Counselors help adults, adolescents, and children cope with various mental health, behavioral, and social challenges by providing clinically-informed supportive care in a safe environment. While counseling-related jobs are available to individuals at all educational levels, a master’s in counseling is required for licensure and certification, which increases employment opportunities.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), counseling and social services employment is expected to grow faster through 2032. Over the next decade, there will be roughly 42,000 job openings for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. The median annual wage for this field is $53,710, although top earners can make more than $89,920 annually.
With abundant online master’s in counseling programs, selecting the right one for you can be challenging. Intelligent.com evaluated dozens of programs to create this list of the best online master’s in counseling programs. Students can also find further information to help them search, including insight from UC-Irvine program coordinator and counselor Blanca Villagomez on what to expect from an online master’s in counseling program and how to choose the program that’s best for them.
What Can I Expect from an Online Master’s in Counseling Program?
Counseling is one of many distinct but related fields dedicated to helping individuals, families, couples, and other groups cope with mental and behavioral health challenges. Counselors typically provide brief, targeted treatment for a specific issue or concern. This focus is different from psychotherapy, which helps patients through long-term therapies. It also differs from social work, which addresses these issues from a group or community perspective.
At the graduate level, there are different kinds of degrees available, including a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), and Master of Education (M.Ed). Each degree has a different pedagogical and theoretical approach. For example, an M.Ed in Counseling will focus on counseling in an education-related context, while an MS will have an evidence-based, scientific approach to counseling methods.
The specific type of degree a student earns is less important than ensuring the program meets all the educational and experiential requirements for professional licensure. Many jobs are only available to licensed counselors, and it’s also a requirement for those who want to open a private practice.
Individual states set their own licensure requirements and procedures. Most want students to have completed coursework in core areas like group counseling, social and cultural foundations, professional ethics, and human development. Students must also complete supervised clinical experiences to earn their counseling degree. Even if all the coursework in an online master’s in counseling program can be completed virtually, students will likely have to participate in an in-person clinical internship, which is something to keep in mind when considering programs.
One way for students to confirm that their program meets licensure standards is to check that it’s accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Accredited master’s in counseling programs typically require a minimum of 60 credits, which can be completed in 2-3 years of full-time study.
Students may also choose a specialization within the counseling field. Common concentrations include:
- Substance abuse counseling
- School and career counseling
- LGBTQIA+ counseling
- Christian counseling
Potential courses you’ll take in an online master’s in counseling program
- Multicultural Counseling: Explores the theory and practice of counseling culturally diverse clients, including African Americans, Asian Americans, American Indians and Hispanics.
- Group Counseling: Reviews theoretical positions, including client-centered, behavioral, and rational-emotive, and examines aspects of the group process, including group leadership, membership, and establishing and maintaining a group.
- Strategies for Clinical Assessment in Counseling: Explores the meaning and importance of assessment in the counseling process and teaches students how to identify, interpret, and explain assessments in clinical, college, and school counseling settings.
- Career Counseling and Development: Introduces students to the knowledge and skills needed to provide professional career counseling to individuals and design, implement and evaluate career development programs for particular groups.
The Top 50 Master’s in Counseling Programs to Consider
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How we rank schools
This list features some of the best online master’s degree programs in counseling in the U.S. All are offered at nonprofit, accredited institutions, either public or private, with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each degree program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and student resources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared our picks to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
Still Looking for the Right Fit? Discover Similar Programs
Several other degrees can prepare students to provide support and care for individuals and groups facing mental or behavioral health challenges. Other options include:
What Can I Do With an Online Master’s in Counseling Programs?
A master’s degree in counseling prepares students for a variety of career paths in the mental health care field.
In most states, students must have a master’s degree in order to qualify for professional licensure, which is required for many counseling jobs. Counselors must be licensed in order to provide clinical services to individuals and groups and operate their own private practices.
Some counselors work with a variety of client populations, while others focus on specific groups, such as children and adolescents, adults, families, or individuals coping with specific issues, such as substance abuse or trauma. Counselors are employed in a wide range of settings, including medical and psychiatric hospitals, inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities, schools, correctional facilities, private practices, and more. Increasingly, counselors are able to work remotely thanks to telehealth platforms that allow practitioners to see clients virtually.
