In short
A strong online master's in counseling psychology should hold regional institutional accreditation and, for clinical licensure, program-level CACREP accreditation. Most run two to three years, include a supervised practicum and internship, and prepare you for a Licensed Professional Counselor credential after post-degree supervised hours and a national exam. The programs below are real, accredited options shown as factual overviews, not paid placements or a ranking.
What an online master's in counseling psychology is
A master's in counseling psychology is a graduate degree that trains you to provide mental-health counseling. The online version delivers the same coursework remotely, usually through a mix of recorded and live sessions, while the clinical training (practicum and internship) is completed in person at a site near you. Reputable programs arrange or approve these placements; the degree is not fully online in the sense that you still see real clients under supervision.
The terms can blur. Some schools call this a master's in counseling psychology, others a master's in clinical mental-health counseling. For licensure as a counselor, the content and accreditation matter more than the exact title. What you want is a program designed to meet the educational requirements for state licensure as a professional counselor.
This degree is master's level, which is the standard entry point for licensed counseling practice. It is a shorter and less expensive route than the doctorate, while still leading to independent licensed practice once you complete supervised hours and pass the exam.
Accreditation: the thing that actually matters
Two layers of accreditation matter, and confusing them is the most expensive mistake applicants make. The first is institutional accreditation from a recognized regional accreditor, overseen by CHEA and the US Department of Education. Without it, credits may not transfer and the degree may not qualify you for licensure or federal aid.
The second is program-level accreditation. For counseling, that means CACREP (the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs). CACREP accreditation is increasingly tied to eligibility for the main licensing exam, smooths licensure if you move states, and is preferred or required by many boards. If a program is not CACREP-accredited, confirm in writing that it still meets your specific state board's educational requirements before enrolling.
A genuinely online counseling psychology program can hold CACREP accreditation. When comparing options, check the CACREP directory directly rather than trusting a school's marketing language.
Admission requirements
Most counseling psychology master's programs share a common admissions profile. You generally need a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, a competitive GPA (often around 3.0 or higher), and prerequisite coursework that frequently includes general and abnormal psychology and statistics.
Beyond transcripts, programs weigh letters of recommendation, a personal statement explaining your interest in counseling, and sometimes relevant volunteer or work experience in a helping role. Many programs have dropped the GRE requirement, but some still ask for it, so confirm per program. An interview is common for competitive cohorts.
Cost, length, and format
Online counseling psychology master's programs typically run 48 to 60 credit hours and take two to three years full time, longer part time. Total tuition varies widely by school type, commonly falling somewhere between roughly $20,000 and $55,000, with public in-state options at the lower end and private programs higher.
Online format is genuinely flexible, but build the practicum and internship into your plan from day one. Those supervised placements require dozens of hours per week in person for a full academic year and are the part most likely to slow you down if you wait to arrange them.
Factor in the full path, not just tuition. After the degree you still need post-graduate supervised hours and to pass a licensing exam, which adds time and some cost before you can practice independently.
Where the degree leads
The main destination is licensure as a professional counselor. After the master's you complete post-degree supervised clinical hours, commonly in the range of 2,000 to 4,000 over two to three years, and pass a national exam such as the NCE or NCMHCE through the NBCC. The license title depends on the state: LPC, LPCC, LMHC, or LCPC.
From there, counselors work in private practice, community mental-health agencies, hospitals, schools, and group practices. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster-than-average growth for mental-health counselors over the coming decade. For the full licensure path, see our guide on how to become a counselor.
What to look for in a program
- Regional institutional accreditation Confirm the school is accredited by a recognized regional accreditor (CHEA-listed). This underpins credit transfer, aid, and licensure eligibility.
- CACREP program accreditation Strongly preferred for counseling licensure and increasingly tied to exam eligibility. Verify in the CACREP directory, not the school's brochure.
- State board alignment Check that the curriculum meets your specific state's educational requirements, especially required clinical coursework and practicum hours.
- Supervised practicum and internship support The program should help you secure approved in-person clinical placements. This is the part that most often delays online students.
- Licensure-by-state disclosure Under federal rules, programs must disclose whether they meet licensure requirements in each state. Read this before enrolling.
Accredited online programs to know
These are real, accredited programs offered fully or substantially online, shown as factual overviews to illustrate what an accredited option looks like. This is not a ranking and not a paid placement. Always verify current accreditation, format, and licensure alignment directly with the school and the CACREP directory.
| School | Program | Format | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Denver | MA in Counseling Psychology / Counseling | Online | CACREP |
| Northwestern University | MA in Counseling (The Family Institute) | Online | CACREP |
| University of West Alabama | MEd in Counseling / Clinical Mental Health | Online | CACREP |
| Wake Forest University | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Online | CACREP |
| Bradley University | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Online | CACREP |
Sources: CACREP accredited-program directory; institutional accreditation via CHEA; school program pages. Accreditation status and online availability change; confirm before applying. Not paid placements or endorsements.
Key takeaways
- Look for two layers of accreditation: regional institutional accreditation and CACREP program accreditation.
- CACREP is increasingly tied to licensing-exam eligibility and easier multi-state licensure.
- Most online counseling psychology master's degrees run 48-60 credits over two to three years.
- A truly online program still requires in-person practicum and internship hours; plan placements early.
- The degree leads to licensure as a professional counselor after supervised hours and a national exam.
Want to see what counselors actually do?
Browse licensed counselors and therapists in the original directory, trusted since 1995. Free to search.
Frequently asked questions
Are online master's in counseling psychology degrees respected?
Yes, when the program is properly accredited. An online counseling psychology master's from a regionally accredited school with CACREP program accreditation carries the same licensure value as an on-campus version. The format matters far less than the accreditation and whether the curriculum meets your state board's requirements.
Is the program fully online?
The coursework is online, but the practicum and internship are completed in person at an approved clinical site near you. No reputable counseling program is fully online, because licensure requires supervised, face-to-face clinical training with real clients.
Do I need a psychology bachelor's degree to apply?
Usually not. Most programs accept any bachelor's degree, though they often require prerequisite courses such as general psychology, abnormal psychology, and statistics. A psychology background helps but is rarely mandatory.
How much does an online counseling psychology master's cost?
Total tuition commonly ranges from about $20,000 to $55,000, depending on whether the school is public or private and in-state or out-of-state. Online programs sometimes charge a single tuition rate regardless of residency, which can favor out-of-state students.
What license can I get with this degree?
After post-degree supervised hours and a national exam (the NCE or NCMHCE through the NBCC), you can become a Licensed Professional Counselor or the equivalent in your state (LPC, LPCC, LMHC, or LCPC). The exact title and hour requirements vary by state.
Related guides
References
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Directory of Accredited Programs.
- Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Database of Institutions and Programs Accredited by Recognized Accrediting Organizations.
- National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). National Counselor Examination and National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.