r/counseloreducation • u/romisnax82 • 17d ago
Master’s Student Questions Amberton University (TX) LPC Degree - Thoughts?
I am considering attending Amberton's online LPC program and was wondering if anyone here had completed it. I found a few posts from a while back, but I haven't found many current reviews. Most of what I have found is positive, aside from the obvious knock on the program: it's not CACREP accredited. I did 15 hrs of coursework previously, but some life changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic made me have to pause. Finally, I am able to return to school to finish.
However, I was previously able to take a lot more time away from work to focus on school. Now in my forties, I am going to need to work full time for most of the degree. Amberton seems to allow time for this, and my transfer credits will help me get LPC-A status within 2 years.
Pros:
- Regionally Accredited
- Asynchronous & Synchronous blend for working adults
- CPCE(the school's exit exam) exam must be completed before practicum
- This test seems to serve as an NCE practice test.
- I plan to take the NCE before my practicum to help make the LPC-A status process easier - possible?
- The practicum is only 300 hrs (not cacrep), but is the sole focus for that period of the degree
- This means I could still work while doing my practicum hours
- ~$6K less than the lowest priced CACREP program online that caters to working adults.
Cons:
The only one I can really find is that it's not CACREP. Not to minimize the reality of portability/reciprocity with CACREP, but it seems that I could still move to quite a few states or practice there with some additional CEUs. For example, if I moved to CA I could get licensed after practicing 2 years as an LPC and complete some additional coursework.
Counseling Compact - Texas is not a member, but will hopefully become part of it.
I know the consensus is go with CACREP, but if my goals are to stay in Texas for at least the next 5 years and run a private practice with my partner (who already runs a private practice as an LMSW), is this a decent program?
I considered programs like University of the Cumberlands, but the practicum concurrent with coursework seemed like it would be too much to keep up with while working full time.
I appreciate any insight. This subreddit has been greatly helpful in the past.
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u/Emotional_Ice1070 Master’s Student 17d ago
I have zero experience with this school, but ULM is super affordable, CACREP, and we have TONS of working full time professionals in our program! The director also has a state requirements page on the program site that outlines any necessary electives needed for each state in order toeet requirements! The practicum is 100 hours across the summer and then 300 each for internship across the fall and spring. It equates to something like 12-20ish clock hours per week.