Best Online Master’s in Counseling

For aspiring counselors, a master’s degree is one of the final steps to becoming a licensed professional in the field.

Graduate counseling programs teach students the skills they need to become licensed mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and school counselors, among several other counseling jobs. Plus, some learners prefer an online degree, which they can better adapt to their lifestyles and responsibilities.

If you find yourself curious to explore distance learning, then read to learn about the best online master’s degrees in counseling, including what to expect from counseling programs and careers.

Many people become counselors because they want to help others. They consider counseling a fulfilling and rewarding career.

In terms of job outlook, it is also a stable career. Nearly 390,000 people worked as counselors in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That number is projected to increase by over 70,000 in the next decade.

To become a licensed clinical mental health counselor, candidates need a master’s degree. For some prospective students, however, the thought of going back to school might seem daunting, expensive, and time-consuming. Online degrees offer more flexibility for students who attend to other responsibilities, such as working or caring for a family.

Learners choose to earn a master’s degree in counseling for several reasons. Students may want to become a clinical mental health counselor, which typically requires a master’s degree. They might aim to generalize in a certain field, or they could be switching careers or the area of study after earning their undergraduate education. They might also pursue a master’s in preparation for a Ph.D.

A master’s in counseling can fulfill these goals by teaching students the theory and skills they need to provide guidance to clients. This degree typically lasts two years, although some universities might offer accelerated programs. Some master’s candidates might also enroll part time, extending their completion timeline. Online programs typically offer students flexibility and accessibility that traditional programs may not provide.

While each master’s program in counseling offers a unique curriculum, students generally need to take core courses, along with specialization classes or electives. Core courses might include:

Additionally, students may need to complete special requirements before they graduate, such as a practicum or supervised internship. This internship allows learners to gain professional experience to direct client contact.

Many master’s in counseling degrees offer concentrations for students aiming to specialize in a certain area. These focus areas can help graduates go into a specific area of counseling, such as substance abuse or school counseling. Below you can find three of the most common concentrations for master’s degrees.

A concentration in mental health prepares students to earn licensure and ultimately practice clinical mental health counseling. This specialization equips aspiring counselors to work in clinical, community, and human service settings. The curriculum involves supervised fieldwork as well.

Master’s candidates who want to work with children might prefer the school counseling concentration. Graduates work in K-12 settings, often in low-income schools. The concentration may focus on either younger or older children. Some schools may also place an emphasis on urban schools, while others may train students to work in rural schools.

A specialization in addictions counseling prepares students to work with people experiencing addictive behaviors. Master’s candidates practice skills like assessing client needs, creating treatment plans, and teaching coping skills for the recovery process.

The best online master’s program in counseling varies by person, depending on what they value and look for in a degree. Aspiring graduate students should consider these three factors when choosing a quality online counseling master’s program.

Typically, master’s graduates go on to become professional counselors. Just as schools offer various concentrations, counselors can choose from different niches in their careers.

Mental health counselors remain among the most common. With over 380,000 mental health counselors employed in 2022, the BLS still projects the profession could grow by 18% over the next decade.

The following list includes resources that may be helpful for online master’s in counseling students and those thinking about pursuing a career as a counselor.

The ACA is a membership-based, non-profit organization for counseling professionals and students designed to promote, develop and advance the field of professional counseling. The website contains various professional and educational resources, such as job search options, webinars, publications and continuing education opportunities.

The BLS provides information on different career paths. Readers can search specific occupations, including counseling and related occupations. They can also find an overview of what the career entails, such as expected growth and salaries in areas across the United States.

The CCE is a non-profit organization that offers business support, licensure, and credentials to counseling professionals and organizations. The CCE is an affiliate of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and offers the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE), a standard for graduating master’s in counseling students.

The CACREP is the accrediting body for master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling. Prospective master’s in counseling students can use this website to learn the value of accreditation when selecting a school and find accredited master’s in counseling programs.

Pursuing an online master’s degree in counseling can become an expensive venture. That said, students can take advantage of funding options to help finance their degrees.

Several online resources offer advice on how to find financial aid. One of the most popular options includes scholarships, which give students money to cover tuition they do not need to repay. Students can find scholarships from universities, professional organizations, local groups, charities, and other sources. Applicants may need to compete for scholarships by showing their academic promise through grades or personal statements.

Students often opt for another popular option too, or federal student loans. They borrow money from the government and later repay this money with interest.

Some universities offer fellowships or assistantships for their graduate students who may carry out research or work at the school. Graduate learners may also find paid internships to help fund their studies.

Counselors with a master’s degree earn average salaries of $59,000 per year, according to data by Payscale. Many learners pursue a master’s degree because a higher level of education can sometimes lead to better salary prospects, although other factors like location and experience matter too.

The requirements to become a licensed counselor vary in each state. Generally, after graduating with your master’s degree and completing practicum and internship hours, candidates must take and pass a licensing exam to apply for licensure.

Colleges and universities with accredited programs usually list the accreditation on their websites. If you are finding it difficult to track down accreditation, you can search the accreditation agency’s directory of programs. Alternatively, you can contact the school directly to ask.

Aspiring counselors do not necessarily need to earn their master’s degree to get started in the field. They may be able to become a substance abuse or behavioral disorder counselor with a bachelor’s degree. That said, each state outlines different requirements for counselors. In many states, licensed mental health counselors need a master’s degree.

All rankings and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by the ASO Rankings Team.