2026 Best Online Master's Degrees in Counseling

Online master's programs in counseling aim to provide students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills they need to help others optimize their mental health through behavioral changes, goal setting, and problem solving. Programs typically cover some methods for building therapeutic relationships with clients, such as outlining useful communication skills and how to work effectively with diverse populations. In addition, a counseling master's program delves into the clinical skills necessary for providing treatment, such as identifying emotional issues and suitable treatment options.

When thinking about what a master's degree in counseling may entail as well as a resulting career, it's helpful to keep in mind the five types of counseling, as defined by the American Psychological Association (APA):

1. Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Therapy

This type of counseling delves into the unconscious realm in an attempt to reveal hidden motivations behind people's actions.

2. Behavioral Therapy

Under this umbrella that emphasizes environmental factors, counselors may evoke techniques such as operant conditioning, classical conditioning, desensitization, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

3. Cognitive Therapy

With cognitive therapy, counselors are concerned with changing their clients' thought processes, first and foremost, by focusing on an internal locus of control.

4. Humanistic Therapy

This type of therapy is heavily invested in a client-centered approach, emphasizing a client's concerns by validating their perceptions and emotions.

5. Holistic/Integrative Therapy

This is probably the most common approach among counselors, as it combines aspects from different branches of therapy to create a holistic treatment plan that best suits individual clients.

Most master's in counseling programs — whether online or in-person — take two years if you decide to study at a full-time pace. If you decide to pursue a program part time, however, it can take anywhere from three to four years to finish your degree. Online degrees often offer students the flexibility to either pursue a full- or part-time schedule, and many of these programs are also asynchronous, meaning that students can study and complete assignments at their own pace.

Students must usually complete approximately 60 credit hours to graduate. Counseling programs may also require practicums that take roughly 600 hours under the supervision of trained counseling professionals.

A bachelor's degree from an accredited university is required for enrollment in an online master's degree in counseling. Most graduate schools prefer that students major in sociology or psychology, but they may accept undergraduate degrees in unrelated fields. It may also be helpful to have some experience in counseling, such as volunteer or professional opportunities.

In general, when applying to a counseling master's program, applicants will most likely need to submit the following:

• Undergraduate transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Resume
• GRE scores
• Personal statement

Students may choose to specialize by selecting an emphasis within counseling to treat targeted populations. This process means choosing electives in a specific area of interest, which generally requires the approval of a program advisor.

• Child and Adolescent Counseling: Students enrolled in this specialization strive to grasp the unique family, developmental, or learning difficulties faced by children and teenagers. They take classes in cognitive therapy, child psychology, and early childhood development while also learning how to identify behavioral disorders or emotional difficulties in young patients. Given their training, graduates often find careers providing counseling services to children and their families.
• Marriage and Family Counseling: In this specialization, students focus on working with individuals facing marital or other family-related difficulties. Aside from learning how to conduct individual and group counseling sessions, they take classes in family counseling theory, psychotherapy and sexuality, and career development counseling for couples. Graduates are trained to work with people facing various personal and professional difficulties that affect relationships and are well-suited to take on marriage and family counselor roles. 
• Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Individuals who choose mental health counseling take courses in psychological testing, medication, and diagnosing behavioral disorders. Unlike others, this specialization focuses more directly on clinical practice, encouraging students to gain hands-on experience treating individuals from different backgrounds. This specialization is a good option for graduates who hope to work directly with patients rather than those who may be more interested in a research-focused role.
• Rehabilitation Counseling: The rehabilitation counseling track is ideal for students who are interested in helping people with disabilities and those recovering from an injury or accident. Individuals primarily learn how to use therapy to boost patients' confidence or otherwise help them cope with the psychological effects of a chronic or life-changing injury. Graduates often study special concepts related to rehabilitation and are prepared to work as rehabilitation counselors in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes.
• School Counseling: The school counseling specialization is specifically designed for individuals who want to help students improve their mental health. It includes classes in multiculturalism, trauma treatment, and college advising and trains students to recognize common disorders that often emerge in educational settings. This specialization equips individuals to work as counselors at K-12 schools, universities, or other educational settings where students may need additional support. (If you want this to show up in your degree title more prominently, check out our list of popular online master's degrees in school counseling.)
• Substance Abuse Counseling: In substance abuse counseling — also called substance use and misuse counseling —  students take courses in group therapy, toxicology, behavioral disorders, and research methods, to name a few areas. This specialization covers the theories and practices professionals use to treat people with drug, alcohol, or other chemical-related dependencies. Students also complete a number of supervised clinical hours and are generally prepared to work as entry-level substance abuse counselors once they graduate.

