20 Best Online Masters in Counseling

Let’s talk! In the last decade, Masters degrees in Counseling have evolved their schools of thought. Counseling and therapy have become recognized as not only a means to help the individual but, more broadly, as a means to bring about social change. But how do you go about finding the best online Masters in Counseling programs? A Masters in Counseling provides a multitude of opportunities for graduates from life coaches, psychotherapists, career counselors, and school counselors who help their clients cope with serious mental health issues like chronic anxiety and depression, physical illness, and trauma. A counseling Masters is a rewarding career path that can fetch a healthy salary, as well. However, there are great variations depending on which geographical area you work in and the type of institution you work for. Although students with bachelors degrees will be able to attain entry-level counseling and social work positions, to qualify for a state license, they must complete graduate training. The best online Masters in Counseling programs offer advanced training in areas such as psychotherapy and treatment of trauma disorders without the student having to adjust their living location to attend their dream school. Here, we outline the 20 best online Masters in Counseling programs, so you can get started on your career from the comfort of your own home. What is a Masters in Counseling Degree?   A Masters in Counseling degree can either fall under a Masters of Science or a Masters of Art, depending on the institution. At some schools, students are required to choose a specialization such as a School Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Some Universities allow dual specializations, and there is usually some crossover with the course credits.   The average amount of credit hours is 60, with courses ranging from Sociocultural Considerations in Counseling to courses on Autism and Grief and Loss. Students are generally required to have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, but some universities will consider applicants with relevant real-world experience in counseling. The average required GPA for undergraduate admissions is 3.0, but some schools will consider those with lower scores if they submit a writing sample and have some prior experience in counseling. Masters in Counseling graduates usually go on to take state licensure exams to fetch jobs with higher salary potentials.   In this case, potential students may favor schools that have accreditation, the most common being the CACREP: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, which aids students in meeting the requirements to gain licensure after graduation. Careers for Masters in Counseling   According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for trained clinical mental health counselors have a growth projection of 20% from 2016 to 2026, which will create 51,600 jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor projects a 22% growth for mental health counselors through 2028, which is above average for all job fields. Insurance companies are offering more and more coverage for mental health services, and therefore, the federal government, and community clinics and hospitals are hiring more mental health counseling staff to respond to this increase in demand. Careers for Masters in Counseling graduates are diverse and range from Substance Abuse, Behavioural Disorder, and Mental Health Counseling, to School Counseling and Art Therapy. Most jobs will require graduates to obtain licensure and complete additional clinical fieldwork hours.   Online Masters in Counseling Salary Potential   According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics and Payscale, the earning potential for a Masters in Counseling varies based on career choice. A licensed professional counselor can earn between $35,000 to $64,000, with an average salary of $47,000. For mental health counselors, salaries range between $28,000 and $73,000, with an average income of $45,000. Marriage and family therapists can earn up to $73,000, with an entry-level salary of $28,000. School and career counselors can earn up to $92,000, with an average of $56,000 and an entry-level salary of $34,000. After getting your Masters, you are required to obtain a license before beginning to practice therapy for some job positions. For example, two standard licenses are Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT). Some students even obtain dual licensure as an LPC and LMFT. Most state licensing boards require a Masters degree, testing, and some also require additional post-graduate course work requirements.   Certifications in various counseling modalities such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), can help graduates expand their counseling abilities. The more skills a graduate has, the more jobs he/she will be well-suited for. There are several different certifications similar to EMDR, which involve a specific approach to therapy. What are the 20 Best Online Masters in Counseling Programs? We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue, but you may not know where to start. The editors of College Rank utilize a unique ranking methodology based on the following three aspects: 40% Potential Salary After Graduation: Average mid-career salary of school alumni 30% Institutional Accreditation: Regional and national accreditation for the 2019-2020 school year 30% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school At College Rank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. Please feel free to visit our dedicated methodology page for a step-by-step breakdown. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@collegerank.net. 1Wake Forest UniversityLocationWinston-Salem, North CarolinaAverage Net Price$27,354More Information Wake Forest University offers two focused online Masters in Counseling programsin Clinical Health, and in School Counseling. With the Online Masters in Counseling Clinical Mental Health program, students learn the skills to work with individuals who are experiencing mental health issues from substance abuse to family issues. Through the development of therapeutic relationships and learning clinical skills, students are prepared to drive positive change on both a personal and community level. The focus here is learning how to create therapeutic relationships and specialized clinical skills.   If a student chooses to take the School Counseling Masters route, they are prepared to provide support for the most vulnerable groupschildren and their families. The program helps students develop the skills necessary to collaborate with educators in order to provide the best care for school children, improve their quality of life at home and in school, and boost their academic success. Both of the Masters paths at Wake Forest are CACREP-accredited, and graduates have a history of high acceptance rates in reputable doctorate programs. The 60-hour online programs also offer clinical instruction, as well as internship and practicum opportunities. Offering teachings from nationally renowned leaders in counseling, Wake Forest is committed to providing students with the highest quality education, and their graduates have a 95% pass rate on the national counselor exam.