Do you want to help people address issues that are affecting their lives? Do you want a versatile degree that allows you to pursue various careers across many settings? If so, attending a counseling program and earning a counseling degree may offer an ideal pathway.
Explore the top counseling programs, typical counselor job duties, salary ranges, and licensing requirements with this in-depth guide.
Featured Online Counseling Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Best Counseling Programs
See Our Rankings Methodology
#1 The Best Counseling Programs of 2024
East Central University
- Ada, OK
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $322
Out-of-State | $639
Credits to Graduate: 124
Oklahoma's East Central University offers a bachelor's in human services counseling program students can complete online in 2-4 years. Learners can concentrate on counseling or rehabilitation. The broad-based counseling option prepares graduates for entry-level counselor positions. The rehabilitation concentration trains disability specialists who can focus on clients' addictive, behavioral, and physical challenges.
Students earn 44 credits of general education and 24 credits of core counseling courses, including fieldwork. The remaining credits comprise concentration and elective classes. East Central University accepts up to 94 transfer credits.
Percent Online Enrollment
78%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#2 The Best Counseling Programs of 2024
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
- Cincinnati, OH
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $6,785
Out-of-State | $6,965
Credits to Graduate: 60-120
The University of Cincinnati's bachelor's in substance use counseling program trains professionals to help people overcome drug and alcohol addictions and meets academic requirements for licensure in Ohio and many other states. Designed for both full-time students and working professionals interested in advancing their careers, coursework is entirely online and can take less than three years to complete.
The curriculum includes clinical assessment and diagnostics, developing cultural competencies, pharmacology, and societal factors associated with substance use. Existing substance abuse counselors may receive credit for their work experience.
Percent Online Enrollment
66%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#3 The Best Counseling Programs of 2024
Toccoa Falls College
- Toccoa Falls, GA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $380 for online students; $11,625 per semester for full-time (12-19 credits), on-campus study
Credits to Graduate: 126
Students majoring in counseling psychology at Toccoa Falls College can study on campus or online and choose between concentrations in counseling in ministry or social work. Learners can also minor in marriage and family counseling or psychology. The curriculum prepares graduates to enter helping professions or for graduate study. Courses include Christ-centered counseling, crisis and trauma therapy, counseling for addictions, and premarital and marital counseling.
Graduates can qualify for positions as counseling psychologists, clinical social workers, group counselors, and school counselors.
Percent Online Enrollment
65%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 The Best Counseling Programs of 2024
Arizona Christian University
- Glendale, AZ
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $450 for online students; $16,249 per semester for full-time (12-18 credits), on-campus study
Credits to Graduate: 62 (plus liberal arts foundation courses)
The bachelor's in behavioral health concentration in counseling at Arizona Christian University features emphasis areas in counseling or coaching. Counseling students focus on practical skills for the workforce or graduate studies. Coaching centers on helping clients with individual personal growth. Both options integrate psychology and the Christian faith and require 135 internship hours.
Core courses include Christian integration in practice, general principles of psychology, group counseling, coaching principles, and human development. The Glendale, Arizona-based program offers online or on-campus study.
Out-of-state
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
24%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#5 The Best Counseling Programs of 2024
University of Massachusetts Global
- Irvine, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $500
Credits to Graduate: 120
The University of Massachusetts Global offers a bachelor's in psychology, which prepares interested students for counseling graduate programs. The online curriculum provides the foundation for entry into a master's program in marriage and family therapy or professional clinical counseling.
Courses emphasize different aspects of counseling, and learners focus on applying psychological theories to real life, preventing mental disorders, working with various populations, and understanding individual differences in normal and abnormal behaviors and mental and emotional health.
Percent Online Enrollment
99%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Featured Counseling Programs
Why Enroll in a Counseling Program?
Counseling is one of the key helping professions. Counselors assist people to identify and address problems that are affecting their lives. They work in many settings and specialties, such as family and marriage, health, substance misuse, and school and career counseling. An online bachelor's counseling program can prepare you to pursue work directly in the counseling field or continue into a master's program.
Each state maintains specific regulations for counseling licenses and scope of practice, including who can carry the professional title of counselor. Check your state or the state where you would like to practice to make sure you understand the requirements.
How Much Does a Counseling Program Cost?
The cost of attending a counseling program depends on several factors, including location, prestige, and financial aid availability. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that, in 2021-2022, the average annual cost of attendance for a bachelor's degree was $30,031 — $21,878 at public schools and $47,962 for private schools. These figures include tuition and fees, along with room and board.
