The Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) is an accrediting body for master’s-level psychology and counseling programs in the United States. Its purpose is to evaluate the academic and practical value of counseling education programs in the US to ensure students receive high-quality training before becoming counselors. Programs with MPCAC accreditation have proven that they meet the high standards required to train new counselors. What sets MPCAC apart is its competency-based model: programs are evaluated on whether students demonstrate defined skills like therapeutic relationship-building, ethics, and evidence-based practice, rather than on curriculum hours alone. MPCAC also emphasizes the importance of psychological research in counseling education. MPCAC currently accredits approximately 70 programs across the U.S.
At a Glance
- MPCAC is one of two accrediting bodies for graduate counseling programs in the U.S.
- This page explains what MPCAC is, how it evaluates counseling programs, and what sets it apart from other accreditors.
- You will see how MPCAC defines program quality through competency-based training.
- The article also outlines how MPCAC compares to CACREP, the curriculum-based alternative.
- Future counseling students can use this page to determine if an MPCAC- or CACREP- accredited program is a better fit for them.
Use this guide to decide whether MPCAC accreditation matters for your program search.
What Is MPCAC?
The MPCAC evaluates the quality of education provided by master’s-level psychology and counseling programs. Most degree programs, regardless of subject, will seek accreditation of some sort. This is especially true for career paths that require professional licensing, like counseling. An accredited degree program can show that it meets the high educational, practical, and ethical standards required to produce high-quality counselors. Some states require all licensed clinicians to have received their education from an accredited program in order to obtain and maintain licensure, so choosing an accredited program is important for your future career. MPCAC specifically evaluates programs in psychology and counseling psychology that train students for careers as licensed or certified master’s-level providers of counseling and psychological services (History – MPCAC, 2020).
MPCAC accreditation meaning: MPCAC accreditation is a competency-based quality designation awarded to master’s-level psychology and counseling programs that meet defined standards for curriculum, clinical training, faculty, and student outcomes.
What Does MPCAC Accreditation Mean?
Accreditation means that a program has met certain requirements which show that students who complete the program are well-prepared for their intended career path. There are two kinds of accreditation: institutional (for the college or university as a whole) and specialized (for specific degree programs or career paths). MPCAC provides accreditation for master’s-level psychology and counseling psychology programs specifically. In some fields, there may be more than one accrediting body, with each focusing on different standards of education and career preparation. This is the case for counseling, with the two accrediting bodies being MPCAC and CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs). We’ll get into the differences a bit later; for now, what’s important is understanding the importance of the accreditation process.
As stated earlier, some states require counselors to have a degree from an accredited program in order to receive a counseling license. Even if you do not currently live in a state that requires this, it’s important to choose an accredited program if you were to move or if your state requires accreditation in the future. Additionally, an accredited program has met rigorous standards proving that their students will be prepared for a career in counseling. Choosing an accredited program signals that you’re a highly qualified candidate to future employers, too.
What Does MPCAC Evaluate?
MPCAC evaluates psychology and counseling programs on several different domains, including program mission, core curriculum, clinical skills, field placement, program organization, communication and record-keeping, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes. While all of these together create a high-quality program, there are a few that potential students may be more interested in. Let’s explore those. If you want more information on any of these, please refer to MPCAC’s 2024 Accreditation Manual (MPCAC, 2024).
Core Curriculum
MPCAC accredited programs are committed to teaching evidence-based practices and science-based education in psychology and counseling. Therefore, MPCAC programs emphasize the use of current scientific literature and encourage students to stay up-to-date on new research within the field of psychology. MPCAC emphasizes the importance of the relationship between research psychology and counseling practice. MPCAC accredited programs must provide quality education in the following areas: ethical and professional standards, evidence-based theories and practice of counseling and psychotherapy, multiculturalism and diversity, theories of psychopathology and relevant classification systems, methods of evaluation of individuals, research methods, career development, biological basis of behavior, developmental basis of behavior, and systems basis of behavior.
Counseling/Clinical Instruction
In order to receive a counseling license, you’ll be required to complete a field placement. This is what sets counseling programs apart from psychology programs aimed at research. You may also be required to complete a thesis project in a counseling program, but your field placement (also called practicum or internship) is what prepares future counselors for this career. MPCAC programs require a minimum of 600 hours of supervised field placement, with additional requirements that a minimum of 240 hours be “direct contact” hours (working directly with counseling clients) and a minimum of 1 hour of clinical supervision per 20 hours of field work.
The Institution, Faculty, and Staff
MPCAC evaluates not just the quality of each program’s curriculum, but the accessibility of each school’s resources and the quality of their faculty as well. MPCAC programs must provide evidence that they have sufficient funding from their respective universities, access to library and computer facilities for students, and cooperative relationships between departments and with community resources. When it comes to field placement, a program’s relationship with mental health services in their area is especially important. A good relationship with community service providers means a better field placement experience for students.
