Online CACREP-Accredited School Counseling Degrees for 2025
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.
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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
Campbellsville University
- Campbellsville, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
56%
Yes
78%
N/A
$8,904
$8,904
60%
11,775
Private
Seton Hall University
- South Orange, NJ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
33%
Yes
75%
N/A
$33,528
$33,528
83%
9,623
Private
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
- Raleigh, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
46%
Yes
40%
N/A
$9,095
$28,301
93%
37,314
Public
Spalding University
- Louisville, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
56%
Yes
98%
N/A
$13,075
$13,075
71%
1,532
Private
Texas A & M University-Commerce
- Commerce, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
75%
Yes
78%
N/A
$3,630
$10,974
64%
11,500
Public
New York University
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
31%
Yes
9%
N/A
$37,332
$37,332
96%
57,335
Private
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
- Portales, NM
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
84%
Yes
28%
N/A
$5,454
$7,227
62%
5,106
Public
The University of Tennessee-Martin
- Martin, TN
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
39%
Yes
87%
N/A
$9,278
$15,318
73%
6,948
Public
University of West Alabama
- Livingston, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
83%
Yes
69%
N/A
$6,678
$13,356
69%
5,860
Public
Oregon State University
- Corvallis, OR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
56%
Yes
83%
N/A
$13,446
$28,242
87%
34,292
Public
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.
This is especially important for distance learners managing work and personal commitments while completing degree requirements. Investigate expected time commitments for fieldwork and the number of required in-person trainings. Most programs assist online students to find 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.
- 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 (e.g., curriculum, course delivery formats, in-person components, internship opportunities, etc.).
- 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, but be sure to review the specific requirements of the programs that interest you.
- 3
Gather Required Application Documents
Because admission requirements vary by school, make sure you gather the necessary documents before submitting your application. These materials typically include official transcripts, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation from professors, advisors, or work supervisors, and a personal statement. Many counseling programs require the submission of GRE scores, but they are optional or not required by some schools. You may also have to complete an in-person or virtual interview.
- 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 application. Almost all programs require an application fee that must be submitted with the application packet. Many programs use a digital application process that allows you to submit all your forms online. Some programs have fixed application deadlines, while others offer rolling admissions, allowing you to apply year-round and begin your studies as soon as you’re accepted.
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.
