Best Online Master’s in Counseling Degrees of 2025
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Online master’s in counseling programs offer flexibility for working students who want to advance their career and salary potential. Graduates can pursue careers as licensed professional counselors (LPC), school or career counselors, Christian counselors, marriage and family therapists, or addiction counselors.
Discover the top online master’s in counseling programs. Learn about becoming a licensed or certified counselor and salary expectations for various careers.
Best Online Master’s in Counseling Programs
Lebanon Valley College
Annville, PA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
Lebanon Valley College offers a master of science in clinical mental health counseling that meets the requirements for Pennsylvania licensure and aligns with the academic standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The program can be completed in two years as a full-time student or four years as a part-time student.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 60
- Programmatic Accreditation: None
- Leads to Licensure: Yes
Things We Love:
- Offers courses in six seven-week terms over fall, spring, and summer
- Provides a 12-credit add-on certificate in trauma-informed counseling
- Accepts applications on a rolling basis for online, hybrid, or on-campus programs
What to Know Before You Apply:
- LVC accepts up to 15 transfer credits from a CACREP-accredited program.
- You must hold a bachelor's degree and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply.
- Fully remote full-time students can only begin in the fall semester.
- In-State$47,240
- Out-of-state$47,240
- In-State$31,875
- Out-of-state$31,875
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled2,080
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment21%
- AccreditationYes
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
- Portales, NM
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
The fully online master of arts in counseling at Eastern New Mexico University may be completed full time or part time. Intended for those who want to pursue licensure in clinical, state agency, or mental health counseling, the program offers electives such as family counseling, trauma and crisis counseling, and gender studies and human sexuality.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 60
- Programmatic Accreditation: None
- Leads to Licensure: Yes
Things We Love:
- Offers the second-lowest master's-level tuition in the state of New Mexico
- Charges in-state tuition rates to out-of-state learners taking six credits or less per semester
What to Know Before You Apply:
- ENMU requires a GPA of 3.0 or better for unqualified admission.
- You can be considered for conditional admission if you have a GPA between 2.8 and 2.99.
- Maintains small class sizes with a low 17-to-1 faculty-to-student ratio
- In-State$4,194
- Out-of-state$6,174
- In-State$5,454
- Out-of-state$7,227
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate28%
- Students Enrolled5,106
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment84%
- AccreditationYes
Bay Path University
- Longmeadow, MA
- 4 year
- Online
What You'll Like:
Bay Path University, a Massachusetts-based school of more than 2,600 students, offers a 100% online MS in clinical mental health counseling. This degree includes concentration options in advanced trauma-informed counseling, alcohol and drug use counseling, and school adjustment counseling. You can complete the program in 2-4 years.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 60
- Programmatic Accreditation: None
- Leads to Licensure: Yes
Things We Love:
- Offers many financial benefits and other support for soldiers, veterans, and military spouses
- Requires no field placement for the practicum course
- Prepares you to pursue licensure in Massachusetts and certain licenses in other states
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Bay Path prefers applicants to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- New classes start in January, May, and September.
- Bay Path recommends entering the program with a working knowledge of development, personality, statistics, abnormal psychology, and research methods.
- In-State$35,781
- Out-of-state$35,781
- In-State$19,235
- Out-of-state$19,235
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled2,465
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment78%
- AccreditationYes
Northwestern College
- Orange City, IA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
Located in Orange City, Iowa, Northwestern College offers an online master of arts in clinical mental health counseling aligned with CACREP standards. The program includes courses in career development, psychopharmacology and neuroscience, and marriage and family. Northwestern does not require the GRE or an application fee.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 60
- Programmatic Accreditation: None
- Leads to Licensure: Yes
Things We Love:
- Schedules courses in eight-week blocks, allowing you to complete the program in six semesters
- Approves internships in supervised settings near where you live
- Offers alumni grants, accepts military benefits, and provides payment plans
What to Know Before You Apply:
- NWC is a Christ-centered community and a member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities.
- The program requires two in-person experiences so faculty members can assess your counseling skills.
- Most courses require 3-4 synchronous sessions, which the professor will announce when class begins.
- In-State$34,000
- Out-of-state$34,000
- In-State$6,120
- Out-of-state$6,120
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled1,665
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
A school of 22,000 students, Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, offers an online master of arts in counseling that you can complete in 18 months. If you want to focus your career on children's mental health, you can add a five-course child and adolescent specialization.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 60
- Programmatic Accreditation: CACREP
- Leads to Licensure: Yes
Things We Love:
- Requires 18-36 months to complete and has start dates in January, April, June, and September
- Provides two in-person immersion experiences at the Chicago-area campus, allowing you to develop real-world experience
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Northwestern is highly competitive, accepting only 7.5% of its total applicants.
