Because of the complex, sensitive nature of counseling vulnerable populations, practitioners must have an advanced degree in order to work in most counseling jobs.
The U.S. expects to add 77,500 new jobs for substance abuse, behavior disorder, and mental health counselors by 2031.
While the average salary for counselors is $48,520, the top 10% of workers in this field earn more than $77,980.
This list features some of the best online master’s in counseling programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. The programs on our list are available at accredited institutions, including the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), which promotes excellence in professional preparation through the accreditation of counseling and related educational programs.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online master’s in counseling programs 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.
Counselors work with vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with mental, behavioral and developmental disorders. It’s a job that relies heavily on compassion, empathy, patience, and interpersonal skills, and it can be mentally, emotionally, and physically demanding. As such, those considering a counseling career should evaluate if they have the right qualities for the job.
Despite being a master’s-level entry field, an advanced degree does not necessarily translate to higher pay for counselors. As mentioned above, the median annual salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in 2021 was $48,520, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $30,870 a year. 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.
Even in online programs, there is a hands-on learning component for all counseling degrees. The exact settings and number of hours you have to complete may vary, but it’s important to make sure this component of the program fits into your schedule.
Additionally, because practicums and internships take place in clinical settings, you usually have to pass a background check. Find out what the program’s background check requirements are to ensure you are eligible for the program.
Here are some questions to ask when researching Online Master’s Degree in Counseling programs:
During the research process, you should also review a program’s admission requirements and deadlines. This will help your application process go as smoothly as possible. You can typically find this information on the school’s website or by contacting their admissions department.
You will also want to research options for funding your graduate degree, including loans, scholarships, assistantships, and employer tuition benefits if you are currently employed.