2026 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Counseling

Walden is an an excellent school for someone looking for an actual professional level degree. It is NOT a degree for someone unwilling to do the work, to change and challenge themselves, or meet professional level expectations. It is a true Masters Level program, delivered 90% online, and that means the onus to get the work done and do well is on YOU. The professors in these courses are all Doctors, who are working clinically in the field, and have years of experience. They have written textbooks,... Read More and served on national and state accredication boards. Walden truly cares about the level of professional they are putting out into the world, and it shows. They have help lines across the board, from IT, paper writing, library and research, mental health and many financial and scholarship programs. However, none of it will be handed to you. You have to do the work to find help if it is necesarry. Many people begin a degree without understanding the requirements and then refuse to accept their own culpability in thier failure to succeed. Walden is NOT easy, but it absolutely does prepare you for a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, including forcing you to look at your state liscensure requirements, as well as preparing you for your state liscensure test. Good luck and I absolutely DO reccomend Walden University.

Palo Alto is growing rapidly and is quickly making a larger name for itself in the field. I really enjoy my classes and the cohort model has been wonderful as I've gotten to know my classmates very well. Also, it's worth noting that PAU is affiliated with Stanford and I've been able to do research with Stanford university professors, so that's been pretty cool! This program is what you make of it, but if you are a dedicated student and have a love for the content that you're learning, you'll do great... Read More :).

I did the Masters in counseling with a PPS Credential, for school counseling program. When it said that I was getting a Master's in counseling I thought it would qualify me to continue to go on to get Licensed as a clinical counselor after the program. However that is not the case with this program! This program is great if you want only the PPS Credential. I have to take a whole other masters if I want to work specifically in mental health with students. Because schools are hiring LPCCs and MFTs... Read More and LCSWs this degree is only relevant if you want to be an elementary school counselor or an academic school counselor. Most programs are a combination of MFT and PPS. This is not. I recommend doing the LPCC program instead. I did not get the help or the advice I needed from my academic advisor or my faculty when I began asking about licensure. They did not even tell me this school has an LPCC program.

I absolutely love everything about the school and highly recommend it to anyone whether they come from a faith based background or not. In 2016 I completed my BS online there in interdisciplinary studies focusing on psychology and early childhood education and I returned last year to complete my masters in Human Services Counseling- Executive Leadership. The faculty and professors have all been extremely helpful and supportive. I’ve even spoken to a couple of professors over the phone that helped... Read More walk me through specific assignments that I was having trouble with. The classes are very much applicable to the real world and are packed into 8 weeks of intense coursework but that is to be expected for quality education. The cost is comparable to any other university and just like any other university they expect payment… I know that’s a real shocker for some. I’ve noticed multiple negative reviews from the same individuals on this site which makes me wonder what their real motive is behind the review.

As with any life experience, it is what you make it. If you commit and apply yourself, it can be great. After graduating, I was able to find an internship very easily because the agency recognized and valued Liberty University graduates. Liberty’s program prepared me for the challenges I’d face fresh out of the program and to pass the state exam.
I worked construction for 30 years prior to going to Liberty University, and now, three years after graduation, I am a licensed mental health counselor,... Read More national certified counselor, and I own my own counseling agency.
I believe that is a testament to the quality level of education that Liberty University offers.

Loved my program at Walden. COVID hit while I was a student. The university and faculty supported students and their families by allowing leniency. The student assistance program offers 3 free counseling sessions for students, their families, their roommates. You can get 3 free sessions for each stressor! They have one on one faculty support for skill development for any student who asks. They have support faculty for students who have life challenges (e.g., hurricane, death of lived one, house burned... Read More down, etc.). For an online program they go above and beyond for offering a personal touch. You can email the program director any time and she will call you, help you, anything you need. I had tons of support. Overall the faculty were amazing. Like any university I have attended, there are some mediocre faculty, but they are few and far between. If I had a lower performing faculty, I would notify the director and she supported both the faculty and me. I truly felt valued. Some posts I have read indicate people felt like a number. I never experienced this. Of course I asked for help when needed and always received it. To be successful at Walden you need to read your assignments, sign up for help if needed, read and implement the feedback your instructors provide, and you need to remember they are training you to be a professional counselor. They will push you to grow. You will get feedback. I would check the accreditation requirements occasionally and the standards were clearly being met. One of my favorite experiences was a group experience that was absolutely free! I was well trained, cared for, and supported at Walden. I will go back for my doctorate!

I had a great experience at Liberty. I did the masters in counseling program while I was working full-time and finished in just over two years. It was intense, but the 8 week class structure made it doable. I had some really stellar professors who went above and beyond. I also had some mediocre professors. Fortunately, my practicum and internship professors were wonderful. I learned a ton from them. You do need to know what you're signing up for with an online program. Most of your learning will... Read More be from books and from personal research, not from lectures. That will be the case with any school's online program. If you're not comfortable with that, then you need to do a residential program. For me, it was a perfect fit.

Overall, I think the MA in Counseling program is wonderful! Here are my key takeaways: 1) The professors are supportive, knowledgable, and flexible, 2) classmates are encouraging, 3) curriculum is sublime and incorporates modern issues, but is very challenging, 4) be prepared to do some counseling (e.g. taking on a counselor role w/ a student), & 5) all classes overlap w/ the 90 unit licensing program. Because of this, I often felt like "the other" because I plan to pursue a career in higher ed,... Read More rather than in mental health. If you're in the same boat, this may mean not being able to form a professional network while in the program and also taking some classes that may not be relevant to your future career. However, this program really teaches you how to think critically, helps you develop counseling skills, and provides you with resources that you can use with various clientele in the future.

Bellevue U’s M.S. (CACREP accredited) clinical counseling program gives you in depth course preparation and the ability to apply what you have learned to specific case studies, before entering into counseling internship. Each course has papers, discussion boards, exams and video/audio recorded student projects that measure ability and allow for demonstration of understanding in multiple ways. From start to finish, there are many opportunities to connect “in person” with instructors and other students... Read More via classroom Zoom, workshops, Residencies, weekly supervision and membership in the National counseling honor society, Chi Sigma Iota. Perhaps most importantly, professors at this school are open and invested in students as individuals. All instructors in the program possess PhD’s, without exception. The majority have well over a decade of experience not only teaching graduate level students but also practicing in the community as counselors, as well. This ensures that those who teach aren’t losing touch with the work students are being guided to do. I have zero complaints about getting my M.S. at Bellevue U!