- The university prefers a psychology or human services degree for admission to the counseling master's program.
- You may need to participate in a group interview where you answer questions and review case studies.
- In-State$62,391
- Out-of-state$62,391
- In-State$51,869
- Out-of-state$51,869
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate7%
- Students Enrolled22,801
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment12%
- AccreditationYes
Regis College
- Weston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
A school of 2,700 students located 12 miles west of Boston, Regis College offers a flexible master of arts in counseling that prepares students for careers in the fields of clinical mental health counseling and addictions counseling. The practical coursework emphasizes simulations, case assessments, and clinical role-play.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 60
- Programmatic Accreditation: None
- Leads to Licensure: Yes
Things We Love:
- Offers a social justice scholarship for students dedicated to anti-racist and intersectional feminist counseling practices
- Allows you to try out two graduate courses before applying for acceptance into the program
- Boasts a 100% pass rate on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination, indicating that program students are highly prepared
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Total tuition for the program is around $57,000.
- You should have a grade of B or better on all prerequisites and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Courses are synchronous, so online students are required to watch in-person classes on Zoom.
- In-State$46,150
- Out-of-state$46,150
- In-State$24,968
- Out-of-state$24,968
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled2,801
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
Charleston Southern University
- Charleston, SC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
Charleston Southern University offers a master of science in clinical counseling that takes eight semesters of full-time study to complete. This fully online program requires 51 core credits and nine electives. You can choose from courses like integrative psychotherapy techniques and advanced training in addiction treatment.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 60
- Programmatic Accreditation: None
- Leads to Licensure: Yes
Things We Love:
- Offers every course 100% online with no on-campus requirements at all
- Accommodates working students by scheduling most classes in the evenings
- Assists with finding placements near you for the 700 hours of required practicums and internships
What to Know Before You Apply:
- CSU is a Christ-centered school affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention.
- You must complete two synchronous course sessions weekly in the evenings or afternoons.
- The university considers applicants with a GPA below 3.0, taking both life experience and academic performance into account.
- In-State$29,490
- Out-of-state$29,490
- In-State$5,085
- Out-of-state$5,085
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled3,418
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
Chaminade University of Honolulu
- Honolulu, HI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
The only Catholic university in Hawaii, Chaminade University offers a fully online master of science in counseling psychology with concentration options in mental health counseling, school counseling, or school counseling with a community pathway. Elective courses include spiritual dimensions of counseling and the psychology of depression.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 60
- Programmatic Accreditation: None
- Leads to Licensure: Yes
Things We Love:
- Offers a pathway to degree completion in as little as 30 months
- Represents 47 states and Pacific islands among Chaminade's student population
- Offers courses in accelerated terms to help you earn your degree faster and save money
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Online learners must pay a fee of $93 per course.
- You may be asked to participate in more than one admissions interview.
- Tuition is $1,120 per credit hour, much higher than many other schools on our list.
- In-State$28,430
- Out-of-state$28,430
- In-State$25,200
- Out-of-state$25,200
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled2,039
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment67%
- AccreditationYes
Concordia University-Chicago
- River Forest, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
Concordia University in Chicago offers a hybrid master of arts in clinical mental health counseling. This program allows you to take some courses online while completing others on campus in the evenings. It requires 48 credits of didactic coursework alongside an on-campus or site-based internship, practicum credits, and a capstone exam.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 60
- Programmatic Accreditation: CACREP
- Leads to Licensure: Yes
Things We Love:
- Features a high 98% job placement rate and 78% graduate rate for counseling program graduates
- Provides strong student support, leading 89% of program graduates to pass the National Counselor Exam to qualify to be a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Some online courses are synchronous, others are asynchronous, and a few are held on campus.
- You must have 12 undergraduate credits in psychology, sociology, or a related field for admission.
- Concordia is a Christ-centered university affiliated with the Lutheran church.
- In-State$33,944
- Out-of-state$33,944
- In-State$9,399
- Out-of-state$9,399
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled5,029
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment86%
- AccreditationYes
Nova Southeastern University
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 year
- Online
What You'll Like:
Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University offers an online master of science in counseling with concentrations in clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, and applied behavior analysis. You can participate in team counseling activities and receive faculty feedback.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 60
- Programmatic Accreditation: CACREP
- Leads to Licensure: Yes
Things We Love:
- Meets the educational requirements to become a counselor in every state except California and Wisconsin
- Provides a nondegree option if you're looking to complete select courses for state licensure
What to Know Before You Apply:
- NSU requires a three-day, in-person residency experience for all online counseling students.
- The admissions committee prefers applicants with degrees in social work, education, psychology, or a related field.
- Early decision deadlines fall about six months before classes begin.