A master’s degree is the standard terminal degree for mental health counselors, although some professionals may choose to pursue a doctorate in psychology to become a licensed psychologist or instructor at the post-secondary level.
Career outlook
- Substance abuse counselor — Working in hospitals, in-patient rehabilitation centers, and outpatient recovery programs, these counselors provide support to those dealing with the misuse of drugs and alcohol.
- Median annual salary: $53,710
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 18%
- New jobs projected: 42,000 per year
- School or career counselor — School counselors work in educational settings to help students discover their aptitudes and plan for life after graduation, including applying to college. Career counselors can work in college settings or for other agencies and will help clients set and achieve short- or long-term goals for their careers.
- Median annual salary: $61,710
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 5%
- New jobs projected: 26,600 per year
- Couples and family counselors — Some counselors focus on working with specific populations, such as families or intimate partners, who may require specific interventions to address group dynamics.
- Median annual salary: $58,510
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 15%
- New jobs projected: 5,900 per year
How to Choose the Online Master’s in Counseling Degree Program That’s Right for You
Step 1: Choose your area of study
Before beginning your search for an online master’s in counseling, reflect on your educational and career goals. Consider whether you want a general counseling degree or if you want to focus on a particular sub-field of counseling. Consider where you plan on working to find a program that meets the state’s requirements for professional licensure. Choose whether you want an MA, MS, or M.Ed degree in counseling.
It’s also helpful to determine your needs in terms of course delivery format and scheduling. Decide if you’ll attend school full-time or part-time, as not all programs offer a part-time enrollment option. For online courses, students typically choose between synchronous or asynchronous programs. In a synchronous program, students attend virtual classes at predetermined times, similar to a traditional learning experience. This format offers more opportunities for interaction with classmates and faculty but requires that students be available at specific times. Asynchronous programs are more flexible, as there are no class meetings, and students can complete their lessons and assignments on their own schedule.
Step 2: Research schools and programs
There are many ways to gather information about online master’s in counseling programs. The best place to start is usually the school’s website, which publishes information about curriculum, clinical requirements, faculty, and more. Students can also directly contact program representatives and admissions counselors for more information. Many schools host virtual open houses or information sessions for online students, which can give prospective students insights into the program’s culture. Social media is also a valuable research tool, as many schools and programs have accounts prospective students can follow.
One of the key pieces of information students should gather about schools and programs they’re considering is accreditation status. “Verifying the college’s accreditation ensures that the institution has the U.S. Department of Education’s seal of approval,” Villagomez says. “Attending a non-accredited college can negatively impact future post-graduate opportunities such as employment, masters and doctorate programs.” This is particularly important for counseling students, who must attend a CACREP-accredited program to qualify for licensure.
“Students can verify the accreditation status of a school or program using the U.S. Department of Education’s online accreditation database,” Villagomez says. “With institutional accreditations, colleges are evaluated as a whole and must pass several standards to receive a regional or national accreditation. Programmatic accreditations evaluate the quality and legitimacy of the specific degree programs offered at institutions.”
Other information students can gather during the research process includes:
- Who are the faculty, and what are their qualifications?
- What clinical experiences does the program require? Are students assigned clinical placements, or must they find their own?
- How do online students interact with faculty and classmates?
- What support services do online students have access to, including tutoring, tech support, career advising, and counseling?
- What financial aid resources are available, including scholarships and grants?
Step 3: Prepare for applications and tests
“After conducting research on the degree programs and schools that are the best fit for them, students should have a strong sense of the admission requirements for those schools,” Villagomez says. “Highly selective schools can often require well-crafted essays, standardized exams, recommendation letters, and even interviews. With all these requirements, it’s important for students to stay organized with a comprehensive and detailed checklist to track their progress, submit all required materials, and meet deadlines.”
In general, applicants to an online master’s in counseling can expect to submit the following:
- Application and fees
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate schools attended
- Letters of recommendation from faculty, employers, or colleagues
- Personal statement or essay
- Resume or CV
Some programs may require a bachelor’s degree or undergraduate coursework in counseling or a related field. Others may want students to show professional experience. Students should also check whether schools require GRE scores or if submitting the standardized test is optional.
