Best Online Master’s in Counseling Programs of 2025

Do you have a passion for helping others? Does your ideal job involve empowering people to become better versions of themselves? If so, a career as a professional counselor might be exactly what you’re looking for.

To get there, you’ll need a master’s in counseling. And if you’re looking for flexibility along with high quality, you’re in luck – plenty of outstanding universities offer programs designed specifically for people seeking online options.

Here at BestColleges, we’ve done that homework for you. Check out our list of the best master’s in counseling online programs below.

When researching the best master’s in counseling programs to meet your needs, keep in mind factors such as application requirements, cost and financial aid, accreditation, available concentrations, and career outcomes for graduates.

“Not all programs are created equal, says Rayelle Davis, a licensed clinical professional counselor specializing in addiction, ADHD, and trauma. “It is important to know if your program meets the qualifications to work as a counselor in your state.”

Earning your master’s in counseling online probably won’t come cheap. Still, it’s not nearly as costly as some other professional degree programs, such as law, business, and medicine.

On average, a year’s tuition will run between $10,000 and $11,000. Because these are online programs, variations between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public universities are minimal.

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can help you qualify for federal loans, federal grants, and institutional aid. You should also look into what scholarship options each school provides.

Expect to spend 2-3 years earning your master’s in counseling online. That includes necessary coursework and a required practicum or internship.

Naturally, time to degree varies somewhat given your student status (part time versus full time) and each program’s specifications.

Consider, too, that some counseling master’s programs offer an accelerated option, taking into account prior learning or experience that can satisfy certain requirements. You might be able to complete your degree in fewer than two years.

Master’s in counseling programs offer numerous concentrations based on target population, setting, and types of treatment. Here are some popular counseling concentrations you could study:

When researching online counseling master’s programs, prioritize those accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Programmatic accreditation provides assurance that the program meets certain academic and professional standards as determined by an extensive peer evaluation process. This “seal of approval” helps protect students.

What’s more, some states require those applying for counseling licensure to have graduated from a CACREP-accredited program. Other states may require you to attend a counseling master’s program that follows a CACREP model, even if accreditation is not required.

You can determine which master’s in counseling programs have CACREP accreditation by searching the organization’s directory.

Earning your master’s in counseling opens doors to a variety of career options. You could become a family counselor, a mental health counselor, or a school counselor, among other options.

You might work in a professional setting such as a hospital, clinic, residential treatment center, or school, or you could opt to establish a private practice.

Beyond your counseling master’s degree, you’ll typically need a license, which is granted by your state. Each state has its own set of requirements, and your academic program should help you determine what’s needed.

Bear in mind that certification isn’t the same as licensure. Professional certification in a counseling field demonstrates your knowledge in that specialty but doesn’t grant you the legal authority to practice.

The question of return on investment — is my degree worth it? — comes down to individual priorities, and that’s especially true for the counseling field.

Counseling jobs don’t promise to make you rich. In 2024, the median salary for substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was just under $60,000 according to the BLS. But the field is growing — BLS projects 19% job growth for those careers between 2023 and 2033.

But few professions offer a greater opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives and see the impact of your work. If compassion, empathy, and altruism top your list of what motivates you, then you’ll likely find counseling especially rewarding.

Earning your master’s in counseling online enables you to enter the counseling profession — but that doesn’t necessarily mean your educational journey is over.

Plenty of counseling master’s graduates go on to earn advanced degrees, such as a Ph.D. in counseling, a doctor of education (Ed.D.), or a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.).

In fact, 16% of 2023 master’s graduates in counseling continued their education after finishing their program, according to NACE.

Earning a terminal degree provides a career springboard to higher-level counseling positions and opens opportunities to teach at the college level.