Best Online Master’s in Counseling Degrees of 2025
Online master’s in counseling programs offer flexibility for working students who want to advance their career and salary potential. Graduates can pursue a career as a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC), school or career counselor, Christian counselor, marriage and family therapist, or addiction counselor.
Discover the top online master’s in counseling programs. Learn about becoming a licensed or certified counselor and salary expectations for various careers.
10 Best Master’s in Counseling Online 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$48,890
- Out-of-state$48,890
- In-State$34,233
- Out-of-state$34,233
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled2,142
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
Portales, NM
- 4 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$7,226
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled5,386
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment84%
- AccreditationYes
Bay Path University
Longmeadow, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + 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$37,227
- Out-of-state$37,227
- In-State$19,235
- Out-of-state$19,235
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled2,643
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- 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$64,887
- Out-of-state$64,887
- In-State$52,698
- Out-of-state$52,698
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate7%
- Students Enrolled22,801
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment11%
- 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$47,770
- Out-of-state$47,770
- In-State$23,688
- Out-of-state$23,688
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled2,801
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment81%
- 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$29,856
- Out-of-state$29,856
- In-State$26,040
- Out-of-state$26,040
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled2,039
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- 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$35,200
- Out-of-state$35,200
- In-State$10,458
- Out-of-state$10,458
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled5,029
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment88%
- 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$35,880
- Out-of-state$35,880
- In-State$22,890
- Out-of-state$22,890
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled20,877
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
How to Choose a Master’s in Counseling Online Program
There are many options for online counseling programs, which can make finding the right one for you a bit overwhelming. Researching and narrowing your list down to 3-5 possible options is a good start, but there are several other things you need to take into account. Below are some guidelines and essential factors to consider when choosing an online master’s in counseling program:
Accreditation: Ensure the prospective program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Admission Requirements: Familiarize yourself with each prospective program’s admissions requirements and prerequisites to ensure you meet the requirements.
Concentrations: If you plan to specialize, be sure the program you select offers the specialization or concentration you plan to pursue.
Field Experience: Evaluate the program’s mandatory field experience. Find out if the institution helps set up supervised field experience, the number of required hours, and if the school requires field experience to occur at one of their partner sites.
Transfer Credits: Find out if your work experience can apply to transfer credits or field experience hours.
Format Delivery: Check the program delivery mode (e.g., 100% online or hybrid)
Cost: 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.
Accreditation for Master’s in Counseling Online Programs
Colleges and universities in the U.S. must be accredited to confer valid counseling degrees recognized by professional bodies and employers. Accreditation ensures the quality of a school’s program and determines its eligibility for federal funding, which you’ll need to qualify for financial aid.
A master’s in counseling online program 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 you qualify for licensure, employment, and further education.
Why Earn Your Master’s in Counseling Online?
Earning your master’s in counseling online offers many academic, professional, and lifestyle benefits compared to an on-campus program. Here are a few reasons why it may be the right path for you:
- Increased Flexibility: Online counseling programs let you study from the comfort of your own home and often allow you to work at your own pace.
- Receive the Same High-Quality Education: Online programs typically include the same courses and meet the same academic rigors as on-campus programs.
- Access Top Programs Across the Country: You can choose schools beyond your commuting distance, including the top-ranked programs nationwide.
- Potential Cost Savings: You can often save on commuting, housing, and campus fees. Some programs even offer lower tuition rates or scholarships specific to online students.
Reality Check: Do You Need a Master’s Degree To Become a Counselor?
To become a clinical counselor, you need a master’s degree in counseling or a related field and a state license, which requires supervised clinical hours. This license lets you assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions.
In contrast, non-mental health counseling roles — like career, substance misuse, or behavioral disorder counseling — may have fewer licensure requirements. Some may require only a bachelor’s degree and focus more on support and guidance than clinical treatment.
What You Can Expect From Online Counseling Programs
Accredited online counseling master’s programs typically take two years of full-time study to complete and prepare you for professional examinations and state licensing requirements for licensed professional counseling. Check that your program 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.
Before applying for a master’s in counseling online program, you need to determine which type of counseling degree or concentration you want to pursue. Each specialization involves working with different clients and responsibilities, so identifying which area interests you is key. Six of the most common counseling specialties at the master’s level include:
Types of Counseling Degrees and Specialization Areas
- Career Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Marriage and Family Counseling
- Rehabilitation Counseling
- School Counseling
- Substance Misuse Counseling
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Counseling?
Earning a master’s in counseling provides a pathway to an array of careers in counseling, helping people confront challenges, solve problems, and develop coping skills. With a master’s in counseling, you can work in schools, clinics, hospitals, or private practice.
In these settings, counselors may work with specialty populations, including children, adults, or families, address issues related to substance use or rehabilitation, or serve in roles such as mental health counselors or family therapists within healthcare or educational organizations.
Counseling Career, Salary, and Job Outlook
Counselors make a median annual salary of $60,200 annually, according to May 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, several factors influence earning potential, including specialty, licensure, location, and educational level.
8 Counseling Career Paths | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Job Outlook (2023-2033) |
---|---|---|
Career Counselors | $65,140 | 4% |
Religious Workers (including Christian Counselors) | $58,570 | N/A |
Genetic Counselors | $98,910 | 16% |
Marriage and Family Counselors | $63,780 | 16% |
Mental Health Counselors | $59,190 | 19% |
Rehabilitation Counselors | $46,110 | 2% |
School Counselors | $65,140 | 4% |
Substance Misuse Counselors | $59,190 | 19% |
How Much Does an Online Master’s in Counseling Degree Cost?
The median cost of an online master’s in counseling is $8,112 for a master of arts (MA) and $10,188 for a master of science (MS), based on 2020 data from the National Center for Education Statistics, adjusted for 2025 dollars.
Costs can vary depending on the degree type (MA vs. MS) and whether the institution is public or private. In general, tuition rates for online counseling programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts.
Program Type | MA Degree | MS Degree |
---|---|---|
Online | $8,112 | $10,188 |
Campus-Based | $16,806 | $14,035 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Master’s in Counseling Online Degrees
The decision to pursue a master’s in social work or counseling depends on the type of career you wish to pursue. While there is a crossover, a master of social work (MSW) degree leads to a career focused on social work, whereas you’ll need a counseling degree to work as a licensed counselor.