- In-State$34,500
- Out-of-state$34,500
- In-State$22,062
- Out-of-state$22,062
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled20,877
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
How to Choose an Online Master’s in Counseling Program
There are many options for online counseling degree programs. Below are some guidelines and essential factors to consider.
When choosing an online master’s program, initial considerations include:
- Ensure the prospective program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
- Research online master’s in counseling programs and list of 3-5 possible options.
- Familiarize yourself with each prospective program’s admissions requirements and prerequisites to ensure you meet the requirements.
- Select between a master of arts (MA) in counseling, a master of science (MS) in counseling, or a master of education (MEd) in counseling, depending on your experience and career goals.
- If you plan to specialize, be sure the program you select offers the specialization/licensure/certification concentration you plan to pursue.
- Evaluate the program’s mandatory field experience. Find out if institution helps set up supervised field experience, number of required hours, and if the school requires field experience to occur at one of their partner sites.
- Find out if your work experience can apply to transfer credits or field experience hours.
- Check out the admission requirements (e.g., GPA, required degree, and required GRE or GMAT test scores).
- Check the program delivery mode (e.g., 100% online or hybrid)
- Compare tuition rates; distance learners should find out if there are additional fees for in-person residency weekends and if out-of-state tuition applies.
What Can I Expect From an Online Counseling Master’s Program?
Most online counseling master’s programs also prepare students for professional examinations and state licensing requirements for licensed professional counseling. Check that a program provides the support and meets the licensing requirements you need to achieve your goals.
Online master’s in counseling programs include advanced classes and capstone requirements. Students learn counseling theories, evidence-based research, and strategies for diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health disorders.
How Long is a Master’s in Counseling Program?
The length of a master’s in counseling program can differ depending on various factors (e.g., which degree you have when you begin the program, whether you attend full-time or part-time, and more).
On average, full-time students can complete the program in four semesters, which translates to approximately two years. Part-time students can finish the program in three or more years.
Specializations Within Counseling
Before applying for an online master’s in counseling degree, students must choose a specialization.
An addiction counselor commonly works with clients with substance use disorders and their family members. They facilitate educational groups to teach clients tools for coping with stress or other addiction-related symptoms. Addiction counseling in many states does not require a master’s degree.
Christian counseling integrates traditional therapy modes (e.g., talk therapy) with Christian beliefs. Christian counseling can incorporate other specializations. For example, Christian counselors may specialize in marriage and family, alcohol and drug, or mental health counseling.
Marriage and family counselors focus on conflict resolution for couples (whether married or not) and the family unit, which can include immediate and extended family members. Anyone can receive marriage and family counseling, regardless of whether they have a mental health diagnosis.
Mental health counselors, also called clinical mental health counselors or licensed professional counselors (LPC), work with people with mental health diagnoses that align with the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5).
Examples include major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Mental health counselors often work closely with psychiatrists legally authorized to prescribe medications and monitor client’s medical status.
They work with individuals, families, and groups to counsel them about their relationships and emotional health.
Rehabilitation counselors teach life skills to clients of any age with disabilities or diseases like multiple sclerosis, autism, or spina bifida. Some clients in need of rehab have terminal diseases such as cancer. Others may need support while recovering from debilitating injuries. Rehabilitation counselors help their clients improve the quality of their daily lives.
School counselors, once referred to as guidance counselors, work with children from Pre-K through 12th grade. School counselors see children with issues that impact their social interactions or academic achievement during school.
Curriculum for an Online Master’s Degree in Counseling
When pursuing an online master’s degree in counseling, the specific courses you take can vary depending on your specialty or concentration. However, there are several foundational courses that provide a strong basis for any counseling specialization.
- Advanced research methodology: This is a foundational course available in most master’s in counseling online programs. It teaches students how to conduct research according to the standards of the field, including how to write a proposal, analyze data, handle human subjects, and apply for funding.
- Professional ethics and law: This class teaches students how to understand and apply ethical codes, federal and state laws, and field-specific regulations. Course content may also include analyzing ethical dilemmas and vignettes, including historical cases that have shaped the field.
- Child abuse and neglect: In this course, students learn to identify signs of maltreatment, provide counseling and support to children, and trauma-informed intervention. These skills prepare students for careers as family therapists, child advocates, and school counselors.
- Human development: Human development is a common topic in clinical counseling programs. This course guides students through the stages of human development, including psychological, cognitive, and biological theories of growth.
- Group counseling: This course trains students to become effective group facilitators, covering the types of group sessions. Students also learn techniques related to engaging group members and evaluating success.
Careers with a Master’s in Counseling
Earning a master’s in counseling provides a pathway to an array of careers helping people confront challenges, solve problems, and develop coping skills.