Attending a counseling program online can help you save on costs like travel, relocation, and rent. You may have additional costs to cover a reliable high-speed internet connection, textbooks, and supplies.
Break down your current financial situation, and receive a college tuition estimate you can afford to pay.
Common Courses in Counseling Programs
During your counseling program, you will complete general education courses, specialized classes, and fieldwork observations. Coursework explores ways to apply theoretical concepts, along with effective and ethical practice. You may also be able to pursue a formal or informal concentration focused on a particular type of counseling or client population.
Common courses in undergraduate counseling programs include:
- Mental Wellness Assessment: In this course, learners explore standardized ways of assessing mental well-being and their strengths and weaknesses, along with when and how to apply them.
- Social and Emotional Development: This key class explains how humans develop through their lifetime as individuals and members of society. Coursework covers healthy developmental stages, along with typical challenges and milestones.
- Cultural Competence in Counseling: This course develops your ability to provide counseling for people across many backgrounds. Instructors focus on gender, race, and ethnicity, including ways to work effectively and ethically across cultures.
Career and Salary Outlook for Counseling Program Graduates
Most counseling careers require a degree from a master's in counseling program. As a bachelor's degree-holder, you may still be able to work in a counseling setting, depending on state regulations and certification requirements. Check with your state to confirm regulations and requirements.
Substance Misuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor
Substance misuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors conduct assessments of patient needs, establish counseling objectives, and help clients find solutions for their challenges. Substance misuse counseling has a particularly wide range of state requirements. These counselors may work as independent practitioners in healthcare or for government agencies, among other options.
Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $53,710
Projected Growth Rate (2023-2033): +19%
School and Career Counselor
School and career counselors work with middle, high, and college students. They may also assist adults as independent practitioners. Many counseling programs have specialty tracks for this subset of the field. Depending on your state, you may be able to practice as a career advisor or coach without an advanced degree.
Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $61,710
Projected Growth Rate (2022-2032): +4%
Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation counselors work with people who have experienced serious accidents or illnesses. They help patients understand and respond to the life changes that the accident or health conditions have caused. In addition to general healthcare and independent practice settings, rehabilitation counselors may specialize and work in the military or teams of first responders. Not all counseling programs have extensive coursework in this area.
Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $44,040
Projected Growth Rate (2021-2031): +2%
Marriage and Family Therapist
These therapists help couples and families understand and resolve conflicts. Their work often involves one-on-one meetings with each spouse or family member, as well as sessions with both spouses or all family members. This concentration ranks among the most popular pathways in counseling programs.
Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $58,510
Projected Growth Rate (2021-2031): +16%
Certifications and Licensure for Counseling
Many states require counselors to hold licensure to practice. Licensing requirements vary by state but typically include a master's degree and at least 2,000 hours of supervised clinical practice. In addition to licensure, counselors can pursue optional certifications to demonstrate their skills and advance their careers. The three counseling certifications below accept bachelor's-trained applicants.
A candidate for this credential must hold a bachelor's degree in human services from an accredited college or university, along with at least 1,000 hours of professional sexuality counseling experience.
Each candidate must hold an accredited mental health bachelor's degree. They need to complete a pre-training webinar, a five-day onsite course, and other post-training requirements to earn certification.
To qualify for this credential, a candidate must hold a bachelor's degree in counseling or a related field, along with a state-issued credential in the field and 6,000 hours of relevant work experience.
Additional Counseling Resources
Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Careers
What is the difference between a therapist and a counselor?
In general, a therapist helps in the short term to identify and address problems that affect an individual's internal emotions and behavior. Counseling focuses more on providing support for interpersonal interactions and ongoing advice.
What is the best degree for a counseling career?
The best degree for a counseling career is typically a master's degree. This degree level meets licensing requirements in most states. Master's counseling programs also offer more specialization opportunities than bachelor's programs.
What skills do you need to be a counselor?
Some necessary skills to become a counselor include communication abilities, empathy, attention to detail, and cross-cultural competence. Good counseling programs teach these in both theory and practice.
How long does it take to complete a counseling degree?
Full-time students typically take four years to complete most bachelor-level counseling programs and an additional 2-3 years to complete a master's counseling program. If you have advanced placement credits, an associate degree, or other college credits, you may be able to finish faster. Part-time enrollment extends these timelines.
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