Top Online CACREP-Accredited School Counseling Degrees for 2026
Interested in becoming a school counselor? Find out what to look for in an online CACREP-accredited school counseling program and learn why CACREP accreditation is important.
Earning an online CACREP-accredited school counseling degree can lead to a rewarding career helping K-12 students achieve their educational and personal goals. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) evaluates the academic quality and professionalism of school counseling programs.
Explore this page to learn why CACREP accreditation matters and if an online accredited school counseling degree is the right choice for you.
The Best CACREP-Accredited Online School Counseling Programs
Florida State University – Most Comprehensive Graduate Pathway
- Tallahassee, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose FSU: Graduates Can Earn Master’s and Specialist Degrees in One Program
FSU’s school counseling master’s program offers you a chance to earn a master’s and an educational specialist (EdS) degree in just 60 credits.
The program prepares you to serve the diverse needs of K-12 students with a particular focus on the various racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds of students. It offers two pathways, depending on whether you complete the internship required for CACREP accreditation in one or two semesters.
Other Highlights
- Accredited by the State of Florida Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- No GRE requirement.
- Online student support services include the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE), the Career Center, and Counseling & Psychological Services.
Considerations
- Tuition costs $444 per credit for in-state graduate distance learning students, totaling approximately $26,655 for the whole program.
- Tuition costs $1,139 per credit for out-of-state graduate students enrolled in distance learning programs.
- A bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for admission.
61%
$ 9,684
96%
$26,657
- Acceptance Rate
- 24%
- Students Enrolled
- 43,871
- Institution Type
- Public
North Carolina State University at Raleigh – Best in Advancing Diversity and Inclusion
- Raleigh, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose NC State: Prepares Counselors Who Reflect the Communities They Serve
We chose NC State’s master’s in school counseling program because it is committed to multiculturalism and attracting students from many cultural backgrounds. The program has increased its proportion of culturally different students from 5% to 20% in recent years, according to the institution.
The curriculum emphasizes the importance of incorporating cross-cultural perspectives into counseling theory, research, and practice. The online program is a three-year cohort-based program, in which you’ll take one course each summer and two each spring and fall semester. It includes a 600-hour internship and a 100-hour practicum.
Graduates complete requirements for an NC school counseling license and licensed clinical mental health counselor associate (LCMHCA) credential. The program also prepares students to sit for the National Counselor Examination.
Other Highlights
- iPad minis for each student for the duration of the program
- No required entrance exam
- Nationally recognized faculty
Considerations
- In-state tuition costs $596 per credit.
- Out-of-state tuition costs $1,779 per credit.
- Must start the online program in the summer
44%
$ 9,459
93%
$29,433
- Acceptance Rate
- 42%
- Students Enrolled
- 38,464
- Institution Type
- Public
Texas A & M International University – Most Affordable for In-State Students
- Laredo, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose TAMIU: Offers Cheapest Tuition for Online, In-State Students
TAIMU's master’s in school counseling program offers the most affordable tuition for online in-state students. In-state tuition costs $367 per credit, totaling $17,616 for the program. Out-of-state students pay $1,030 per credit, totaling $49,440.
The 48-credit program can be completed in 16 months and is accredited by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification. It prepares you to become a culturally competent school counselor in Texas K-12 schools, sit for the TExES School Counselor exam, and meet the educational requirements to pursue state certification.
Other Highlights
- Six start dates
- 7-week courses
- Thesis not required for graduation
Considerations
- Requires a Texas teaching license, two years of teaching experience, and a bachelor’s degree
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours
- Can complete clinical teaching experience at the school where you work
65%
$ 3,350
74%
$10,712
- Acceptance Rate
- 46%
- Students Enrolled
- 8,536
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Southern California – Best Private School
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose USC: Prepares Students Seeking Prestigious Private-University Education
USC’s master of education in school counseling offers a prestigious program that prepares graduates for a school counseling credential in California. You’ll complete 100 hours of practicum and 700 hours of internship in K-12 placement sites that the program’s placement specialists will help you arrange.
The program features online courses and takes two years of full-time study. Part-time students can complete the program in 2.5 to 3 years. You can specialize in college and career counseling, restorative justice, or trauma-informed practice.
Other Highlights
- No GRE required
- Two start dates in the fall and spring semesters
- Rolling admissions
Considerations
- Tuition costs $2,467 per unit, totaling $120,883 for the program, which consists of 49 units.
- The school counseling program does not have programmatic accreditation and may not qualify students from other states for school counseling licensure.
- The program combines self-paced coursework with weekly online live sessions.
30%
$66,640
97%
$66,640
- Acceptance Rate
- 10%
- Students Enrolled
- 47,147
- Institution Type
- Private
William & Mary – Best Student Support
- Williamsburg, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose W&M: Provides One-On-One Professional Guidance and Individualized Support
W&M’s master of education in counseling with a concentration in school counseling offers extensive student support services, including 24/7 IT support, a dedicated student success coordinator, and practicum site placement assistance from the program’s clinical experience director.