Step 4: Select your program
While gathering information on various programs, compare them based on the criteria that are most important to you. Determining your priorities helps you eliminate programs that don’t meet your needs and narrow your list to the ones you’ll apply to.
There’s no magic number of applications to submit. Some students find that only one or two programs meet their needs, while others submit multiple applications to increase their odds of acceptance. One thing to keep in mind is that most schools charge application fees, so budget accordingly if you’re applying to multiple schools.
Step 5: Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
During the research process, students should also clarify how much a program costs and what financial aid options the school offers.
“Available financial aid varies greatly across institutions, but the key types include grants, scholarships, fellowships, work-study, and loans,” Villagomez says. Students should consult with a financial aid counselor to assess their eligibility for different types of available financial aid.
Students should inquire about need-based and merit-based institutional aid, such as scholarships and grants. These financial resources don’t need to be repaid and can significantly decrease the cost of a program.
In order to access most need-based aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Schools use the information from this application to determine a student’s eligibility for need-based aid, federal student loans, and work-study jobs. Although private education loans are available, federal student loans have more favorable terms, interest rates, and repayment options.
Other ways of paying for an online master’s in counseling include employer tuition assistance benefits, military discounts, GI Bill benefits, and payment plans.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master’s in Counseling Programs
Should I get a master's in counseling degree in person or online?
The decision to earn a degree in-person or online is personal, and each has advantages and disadvantages.
“Online programs generally offer a combination of asynchronous and synchronous modalities, so expectations and pacing can vary greatly across courses,” Villagomez says. “With asynchronous courses, interactions with professors and classmates can be limited and may require more effort to stay connected. Meanwhile, synchronous courses can facilitate engagement more easily. Regardless of modality, all online degree programs require a high level of self-motivation, effective time management, and structured independent study.”
An in-person program might be a better option for students who learn best in group settings through discussions and hands-on activities, although students will have to find a program that fits into their schedule.
Master’s in counseling students should be aware that even if they can complete all their coursework online, they will likely have to complete an on-site clinical internship as part of their program. Students should speak with a program representative about these requirements and how online learners fulfill them.
How do I apply for an online master's in counseling degree program?
Since each school sets its own application procedures and policies, speaking to an admissions counselor for specific application instructions is always best.
Students will most likely apply for an online master’s in counseling program by submitting an application and other required materials online. Applications for master’s programs typically include official undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, a resume or CV, and a personal statement. Some programs may also include an interview component.
There may also be eligibility requirements, such as a specific undergraduate degree, minimum GPA, prerequisite coursework, or professional experience. Confirm that you meet a program’s eligibility requirements before starting an application.
How much does an online master's in counseling degree cost?
According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of a master’s degree is $59,684. However, there are a variety of factors that influence how much students will pay for an online master’s in counseling. For the most accurate cost information, speak to a financial aid counselor, who can provide information about tuition, fees, and financial aid.
A key factor is whether a school is public or private. Tuition at public universities tends to be less than at private institutions, although public schools may charge different rates for in-state and out-of-state students. Additional costs for an online master’s degree include school fees for technology, support services, and online resources; personal technology like computers and internet; and books and materials.
Students can also consider how much they’ll save by attending school online, which eliminates room and board fees and transportation costs and may allow students to work and have a steady income.
How long does it take to complete an online master's in counseling degree?
Full-time students can typically complete an online master’s in counseling degree in two years, while part-time students may take three to four years for a 60-credit program.
Students who have previously earned credits towards a graduate degree may be able to apply them to their online master’s in counseling, decreasing the time it takes to finish the degree. Some schools may offer accelerated programs that compress coursework into a shortened time frame. While these programs can help students earn their degrees quicker, they are fast-paced and academically rigorous, which may not fit all learners well.
Is an online master's in counseling degree worth it?
Becoming a licensed counselor can be a rewarding career path for individuals who want to help vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and individuals with mental, behavioral, and developmental challenges. Demand for trained counselors and mental health professionals is currently high and is expected to remain so throughout the next decade.
Despite being a masters-level entry field, an advanced degree does not necessarily translate to higher pay for counselors. The median annual salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in 2022 was $53,710, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $36,700 annually. While determining financial return on investment is important when choosing a master’s degree, it’s also key to consider whether the career will fulfill your personal interests and goals.
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