Earning a bachelor’s degree in counseling is one of the first steps to becoming a licensed professional. For those looking to work in mental health counseling, finding the right program is an important step. If you seek flexibility in your studies, an online bachelor’s degree program may be a good option. Learn more about the benefits of a BA in counseling degree and what you’ll need to earn it.

To complete a BA in counseling, you’ll likely need to meet a variety of credit hours and course requirements. This is the case for both on-campus and online counseling majors.

Exact courses and credit requirements will vary by program, but a counseling curriculum typically includes general education courses like math and writing, as well as specific psychology and counseling coursework. Students may also be able to concentrate on specific areas of counseling, such as addiction recovery. Most bachelor’s degree programs are designed to be completed in four years with full-time study. 

Choosing between an on-campus or online bachelor’s degree program is more a question of personal preference. Online programs typically cover the same curriculum as their on-campus counterparts while offering the flexibility of learning from home.  

Pursuing a counseling major online can prepare you to enter the workforce in many entry-level roles or lay the groundwork for advanced studies in counseling and higher levels of licensure and certification.   

Counseling can cover a wide scope, including addiction, mental health, rehabilitation, school, marriage and family, and substance abuse counseling. While you may not need to elect a specialization for your undergraduate coursework, the exact curriculum required for your chosen path depends on the school. In general, the curriculum for a counseling major helps students acquire the skills needed for professional settings. You can expect to learn about the stages of human psychological development and the psychological factors behind abnormalities in growth and mental health. Core classes like general counseling theory and practice and ethics can help prepare you to work with clients from all walks of life who are dealing with a variety of issues. 

Other courses may cover:

Like traditional on-campus studies, online counseling programs may require you to complete an internship or practicum based on your specialization.

The college admissions process can be competitive, regardless of the degree you seek. Knowing admissions requirements may help make the experience a little easier. Counseling degree requirements for admission vary among schools but typically include an application, GPA requirements and possibly test scores. 

Because requirements and even the application process can vary depending on where you’re applying, be sure to take note of your target schools’ application processes and deadlines. Commonly requested items may include:

If you have already completed coursework at another institution, be sure you understand your new school’s transfer policy so that you earn as much credit as possible for previous classwork.

Getting into an undergraduate program is just the first step; next, you’ll have to figure out how to pay for it. While some students can afford to pay for their degrees out of pocket, others use financial aid, which can come in the form of state or federal grants or scholarships. Some schools offer institutional scholarships, departmental awards, or other forms of aid for online and undergraduate students, but counseling-specific scholarships are less common at the bachelor’s level and vary by school.

Because scholarship eligibility often changes, students should review both the university’s financial aid office and the specific program page to confirm which aid is available for online or counseling-related undergraduate study.

As you explore BA in counseling online programs, you might wonder how different taking classes over the internet is from the traditional on-campus experience. Attending classes in person may offer hands-on learning and an easier way to join the student community. However, this learning model may prove too rigid for some people. On-campus programs may require you to live in another city or regularly travel for in-person classes, which can add time and expenses to your undergraduate experience. 

Online programs offer schedule flexibility, which can be ideal for students with other responsibilities like family and work in addition to school obligations. Additional benefits of taking classes online include lower boarding and commuting expenses and increased networking opportunities with students and faculty from around the world. 

Ultimately, the choice between an on-campus or online counseling program depends on your own schedule, resources and preferences. 

So, what do jobs in counseling with a bachelor’s degree look like? Requirements to work in counseling can vary by state, but substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors typically need at least a bachelor’s degree. Graduates who may want to become a counselor can continue their education to earn a master’s degree, which may open more doors for professional licensure and greater avenues for counseling.

Earning a bachelor’s in counseling online can help lay a strong foundation for graduate studies in social sciences such as master’s in social work programs, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), counseling and other mental health licensed professions. A master’s degree is required by most states to work as a counseling professional. Some schools offer accelerated master’s degree in counseling programs, which allow qualified students to complete their graduate degrees faster than traditional programs. 

Beyond counseling, students with undergraduate degrees in counseling may pursue related advanced degrees. A common option is a master’s in social work (MSW), but degrees in related fields are also possible, such as an MS in psychology. 

If your passions lie within academia or research, a PhD in counseling may help you develop your skills.

As you compare counseling degree types, consider your personal and career goals. While licensed counselors must have graduate degrees, there are jobs for those with a BA in counseling. 

A bachelor’s degree in counseling can serve the purpose of any other undergraduate degree, opening doors to professional settings that require degrees such as community health centers and government offices. 

Graduates with a BA in counseling might find employment in counseling or one of the many degree-related roles such as communications facilitator, social work technician, human resource assistant, client advocate, psychiatric technician and social services worker. 

Deciding whether a counseling degree online program is right for you may bring up several questions that you want answered before you move forward in your journey to your counseling career. 

Information last updated in March 2026