CACREP-accredited online counseling programs

In this article:

• 74 CACREP-Accredited Online Counseling Programs
• What is CACREP accreditation?
• CACREP Accredited Counseling Program Coursework
• Counseling Licensure
• FAQs

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 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:

• Career counselor: Help workers make good choices about work, education, and life.
• Child counselor: Help youth clients with physical, emotional, or mental impediments.
• College counselor: Help with academic, mental, and behavioral wellness.
• Grief counselor: Helps people suffering from loss, death of a loved one, divorce, or other personal grief.
• Military counselor: Help with mental, emotional, and social concerns of the military.
• Pastoral counselor: Help patients navigate life challenges by combining therapy and theological expertise.
• Rehabilitation counselor: Help with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities.
• Substance abuse counselor: Help for mental and physical treatment for substance abuse.