Top Online Counseling Programs: Compare Top Schools & Find Your Fit
Counseling degrees can lead to professional licensure and a career helping others. Explore the best online counseling degrees and how to choose between them.
Why Psycholology.org?
The Psychology.org team includes writers, editors, and contributing psychology students and professionals dedicated to helping you navigate the field. We follow a strict editorial and review process to ensure our content is up-to-date, factual, and relevant. Learn more aboutour editorial process.
Interested in becoming a counselor? A graduate degree is one step toward this career path. Explore the best online counseling programs, how to choose one, and what to expect.
Best Online Counseling Programs
Campbellsville University
- Campbellsville, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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%
Yes
60%
78%
$8,904
$8,904
78%
11,775
Private
Lebanon Valley College
- Annville, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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%
Yes
79%
77%
$31,875
$31,875
77%
2,080
Private
Cameron University
- Lawton, OK
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
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%
Yes
66%
100%
$3,762
$10,476
100%
3,559
Public
Prairie View A & M University
- Prairie View, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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%
Yes
74%
74%
$5,191
$14,353
74%
9,248
Public
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
- Portales, NM
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
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%
Yes
62%
28%
$5,454
$7,227
28%
5,106
Public
Bay Path University
- Longmeadow, MA
- 4 year
- Online
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%
Yes
70%
76%
$19,235
$19,235
76%
2,465
Private
Northwestern College
- Orange City, IA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
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%
Yes
80%
87%
$6,120
$6,120
87%
1,665
Private
Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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%
Yes
97%
7%
$51,869
$51,869
7%
22,801
Private
Regis College
- Weston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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%
Yes
81%
90%
$24,968
$24,968
90%
2,801
Private
Western Michigan University
- Kalamazoo, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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%
Yes
80%
85%
$17,539
$26,308
85%
17,559
Public
How to Choose an Online Counseling Program
When reviewing online counseling programs, consider what each school offers and how it meets your learning needs. Here are some factors you might consider:
Curriculum
Find a program that features courses, concentrations, and clinical opportunities in your field of interest.
Program Format
Consider how the program length, delivery mode, and residency requirements fit your schedule.
School Support
Examine the faculty, staff-to-student ratio, and the support services provided.
Admission Requirements
Ensure you meet the program’s application and admission requirements. Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Accreditation
Verify that the school and program have the appropriate institutional and programmatic accreditation.
Cost
Weigh the tuition cost against other programs. According to the NCES, the average annual tuition for psychology programs (which includes counseling) was $16,329 for bachelor’s and $13,263 for master’s programs in 2020-21.
Affordability
Check out what financial aid opportunities and online learning savings the school offers.
How To Apply To An Online Counseling Program
The application process for an online counseling program varies by school, but they often involve similar steps. Once you’ve selected your schools, confirmed your admission eligibility, and noted the application deadlines, it’s time to start the application process.
- 1
Gather your recommendation letters
You usually need 2-3 recommendation letters from professors or employers who can speak to your abilities and potential. Give your references as much time (at least one month) and information as possible to write their letters.
- 2
Take the GRE or GMAT (if required)
Many schools still require standardized test scores and almost all accept them. Official scores take 8-10 days, plus delivery times, so aim to test at least one month before the application deadline.
- 3
Write your purpose statements (if required)
Your purpose statement should highlight your counseling interests, career goals, and why you’re a strong candidate. Take time to put them together carefully and tailor them to each application.
- 4
Request your transcripts
Order your undergraduate transcripts and have them sent to the schools you apply to early because the process can take weeks. Most schools offer and accept electronic submissions, but check with the admissions department to confirm.
- 5
Complete the application and pay the fee
Take your time filling out the application with your personal information and thoughtful answers to any questions. Most schools have an application and/or processing fee that you also need to pay when you submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fully online counseling programs feature entirely online lectures, coursework, and in-person clinical requirements. Clinical hours are required to become a licensed counselor and programmatic accreditation, and you can’t properly complete them online. For example, the practicum and internship requirements include several hundred hours of supervised practice in a clinical setting and nearly 300 hours of direct client service.