Faculty are required to teach only within their area of competence (meaning your instructors are already experts, and won’t be learning the course material along with you). MPCAC accreditation limits the teaching load of all faculty. This means your instructors should have plenty of time to prepare for classes and provide feedback for students. Additionally, all core faculty must participate in professional development and research activities, demonstrating MPCAC’s commitment to this relationship between science and direct service. Additionally, MPCAC programs must have a designated field placement coordinator who is “responsible for the oversight and management of all field placement experiences and inquiries.”
Evaluations in the Program
Evaluations in field placement differ from how you’re evaluated in classes. Instead of a grade, you’ll be required to demonstrate that you’ve met certain competencies. This is true whether you’re in a MPCAC or CACREP counseling program, or if you’re in another counselor training program, like a social work or marriage and family therapy program. MPCAC requires that students be evaluated on the following competencies:
- Communication and therapeutic relationship-building
- Conceptualization and intervention
- Diversity
- Ethics
- Integration of research and evidence-based practice
- Methods of evaluation and assessment
In evaluating programs, MPCAC also requires that programs prove their outcomes for graduating students, including how many receive licensure following graduation.
Who Should Consider MPCAC Programs?
If you’re interested in becoming a counselor, MPCAC programs are worth your consideration. An MPCAC accredited program will provide you with a quality education and field placement experience. If you’re comparing different counseling programs and accreditation types, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind about MPCAC programs:
- Your long-term career goals. If you are interested in psychology research, you may find that an MPCAC program is a better fit for you. You may have more opportunities to get involved in research while in an MPCAC program, and more career opportunities in research after graduation. If you’re interested in pursuing a doctorate in psychology, MPCAC may be a better fit as well.
- Licensure in your state. “Some states have stricter CACREP alignment requirements for counseling licensure, including Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Ohio. Because licensure requirements can change, students should verify current regulations directly with their state licensing board. If you live in one of these states, or plan on moving to one, attending an MPCAC-accredited program may create additional licensure barriers. You may be able to petition the state’s licensing board for licensure if you are moving there from out of state. Additionally, some federal agencies (specifically the Department of Veterans Affairs and TRICARE) require counseling practitioners to have CACREP credentials.
- What kind of practice you are interested in. We’ll talk a little more about this in the next section, but one big difference between MPCAC and CACREP is that CACREP programs must include training on group therapy, whereas MPCAC doesn’t have this requirement. If you’re interested in facilitating group therapy, keep this in mind.
MPCAC vs CACREP
The core difference is structural. MPCAC uses a competency-based model: programs must demonstrate that students can perform specific clinical skills before graduating. CACREP uses a curriculum-based model: programs must cover prescribed content areas across a set number of credit hours. Both produce licensed counselors, but they evaluate program quality through different lenses.
One of the biggest differences between the two is, simply, numbers: almost 1,000 counseling programs are CACREP-accredited, while only 70 programs are MPCAC-accredited as of writing May 2026. It’s not that MPCAC is more exclusive, but that the scope of programs they evaluate is much narrower. CACREP evaluates a wide range of counseling programs, including areas like school counseling, addiction counseling, and counseling education. A program could be both MPCAC and CACREP accredited, and schools may offer different programs accredited by each institution, but with different career paths.
Curriculum content will be similar between MPCAC and CACREP programs, but there are some notable differences. For one, each institution requires students to complete a different number of credit hours, MPCAC programs typically require 48 credit hours, CACREP typically requires 60 credit hours. CACREP programs must include curriculum in group counseling, whereas this is not a requirement for MPCAC programs. MPCAC and CACREP also have overlapping, but different theoretical backgrounds. MPCAC programs will have more focus on scientific principles and research, while CACREP programs will have more emphasis on meeting licensing standards and teaching specific counseling techniques. One key similarity, however, is the emphasis on field placement as part of counseling education.
There are also some slight differences in requirements for core faculty in MPCAC programs and CACREP programs. “Core faculty” refers to “individuals whose education, training, and experience are consistent with the program mission. Core faculty may or may not have defined faculty status at their institutions; they may have staff appointments.” (MPCAC 2024) This is the definition provided by MPCAC’s Accreditation Manual; the CACREP definition is similar. However, CACREP core faculty must hold a doctoral degree in counseling education. In either program, you will have master’s-level instructors, but the faculty involved in key decisions for the program will only be doctorate-level for CACREP programs. This does not mean that one program will be of better quality than the other, but that CACREP core faculty may have a narrower breadth of experience than MPCAC faculty.
MPCAC and CACREP Programs At A Glance
| Category | MPCAC | CACREP |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of Programs Evaluated | Includes about 70 psychology and counseling psychology programs. | Includes close to 1,000 programs in various counseling areas, including mental health counseling, school counseling, and counseling education |
| Curriculum | Requires completion of 48 credit hours. Emphasis on psychology, research, and evidence-based practices. | Requires completion of 60 credit hours. Emphasis on specific counseling modalities and meeting licensure requirements. |
| Career Paths | Counseling and research psychology. May be more useful for students interested in pursuing a PhD in psychology or a career in psychological research. | Counseling in fields like mental health, addictions, schools, and rehabilitation. May be more useful for students pursuing a specific area of counseling or who view direct service as their ultimate career goal. |
| Licensure Outcomes | Applicable for licensure in Professional Counseling (LPC) and Mental Health Counseling (LMHC), though licensure may not be permitted in some states or federal agencies like the VA. | Applicable for licensure in Professional Counseling (LPC) and Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) in all US states. Required for LPCs and LMHCs working for the VA or with TRICARE. |
Requirements and licensure eligibility may change over time and vary by state.