The student success coordinator offers guidance, answers questions, and addresses concerns to help you succeed in the program.
The three-year program comprises courses in counseling school-aged children, multicultural counseling, and ethics, and requires a 600-hour internship and a 100-hour practicum. It prepares you for state licensure as a school counselor and professional certification from the American School Counselor Association.
Other Highlights
- No prior school counseling experience needed
- Access to a social justice dashboard, which outlines social justice skills you’ll learn in the program
- $50 application fee, which can be waived for military members, veterans, AmeriCorps or Peace Corps participants, and Fulbright or McNair scholars
Considerations
- Tuition costs $825 per credit, no matter your residency status, totaling $49,500 for the program.
- Two three-day on-campus residencies required
- Admission requires a resume, a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0, three letters of recommendation, and a personal essay.
14%
$10,905
95%
$29,352
- Acceptance Rate
- 34%
- Students Enrolled
- 9,818
- Institution Type
- Public
How We Identified Top Schools and Programs
Our editorial team reviewed each school and program to identify standout characteristics, prioritizing factors like flexibility, hands-on experience, licensure qualification, and relevance of the curriculum to a career in counseling. We assigned each school a superlative category based on its strengths.
Since many counseling programs share similar course offerings and outcomes, our goal is to support your program selection process by highlighting features that matter to you most.
We verified these school and program facts in November 2025.
How To Choose an Online CACREP-Accredited School Counseling Degree Program
A major consideration when choosing an online school counseling degree is CACREP accreditation. Accreditation demonstrates the program’s overall quality. These accrediting bodies use key performance indicators to evaluate content and professional standards. State licensing boards and most employers require you to hold a degree from a CACREP-accredited program.
A CACREP-accredited online school counseling degree provides a flexible option for those who need to balance work or personal responsibilities while pursuing their education. Keep in mind several factors when researching online programs.
In addition to CACREP accreditation, find out if the program’s curriculum aligns with the American School Counselor Association’s National Model. Make yourself familiar with the program’s online learning format, on-campus requirements, and internship placements for distance learners. You should also compare tuition costs and research the availability of financial aid for online learners.
Hybrid and Online Options
CACREP accreditation does not differentiate between online, on-campus, and hybrid programs. Programs that use fully online formats allow you to take classes remotely at a designated time or at your convenience. This model works best for self-motivated learners. Hybrid formats blend online classes with required on-campus components, offering students in-person contact and support.
While all CACREP-accredited online counseling degrees, whether fully online or hybrid, require in-person internship placements, students in a hybrid curriculum must also attend some on-campus classes. The required number of hybrid courses varies by program.
Practical Experience Requirements
Internships and other kinds of clinical experiences, conducted under the supervision of a licensed counselor, prepare you for professional practice. While regulations governing school counseling practice vary across the country, all states require practical clinical experiences for licensure and certification.
Both campus-based and online CACREP-accredited school counselor programs require 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship placements. Before enrolling in a master’s program, you should investigate its practicum and internship requirements.
It’s especially important for distance learners managing work and personal commitments to understand time commitments required for fieldwork and in-person training. Most programs assist online students in finding convenient placements near their homes, although some schools expect students to set up their own internships or restrict them to pre-approved clinical sites.
How To Apply to an Online CACREP-Accredited School Counseling Degree Program
A master’s in counseling is the entry-level degree for licensure as a professional school counselor. Earning a CACREP-accredited degree helps you meet state requirements and makes you more competitive in the job market.
The following steps serve as a guide to the application requirements for CACREP-accredited programs, including degree requirements, test scores, personal statements, and letters of recommendation.
- Step 1: Do Your Research
Consult the licensing board in the state where you intend to practice to become familiar with current licensing requirements for school counselors. Use the CACREP directory and program websites to search for accredited programs that offer school counseling specializations and compare degree requirements.
- Step 2: Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree
Complete a bachelor’s in counseling or a related field, such as psychology, behavioral science, or social work. Undergraduate courses in general and abnormal psychology, statistics, and research methods provide a strong foundation for graduate work. Most competitive master’s programs require a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA for admission.
- Step 3: Gather Required Application Documents
Admission requirements vary by school but typically include official transcripts, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation from professors, advisors, or work supervisors, and a personal statement. Many counseling programs require GRE scores, but they are optional at some schools. You may also have to complete an in-person or virtual interview.
- Step 4: Submit Your Application
Once you have collected and reviewed the required documentation and provided all the information requested on the application form, you are ready to submit your online application. Almost all programs require an application fee that must be submitted with the application packet. Some programs have fixed application deadlines, while others offer rolling admissions, allowing you to apply year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online CACREP-Accredited School Counseling Degrees
CACREP accredits graduate programs in counseling and counseling specialties, including addiction counseling; career counseling; clinical mental health counseling; clinical rehabilitation counseling; marriage, couple, and family counseling; rehabilitation counseling; school counseling; college counseling and student affairs; and counseling education and supervision.
