Best Online Master’s in Counseling Degrees of 2025
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Online master’s in counseling programs offer flexibility for working students who want to advance their career and salary potential. Graduates can pursue a career as a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC), school or career counselor, Christian counselor, marriage and family therapist, or addiction counselor.
Discover the top online master’s in counseling programs. Learn about becoming a licensed or certified counselor and salary expectations for various careers.
10 Best Master’s in Counseling Online Programs
Lebanon Valley College
Annville, PA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$48,890
- Out-of-state$48,890
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled2,142
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
- Portales, NM
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,194
- Out-of-state$6,174
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled5,386
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment84%
- AccreditationYes
Bay Path University
- Longmeadow, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$37,227
- Out-of-state$37,227
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled2,643
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- AccreditationYes
Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$64,887
- Out-of-state$64,887
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate7%
- Students Enrolled22,801
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment11%
- AccreditationYes
Regis College
- Weston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$47,770
- Out-of-state$47,770
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled2,801
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment81%
- AccreditationYes
Chaminade University of Honolulu
- Honolulu, HI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$29,856
- Out-of-state$29,856
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled2,039
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
Concordia University-Chicago
- River Forest, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$35,200
- Out-of-state$35,200
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled5,029
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment88%
- AccreditationYes
Nova Southeastern University
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$35,880
- Out-of-state$35,880
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled20,877
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
How to Choose a Master’s in Counseling Online Program
There are many options for online counseling programs, which can make finding the right one for you a bit overwhelming. Researching and narrowing your list down to 3-5 possible options is a good start, but there are several other things you need to take into account. Below are some guidelines and essential factors to consider when choosing an online master’s in counseling program:
Accreditation: Ensure the prospective program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).- Admission Requirements: Familiarize yourself with each prospective program’s admissions requirements and prerequisites to ensure you meet the requirements.
- Concentrations: If you plan to specialize, be sure the program you select offers the specialization or concentration you plan to pursue.
- Field Experience: Evaluate the program’s mandatory field experience. Find out if the institution helps set up supervised field experience, the number of required hours, and if the school requires field experience to occur at one of their partner sites.
- Transfer Credits: Find out if your work experience can apply to transfer credits or field experience hours.
- Format Delivery: Check the program delivery mode (e.g., 100% online or hybrid)
- Cost: Compare tuition rates; distance learners should find out if there are additional fees for in-person residency weekends and if out-of-state tuition applies.
Accreditation for Master’s in Counseling Online Programs
Colleges and universities in the U.S. must be accredited to confer valid counseling degrees recognized by professional bodies and employers. Accreditation ensures the quality of a school’s program and determines its eligibility for federal funding, which you’ll need to qualify for financial aid.
A master’s in counseling online program may hold accreditation from an industry-specific accrediting body, such as the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs or the Master of Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council. This programmatic accreditation ensures you qualify for licensure, employment, and further education.
Why Earn Your Master’s in Counseling Online?
Earning your master’s in counseling online offers many academic, professional, and lifestyle benefits compared to an on-campus program. Here are a few reasons why it may be the right path for you:
- Increased Flexibility: Online counseling programs let you study from the comfort of your own home and often allow you to work at your own pace.
- Receive the Same High-Quality Education: Online programs typically include the same courses and meet the same academic rigors as on-campus programs.
- Access Top Programs Across the Country: You can choose schools beyond your commuting distance, including the top-ranked programs nationwide.
- Potential Cost Savings: You can often save on commuting, housing, and campus fees. Some programs even offer lower tuition rates or scholarships specific to online students.
Reality Check: Do You Need a Master’s Degree To Become a Counselor?
To become a clinical counselor, you need a master’s degree in counseling or a related field and a state license, which requires supervised clinical hours. This license lets you assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions.
In contrast, non-mental health counseling roles — like career, substance misuse, or behavioral disorder counseling — may have fewer licensure requirements. Some may require only a bachelor’s degree and focus more on support and guidance than clinical treatment.
What You Can Expect From Online Counseling Programs
Accredited online counseling master’s programs typically take two years of full-time study to complete and prepare you for professional examinations and state licensing requirements for licensed professional counseling. Check that your program meets the licensing requirements you need to achieve your goals.
Online master’s in counseling programs include advanced classes and capstone requirements. Students learn counseling theories, evidence-based research, and strategies for diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health disorders.
Before applying for a master’s in counseling online program, you need to determine which type of counseling degree or concentration you want to pursue. Each specialization involves working with different clients and responsibilities, so identifying which area interests you is key. Six of the most common counseling specialties at the master’s level include:
Types of Counseling Degrees and Specialization Areas
- Career Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Marriage and Family Counseling
- Rehabilitation Counseling
- School Counseling
- Substance Misuse Counseling
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Counseling?
Earning a master’s in counseling provides a pathway to an array of careers in counseling, helping people confront challenges, solve problems, and develop coping skills. With a master’s in counseling, you can work in schools, clinics, hospitals, or private practice.
In these settings, counselors may work with specialty populations, including children, adults, or families, address issues related to substance use or rehabilitation, or serve in roles such as mental health counselors or family therapists within healthcare or educational organizations.
Counseling Career, Salary, and Job Outlook
Counselors make a median annual salary of $60,200 annually, according to May 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, several factors influence earning potential, including specialty, licensure, location, and educational level.
| 8 Counseling Career Paths | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Job Outlook (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| Career Counselors | $65,140 | 4% |
| Religious Workers (including Christian Counselors) | $58,570 | N/A |
| Genetic Counselors | $98,910 | 16% |
| Marriage and Family Counselors | $63,780 | 16% |
| Mental Health Counselors | $59,190 | 19% |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $46,110 | 2% |
| School Counselors | $65,140 | 4% |
| Substance Misuse Counselors | $59,190 | 19% |
How Much Does an Online Master’s in Counseling Degree Cost?
The median cost of an online master’s in counseling is $8,112 for a master of arts (MA) and $10,188 for a master of science (MS), based on 2020 data from the National Center for Education Statistics, adjusted for 2025 dollars.
Costs can vary depending on the degree type (MA vs. MS) and whether the institution is public or private. In general, tuition rates for online counseling programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts.
| Program Type | MA Degree | MS Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Online | $8,112 | $10,188 |
| Campus-Based | $16,806 | $14,035 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Master’s in Counseling Online Degrees
The decision to pursue a master’s in social work or counseling depends on the type of career you wish to pursue. While there is a crossover, a master of social work (MSW) degree leads to a career focused on social work, whereas you’ll need a counseling degree to work as a licensed counselor.
6 Careers You Can Pursue With a Master’s in Counseling
Discover six rewarding counseling careers you can pursue with a master’s in counseling. Explore the job outlook and skills needed for each path to find your ideal fit.
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