2023 Best Online Master's Degrees in Counseling Psychology
An online master's in counseling psychology teaches students how to provide emotional support to clients by identifying and addressing behavioral issues. Before becoming a professional psychologist, graduates must obtain their license in the state where they wish to become certified counselors. Online coursework is designed to meet state licensure requirements and may include classes that explore evaluation techniques, counseling theories, issues of diversity and ethics, and cognitive development. There are also affordable counseling master's degrees that focus on specific disorders, such as substance abuse counseling or mental health counseling, allowing graduates to gain specialized training.
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Online Counseling Psychology Master's Degrees You May Be Interested In

Grand Canyon University
Annual Tuition: $11,074
2 Programs (view all)

Regent University Online
Annual Tuition: $16,952
2 Programs (view all)

University of the Southwest
2023 Best Online Master's Degrees in Counseling Psychology
Rank | School | Salary Score | Median Starting Salary |
---|---|---|---|
Alliant International University | $67,278 | ||
National University | 84 | $55,141 | |
Arizona State University | 84 | $54,964 | |
Chicago School of Professional Psychology Online | 72 | $51,294 | |
Ottawa University Online | 68 | $50,439 | |
Chaminade University of Honolulu | 54 | $47,133 |
#1 Alliant International University
- Salary Score: 99
- Median Starting Salary: $67,278
- Locations: San Diego (CA)
- Accreditation: WSCUC
Alliant International University (AIU) is a private institution with an online Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling requiring 60 credit hours. Students studying full time will likely complete the degree in approximately three years. AIU accepts 100% of its applicants, while 62% of students graduate with degrees.
AIU uses Canvas to deliver its online coursework. This software allows students to finish their degrees entirely online and asynchronously. The core curriculum meets all of California's educational and clinical requirements. Students learn to treat and prevent mental health issues by applying psychotherapeutic techniques. Required classes include Counseling Theories, Lifespan Development, and Chemical Dependence and Addiction Issues. Students are required to complete a one-year field practicum. A career development course teaches students how to pursue employment as professional counselors.
#2 National University
- Salary Score: 84
- Median Starting Salary: $55,141
- Locations: Multiple Locations
- Accreditation: WSCUC
National University (NU) is a private university with an online Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (California). This online graduate degree requires 90 quarter units, which full-time students can complete in approximately three years. Two specialization options are Marriage and Family Therapist as well as Combined Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. These programs meet California licensure requirements. Students are accepted into NU at a rate of 55%, with 36% graduating with degrees.
NU students use Blackboard as its learning management system, where they can complete courses 100% online. Classes are delivered individually in four-week sessions using synchronous and asynchronous formats. The curriculum develops therapeutic skills and professional standards, giving students the tools to evaluate disorders and develop treatment plans. Among the required classes are Community Mental Health, Clinical Assessment, and Cultural and Social Justice Issues. Online students are also required to do a practicum. Graduates of this program go on to become marriage and family therapists.
#3 Arizona State University
- Salary Score: 84
- Median Starting Salary: $54,964
- Locations: Tempe (AZ) (and 4 others)
- Accreditation: HLC
Arizona State University (ASU) is a public university offering an online Master of Science in Psychology - Positive Psychology that requires 36 credit hours. Students can complete this online master's program in approximately two years while studying full time. The acceptance rate at ASU is 70%, with 47% of students reaching their degrees.
At ASU, students use Canvas for its remote courses, completed entirely online and primarily asynchronous. This program is about improving people's lives by focusing on their strengths rather than deficits. Students study traditional psychology foundations alongside positive psychology principles, including coping mechanisms, optimism, and mindfulness. Required classes include Psychology of Mindfulness, Emotions, and Professional Issues in Psychology. A capstone project in general psychology is also required. Graduates may explore roles as human resources directors, research analysts, and mental health professionals.
#4 Chicago School of Professional Psychology Online
- Salary Score: 72
- Median Starting Salary: $51,294
- Locations: Multiple Locations
- Accreditation: HLC
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Online (TCSPP) is a private university offering an online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requiring 60 credit hours. Students studying on a full-time schedule can complete this program in three years. The acceptance rate at TCSPP is 37%. Federal data on TCSPP's graduation rates are unavailable.
Students at TCSPP use the Canvas learning management system to access their core online courses, which are entirely remote. Some use a synchronous virtual residency with students learning online simultaneously. The curriculum covers psychology fundamentals, such as advocacy, diagnosis, ethics, and prevention; specialized training in community health; and research and theory. There are required courses, such as Diagnosis of Mental Health Issues, Assessment of Individuals, and Group Theories and Processes of Counseling. A practicum and two internship sessions are also required. Graduates may earn career opportunities as clinical counselors, community health educators, and wellness coaches.
#5 Ottawa University Online
- Salary Score: 68
- Median Starting Salary: $50,439
- Locations: Ottawa (KS)
- Accreditation: HLC
Ottawa University Online (OU) is a private institution with an online Master of Arts in Counseling - Treatment of Trauma, Abuse, and Deprivation requiring between 60 and 63 credit hours. Typically, students graduate in approximately three years while studying full time. OU accepts 67% of applicants, with 47% of students graduating.
All online courses are delivered through the Blackboard learning management system, where students study entirely online. OU uses synchronous and asynchronous learning. This online master's degree in counseling focuses on theory and research to assess addiction, trauma, abuse, and violence stress. Course requirements include Expressive Arts Therapies, Advanced Clinical Application, and Children and Complex Trauma. Additionally, students must complete field experience through a practicum and internship. Students may be hired as addiction counselors, grief counselors, and community health workers.
#6 Chaminade University of Honolulu
- Salary Score: 54
- Median Starting Salary: $47,133
- Locations: Honolulu (HI)
- Accreditation: WSCUC
Chaminade University of Honolulu (CUH) is a private university offering an online Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, which requires 60 credit hours. Three concentrations are available in (1) Marriage and Family Therapy, (2) Mental Health Counseling, and (3) School Counseling. Students studying on a full-time schedule can complete this program in 30 months. The acceptance rate at CUH is 90%, and the graduation rate is 49%.
