Accelerated Online Master’s in Counseling Degrees
If you’re ready to take the next step in your counseling career but don’t have years to spend earning your degree, you may want to consider an online accelerated counseling degree. You may complete your coursework from home or anywhere you have access to the internet.
Unlike traditional programs that take years to complete, accelerated school counseling programs prepare you with the skills to advance in your career in as few as 16 months. Learn about the available degree programs and how they may help you move forward as a counseling professional.
Compare Accelerated Online Master’s Degrees in Counseling
| University and Program Name | Format | Study Length | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Northwestern University
Master of Arts in Counseling AD | Online | As few as 18 months | 60 |
| University of Kentucky Master of Arts in Counseling | Online | 2 years | 60 |
AD
Why Choose an Online Counseling Degree?
Online counseling degree programs offer several benefits, including flexibility. You attend classes on your schedule, making it an appealing option for people with busy home lives or who need to work while earning their degree. With online learning, you may have more control of your study time and schedule compared to an on-campus program.
Distance learning provides access to your course materials 24/7, and you’re not bound by geography with online courses. There are less issues with commuting or housing accommodations compared to on-campus counterparts. It’s also a more ecologically friendly choice.
Online programs may allow opportunities for interaction with fellow students and your professors and connect with them via email and video conference programs like Zoom, online forums and chat rooms.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Counseling Degree
Continuing your education is a personal and professional investment. One thing to consider is whether the online accelerated counseling degree program you are considering may make you eligible for counseling licensure in the state where you intend to practice.
It’s important to determine if the degree program offers a concentration that interests you. This helps ensure you find your career path rewarding and fulfilling. Examples of available types of counselors may include:
- Human services counseling
- Addiction counseling
- Clinical mental health counseling
- School counseling
- Youth and teen counseling
- Couples counseling
You may also wish to review the school—does it have a strong reputation? Is the online counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP)? (See our full list of CACREP-accredited online counseling programs). Both of these factors may help ensure you gain the knowledge and skills and earn a degree from a recognized program that meets the standards set by the counseling profession.
Additional factors you might consider include those related to the online degree format.
What is the student-to-teacher ratio of the online programs you are considering? A 2025 peer-reviewed study on synchronous online college courses found that larger class sizes were associated with lower course satisfaction and reduced interaction opportunities, and explicitly notes that larger class sizes were associated with reduced class interaction, which directly supports the “more participation / easier connection” part of your statement.
Support for online students may also be a factor in distance learning. Try looking for student support services that offer flexible hours, including virtual meeting options and online resources. Additionally, some programs provide clinical placement support services to help you locate clinical sites for your internship that are close to your home.
It’s useful to find an online learning format that offers you the opportunity to virtually meet and work with fellow students, practice your counseling skills and ask your professor questions.
Northwestern University
The Family Institute at Northwestern University
Master of Arts in Counseling
Earn a CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling online from top-7 ranked1 Northwestern University.
1U.S. News & World Report: 2026 Best National University Rankings
- CACREP Accredited
- Earn your MA in Counseling from Northwestern in as few as 18 months
- Accelerated full-time, traditional, or part-time tracks available
FAQs
Some accelerated online counseling master’s programs can be completed in as few as 18 months with full-time, year-round enrollment. Accelerated formats often use shorter “parts of term” (such as 5-, 8-, or 10-week courses) instead of a traditional semester schedule. By contrast, many standard online and on-campus programs follow a traditional 16-week semester calendar and commonly take about two years for full-time students (longer for part-time).
A master’s degree in counseling opens the door to careers where you may help people and apply your skills and knowledge of human behavior. Depending on your specialization, you may find positions in a wide variety of settings such as school districts, hospitals and other health care facilities. Learn more about counseling opportunities to find the right career path for you.
The average salary for a counselor varies based on several factors, including education, experience and the state in which they practice. In 2024, school and career counselors earned an average of $65,140, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. Mental health, behavior disorder and substance abuse counselors averaged $59,190 in 2024, while rehabilitation counselors earned $46,110. Learn more about counseling salaries across each state and specialty.
Information last updated: January 2026