How to Become a Counselor with a Master’s Degree
Although the educational and licensing requirements for counselors vary by state and specialization, in most cases, counselors complete the following steps to enter the field:
- 1Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- 2Complete any necessary prerequisites or training required for enrollment (i.e., some programs require related on-the-job experience, but most do not have this requirement).
- 3Complete an accredited graduate degree (e.g., master’s in counseling), including a minimum of 100 practicum hours and an additional 600 hours for internships.
- 4Apply for licensure in your state.
- 5Finish required post-graduate supervised field experience after obtaining a professional counselor training license (e.g., 2,000-4,000 supervised post-degree hours). Note the validity of a temporary license may vary per state.
- 6Apply for and pass the National Counseling Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
- 7Maintain your professional counseling license.
Counseling Salaries
Counselors make an average median salary of $59,190 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, several factors influence earning potential, including specialty, location, and educational level.
| Counseling Specialization | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Substance Abuse Counseling | $65,100 |
| Christian Counseling | $58,070 |
| Marriage and Family Counseling | $63,780 |
| Rehabilitation Counseling | $51,260 |
| School Counseling | $71,520 |
Master’s in Counseling Certifications and Licenses
Each state issues counseling licenses that grant individuals permission to practice and identify as a licensed counselor. In contrast to required state licensure, certification is a voluntary credential demonstrating that the counselor has met national standards established by the profession.
Not all licensed counselors obtain certification, but many choose to get certified to distinguish themselves in their specialty. Certification may also be required to earn licensure in some states.
State licensing boards use several titles to identify licensed counselors, including licensed professional counselor (LPC) and licensed mental health counselor (LMHC). Certification titles reflect national recognition such as the national certified counselor (NCC) credential. They can also indicate specializations such as the certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC) or national certified school counselor (NCSC) designation.
National Counselor Examination
Students must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) exam to become licensed professional counselors in most states. It consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, which assess the test taker’s ability to provide effective counseling and related services. Eligibility requirements include a traditional or online master’s in counseling and 3,000 hours of post-graduate field experience, 100 hours of which must be supervised.
National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination
Passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) is an integral step to becoming a licensed mental health counselor in many states. The test tasks students with treating clinical issues in 10 simulated mental health cases, each of which is broken down into sections that lead students through the decision-making and treatment process. To sit for the NCMHCE, candidates must hold a master’s degree and 3,360 hours of supervised postgraduate work experience.
Accreditation for Online Master’s in Counseling Degrees
Colleges and universities in the U.S. must be regionally accredited to confer valid degrees recognized by most professional bodies and employers. Organizations that have received authority from the U.S. Department of Higher Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) grant accreditation. Accreditation determines a school’s eligibility for federal funding and the quality of its programs, respectively.
Additionally, an online master’s degree program in counseling may hold accreditation from an industry-specific accrediting body, such as the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs or the Master of Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council. This programmatic accreditation ensures graduates qualify for licensure, employment, and further education.
Masters in Counseling FAQs
With a master’s in counseling, graduates can work in clinics, hospitals, or private practice. Counselors can also work with specialty populations, including children or adults, address issues related to substance use or rehabilitation, or work within healthcare or educational organizations.
No, a master’s of psychology is not the same as a master’s degree in counseling. The primary difference between psychology and counseling is the theoretical models they are based on.
A master’s in counseling operates from a wellness or strength-based model. Master’s in counseling degree programs focus on learning about therapeutic methods, such as psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other modalities, to support clients in a clinical or school environment.
In master’s level counseling programs, the primary focus is helping clients learn tools for healthy communication, positive coping strategies, and dealing with trauma. In contrast, a master’s in psychology operates from a medical or symptom-based model.
Although both degrees can prepare students to work in clinical mental health, master’s in psychology programs take a more scientific and research-based approach to the field.
The decision to pursue a master’s in social work or counseling depends on the type of career graduates wish to pursue. While there is a crossover between professional outcomes, those enrolled in a master of social work or counseling receive training in different models of care.
Those interested in pursuing master’s degrees in counseling first need undergraduate degrees in psychology, sociology, social work, or another related field.
The best degree for counseling at the graduate level depends on individual career goals. Degree specialty options include substance use counseling, marriage and family counseling, and rehabilitation therapy.
The job growth outlook for licensed or certified counselors is very good. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the need for mental health professionals, such as counselors, is expected to grow much faster than the national job growth from 2023-2033 as more people seek counseling services.
For example, substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors have an 19% projected job growth rate, while marriage and family therapists have a 16% projected growth rate.
A MA is a humanities-based program that often focuses on theoretical knowledge. In contrast, a master of science (MS) in counseling is a research-based postgraduate degree, offering an evidence-based, hands-on approach.
Ultimately, a master’s in counseling program that meets board requirements and your needs should be the deciding factor.
