Top Online Counseling Programs: Compare Top Schools & Find Your Fit
Ready to advance your career with an online counseling degree? Learn how to find and apply to a top master’s in counseling program.
Have you thought about pursuing a master’s degree in counseling, but are unsure whether you can do it with your busy schedule? Fortunately, many online programs provide enough flexibility to allow you to study at your own pace and balance coursework with other obligations. Learn how to choose and apply to a top online counseling degree program.
Top Online Programs in Counseling
Campbellsville University
- Campbellsville, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
CU Online’s master of arts in education in school counseling consists of 18 required courses taught in eight-week terms. The cohort model program introduces students to topics such as counseling theories and practice, leadership and ethics, substance use, and cultural competency. This fully online master’s program, accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), features a Christian-based curriculum.
The 48-credit program includes three internships with a total of 300 hours of clinical school counseling fieldwork.
Highlights:
- Can be completed in as little as 18 months
- Offers tuition discounts for active-duty military members
- Provides an online academic advisor to each student
Considerations:
- Accepts a limit of 12 transfer credits from an accredited school
- Practica and internships require some on-site components
- The curriculum does not offer electives
56%
$8,904
60%
$8,904
- Acceptance Rate
- 78%
- Students Enrolled
- 11,775
- Institution Type
- Private
Lebanon Valley College
- Annville, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
If you are looking for a flexible graduate program,LVC’s master of science in clinical mental health counseling provides on-campus and online options. Distance learners can choose a hybrid or fully online program that includes asynchronous and synchronous courses. The 60-credit program takes as few as two years to complete as a full-time student or four years as a part-time student.
The broad, evidence-based curriculum includes a 600-credit internship and helps prepare graduates for careers in high-demand fields such as clinical counseling, addiction counseling, and trauma-informed counseling.
Highlights:
- Option to pursue a 12-credit trauma-informed counseling certificate
- Aligned with the Pennsylvania state requirements for licensure for professional counselors
- Convenient for working professionals
Considerations:
21%
$31,875
79%
$31,875
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Students Enrolled
- 2,080
- Institution Type
- Private
Cameron University
- Lawton, OK
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
Cameron University’s master of arts in mental health counseling provides a community health focus and opportunities for clinical experience while earning your degree. The master’s program offers tracks in counseling and marriage and family therapy. Both tracks require 24 credits in the same core courses. The counseling track requires an additional 36 credits and students in the marriage and family track must complete 24 more credits.
The counseling track allows students to pursue an embedded certificate for alcohol and drug counseling while earning the master’s degree. Graduate students in both tracks acquire real-world experience during their last year in the program by providing mental health care services to Lawton/Fort Sill community members.
Highlights:
- Pre-approved by the Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure to meet the academic requirements for licensure as a professional counselor or marriage and family therapist
- A bachelor’s in psychology is not required for admission to the master’s program
- GRE not required for admission
Considerations:
- No elective course options
- Does not have CACREP accreditation
- Does not admit international students with F1 visas
69%
$ 3,762
66%
$10,476
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Students Enrolled
- 3,559
- Institution Type
- Public
Prairie View A & M University
- Prairie View, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
The PVAMU MA program with an emphasis in school counseling meets the Texas Educational Agency (TEA) requirements for school counselor certification. The counseling program is accredited by the CACREP.
This fully online counseling program takes six semesters to complete 48 credits, including a 100-hour practicum and two 300-hour internships in a school setting. Additionally, you may take elective courses in drugs and the individual, counseling couples and families, and play therapy. You must complete 12 credits to gain admittance to the school counselor certification program.
Highlights:
- Teaching experience or teacher certification is not required for school counselor certification by the TEA
- A historically Black college/university
- Guaranteed tuition and fee plans available for graduate students
Considerations:
55%
$ 5,191
74%
$14,353
- Acceptance Rate
- 74%
- Students Enrolled
- 9,248
- Institution Type
- Public
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
- Portales, NM
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
ENMU’s master of arts in clinical mental health provides you with a flexible online pathway to pursuing licensure as a mental health counselor in New Mexico and other states. The master’s program requires the completion of 60 credits, consisting of 51 credits in core counseling courses, nine hours of electives, nine hours of practica/internships, and a capstone project.
