Best Online Master's in Counseling

Online master's in counseling programs are convenient for working students who want to expand their career and income potential.

A master's degree in counseling can lead to employment as a mental health counselor, school or career counselor, Christian counselor, marriage and family therapist, or an addiction counselor.

Students will learn counseling theories, evidence-based research, and strategies for diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health disorders.

The benefits of an online master's in counseling course may include lower costs, more personalized learning, flexible scheduling, and overall convenience.

Dive into this guide to discover how to become a licensed or certified counselor, learn about salary expectations for various careers, and get access to a list of the top online master's in counseling programs.

Questions About Earning a Master's in Counseling

What Can You Do With a Master's in Counseling?

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.

Is a Master of Psychology the Same as Counseling?

No, a master of psychology is not the same as a master's degree in counseling. The primary difference between psychology and counseling are the models they operate from.

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 on helping clients learn tools for healthy communication, employ positive coping strategies, and deal with trauma. 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/research approach to the field.

Should I Get a Master's in Social Work or Counseling?

The decision to pursue a master's in social work or counseling depends on the type of careers graduates wish to pursue. While there is crossover between professional outcomes, those enrolled in a master of social work or counseling receive training in different models of care. Another important consideration is that social workers may accept Medicare reimbursement while counselors can not.

What Degree Is Best for Counseling?

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.

Is a Counseling Master's worth it?

The job growth outlook for licensed/certified counselors is good. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the need for mental health professionals, such as counselors, is expected to grow faster than the average job growth rate from 2021-2031 as more people seek counseling services.

Substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors have a 22% projected job growth rate, while the BLS gives marriage and family therapists (MFTs) an anticipated job growth rate of 14%.

According to the BLS, in May 2021, the median annual wage for substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $48,520. This includes graduates of both undergraduate and graduate-level education.

Graduate-level counseling education can lead to independent licensure, which in turn can mean opening a private practice and increasing income beyond what bachelor degree-holders earn.

According to Payscale, the average salary for licensed professional counselors is $50,310 as of October 2022.

What is the difference between a MA and a MS in counseling?

A MA is a humanities-based program that often focuses on theoretical knowledge. A master of science (MS) in counseling is a research-based postgraduate degree, offering an evidence-based, hands-on approach to a counseling degree.

An MS is ideal for students with a general bachelor's degree, such as English, and a master of arts (MA) in counseling, while an MS is best suited for those with a bachelor's degree in psychology.

Ultimately, overall program structure that meets board requirements and a student's needs should be the deciding factor.

Featured Online Counseling Programs

Choosing an Online Master's in Counseling Program

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:

• Make sure 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 the prerequisites for each prospective program 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 (e.g., does the institution help set up supervised field experience, number of required hours, and where pre-set field experience is to take place).
• Find out if your work experience is applicable for 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.

Best Online Master's in Counseling Programs

What Else Can I Expect From an Online Master of Counseling Program?

While online master's degrees in counseling programs often build from the same pool of required coursework, other curricular specifics — such as advanced classes and capstone requirements — depend on the faculty and departmental focus.

Most online counseling master's programs also prepare students for professional examinations and state licensing requirements. Check that a program provides the support you need to achieve your goals.

How to Become a Counselor

Steps to becoming a counselor include:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university.
2. Complete the necessary prerequisite training required by the master’s program (i.e., some programs require related on-the-job experience,but most programs do not have this requirement).
3. Complete an accredited graduate degree (e.g., master’s in counseling), including a minimum of 100 practicum hours and an additional 600 hours for internships)
4. Finish required post-graduate supervised field experience after obtaining a Professional Counselor Training license (e.g., 2,000 to 4,000 supervised post-degree hours). Note a temporary license validity may vary per state.
5. Apply for and pass the exam for a licensed professional counselor (LPC) credential in your state of residence. Learn more about state licensing requirements and acronyms on the American Counseling Association website.
6. Apply for and pass the National Certified Counselor (NCC) board certification, which also offers three specialty certifications.
7. Maintain your Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license.

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.

How Much Do Counselors Make?

According to the BLS, the average annual salary expectation for counselors is $56,410. The salary differs depending on what type of degree you pursue.

According to Payscale, if you have a BA in counseling, the average yearly salary is $51,000; comparatively, graduates of a master of science (MS) mental health counseling degree earn an average of $53,000 annually.

Source: Payscale

Specializations Within Counseling

Before applying for an online master's in counseling degree, students must choose a specialization.

Addiction Counseling

An addiction counselor commonly works on a 1:1 basis 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 counselors also facilitate group therapy, which helps participants support each other during their recovery from drug, alcohol, gambling, or other addictions. Many programs employ 12-step or non-12-step recovery programs, such as SMART Recovery and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Addiction counselors help clients arrange for things like sober housing, ongoing 12-step or other peer support groups, and aftercare programs after discharge.

Addiction counseling does not require a master's degree.

Christian Counseling

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

Marriage and family counselors focus on conflict resolution for couples (whether married or not) and the family unit, which could include the extended family or the nuclear family. Anyone can receive marriage and family counseling, regardless of whether they have a mental health diagnosis.

Mental Health Counseling

Mental health counselors, also called clinical mental health counselors, work with people with mental health diagnoses that align with the diagnostic and statistic manual of mental disorders (DSM-5).

Examples include major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and others. Mental health counselors often work closely with psychiatrists legally authorized to prescribe medications and monitor a client's medical status on these “psychotropic” meds.

Rehabilitation

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 suffer from terminal disorders such as cancer; others may need support while recovering from debilitating injuries like severe car accidents. Rehabilitation counselors help their clients improve the quality of their daily lives and accept or cope with their physical or mental limitations.

School Counseling

School counselors, once referred to as guidance counselors, work with kids from Pre-K through 12th grade. School counselors see kids with issues that impact their social interactions or academic achievement during school.

They often see bullied students or those who experience neglect, abuse, parental divorce, or other problems. School counselors are licensed to help kids undergoing Individual Education Program (IEP) programs.

Online Master's in Counseling Careers

The counseling field encompasses many professions, and workers can find employment in hospitals as clinical counselors or at colleges and universities as career counselors.

They can also develop their own independent practice. By enrolling in an online counseling master's program and obtaining the necessary postgraduate experience and licensure, students can build a career that is both lucrative and meaningful.

The average salary for counselors depends on the type of degree. Licensure or certification/specialization further impacts earnings.

Source: BLS

Curriculum for an Online Master's Degree in Counseling

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, develop variables, handle human subjects, and apply for funding.

Professional ethics and law

This class helps students understand federal and state laws, along with mandatory field-specific regulations. Course content may also include a historical look at famous cases that shaped the field.

Child abuse and neglect

In this course, students learn to identify signs of maltreatment, provide counseling and support to children, and follow through by accessing community resources to ensure that either the family dynamic changes or that a child moves to a safe environment. These skills prepare students for careers as family therapists, child advocates, and school counselors.

Human development

Another common topic — particularly for programs based in clinical counseling — this course guides students through the stages of human development, including psychological, cognitive, and biological theories of growth. Students may analyze case studies and begin to develop their own styles of counseling.

Group counseling

This course trains students to become effective group facilitators, covering the purpose and types of group sessions. Students also learn techniques related to engaging group members and evaluating success.

Certifications and Licenses a Master’s in Counseling Prepares For

Accreditation for Online Master's in Counseling Degrees

Colleges and universities in the U.S. must be accredited to confer valid degrees recognized by most professional bodies and employers. Organizations who 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 a field-specific institution, such as the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs or the Master of Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council.

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