Core course requirements in a counseling master's curriculum help students become effective communicators, understand fundamental counseling methods and techniques, and deliver emotional support. While titles for core courses and electives may vary across school programs, learning outcomes and objectives remain similar. Below are some common courses in an online master's program in counseling:

• Counseling Theory and Techniques: Coursework may emphasize how intrapersonal and interpersonal communication skills are necessary to develop fundamental counseling skills. Students may work on building listening skills, empathy training, basic interviewing techniques, and performing clinical observations.
• Ethical Standards and Professional Issues in Counseling: Lessons generally cover the foundation of ethical practices in terms of being a responsible counselor. Topics may include the study of models for ethical decision-making, ethical codes of professional organizations, and client rights.
• Life Span of Human Development: Instruction generally provides an overview of human growth and development, from childhood to adulthood, and how information processing looks different in various stages of life.
• Research and Evaluation in Psychology: Coursework often explores statistics and research models, design, and strategies. This allows students to identify, evaluate, and implement practical research methods and better understand how research informs evidence-based practices.
• Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling: This course typically reviews how gender, cultural diversity, religious preference, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and disability impact the counseling process for both the counselor and the client.

Individuals hoping to earn a counseling master's degree should ensure their prospective program aligns with their personal and professional goals. Some aspects they may want to consider include state licensing requirements, placement programs for graduates, and internship opportunities. Below is a list of additional considerations students can take into account when deciding on a counseling program.

Accreditation

It is essential for students to enroll in an institutionally accredited counseling program, as this will help them receive a quality education that employers recognize. Individuals enrolling in a master's program should ensure their specific program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This kind of programmatic accreditation confirms that the course content, practicum experience, faculty qualifications, and overall mission of a given degree meet best practices for instruction in the counseling field.

Online vs. Campus

For students considering distance education, it may be important to determine whether an online counseling program offers learners sufficient resources. This may include regular check-ins with faculty and advisors and 24/7 tech support. Given that counseling programs involve an in-person internship or practicum experience, students may also want to check whether an online program helps them identify and apply for programs at healthcare facilities to gain the required hours of clinical experience.

Research vs. Clinical

While many master's degrees prepare students to work as licensed counselors, others focus more on research and writing, training students for jobs in academia, think tanks, and similar sectors. Individuals considering a master's in counseling should therefore explore their career goals before enrolling, as this will likely determine whether they want to select a program that emphasizes research or one that focuses on clinical training.

According to the American Hospital Association, a growing national behavioral health crisis has created a significant shortage of counseling professionals that is expected to last through 2030. With counselors likely to be in high future demand, graduates may find employment in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, and health facilities. Aside from healthcare, they may also go on to work in education, financial services, and public administration. Below is a list of potential career paths counseling graduates can take in these sectors.

Marriage and family therapists work with married couples, families, and their children to help resolve differences in their relationships. They may do so through one-on-one or group therapy sessions but focus largely on helping individuals develop decision-making tools, practice strategies to navigate difficult situations, and identify emotional or other behavioral triggers. Some marriage and family therapists specialize in areas such as divorce or bereavement.

• Salary: $63,780 per year, $30.66 per hour 
• Growth: 13% (much faster than average) 
• Master's required

Psychologists research the various factors that affect human behavior. For instance, they may study the social environment, cognitive processes, or political circumstances that lead to certain behavioral disorders, or they may conduct trials to test theories in psychoanalysis. Many psychologists also teach at the postsecondary level, where they design courses, mentor students, and carry out administrative responsibilities.

• Salary: $94,310 per year, $45.34 per hour 
• Growth: 6% (faster than average)
• Master's required

Rehabilitation counselors typically support vulnerable populations in overcoming a range of physical, mental, or developmental difficulties. They develop health plans to help individuals meet their goals or adjust to new life circumstances stemming from an injury or illness. These professionals may also advocate on behalf of their clients, providing information on their unique needs or communicating with health providers on their behalf.

