Ideal for students passionate about guiding individuals toward better mental health and well-being, counseling is a rewarding occupation that’s in high demand. The demand for substance abuse counseling is especially high, standing out with an anticipated 18% growth over the next decade. Graduates may also pursue careers as marriage and family therapists, clinical counselors, and school counselors — all equipped with salaries that regularly surpass the national median. For undergraduates, the average program costs $14,688 per year in tuition, and while some begin their journey here, aspiring licensed counselors must pursue a master’s degree, typically costing $20,513 per year.
How to Choose an Online Counseling Program
Choose your area of study
Most counseling students choose an area of study or concentration in line with their personal strengths. Institutions may vary in specialization offerings, but school counseling, clinical mental health, marriage and family therapy, and substance abuse counseling are standard options. If you already know what you would like to do after you graduate, look for programs that closely match these career goals.
Research schools and programs
You should only apply to institutions that have been approved by a DOE-recognized regional accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. These organizations evaluate schools to ensure they provide students with a high-quality education. Those who attend a school that isn’t regionally accredited may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
Ideally, your online counseling program will also be accredited by a respected industry group like the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This programmatic accrediting organization has particularly high standards for counseling education.
Delve into faculty credentials, curriculum relevance to your goals, internship or practicum opportunities, and alumni outcomes. With online programs in particular, evaluating program flexibility, technological resources for online learning, and student support services is essential — all excellent indicators of program quality.
To learn more about any schools that you’re interested in, you can visit the school’s website, contact an admissions counselor, follow the school on social media, or attend an in-person or virtual open house.
Prepare for tests and applications
Application requirements vary by school and program. Dedicate ample time to preparing your transcripts, writing your personal statement, and gathering recommendation letters. If standardized tests like the SAT or ACT are required, enroll in a test prep program to boost your proficiency and achieve competitive scores. Lastly, you should always contact an admissions counselor to ensure you have the most accurate information regarding requirements and deadlines.
Select your program
Before making your final decision, review your needs and goals again. Do you plan to attend school full-time or part-time? Do you want your program to be as online as possible, or are you fine with a hybrid program that has a fair amount of in-person requirements? Some programs offer asynchronous courses, which can be completed at your own pace, while others only offer synchronous courses, which involve remotely attending lectures and completing assignments at the same time as other students — which of these two online learning formats do you prefer? Your school should accommodate your scheduling needs and learning preferences.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Speak to financial aid counselors at the schools you’re interested in for the most accurate and specific information about program cost. For many students, earning a degree in any subject is a considerable expense. However, you can navigate this by employing a strategic approach and taking advantage of financial aid opportunities.
First, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal grants and loans. Additionally, consider work-study programs offering financial support and resume-boosting work experience. If you’re currently employed, inquire about employer tuition reimbursement programs, leveraging this benefit if available.
Best 50 Accredited Online Counseling Programs
Discover More Options
How We Rank Schools
Counseling covers a broad scope of mental health, behavioral, and developmental issues. Some programs prepare students to work with various populations, while others focus on a specific area of counseling, like substance abuse.
Our list includes both types of programs, including bachelor- and master-degree levels — the programs you’re researching will depend on your current education level.
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits counseling master’s programs, while each state grants its own license to professional counselors. We evaluated CACREP- and non-CACREP-accredited programs for this list. Note that you must attend a CACREP-accredited program in some states to be eligible for licensure. All of the listed programs have regional accreditation.
We calculated each program’s Intelligent Score from 0 to 100 based on its course offerings, cost, flexibility, and reputation in the field. Our top picks for the best online degrees in counseling are affordable, respected, and flexible. (For a more extensive explanation, check out our ranking methodology.)
What Can You Expect From an Online Counseling Program?
Online counseling degree programs offer an education centered on understanding human behavior, mental health, and therapeutic techniques. While a bachelor’s degree generally takes four years to complete, it’s crucial to recognize that counseling is primarily a master’s degree field. Students seeking further job prospects will need to eventually pursue a graduate degree — typically taking an additional two to three years to complete.
In these programs, aspiring mental health professionals delve into psychology, counseling theories, ethics, and practical skills such as therapeutic interventions and client assessment. They’ll engage in supervised clinical experiences, honing their ability to provide guidance and support to diverse populations. Beyond academic rigor, students cultivate empathy, communication skills, and resilience — all necessary skills for a successful career in counseling.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online counseling program
- Introduction to Counseling Theories: A standard requirement in most curricula, this course delves into various counseling approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and humanistic therapy. Students gain insights into the historical development of these theories and understand how to apply them in real-world counseling scenarios.
