Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
All Clinical mental health counseling graduate students in the department complete a 60 hour master's degree and coursework required of Licensed Professional Counselors. Licensure as a LPC demonstrates that Licensed Professional Counselors are legitimate mental health professionals. Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor also entitles counselors to establish private practices and to become eligible for 3rd party insurance payments. Counselors employed in agency settings do not have to be licensed in order to practice.
Graduates must accumulate two years of supervised post-master's-degree work experience prior to applying to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. A passing score on the NCC examination also is required by the Mississippi LPC Board. Often students prefer to take the NCC examination as soon as possible, while their course work is "fresh on their minds." Graduating students may be eligible to take the local administration of the NCC examination. Contact the department for further information about the graduate student administration of the NCC examination.
Specific information about becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor may be obtained from:
MS State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors
239 North Lamar Street
Suite 402
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: (601) 359-1010
Fax: (601) 359-1030
Website: http://www.lpc.ms.gov
Email: info@lpc.ms.gov
Licensed Psychologist
The practice of psychology is protected by state laws and regulations administered by each state's professional licensing board. Ph.D. Graduates of the School Psychology program who are interested in becoming licensed psychologists must request permission to take written and oral examinations administered by the Mississippi State Board of Psychological Examiners. Two years of post doctoral supervision is required.
Additional information about becoming a Licensed Psychologist may be obtained from:
Mississippi Board of Psychology
419 East Broadway
Yazoo City, MS 39194
1-888-693-1416
662-716-3934
FAX: (662) 751-4628
Standard Educator License
School Guidance Counselor
School counseling graduate students who hold the standard educator license are required to complete a traditional 600 hour internship as part of their graduate studies. School counseling graduate students who do not hold the standard educator license are required to complete an academic year of field placement (a 600 hour [minimum] academic year practicum, and a 600 hour [minimum] academic year internship) and as part of their graduate studies.
Mississippi Department of Education
Central High School
P.O. Box 771
359 North West Street
Jackson, MS 39205
(601) 359-3513
MDE Licensure Office
Central High School
P.O. Box 771
359 North West Street
Jackson, MS 39205
(601) 359-3483
Mississippi Standard Educator License
School Psychometrist
In order to be licensed in psychometry, students should complete the M.S. program and pass examinations established by the Mississippi Department of Education. The AA licensure in psychometry will allow students to work in the Counseling and School Psychology lab as they pursue their degree. Students who do not meet minimum test score requirements of the state department's requirements for AA licensure by their third year in the program will be advised to withdraw from the program.
Mississippi Department of Education
Central High School
P.O. Box 771
359 North West Street
Jackson, MS 39205
(601) 359-3513
MDE Licensure Office
Central High School
P.O. Box 771
359 North West Street
Jackson, MS 39205
(601) 359-3483
Mississippi Standard Educator License
School Psychologist
School psychologists must be licensed by the State of Mississippi to serve in a school system. AAA Licensure students and Ph.D. students must pass a more rigorous examination. Ph.D. students and AAA Licensure students must apply for licensure as they meet the requirements.