Best Online Master’s in Counseling Degrees
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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.
Featured Online Counseling Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Master’s in Counseling Programs
New York University
New York, NY- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$53,770
- Out-of-state$53,770
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate13%
- Students Enrolled58,226
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment45%
- AccreditationYes
Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$60,276
- Out-of-state$60,276
- Retention Rate99%
- Acceptance Rate7%
- Students Enrolled23,409
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment7%
- AccreditationYes
University of Southern California
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$60,446
- Out-of-state$60,446
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate13%
- Students Enrolled49,318
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
Wake Forest University
- Winston-Salem, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$58,708
- Out-of-state$58,708
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate25%
- Students Enrolled8,947
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment16%
- AccreditationYes
Ottawa University-Surprise
- Surprise, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$29,600
- Out-of-state$29,600
- Retention Rate54%
- Acceptance Rate31%
- Students Enrolled972
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- AccreditationYes
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,328
- Out-of-state$11,328
- Retention Rate50%
- Acceptance Rate37%
- Students Enrolled3,260
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment91%
- AccreditationYes
William Carey University
- Hattiesburg, MS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$13,500
- Out-of-state$13,500
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate57%
- Students Enrolled5,738
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
National University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$13,320
- Out-of-state$13,320
- Retention Rate100%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled17,135
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment80%
- AccreditationYes
Lehigh University
- Bethlehem, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$56,980
- Out-of-state$56,980
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate46%
- Students Enrolled7,263
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment19%
- AccreditationYes
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$20,800
- Out-of-state$20,800
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled19,861
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- 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.
Featured Online Counseling Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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 mean salary of $61,790 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 | $53,710 |
| Christian Counseling | $46,130 |
| Marriage and Family Counseling | $58,510 |
| Rehabilitation Counseling | $44,040 |
| School Counseling | $61,710 |
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 2022-2032 as more people seek counseling services.
For example, substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors have an 18% projected job growth rate, while marriage and family therapists have a 15% 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.
Page last reviewed on April 15, 2024. Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by The Best Schools.
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