Is mental health counseling no longer a professional degree?

Yes, mental health counseling degrees are facing a significant reclassification by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) in late 2025, moving them out of the "professional degree" category, which restricts federal student loan limits and threatens workforce access by creating an artificial distinction from other health professions like clinical psychology. This change, impacting counseling, social work, nursing, and others, means lower borrowing caps, potentially making education unaffordable and exacerbating shortages, despite these being licensed, essential health roles.

Is counseling still a professional degree?

Counseling may no longer be considered a professional degree under a proposed reclassification by the U.S. Department of Education.

What degrees are no longer professional degrees?

Recent U.S. Department of Education changes under the Trump administration have excluded several fields from the narrow definition of "professional degree" for student loan purposes, impacting loans for programs like nursing, physical therapy, social work, physician assistant, architecture, and education, while retaining medicine, law, and dentistry; this shift mainly affects loan limits, not the inherent professional status of the careers themselves. 

Are counselors no longer professionals?

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is currently moving forward with regulations that would no longer classify counselor education or counseling degrees as professional degrees.

Are LPC still considered professional?

An LPC is a professional license, not a degree. Furthermore, this chatter is all about caps on financial aid. I wouldn't lose too much sleep on whether or not a Masters degree in Counseling is professional. Lpc is a professional license.

Counseling and social work now not considered a “professional degree”?! | SFBT Moments Vol. 474

Can an LPC call themselves a therapist?

"Therapist," however, is a broader term that includes anyone who delivers talk therapy services. This can include LPCs, but also psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and other mental health professionals.

Is LPC or LCSW better?

While an LPC primarily focuses on providing psychotherapy and mental health counseling, an LCSW integrates psychotherapy with social work services, addressing both individual mental health and broader social and systemic issues. Both paths offer the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

What is the difference between a mental health counselor and a professional counselor?

Licensed Professional Counselor – A counselor with a master's degree in psychology, counseling or a related field. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling. Mental Health Counselor – A counselor with a master's degree and several years of supervised clinical work experience.

Which is better, LCSW or LMHC?

Neither LMHC nor LCSW is inherently "better," but they suit different career paths: an LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) is often better for a focused, therapy-centric role (e.g., private practice, individual counseling) with a strong emphasis on mental health techniques, while an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) offers more versatility, blending therapy with broader social work principles like advocacy and resource navigation, often leading to higher salaries and diverse settings like hospitals or government. Your choice depends on your primary interest: pure therapy (LMHC) or a blend of therapy and systems-level support (LCSW). 

Is a counselor a mental health professional?

A counselor is a mental health professional who helps individuals work through issues in all stages of life. Depending on where a counselor works, their daily work may differ. But the primary job of a counselor remains the same.

What is the least respected degree?

Degrees in drama/theatre, music, fine arts, and religious studies are often recogonized as the least respected degrees due to their lower starting salaries and limited career prospects. However, the term “least respected” is quite subjective, and the real condition can vary depending on the individuals and industries.

What counts as a professional degree now?

Currently, 11 main degrees would be considered professional under the draft rule. Those degrees, almost all of which are doctoral, include: medicine, osteopathic medicine, podiatry, chiropractic, optometry, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, law, theology, and clinical psychology.

What degrees did Donald Trump have in college?

Trump graduated from the Wharton School in May 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in economics. His graduation made him eligible for the draft after education deferments for attending Fordham University and UPenn.

Is a master's in clinical mental health counseling considered a professional degree?

School Counselors work in K-12 educational environments (schools), while clinical mental health counselors may work in private practice, a hospital setting, or some other community agency. The master's degree is considered the entry degree for practice as a Professional Counselor.

Which professions are no longer professional?

Recent U.S. Department of Education rule changes have reclassified many fields, like nursing, accounting, architecture, education, and social work, as not "professional degrees" for loan purposes, sparking controversy despite the Department stating it's not a value judgment but affects loan limits, impacting advanced study access in these critical areas. Other excluded fields include physical/occupational therapy, physician assistants, and speech pathology, while core fields like medicine, law, dentistry, and pharmacy retain the designation. 

Can clinical mental health counselors work in schools?

LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) – Required for those completing a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, this license qualifies you to practice as a school-based counselor.

What pays more, LMHC or LCSW?

Yes, LCSWs generally earn more than LMHCs, with data showing LCSWs with higher median salaries (around $84k vs. $68k according to some 2025/2026 sources) due to broader training in systems, policy, and diverse settings like hospitals and government, though earnings vary by location, experience, and specialization for both roles.
 

Can an LCSW call themselves a therapist?

Yes. Clinical social workers call themselves therapists because they are licensed to provide therapy and have advanced training in human development, psychology, and interpersonal communication.

Can LMHC prescribe medication?

Although LMHCs cannot prescribe medication, they may be able to collaborate with other medical professionals to support their clients. Licensure for LMHC allows these professionals to provide individual and group counseling as well as help provide diagnoses to clients, depending on the state.

Is counseling no longer a professional degree?

Counseling and social work no longer considered a professional degree according to the Department of Education's Student Loan Rulemaking.

Is LPC or LMHC better?

Neither LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) nor LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) is inherently "better"; they often describe the same role, with the specific title depending on your state's licensing board (e.g., a state might have LPC, another LMHC). Both require master's degrees and supervised hours, focusing on assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health conditions, allowing similar work in therapy, counseling, and clinical settings. The best choice depends on your state's regulations and specific career goals, with some states offering more specialized clinical titles like LPCC or LCPC.
 

Is LPC still used today?

LPCs often find roles in community health organizations, outpatient facilities, schools, and virtual counseling platforms, showing flexibility across various work environments. LPCCs share a similarly positive employment outlook, as they are qualified for both general mental health and substance abuse counseling roles.

Why do LCSW make more than LPC?

If you add the LCSW, you have a broader set of skills and can bill and receive reimbursement for your services, so you may have a higher average income.

Is a therapist more qualified than a counselor?

Counselors and therapists often share duties, but therapists typically hold graduate degrees and can diagnose mental health disorders. Licensing requirements vary by state and title. Most therapist roles require a master's and clinical training.

Can you become a therapist with an LCSW?

Yes—once you complete your supervised hours and earn your LCSW, you can practice therapy independently in most states. The scope is meaningful, though more limited than that of a Licensed Psychologist.