Best Online Counseling Programs for 2025
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Interested in becoming a counselor? A graduate degree is one step toward this career path. Explore the best online counseling programs, how to choose one, and what to expect.
Best Online Counseling Programs
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$25,600
- Out-of-state$25,600
- In-State$8,904
- Out-of-state$8,904
- Retention Rate60%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled11,775
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
Lebanon Valley College
- Annville, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$47,240
- Out-of-state$47,240
- In-State$31,875
- Out-of-state$31,875
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled2,080
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment21%
- AccreditationYes
Cameron University
- Lawton, OK
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,025
- Out-of-state$14,640
- In-State$3,762
- Out-of-state$10,476
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance Rate100%
- Students Enrolled3,559
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment69%
- AccreditationYes
Prairie View A & M University
- Prairie View, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,387
- Out-of-state$22,590
- In-State$5,191
- Out-of-state$14,353
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled9,248
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
- Portales, NM
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,194
- Out-of-state$6,174
- In-State$5,454
- Out-of-state$7,227
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate28%
- Students Enrolled5,106
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment84%
- AccreditationYes
Bay Path University
- Longmeadow, MA
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$35,781
- Out-of-state$35,781
- In-State$19,235
- Out-of-state$19,235
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled2,465
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment78%
- AccreditationYes
Northwestern College
- Orange City, IA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$34,000
- Out-of-state$34,000
- In-State$6,120
- Out-of-state$6,120
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled1,665
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$62,391
- Out-of-state$62,391
- In-State$51,869
- Out-of-state$51,869
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate7%
- Students Enrolled22,801
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment12%
- AccreditationYes
Regis College
- Weston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$46,150
- Out-of-state$46,150
- In-State$24,968
- Out-of-state$24,968
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled2,801
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
Western Michigan University
- Kalamazoo, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$14,494
- Out-of-state$18,118
- In-State$17,539
- Out-of-state$26,308
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled17,559
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment62%
- AccreditationYes
Our Ranking Methodology
Psychology.org ranks education programs using data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education. Our vetting process also includes a quality assurance team that assesses datasets for accuracy.
Psychology.org reserves the right to exclude any schools that lack significant data from the rankings to ensure accurate calculations. This list is for 2025. For more about how Psychology.org evaluates and ranks education programs, visit our full ranking methodology.
How to Choose an Online Counseling Program
When reviewing online counseling programs, consider what each school offers and how it meets your learning needs. Here are some factors you might consider:
- Curriculum: Find a program that features courses, concentrations, and clinical opportunities in your field of interest.
- Program format: Consider how the program length, delivery mode, and residency requirements fit your schedule.
- School support: Examine the faculty, staff-to-student ratio, and the support services provided.
- Admission requirements: Ensure you meet the program’s application and admission requirements. Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
- Accreditation: Verify that the school and program have the appropriate institutional and programmatic accreditation.
- Cost: Weigh the tuition cost against other programs. According to the NCES, the average annual tuition for psychology programs (which includes counseling) was $16,329 for bachelor’s and $13,263 for master’s programs in 2020-21.
- Affordability: Check out what financial aid opportunities and online learning savings the school offers.
How To Apply To An Online Counseling Program
The application process for an online counseling program varies by school, but they often involve similar steps. Once you’ve selected your schools, confirmed your admission eligibility, and noted the application deadlines, it’s time to start the application process.
- 1
Gather your recommendation letters
You usually need 2-3 recommendation letters from professors or employers who can speak to your abilities and potential. Give your references as much time (at least one month) and information as possible to write their letters.
- 2
Take the GRE or GMAT (if required)
Many schools still require standardized test scores and almost all accept them. Official scores take 8-10 days, plus delivery times, so aim to test at least one month before the application deadline.
- 3
Write your purpose statements (if required)
Your purpose statement should highlight your counseling interests, career goals, and why you’re a strong candidate. Take time to put them together carefully and tailor them to each application.
- 4
Request your transcripts
Order your undergraduate transcripts and have them sent to the schools you apply to early because the process can take weeks. Most schools offer and accept electronic submissions, but check with the admissions department to confirm.
- 5
Complete the application and pay the fee
Take your time filling out the application with your personal information and thoughtful answers to any questions. Most schools have an application and/or processing fee that you also need to pay when you submit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Counseling Programs
Fully online counseling programs feature entirely online lectures, coursework, and in-person clinical requirements. Clinical hours are required to become a licensed counselor and programmatic accreditation, and you can’t properly complete them online. For example, the practicum and internship requirements include several hundred hours of supervised practice in a clinical setting and nearly 300 hours of direct client service.