The MA in counseling offers an accelerated joint degree program with the ENMU psychology undergraduate program. Students may take up to 12 graduate credits that apply to both their undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Highlights:
- Second lowest master's-level tuition in the state of New Mexico
- Extensive in-person and online support for distance learners, including Golden Library online services, academic and financial aid advising, and career and personal counseling
- Active-duty military tuition waivers for out-of-state students
Considerations:
- A limit of nine transfer credits accepted
- All coursework for the degree, including classes and final examinations, must be completed within six years
- Does not have accreditation from the CACREP
84%
$5,454
62%
$7,227
- Acceptance Rate
- 28%
- Students Enrolled
- 5,106
- Institution Type
- Public
Bay Path University
- Longmeadow, MA
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
If you are looking for a flexible online counseling program, the master of science at Bay Path University offers almost all required coursework asynchronously. You may finish your degree in as few as two years, taking 3-4 classes each term, or longer depending on your personal and work commitments. Classes run in 12-week sessions throughout the year.
The 60-credit master’s requires 48 credits of counseling coursework and an additional 12 credits of supervised practicum and internship experiences.
Highlights:
- Member of the Yellow Ribbon program
- Rolling admissions and multiple start dates
- Prepares students for licensure as a mental health counselor (LMHC) for the state of Massachusetts and parallel licenses, such as the licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Connecticut and other states.
Considerations:
78%
$19,235
70%
$19,235
- Acceptance Rate
- 76%
- Students Enrolled
- 2,465
- Institution Type
- Private
Northwestern College
- Orange City, IA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
NWC’s master of arts in clinical mental health counseling has a Christian-based curriculum that emphasizes cultural sensitivity and ethical skills. Coursework explores topics such as marriage and family therapy; crisis, trauma, and suicide; and addictions counseling. The 60-credit online degree takes two years to complete and includes a capstone project, a 100-credit practicum, and a 600-credit internship.
After completing the MA, you may sit for the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam and pursue licensure as a professional counselor in Iowa and other states.
Highlights:
- No GRE required for admission
- Offers a 50% tuition discount to NWC alumni
- Flexible online delivery format, offering all courses asynchronously, except for practica/internships
Considerations:
- Most courses taught by adjunct faculty
- Limited number of electives compared to others on this list
- Students have sole responsibility for finding internship placements
39%
$6,120
80%
$6,120
- Acceptance Rate
- 87%
- Students Enrolled
- 1,665
- Institution Type
- Private
Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
The online master of arts in counseling at prestigious Northwestern University offers accelerated, traditional, and part-time options through its Bridge to Counseling Program for students new to the field. This evidence-based and CACREP-accredited program features the same rigorous curriculum as Northwestern’s on-campus master's. Coursework addresses counseling theory and practice and psychodynamic theory and application and includes a practicum and internship totaling 800 hours of real-world training.
GRE scores are not required for admission to the online program. A bachelor’s degree in psychology or human services is preferred but not required.
Highlights:
Considerations:
12%
$51,869
97%
$51,869
- Acceptance Rate
- 7%
- Students Enrolled
- 22,801
- Institution Type
- Private
Regis College
- Weston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
The master of arts in counseling at Regis College integrates an evidence-based approach with a strong emphasis on social justice advocacy. This 60-credit degree, which takes two years to complete, follows a hybrid model. You may choose specializations in mental health or addictions counseling. The curriculum offers electives in child and adolescent psychopathology and therapies, counseling LGBYQI+ individuals, and forensic counseling.
The master’s satisfies the educational requirements for the licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) or licensed professional counselor (LPC) designations.
Highlights:
- Most classes are scheduled on nights and some weekends
- Interested students may take two graduate courses before applying to the program
- Offers a 15% tuition discount on online programs to all active and reserve military, veterans, and military spouses
Considerations:
- Must complete prerequisites in psychology, human development, abnormal psychology, research methods, and statistics
- Second most expensive tuition rate among the ten online programs on this list
- Does not have CACREP accreditation
82%
$24,968
81%
$24,968
- Acceptance Rate
- 90%
- Students Enrolled
- 2,801
- Institution Type
- Private
Western Michigan University
- Kalamazoo, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School:
WMU's MA in counseling psychology program allows you to finish your degree in less than two years at the Kalamazoo or Grand Rapids campus. This 48-credit program, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association, combines some online coursework with on-campus offerings. The curriculum emphasizes psychopathology, psychological assessment, counseling, and psychotherapy theories and practices.
