Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Online

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

Master's in counseling programs offer a specialized curriculum, with a primary focus on one centralized topic. A master of arts, sciences, or education in counseling focuses on creating a professional identity as a counselor, developing your helping skills, and expanding your understanding of human development and psychology.

Whenever you make a decision about your education, there are specific factors you should consider. When researching online counseling programs, these factors include accreditation, online student support services, clinical placement assistance close to home, small class sizes, and live online classroom discussions.

Sponsored Online Counseling Programs

Earn a CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling online from top-10 ranked¹ Northwestern University.

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• No GRE required
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Earn your master’s in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness online from NYU Steinhardt.

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• No GRE required
• Full-time and part-time options available

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Earn your Master’s in School Counseling online from top-ranked² USC Rossier.

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• No GRE required
• Prepare to pursue your school counseling credential

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Earn your Master’s in School Counseling online from the University of Denver.

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• No GRE required
• Complete in as few as 24 months

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Sponsored Online Counseling Programs

All Online Master's in Counseling Degree Programs

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Why get a Master’s Degree in Counseling?

Earning your master’s degree in counseling is an investment that can be both professionally and personally rewarding. 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 professional counselors. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which collects information on various professions, cites the median annual wages for substance abuse, behavior disorder and mental health counselors at $44,630—higher than the median for all occupations in the field ($38,640). Additionally, the BLS estimates that the employment of such counselors will grow 22 percent from 2018 through 2028—again, higher than the average for all occupations in the field (5 percent). 

A master’s degree in counseling also equips the holder to provide treatment to those suffering from mental, emotional and relationship issues, which can be personally fulfilling.

Accreditation of Counseling Degree Programs

Master's in counseling programs that are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Programs (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 over 40 CACREP accredited online counseling programs with specializations in clinical mental health, school, marriage, couple and family, career, student affairs and college, community and rehabilitation counseling. The Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) accredits four online counseling programs from New York University and University of Massachusetts - Boston.

Factors to Consider in Choosing Your Online Counseling Program

For online counseling programs that are career specific, such as online master's in school counseling or an online master's in mental health counseling, CACREP has "entry-level specialty area" content standards for accreditation. These standards include curriculum that supports the specific profession, i.e. 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 addictions counseling program from the University of the Cumberlands is accredited only by CACREP. Generally, accreditation by some governing body is important for online counseling programs in order to ensure quality, credibility, and value.

Curriculum

The curriculum of a master’s in counseling degree program must conform to CACREP’s standards in order 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:

1. Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
2. Social and Cultural Diversity
3. Human Growth and Development
4. Career Development
5. Counseling and Helping Relationships
6. Group Counseling and Group Work
7. Assessment and Testing
8. Research and Program Evaluation

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

1. Addiction Counseling
2. Career Counseling
3. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
4. Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
5. College Counseling and Student Affairs
6. Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
7. School Counseling
8. Rehabilitation Counseling

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 10 weeks, with 40 clock hours of direct service with clients. The internship must be a minimum of 600 supervised clock hours, with 240 hours of direct service.

Types of Counseling

Deciding on your counseling career can occur 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 unsure about which career you would like to pursue, review our guides on 10 different counseling careers! 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.

Counseling Certification and Licensure

As noted by CACREP, 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 differences prevail and aspiring counselors are recommended to contact their state board for their specific requirements. Learn more about counseling licensure and certification.

How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

1. Earn a master’s in counseling or equivalent from a CACREP-accredited degree program.
2. Complete the state licensure examination mandated by your state counseling board.
3. Complete the number of supervised postgraduate hours mandated by your state counseling board.
4. Complete any other requirements mandated by your state counseling board, such as a background check.
5. Apply for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) from your state counseling board.
6. Secure employment as an LPC.

Counselor Salary Information

While the BLS does not keep statistics on counselors in general, it does so for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors in particular. According to BLS statistics, the median annual wages for such counselors in May of 2018 was $44,630, although it did differ by industry:

• Government: $51,690
• Hospitals: $48,310
• Individual and Family Services: $44,120
• Outpatient Centers: $43,120
• Residential Centers: $38,190

Learn more about counselor salaries.