Counseling Programs at University of South Florida
USF provides several accredited counseling programs that prepare students to work as mental health and rehabilitation professionals. Students benefit from a combination of challenging academic coursework and hands-on clinical experience.
The Clinical Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling (CRMHC) Program is essential to USF’s counseling education. This program has earned full accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through 2032. Students typically complete the 60-credit program in 2-3 years. The CRMHC Program stands among the nation’s best counseling programs and ranks #18 nationally while holding the #1 spot in Florida according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Health Schools rankings.
USF’s Master of Arts in Counselor Education with a concentration in School Counseling helps create effective and caring counselors for K-12 schools. Students complete 61 credit hours in face-to-face classes that cover counseling theory, human development, academic guidance, and behavioral support. Faculty members bring extensive real-life school counseling experience to the classroom.
The Ph.D. in Counselor Education program offers advanced training through a flexible blended learning format. Students can complete the 60-credit hour program in three years.
These programs share a mission to promote quality behavioral health care that helps everyone, with special attention to people with disabilities. USF works to meet critical workforce needs in rehabilitation and mental health counseling through excellent teaching, research, and service. Student success speaks for itself—the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor exam passing rate for 2023-2024 reached 71%.
USF’s counseling program graduates find rewarding careers in:
- State vocational rehabilitation agencies
- Non-profit rehabilitation facilities and community-based programs
- Federal agencies (such as the Veterans Administration)
- Mental health counseling agencies
- Private practices specializing in rehabilitation or counseling
- Substance abuse treatment centers
- Community-based settings including clinics, schools, and workplaces
The USF Counseling Center supports all enrolled students with free, confidential services. Students receive detailed mental health and wellness services through a continuum of care model that matches their unique needs, goals, and priorities.
What counseling programs does University of South Florida offer?
USF offers several counseling programs that help students pursue their dream careers in mental health. These programs give you the specialized skills you need while meeting high academic standards.
The Clinical Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling (CRMHC) Program takes 60 credits to complete. Most students finish in 2-3 years. You’ll learn everything to become both a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). The program stands out with its #18 national ranking and holds the #1 spot in Florida among rehabilitation counseling programs. Students have shown great success with a 71% passing rate on the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor exam during 2023-2024.
Students interested in working in schools should check out the Master of Arts in Counselor Education with School Counseling concentration. This CACREP-accredited program requires 61 credit hours of face-to-face learning. You’ll develop skills in individual and group counseling, classroom guidance, and learn to design academic and behavioral interventions.
The College of Behavioral and Community Sciences has a B.S. in Behavioral Healthcare with three focus areas:
- Behavioral Health Across the Lifespan
- Children’s Behavioral Healthcare
- Applied Behavior Analysis
This bachelor’s program teaches evidence-based practices through an integrated, recovery-focused, and strength-based approach to behavioral healthcare. Students need to keep a minimum 2.50 GPA in their major courses.
The Genetic Counseling program, offered as an MSPH concentration, prepares students for the ABGC Board Exam. The results speak for themselves – 85% pass on their first try, and everyone ended up passing the ABGC Board Exam.
You’ll find other great options like the Marriage & Family Therapy M.S., Rehabilitation Counseling and Disability Sciences M.A. (available online), and Social Work M.S.W. programs. USF also combines social work and public health in their Social Work/Public Health M.S.W./M.P.H. dual degree.
Graduates work in a variety of settings. You might find them at state vocational rehabilitation agencies, federal offices, mental health counseling centers, private practices, substance abuse treatment facilities, or community organizations.
Internships/Practicum at USF
Students at USF’s counseling programs get hands-on experience through internships and practicums. These experiences bridge the gap between theory and ground application.
The Doctoral Internship at the USF Counseling Center is a great training program. The American Psychological Association-accredited program takes three doctoral interns each year, with the next cycle running from August 2026 through July 2027. The program got back its active status in August 2025 after taking a break with voluntary inactive status.
The Graduate Student Clinician (GSC) Training Program welcomes applications from students in social work, mental health counseling, marriage & family therapy, and applied psychology. Students get tailored clinical training based on their academic programs, goals, and schedules. Students can work in paid positions at the current Graduate Student Assistant rate if they commit to at least one full semester and work 16 hours weekly.
The Clinical Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling program partners with over 100 private practices, non-profit agencies, and government organizations in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and nearby areas. Students need to find their sites 4-6 weeks into Spring and Fall semesters and meet deadlines about 6 weeks later. The University of South Florida Health Sciences Center Self-Insurance Program covers students’ liability during field placement.
Marriage & Family Therapy students start their field experience in the third semester with four back-to-back practicum semesters. They must complete 400 clinical face-to-face hours, and at least 200 must be relational. Students go through orientation, site presentation, priority worksheets, interviews, and faculty review during placement.
The St. Petersburg campus Wellness Center gives advanced doctoral students in Counseling/Clinical Psychology a 9-month training experience. These practicum therapists handle intake assessments, individual therapy, group therapy, and crisis intervention.
These field experiences help students apply theory in practice and boost their professional growth before graduation.
What sets University of South Florida apart?
USF’s counseling programs rank among the best in peer institutions with national recognition and specialized training paths. The Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program holds the #18 spot nationally and leads Florida at #1 according to U.S. News & World Report. This recognition showcases the program’s excellence that has kept its CACREP accreditation valid until 2032.
Students at USF can choose from specialized concentrations that target key needs in mental health. The Addictions and Substance Abuse Counseling track has approval from Florida’s Certification Board for Addictions Professionals. The Marriage and Family Therapy concentration equips students with expertise to work with couples and families.
USF’s Counseling Center shows its excellence with a 40-year APA-accredited doctoral internship program. This achievement highlights the center’s dedication to quality training.
USF stands out as an American Psychological Association’s approved continuing education sponsor. The university now heads a pilot program that connects counseling centers at Florida’s colleges and universities to improve continuing education options.
The program’s faculty brings exceptional expertise to USF’s counseling programs. These professionals stay active in local, national, and international spheres. Their research and creative work consistently ranks at the top in academic literature, funding, and awards.
Graduates leave well-equipped to pursue various career paths. They qualify for credentials like Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida, which opens more professional doors than many other programs.
Next steps
Want to get a counseling degree at USF? Here’s what you need to do for your application.
You must complete the USF online application with a $30 nonrefundable fee. The Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Program has a priority deadline of January 15 for Fall. The university accepts applications until June, but submitting early gives you an advantage.
The Office of Admissions needs your official transcripts from every institution you attended, sent in sealed envelopes. You can speed up the process by uploading unofficial transcripts to the application portal before the official review.
Your application needs these additional materials:
- Three letters of recommendation (preferably one from an academic faculty member)
- A one-page statement of goals/career objectives
- Resume/CV outlining academic and professional experience
- GRE scores (some programs offer waivers upon request)
Students applying for CRMHC from Fall 2025 must choose between Rehabilitation Counseling or Mental Health Counseling as their concentration. After acceptance, you can switch your concentration after talking to your academic advisor.