Best Online Counseling Programs

NYU Steinhardt is among the best online counseling programs. The online master's degree in counseling is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council. 

Students choose between two online counseling master's degree concentrations: mental health or school counselor. Both programs offer part- and full-time options. Mental health counselors are licensed to provide counseling services to individuals or groups, addressing mental health issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. Certified school counselors advocate for students' academic performance, addressing social, family, educational, and emotional well-being. 

There is also a dual degree option for a concentration in bilingual school counseling. This track focuses on multicultural theory and working with students who speak English as a second language.

Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants need a current resume, school transcripts, a statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and a non-refundable application fee. GRE scores are not required.

Degree-seekers interested in a top-rated school counseling degree can explore the online master of education in school counseling program at the University of Southern California (USC) Rossier School of Education. 

USC's online school counseling program prepares students for certification. School counselors must apply for a certificate in the state where they choose to practice. 

The entirely online program focuses on several primary areas of study, including trauma-informed practices, restorative justice, and career readiness. 

Students can complete the program in 2-3 years. 

Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 from a regionally accredited institution, a statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and proven written and verbal communication skills. No GRE test results are required. 

At Wake Forest University, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, students can enroll in one of two tracks offered through an entirely online master of arts in counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

Students choose between two concentrations: school counselor and clinical mental health counselor. The online master's in counseling clinical mental health track prepares students for licensure. Professionals address mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and provide marriage and family counseling.

School counselors collaborate with educators and counsel children and adolescents of all ages to improve their overall well-being and optimize their educational success.

After enrollment, students gain access to tutoring services and 24/7 technical support, 

Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA from an accredited college or university, a current resume, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, a virtual interview, and an $80 application fee.

Adler University in Chicago, Illinois, offers one of the best online counseling degree programs in the country. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits the online master of arts in clinical mental health counseling program. 

Students can complete the online program in 3-4 years. Asynchronous classes allow students to listen to prerecorded lessons in their own time. Some course requirements involve synchronous Zoom meetings at a scheduled time to provide peer and faculty relationship-building opportunities. On-campus course requirements take place at the Chicago campus location, involving two five-day residency weeks during years one and two. 

Adler University offers two dual master's-level counseling degrees, including a master of arts in clinical mental health counseling/master of arts in forensic mental health leadership and a master of arts in clinical mental health counseling/master of science in sport and human performance.

Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a recommended minimum 3.0 GPA, a statement of intent, official transcripts, a current resume, two letters of recommendation, an application fee, and an interview with faculty members.

Graduates qualify to pursue Illinois licensed professional counselor credentials.

Students interested in exploring top-rated online counseling programs may consider the Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles. The Council of Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs-accredited degree prepares students for professional counselor licensure (LPC).

The master of arts in mental health counseling takes three years to complete. The curriculum comprises 60 credit hours of coursework, plus supervised clinical experience. Course topics include theories and research, assessment and diagnosis, counseling intervention, and early intervention/prevention in community settings. Students can expect to complete the program on a full-time basis in two years; the part-time program takes around three years to complete. 

Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university, an online application with a $50 application fee, a written essay that includes how applicants plan to contribute to the program's mission, official transcripts, and letters of recommendation.

Degree-seekers searching for a top-ranked master's in counseling program may consider the Morgridge College of Education's master's in school counseling online program at the University of Denver.

The 24-month, 90-credit online program includes 18 courses and 700 hours of counseling practice. The curriculum focuses on skills and student development, which prepares school counselors to serve students by recognizing their strengths and accomplishments. 

The curriculum includes mock counseling sessions. Enrollees must participate in an additional 100-hour practicum and two 300-hour internships. Students can select a school in their local community to complete the program's hands-on counseling component. An optional on-campus immersion experience is available. 

Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA from a regionally accredited institution, a current resume, transcripts, letters of recommendation, a diversity statement, and a statement of professional goals. No GRE or work experience is required. 

The University of Western States offers an entirely online clinical and mental health counseling master's program. Students can enroll in the program independently or choose this specialization while enrolled in the doctorate of education in sports performance psychology program.

The clinical and mental health counseling master's program focuses on holistic wellness, integrating spiritual, social, physical, and cognitive components. Students learn how to use evidence-based practice to support holistic counseling approaches. In simulation labs, actors portray patients as part of a unique way for students to gain hands-on experience before interacting with clients professionally. 

The 90-quarter/60-semester program takes 2-3 years to complete and fulfills the requirement to pursue a licensed professional counselor (LPC) credential. Tuition is $587 per quarter credit.

Admission requirements include U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, an undergraduate degree with a preferred minimum 3.0 GPA, official transcripts, a current resume or CV, two letters of recommendation, and a personal interview. Applicants must also pay a $50 application fee and pass a background check.

The 60-hour master of arts in counseling program, offered at West Texas A & M University, in Canyon prepares students to become professional counselors who can work in a variety of clinical settings. Faculty-approved internships take place in hospitals, outpatient treatment facilities, and residential facilities.

Courses include diagnosis and treatment in counseling, assessment and testing in counseling, and couples and family counseling. Students must also complete a three-hour practicum and a 3-6-hour internship. 

Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA from a regionally accredited college or university, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, an online application, and a recent resume.

Program graduates qualify to take the National Counselor Exam and the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counseling Texas Jurisprudence Exam to be eligible as a licensed professional counselor (LPC). 

Degree-seekers searching for a top-ranked online counseling degree may consider Hope International University in Fullerton, California. HIU offers an online master of science in counseling with an emphasis on marriage and family therapy. Successful completion qualifies students to pursue a California licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) licensed marriage and family therapist credential.

The 61-unit Christian-based program takes 2-3 years to complete. Graduates must procure 3,000 supervised hours of clinical practicums/internships before qualifying to sit for the licensure exam.

Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited institution, official transcripts, and a prerequisite waiver for those seeking to do without required courses.

The entirely online counseling program at National University in San Diego, California, requires 60 credit hours. 

The master of science in clinical mental health counseling program prepares students to work with culturally diverse people of all backgrounds to address their mental health issues. The curriculum focuses on ethics and legal standards, evidence-based counseling approaches, and assessment and diagnosis skills. Professional counseling experience is provided through clinical practicums in various clinical settings.

On average, the course takes 32 months to complete.

Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university, a current resume, a statement of intent, a licensure plan (to pursue local certification), a statement of professional ethics, a list of possible clinical sites (in the student's local geographic location), and a checklist of available technology. Applicants must also submit to a background check and interview with a faculty member.