- Ethics and Professional Standards in Counseling: In this foundational course, students learn the ethical principles and legal considerations essential for practicing counseling responsibly. Standard topics include confidentiality, informed consent, boundaries, and cultural competence, ensuring that learners are prepared to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct in their future practice.
- Psychopathy and Diagnosis: Here, students delve into the study of mental health disorders outlined in diagnostic manuals like the DSM-5. They’ll learn to identify symptoms, understand etiological factors, and differentiate between various psychological disorders, equipping them with diagnostic skills crucial for effective counseling.
- Counseling Techniques and Interventions: This course focuses on practical skills, teaching students therapeutic techniques such as active listening, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused brief therapy. Through role-playing and case studies, students hone their ability to apply these interventions to address clients’ specific needs.
What Can I Do With a Counseling Degree?
Career outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies counseling as a community and social service occupation. This field is expected to experience faster-than-average growth over the next decade, with a projected average of 281,600 new job openings per year through 2032. Key factors driving demand include the need to replace workers who retire or leave the field and ongoing issues related to substance misuse, homelessness, and anxiety and depression among children, teens, and young adults.
While specific jobs, like marriage and family therapist and psychologist, require a master’s degree to practice as a clinician, earning a bachelor’s degree in counseling prepares students for entry-level jobs in various settings. These settings include schools, inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities, family services agencies, correctional facilities, and more.
Below are some common jobs for counseling graduates:
- Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors — Advise people on issues relating to alcoholism, addictions, depression, or other mental health challenges and provide support to help individuals recover or manage these issues.
- Median annual salary: $53,710
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 18%
- New jobs projected: 42,000 per year
- Correctional treatment specialists — Assist in rehabilitating criminal offenders by evaluating probationers or parolees to determine rehabilitation plans, connecting them with resources, and developing release plans.
- Median annual salary: $61,800
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 3%
- New jobs projected: 7,400 per year
- Social and human service assistants — Provide client services in various fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work, and help clients find benefits or community services.
- Median annual salary: $41,410
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 9%
- New jobs projected: 47,400 per year
Online Counseling Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online counseling degree program?
To apply for an online counseling bachelor’s degree program, start by researching accredited institutions offering the program.
Most bachelor’s programs require a high school diploma or GED equivalent. While some programs may not mandate standardized test scores from the ACT or SAT, having strong scores can improve your application. Enrolling in a test prep program can help you achieve competitive scores, which helps your application stand out.
For master’s programs in counseling, admissions criteria often include a relevant bachelor’s degree, prerequisite coursework, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and GRE scores.
It’s crucial to consult specific program requirements since they can vary significantly. Before applying to either a bachelor’s or master’s program, speaking with an admissions counselor is important. They can provide guidance, clarify requirements, and offer insights to boost your application’s strength.
How much does an online counseling degree cost?
The average annual cost of college tuition is $14,688 for undergraduate programs and $20,513 for graduate programs. It’s important to be mindful of these figures since most states require candidates to have a master’s degree for licensure. Beyond tuition, you’ll want to consider additional costs like books, technology fees, and residency or internship expenses.
How long does it take to earn an online counseling degree?
A typical bachelor’s degree in counseling takes four years for full-time students. In contrast, a master’s program generally requires an additional two to three years post-undergrad. Completion times can differ between online and traditional on-campus formats due to the inherent flexibility of most virtual learning environments.
Students who opt to enroll part-time will see longer completion times, but it can help to balance their education with other commitments, like a full-time job or raising a family. Full-time enrollment, on the other hand, accelerates progression but will require a heavier course load. Additionally, the total number of credits needed significantly influences program length. Generally, the more credits required, the longer it will take to graduate.
Is a counseling degree worth it?
For students who are seeking a career in which they can help vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, or those dealing with mental and behavioral health challenges, a bachelor’s degree in counseling offers excellent preparation. Many entry-level positions in this field require a bachelor’s degree, so graduates are qualified for more positions than they would be otherwise. This degree also provides a strong foundation for further study at the graduate level if students want to seek clinical counseling positions.
From a financial perspective, individuals with a bachelor’s degree earn a median weekly salary of $1,493, compared to $899 for students with only a high school diploma. Mental health counselors earn a median annual salary of $53,710, although the top 10 percent of earners in the field make more than $89,920 annually.