program is noted below its listing.
| School | Degree | Focus | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University | Ed.S. | Clinical Mental Health Counseling & School Psychology | State University, AR |
| University of Central Arkansas | M.S. / Ed.S. | Mental Health Counseling & School Psychology | Conway, AR |
| Arkansas Tech University | M.S. | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Russellville, AR |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | M.A. | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Little Rock, AR |
| Henderson State University | M.S. | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Arkadelphia, AR |
Arkansas State University
Department of Psychology and Counseling, College of Education and Behavioral Science
Arkansas State University’s Department of Psychology and Counseling offers two Ed.S. tracks that share a foundation in psycho-educational assessment, consultation, and research design, then split into distinct clinical and school-based training paths.
Ed.S. in Psychology and Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Track
This track prepares graduates to work as professional counselors in community and agency settings, covering counseling theory, diagnosis, treatment planning, and ethics alongside supervised field placements.
Ed.S. in Psychology and Counseling: School Psychology Track
This 67–72 credit-hour track prepares graduates to assess, diagnose, and support the learning and behavioral needs of PreK-12 students and includes a full-year supervised internship.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling track is accredited by CACREP. The School Psychology track is accredited by NASP and approved by the Arkansas Department of Education.
State University, AR · Program website
University of Central Arkansas
Department of Psychology and Counseling, College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
UCA’s Department of Psychology and Counseling offers a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling and a separate Educational Specialist program in School Psychology, each built around a supervised internship.
Mental Health Counseling, M.S.
This 60-credit-hour program offers a traditional counseling track and a research-and-counseling track and meets Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling requirements for LPC licensure. The program is not accredited by CACREP.
Educational Specialist in School Psychology, Ed.S.
This 60-credit-hour program (UCA moved this track from an M.S. to an Ed.S.) prepares graduates for Arkansas’s School Psychology Specialist credential, with a 1,200-hour internship. The program is conditionally accredited by NASP while it works toward full accreditation on the two remaining standards.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission. The School Psychology program is conditionally accredited by NASP.
Conway, AR · Mental Health Counseling program website · School Psychology program website
Arkansas Tech University
Department of Behavioral Sciences
M.S. in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Option
This 60-hour program follows CACREP-aligned standards, covering counseling theory, diagnosis, and treatment through coursework plus a supervised practicum and internship. Graduates can pursue a Licensed Associate Counselor credential and, later, full LPC licensure in Arkansas.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission.
Russellville, AR · Program website
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
School of Counseling, Human Performance, and Rehabilitation
M.A. in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Track
This 60-hour track prepares students to work in mental health agencies, substance abuse treatment centers, hospitals, and similar settings and meets Arkansas’s educational requirements for LPC licensure. UA Little Rock restructured this track in 2022 and has been working toward CACREP accreditation since. Confirm current accreditation status directly with the program before applying.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission. Pursuing CACREP accreditation (not yet accredited as of this writing).
Little Rock, AR · Program website
Henderson State University
Teachers College, Counselor Education
M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
This 60-hour, CACREP-accredited program builds training in counseling techniques, psychological assessment, and professional ethics through coursework and supervised internships. Graduates can pursue a Licensed Counseling Associate credential, then full LPC licensure and National Certified Counselor recognition.
Accreditation: CACREP. Also regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Arkadelphia, AR · Program website
Each of these programs ends in a supervised internship and a specific state or national credential rather than a general “psychology degree.” For a broader look at career paths, see what you can do with a master’s in psychology. Admission requirements, tuition, and accreditation status change from year to year, so confirm current details directly with each program before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become a licensed psychologist in Arkansas with only a master’s degree?
No. Arkansas requires a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD), supervised experience, and a passing score on the EPPP to become a licensed psychologist through the Arkansas Board of Psychology. A master’s or Ed.S. degree qualifies you for a related but distinct credential, such as Licensed Professional Counselor or School Psychology Specialist, not the “psychologist” title itself.
What’s the difference between the master’s and specialist-level programs on this list?
A Master of Arts or Master of Science is typically a 60-credit-hour degree (see how a master of Arts differs from a master of Science in psychology). An Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is often described as a post-master’s credential, but Arkansas State University’s Ed.S. tracks admit students directly with a bachelor’s degree as an integrated graduate pathway, not a separate step after earning a master’s first. ASU’s Ed.S. programs run 60 to 72 credit hours and take about five years to complete. Both the master’s and Ed.S. routes can lead to licensure as a counselor or certification as a School Psychology Specialist in Arkansas, depending on the track.
How long does a master’s in counseling take in Arkansas?
Most of the 60-credit-hour counseling programs listed above take about three years to complete full-time, including a supervised practicum and internship. Part-time and hybrid formats can extend that timeline.
Are these programs accredited?
All five schools carry regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission. Arkansas State University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling track and Henderson State’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are currently accredited by CACREP. Arkansas Tech’s counseling program follows CACREP-aligned standards without holding that accreditation, and UA Little Rock’s track is currently pursuing CACREP accreditation. Arkansas State’s school psychology track is accredited by NASP, and UCA’s Ed.S. in School Psychology is conditionally accredited by NASP while it completes the two remaining standards. Check each program’s current accreditation status directly, since it can change between review cycles.
How much do mental health counselors and school psychology specialists earn in Arkansas?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Arkansas earned a median annual wage of $51,580 as of May 2025, with employment projected to grow 21.5% between 2022 and 2032, much faster than average, according to Projections Central. School psychologists in Arkansas earned a median annual wage of $64,030 in the same period. A state-specific job growth figure for school psychologists is not published separately; check the national outlook on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Select your state below to find accredited psychology and counseling programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Psychologists (including Clinical & Counseling, Industrial-Organizational, and School Psychologists) and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.