Completing a master’s degree program in counseling is the first step to becoming a professional counselor. Although there are some bachelor-level degrees with a focus in counseling, in order to become a licensed professional counselor, you need to complete graduate-level education, then pursue your state’s counseling licensure process.

Master’s in counseling degrees and master’s in counseling online degrees offer a specialized curriculum, with a primary focus on one centralized topic. A Master of Arts, Science, or Education in Counseling focuses on shaping your professional identity as a counselor, developing core competencies, and expanding your understanding of human development and psychology.

There are many master’s in counseling online degree programs aspiring professionals can choose from. Consider factors such as accreditation, online student support services, clinical placement assistance, class sizes, and live online classroom discussions to help you select a program that aligns with your lifestyle, interests, and professional goals.

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The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), which accredits postgraduate counseling degree programs, identifies a master’s in counseling as the “entry degree” for people who want to become licensed professional counselors. A master’s degree equips candidates with the knowledge and tools to guide and support a variety of clients through the challenges of daily living — and for many, that’s what makes this helping profession worthwhile. 

Earning a master’s degree may pay off down the line. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), median annual wages for substance abuse, behavior disorder and mental health counselors in 2023 were $53,710. Additionally, job prospects for this industry are strong. BLS estimates that employment of such counselors will grow 18% from 2022 through 2032 — much faster than the average for all occupations.

Counseling degrees vary by specialty and degree type. CACREP-accredited programs include:

The types of online counseling degree include Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Education, offered at public or private institutions. Applicants can also choose between programs offered on-campus, online, or a combination of the two.

The curriculum of a master’s in counseling degree program must meet CACREP’s standards in order for the program to be accredited. Accordingly, programs must consist of graduate-level study with a minimum of 60 semester credit hours or 90 quarter credit hours. The foundation of the counseling curriculum must cover eight common core areas:

Learners may also elect to concentrate in eight counseling specialty areas:

Lastly, the curriculum must include both a practicum and an internship. The practicum must be at least 100 supervised clock hours over a full academic term of at least eight weeks, with at least 40 hours of direct service with clients. The internship must be a minimum of 600 supervised hours, with 240 hours of direct service.

While specific admission requirements will vary from school to school, at minimum you’ll likely need to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in order to apply to a master’s in counseling degree program. Schools may not have specific requirements when it comes to what candidates studied in their undergraduate programs, but a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a bachelor’s degree in social work and related fields may be useful to prospective students. 

It may also be helpful to have some experience in the mental health field, such as paid or volunteer experience in settings, including psychiatric centers and crisis centers. Outlined below are a few materials that may be required during the application process:

You may settle on a counseling specialty before or after completion of your degree program. If you already know which field you would like to pursue, search for online counseling programs that offer the specialty, such as online school counseling programs. 

If you are uncertain about your desired career path, you may review our guide on 10 different counseling careers. This resource is designed to provide you with valuable insights to help you make an informed decision. Most online counseling programs, when accredited, will offer some of the same basic counseling coursework. Keep in mind, however, that career-specific online counseling programs may better prepare you for post-graduate counseling licensure.

Mental health counselor

Role: Provide psychoeducational and therapeutic support, engaging in assessments, treatment planning, and crisis management while taking a client-centered approach. Mental health counselors care for the short-term and long-term well-being of individuals, couples, families, and groups, and are dedicated to the optimal functioning of all persons under their care. A master’s in clinical mental health counseling can be useful for this career path. 

Learn how to become a mental health counselor.

School counselor

Role: Support child and adolescent development in individual and group meetings, with a focus on the academic, personal, social, and career growth. Skilled school counselors are good communicators with the ability to empathize and guide students through challenges they may face both at school and at home. A master’s in school counseling can prepare applicants for this career.

Learn how to become a school counselor.

Master’s in counseling programs that are accredited by the CACREP typically meet state licensing requirements. CACREP accreditation implies that university counselor training and educational programs have met the minimal professional standards to practice as an independent counselor.

There are many CACREP-accredited online master’s in counseling programs with specializations in clinical mental health, school, marriage, couple and family, career, student affairs and college, community and rehabilitation counseling. The Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) accredits a number of online counseling programs, too.

Counseling certification and licensure is processed by state counseling boards according to their own requirements. Generally speaking, graduates of a master’s in counseling degree program will need to take their state’s licensure exam and complete a number of supervised postgraduate hours in order to be certified.

The American Association of State Counseling Boards (AASCB) works to standardize such qualifications among its members, but variations persist. Aspiring counselors are advised to contact their state board for precise information regarding requirements. Learn more about counseling licensure and certification.

Below are some common steps to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC), although everyone’s path is different.

Note: Factors comparing online master’s in counseling programs were created by edX.

A master’s in counseling from an accredited online program can help set you up for a counseling position in the public or private sector, or a career transition. This list of online schools was curated to provide the most accurate and helpful information on all types of CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling degree programs online. It encompasses five different factors, including support services and class sizes.

For online counseling programs that are career-specific, such as an online master’s in school counseling or an online master’s in clinical mental health counseling, CACREP has “entry-level specialty area” content standards for accreditation. These standards include a curriculum that supports the specific profession (for instance, models of school counseling programs or addiction and mental health co-occurring disorders).

Substance abuse and addiction counseling online programs are accredited by the National Addictions Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC). One addiction counseling program from the University of the Cumberlands is accredited by CACREP. Generally, accreditation by some governing body is important for online counseling programs in order to ensure quality, credibility, and value.

Last updated August 2024.