From an Advisor’s Perspective
In my opinion, both MPCAC and CACREP- accredited programs provide high quality education and training for counselors. Regardless of your intended career path, one of the most important considerations is choosing a program that is accredited or actively pursuing accreditation.This was one of the most important things to me when I was exploring educational options. Choosing between an MPCAC or CACREP accredited program will really come down to looking at which programs best fit your career goals and, if you choose to pursue clinical licensure, what the licensure requirements of your state are. Both MPCAC- and CACREP-accredited programs can provide strong clinical preparation depending on student goals and state licensure requirements.
One question I would advise potential students to ask themselves when choosing a program is this: what theoretical orientation or practice scope is most interesting to you? Besides MPCAC and CACREP programs, future counselors may also look at social work (CSWE accredited) or marriage and family therapy (COAMFTE accredited) programs, and each will have a slightly different theoretical background, which I’ll lay out below.
What Do MPCAC Standards Mean for Students
In my opinion, both MPCAC and CACREP- accredited programs provide high quality education and training for counselors. Regardless of your intended career path, one of the most important considerations is choosing a program that is accredited or actively pursuing accreditation.This was one of the most important things to me when I was exploring educational options. Choosing between an MPCAC or CACREP accredited program will really come down to looking at which programs best fit your career goals and, if you choose to pursue clinical licensure, what the licensure requirements of your state are. Both MPCAC- and CACREP-accredited programs can provide strong clinical preparation depending on student goals and state licensure requirements.
One question I would advise potential students to ask themselves when choosing a program is this: what theoretical orientation or practice scope is most interesting to you? Besides MPCAC and CACREP programs, future counselors may also look at social work (CSWE accredited) or marriage and family therapy (COAMFTE accredited) programs, and each will have a slightly different theoretical background, which I’ll lay out below.
- MPCAC Counseling programs will focus on psychological science and clinical work with the individual. You’ll learn how to conduct research and how to apply it to therapy with individuals
- CACREP Counseling programs will focus on specific therapeutic modalities and on micro-level pathology. You’ll learn how psychopathology develops within the individual, and how to provide therapy to individuals and groups.
- Marriage and Family Therapy programs will focus on how the dynamics present between family members, spouses, and other intimate relationships impact a person’s mental health. You’ll learn how to provide therapy to individuals, couples, families, and groups.
- Social Work programs will focus on how social and mental health problems are impacted by society. You’ll learn how to provide therapy to individuals and groups, but will also learn about public policy and advocacy.
I talked to a few coworkers who were in different counseling education programs about their experiences before making my decision. I asked about what they were learning in class, what they were hoping to do after graduation, and why they chose their program specifically. This really helped me make my decision, and I would advise anyone looking at counseling programs to do the same if they’re able. Ultimately, I decided that a social work program was the best fit for me because I was interested in social policy and prevention programs. Your career goals are probably different from mine, though, and the good news is that there is a very wide variety of counseling programs that will help you get to a wide variety of career paths.
What This Means for Students
As previously stated, choosing an MPCAC-accredited program means that you’ll receive a high-quality education in psychology and counseling. Accreditation means that your program has met a set of standards proving that it prepares students for a specific career path. From an MPCAC program, you can expect a focus on psychological science and its application to counseling alongside field training in how to be a counselor. Choosing between MPCAC and CACREP accreditation comes down to your career goals and interests; either pathway can support a counseling career depending on student goals and licensure requirements.
Students should verify current accreditation and licensure requirements directly with MPCAC, CACREP, and their state licensing board.
FAQ
The Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) is an accrediting body that evaluates the quality of psychology and counseling psychology programs.
MPCAC is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CHEA is a nationally recognized organization for specialized accrediting in higher education.
MPCAC programs focus on psychological science and research. Other programs may have a slightly different scope of study or may offer career paths outside of the scope of MPCAC.
Yes. Graduating from an MPCAC-accredited program signals to future employers that an individual has received a high-quality education and has completed a program that meets defined educational and clinical training standards, including completing a required field placement.
References
- About CACREP – CACREP. (2026, April 3). CACREP. https://www.cacrep.org/about-cacrep/
- About CHEA | Council for Higher Education Accreditation. (n.d.). https://www.chea.org/about-chea
- History – MPCAC. (2020, June 24). MPCAC. https://mpcacaccreditation.org/about-mpcac/history/
- MASTER’S IN PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING ACCREDITATION COUNCIL (MPCAC).
(2024). MASTER’S IN PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING ACCREDITATION COUNCIL (MPCAC) ACCREDITATION MANUAL. https://mpcacaccreditation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MPCAC-2024-Accreditation-Manual.pdf