• Salary: $46,110 per year, $22.17 per hour
• Growth: 1% (slower than average)
• Master's required

Substance abuse counselors support individuals, families, or groups that are managing or recovering from chemical dependencies. In group sessions and one-on-one meetings, they help patients develop coping mechanisms to overcome behavioral disorders. They often educate clients and their families about the effects of alcohol and other drugs on mental and physical well-being.

• Salary: $59,190 per year, $28.46 per hour
• Growth: 17% (much faster than average)
• Master's required

If you want to learn more about what you can do with a master's in counseling, our journalists dedicated an entire article to just this topic.

Every state across the U.S. requires licensure for professional counselors to practice. Licensure ensures that these health and human services professionals are adequately trained and have the necessary field experience. Prospective counselors must complete 2,000-4,000 hours of clinical experience, pass an exam, and earn national certification to apply for a state license.

The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) offers the National Certified Counselor (NCC) exam as its primary credential. Those who earn their NCC designation are eligible to apply for state licensure — also administered by the NBCC — to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), depending on the state.

Ultimately, becoming a counselor depends on your personal, professional, and financial goals. You may also want to consider your temperament and whether you'll enjoy the work after graduation. For example, counselors tend to be kind, generous, cooperative, patient, empathetic, and friendly. They enjoy socializing and teaching others, which is often what draws them into counseling careers.

It's also helpful to contemplate whether earning your counseling master's degree online will work well with your learning style. In general, completing a graduate program online can be convenient if you can't relocate or simply need to fit classes around your busy schedule. On the other hand, it may be harder to stay motivated when completing asynchronous online classwork and to study without a rigid class schedule. Below are some other pros and cons to consider when deciding on whether to pursue an online master's degree in counseling.

Potential Benefits

• Mental health professionals are in high demand. There is a shortage of mental healthcare practitioners throughout the country, but according to the Health Resources and Services Administration, the need for counselors is the highest in the Western U.S.
• Counseling work can be satisfying. According to CareerExplorer, those who provide counseling services find their job satisfying and rewarding. In fact, counselors are in the top third of careers in terms of job-related happiness.
• Attending online school can save time and money. Earning a degree online can be less expensive than a traditional on-campus degree. For example, online students don't have to pay for on-campus housing or relocation costs. Distance learning also means that students don't have to commute to and from campus.

Potential Drawbacks

• An online master's degree in counseling may have a low return on investment. For example, substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earn a median wage of $59,190, according to the BLS. This is a frustrating wage disparity. This is based on a systemic inequity relating to billing infrastructure and historical stigma around addiction work, among other issues, so it's not a real difference in educational investment or clinical complexity.
• Some counselors may have to work irregular hours, like evenings, nights, and weekends, which can infringe on personal lives. If a clearly delineated work-life balance is an important factor in one's career choice, this role may not be a suitable fit, potentially. Even those who decide to start their own private practice may have to be available whenever there is a need.
• Earning an online degree may feel isolating and limit relationship-building opportunities. It can be hard to feel motivated to study when doing so from home, and distance learning may not suit everyone's learning style. Forming meaningful relationships may also be challenging in an online environment because it could take more effort.

The most advanced degree you can get in counseling is a Doctorate in Psychology, which usually takes between five and seven years to complete. Of course, there are a variety of degrees at this advanced level to choose from, such as a doctorate in clinical psychology online or in-person, depending on your preference. There's also a counseling doctorate program, as well as other specialties and niches within the field. 

A Master of Arts (MA) in counseling is primarily steeped in the liberal arts tradition, emphasizing counseling theory, human development, and client-centered approaches. These master's programs often connect the interpersonal, social, and cultural dimensions of counseling practice. 

A Master of Science (MS) in counseling, by contrast, takes a more research-oriented approach that focuses mostly on scientific methods, evidence-based practices, and the application of data and statistics in treatment planning. 

Importantly, both lead to similar career outcomes and licensure eligibility. The main difference is that a Master of Arts in Counseling is more liberal arts based, while a Master of Science in Counseling has a more scientific and evidence-based approach that relies on research and statistics.

While social workers and counselors perform some of the same functions, a social worker's main role is to help individuals, groups, and families cope with everyday challenges by connecting them with a wide range of services. A counselor, on the other hand, is most likely to focus on only one service related to mental health and well-being. Counselors have more of a direct approach, whereas social workers help steer their clients in the right direction.