CACREP-accredited online counseling programs

When embarking on the search for online counseling programs leading to a graduate degree, there are various factors to consider, such as choosing a specialty and determining the program’s duration. One crucial factor to consider is whether the program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), which helps ensure you receive a high-quality education and, in many states, is part of the educational eligibility requirements for licensure. 

The program information featured on this page was last updated in March 2026. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school.

Start your counseling career by requesting information from a CACREP-accredited program:

In this article:

Online CACREP-Accredited counseling programs

CACREP accredits counseling degree programs individually rather than accrediting entire departments or institutions. In CACREP’s peer-review process, programs voluntarily submit a self-study that is reviewed against CACREP standards by counselors and counselor educators.

The schools listed on this page offer online CACREP-accredited counseling degrees.

What is CACREP accreditation?

Interested in learning more about what CACREP is? CACREP accreditation indicates that a counselor education program meets minimum standards in various areas, including program mission and objectives, content, student advising, faculty qualifications, support, self-evaluation, and more.

CACREP is a specialized accreditor — it evaluates the professional program, not the entire university. Some of the standards address institutional aspects, such as financial aid, but the evaluation’s primary focus is on program-specific aspects. The degree holds CACREP accreditation, not the department or college.

Coursework for online CACREP counseling programs

CACREP-accredited counseling programs are dedicated to fostering and facilitating conducive learning environments. CACREP-accredited counseling programs include entry-level specialized practice areas and a required foundational counseling curriculum. Each specialized practice area has its own curriculum standards, while all entry-level programs share common curricular and professional-practice requirements.

CACREP recognizes the following areas of specialized practice: addiction counseling, career counseling, clinical mental health counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, college counseling and student affairs, marriage, couple, and family counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and school counseling.

Foundational Counseling Curriculum Areas

CACREP’s foundational curriculum is designed to provide counseling students with a strong foundation in professional identity, client care, and evidence-based practice. These core areas help prepare future counselors to support individuals, families, and communities across a range of settings and needs.

Professional counseling orientation and ethical practice

Students explore the history, philosophy, roles, and responsibilities of the counseling profession across specialized practice areas. This foundational area also covers ethical decision-making, professional standards, credentialing, advocacy, supervision, and the policies and laws that shape counseling practice.

Social and cultural identities and experiences

This area focuses on multicultural counseling, social justice, and advocacy. Students examine how culture, identity, lived experience, power, privilege, discrimination, and systemic barriers can affect mental health, help-seeking, and the counseling relationship, while learning strategies to support inclusion, equity, and culturally responsive care.

Lifespan development

Students study theories of human growth and development across the lifespan, including individual, family, and cultural influences on behavior and well-being. Coursework also explores how factors such as trauma, disability, illness, crisis, grief, and environmental conditions can shape development, coping, and adjustment.

Career development

This area introduces theories of career development, career counseling, and decision-making. Students learn how career concerns connect with wellness, identity, relationships, and life roles, while building skills in career assessment, planning, educational and occupational exploration, and support for individuals facing barriers to employment or advancement.

Counseling practice and relationships

Students build core helping skills through the study of counseling theories, case conceptualization, consultation, and evidence-based interventions. This area also includes treatment planning, suicide prevention, crisis response, referral, documentation, and the development of an intentional, theory-informed counseling approach.

Group counseling and group work

This foundational area covers the principles and practice of group counseling, including group development, dynamics, leadership, therapeutic factors, and member screening and selection. Students also learn about the ethical and legal issues involved in group work and how to facilitate groups effectively across different populations and settings.

Assessment and diagnostic processes

Students learn the foundations of assessment, testing, and diagnostic practice in counseling. Coursework typically includes selecting and interpreting assessments, understanding core statistical concepts, using diagnostic classification systems, evaluating risk, and applying assessment results to treatment planning, referral, and client support.

Research and program evaluation

This area introduces students to the role of research in the counseling profession and in evidence-based practice. Students learn how to understand and evaluate research, compare qualitative and quantitative methods, use data to assess outcomes, and apply program evaluation and needs assessment to improve services and inform decision-making.

What else should you look for in an online master’s in counseling program?

Discover the important factors to your online counseling degree with these guides.

Online Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Programs
Online Master’s in School Counseling Programs

Professional practice

CACREP-accredited counseling programs require students to complete both a practicum and an internship. Practicum is a supervised introductory clinical experience that helps students begin developing counseling skills with actual clients, while an internship is a more advanced supervised field placement tied to the student’s specialized practice area. 

CACREP currently requires at least 100 practicum hours, including 40 direct client hours, and 600 internship hours, including 240 direct client hours. CACREP also requires programs to support students in the fieldwork process by helping with placements, providing clear handbooks and supervision agreements, orienting site supervisors, and monitoring student learning throughout the experience.