CUH students use the Canvas learning management system to access their core online courses, which are 100% online using synchronous and asynchronous formats. The curriculum explores counseling theories, techniques, and principles while identifying how change and adaptation fit within the counseling framework. Core online courses include Life Span Development, Group Processes, and Cross-Cultural Counseling. Career opportunities vary based on a student's chosen concentration but may include marriage counselors, counseling administrators, and human resources directors.
Overview of Online Master's in Counseling Psychology Degrees
Counseling psychology master's programs are designed to train graduates to be licensed clinical mental health counselors. Learners study the theories, concepts, and strategies of psychology in depth while developing the skills and techniques to provide professional counseling services. According to Burning Glass, a data analytics company, the 258 institutions offering this program conferred just over 8,000 traditional and online counseling psychology degrees in 2020. Programs typically require 60 credit hours, and they are generally structured to be completed in two years with a full-time schedule, though some require an additional six months on top of that.
Learners study the theories, concepts, and strategies of psychology in depth while developing the skills and techniques to provide professional counseling services.
It's possible to earn a counseling psychology degree entirely through distance education, where students take fully online classes and complete their fieldwork requirements at mental health facilities near their homes. The median annual tuition of an online program in counseling psychology is $18,400, according to our analysis of 35 schools. Online students may reduce higher education expenses by applying for financial aid and avoiding campus-related expenses, such as housing and transportation costs. Non-resident students may also save by opting for online programs, as many schools' online tuition rates are lower than their out-of-state tuition rates.
Students may also be interested in pursuing an online master's in school counseling or exploring additional master's programs offered through distance learning.
Applying to an Online Master's in Counseling Psychology Program
The admission requirements for acceptance into an online master's program in counseling psychology are fairly consistent across schools. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university. Some schools require a bachelor's degree in psychology or counseling, while others are more flexible and may accept related degrees. Students are also required to have earned a minimum GPA — often 3.0 — for their undergraduate coursework. Applicants with degrees in other fields may be required to take prerequisite courses before starting the program. Those who meet most, but not all, of the admissions criteria may be placed on conditional acceptance until they complete the requirements.
When submitting their applications, students are usually required to include official transcripts and any other coursework they have completed. Schools may also ask that students submit a personal statement, writing sample, letters of recommendation, and either a resume or curriculum vitae. Some schools also require prospective students to submit GRE scores, and a few even request formal background checks.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a designation indicating that schools and their individual programs meet academic standards and produce professional-level learning outcomes. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs accredits in-person and online master's degree programs that are oriented toward clinical counseling. Since programmatic accreditation may be required for state licensure, students should check their state's licensing board before enrolling to ensure their program meets their state's criteria. Depending on the state, licensing boards for counseling may stipulate unique requirements for online learners.
Common Courses
While some courses in an online counseling psychology program focus on theory, others emphasize practice through hands-on exercises, simulations, and supervised work.
Because most counseling occupations require state licensure, program coursework is also intended to help students pass the appropriate exams. In addition to core courses, students may choose several electives in subjects that are often specializations in the counseling field, such as career counseling, substance use and addiction treatment, marriage and family therapy, human sexuality, psychotherapy, and psychopharmacology. The following are some of the courses commonly found in an online counseling psychology program.
Clinical Hours
Many online programs require learners to attend one or two weeklong residencies on campus, which allow students to start gaining practical experience midway through the program.
Online students usually complete fieldwork — another important component — at a mental health facility during a program’s last year. Working under the supervision of licensed counselors in real-life settings enables students to develop counseling skills in testing, evaluation, and consultation. Most programs require students to complete two term-long internships and possibly one additional practicum, which usually entail 500-700 hours of work experience. These clinical hours also help fulfill state requirements for licensure.
Careers in the Field of Counseling Psychology
Online counseling psychology programs are meant to instruct students on offering support and guidance to individuals and families struggling with behavioral and emotional difficulties. Master's graduates may work in private practices or government agencies that provide counseling assistance, or they may decide to pursue a doctoral degree. While becoming a fully licensed psychologist requires a doctoral degree, graduates with online master's degrees are qualified for a number of career paths in counseling, including the following:
Licensure and Certification Requirements
Depending on the career path graduates choose and the state where they work, they may or may not need a license to practice. For example, marriage and family therapists, certified counselors, school counselors, and other licensed professional counselors typically need state-issued licensure, but career counselors may not. These credentials need to be renewed periodically, and renewal often requires proof that the counselor has completed a state-specified number of continuing education hours.
The eligibility criteria for licensure also varies by state: There are variations in the counseling degree level, program accreditation, number of supervised clinical hours, and other required qualifications for every specialization in each state. While several counseling specializations require only a master's degree, becoming a licensed psychologist requires a doctoral degree. Students should check with their state's licensing board to determine the licensing requirements for their chosen occupation.
Licensed counselors may also want to earn certification from a professional organization, such as the National Board for Certified Counselors. Although certification is usually optional, it demonstrates a counselor's commitment to professional development and practice. Certifications are available for both general practitioners and specialists.
This website offers school details to prospective students as an informational resource. The appearance of a school listing on this website should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the school by this site.
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2023 Best Online Master's in Counseling Degrees
View rankings of the best online master's degrees in counseling based on alumni salaries. Read on to learn about coursework, career options, and more.
By OnlineU Staff Writers | 2/6/2023