All students must complete a 600-hour practicum experience. As part of the practical training, master’s students provide professional counseling services at the university’s Centers for Counseling and Psychological Services.
Highlights:
- WMU undergraduate students may take up to 12 graduate credits that apply toward the completion of the master’s degree in counseling.
- Military members and dependents qualify for in-state tuition
- 100% of graduates found employment or pursued continuing education within three months after graduation.
Considerations:
- Prepares students for the Michigan limited license psychologist designation
- A small number of full-time faculty compared to other programs on this list
- Limited number of electives compared to others on this list
62%
$17,539
80%
$26,308
- Acceptance Rate
- 85%
- Students Enrolled
- 17,559
- Institution Type
- Public
How to Choose an Online Counseling Program
Choosing the right online counseling degree program can lead to a rewarding educational experience and a career in mental health. While each person has different priorities when selecting the best fit, it’s important to evaluate factors like accreditation, admission requirements, career relevance, and affordability.
Accreditation
A key factor to consider is whether your chosen school has the proper programmatic accreditation. An accredited counseling program meets educational and industry standards. This assessment is based on an independent review by organizations such as the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Admission Requirements
Doing a thorough review of the admission requirements can help clarify the application process. Most online counseling degree programs require official transcripts from undergraduate schools attended, entrance exam scores, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and proof of prerequisite coursework. You may also be asked to submit a resume or curriculum vitae and undergo a criminal background check.
Career Relevance
It’s worth the effort to find a program that offers courses and concentrations aligned with your academic interests and career goals. For example, if you want to work with kids, you’ll build a strong background in a program that includes concentrations like child development or child psychology.
Flexibility
If you’re a busy professional or balancing multiple responsibilities with schoolwork, choose a program that offers the flexibility you need to earn your degree on your own schedule. Many degree programs include part-time courses and asynchronous (recorded) classes that fit into your work life. Additionally, an accelerated curriculum can help you join the workforce in less time.
Cost and Financial Aid
The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the average annual tuition and fees for online master’s degrees in health professions and related clinical sciences, including counseling programs, were $13,950 in 2019-2020. Check with your school to see what scholarships, loans, and other forms of financial aid it offers to make your online counseling degree affordable.
How to Apply to an Online Counseling Program
Applying to an online counseling degree program can be an exciting but stressful experience. Anticipating the requirements and application steps can help streamline the process.
- Step 1: Request and Gather Recommendation Letters
Most online counseling degree programs require 2-3 letters of recommendation. These letters usually come from former instructors, employers, and other trusted professionals who can vouch for your academic strengths and readiness for school. Allow at least one month for your references to write their letters and for you to collect them.
- Step 2: Schedule the Entrance Exam (If Required)
Check if your prospective graduate program requires an entrance exam, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Allow at least one month before the application deadline to take the exam and receive your scores, which usually take 8-10 days to be delivered.
- Step 3: Write and Edit Your Admission Statement
Most online counseling degree programs require an admission statement or statement of purpose. This document gives you the chance to highlight your academic achievements, career goals, and explain why you want to attend your chosen school, along with other strengths you’d like admissions officials to consider.
- Step 4: Request Your Official Transcripts
Contact your undergraduate schools and have them send your transcripts directly to the program you’re applying to. Find out if your prospective school accepts electronic submissions, which is faster than sending them through traditional mail. Note that ordering official transcripts can take several weeks; therefore, allow sufficient time for this step.
- Step 5: Complete and Submit the Application
Take your time and ensure you provide all the information the application requests. Double-check that you’ve included your purpose statement, reference letters, and other required documentation. Additionally, you’ll probably need to pay the application or processing fee before submitting your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
It may be worth the time, money, and effort to pursue a master’s degree in counseling if you aspire to become a licensed counselor or advance your career. Although salaries in this field vary significantly, advancing your education could help you achieve your long-term career goals.