Counseling licensure

After earning a master’s degree in counseling, graduates typically move into the licensure process required for professional practice in their state. Counselor licensure is regulated at the state level, so requirements, license titles, and application steps vary by jurisdiction. Depending on the state, professional counselors may be licensed under titles such as LPC, LPCC, LCPC, or LMHC.

In many states, graduates first qualify for an associate, provisional, resident, or other supervised license before becoming independently licensed. This stage usually allows them to begin practicing under supervision while completing any required post-master’s experience and other state-specific requirements.

Although the exact requirements differ by state, counselor licensure commonly involves a qualifying graduate degree, supervised clinical experience, a state-approved examination, and ongoing compliance with renewal requirements. Many states use NBCC examinations, such as the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), but the exam and eligibility rules are set by each state licensure board.

Because licensure standards vary by state, prospective students should review the requirements for the state where they plan to practice before choosing a program. Program curriculum, practicum and internship structure, examination requirements, post-degree supervised hours, background checks, and continuing education expectations can all affect the path to licensure.

Find out more about how to become a counselor. Also, learn about some counseling specialties below.

How to become a school counselor

Becoming a school counselor usually involves the following steps:

  • Earn a bachelor’s degree.
  • Complete a master’s degree in school counseling or a related field that meets state requirements.
  • Finish supervised practicum and internship experiences, often in a K–12 setting.
  • Pass any required exams for school counselor certification, licensure, or endorsement.
  • Apply for the credential required by your state.
  • Meet renewal or continuing education requirements after initial credentialing, if required.

Because school counselors are credentialed at the state level, the exact requirements can vary depending on where you plan to work.

Students who want a CACREP-aligned path may consider a graduate program at a CACREP-accredited school in a counseling specialty area.

Additional resources: Explore our guides to school counseling programs and how to become a school counselor for more information on degree options, fieldwork, and state credentialing requirements.

How to become a mental health counselor

Becoming a mental health counselor usually involves the following steps:

  • Earn a bachelor’s degree.
  • Complete a master’s degree in counseling or a related field that meets state requirements.
  • Finish supervised practicum and internship experiences during graduate study.
  • Complete any required post-master’s supervised clinical experience.
  • Pass any required exams for counseling licensure.
  • Apply for the license required by your state.
  • Meet renewal or continuing education requirements after initial licensure, if required.

Because mental health counselors are licensed at the state level, the exact requirements can vary depending on where you plan to work.

Students who want a CACREP-aligned path may consider a graduate program at a CACREP-accredited school in a clinical mental health counseling specialty area.

Additional resources: Explore our guides to mental health counseling programs and how to become a mental health counselor for more information on degree options, supervised experience, and state licensure requirements.

More counselor career guides

CACREP-accredited online counseling programs are available in other career specializations. Here are some of the other counseling careers to consider:

FAQs

What is CACREP accreditation?

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation process and status indicate to prospective students and other stakeholders that a counseling or related program is committed to educational and professional quality. These CACREP accreditation standards were created to support quality counselor preparation, strengthen professional identity, and define expectations for foundational and specialized practice.

Is CACREP accreditation important?

Considering your career goals is crucial in determining the relevance of CACREP accreditation, especially if you are contemplating licensure in the field. CACREP-accredited programs are accredited to meet counseling-professional standards, but accreditation alone does not guarantee licensure. CACREP accreditation may also matter for licensure eligibility, degree review, or employment requirements, depending on the state or employer.

Does CACREP accredit online counseling programs?

CACREP accredits counseling programs offered through online or distance education, and those programs must meet CACREP standards. For online mental health counseling programs and other online counseling programs (CACREP-accredited), the standards include key performance indicators and other assessment requirements used to evaluate student learning and program outcomes.

Do all states require CACREP accreditation for licensure?

Each state sets its own rules for licensure and certification. Some states require completion of a CACREP-accredited program or its equivalent, while others use different standards for degree, coursework, practicum, internship, or board review. Make sure to check with your state’s licensing board to see whether or not CACREP accreditation is required for licensure.

How long does CACREP accreditation take?

It takes about 15–18 months from the submission of the program’s application for CACREP to return an accreditation decision, according to CACREP. If you are considering applying to a program pursuing accreditation, you can check the CACREP website to see whether the program has submitted an application, since schools may say they are pursuing accreditation before that step is complete.

What are the different CACREP counseling specialties?

In CACREP-accredited programs, all entry-level students must be enrolled in at least one specialized practice area, each with its own curriculum standards. Students should complete their specialized practice area and be prepared to address a wide range of issues in a culturally sensitive way across several delivery modalities.

The eight counseling specialties are: addiction counseling, career counseling, clinical mental health counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, college counseling and student affairs, marriage, couple, and family counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and school counseling.

Last updated March 2026.