This article reflects independent research and editorial judgment. Counseling Accreditation may have affiliate relationships with some programs listed. No payment influences program rankings or “Best For” designations.
This article compares seven CACREP accredited online counseling programs for 2026, written for people changing careers, working adults, current K-12 teachers moving into school counseling, and recent undergraduate psychology graduates.
Why CACREP?
CACREP stands for Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. It is a body that accredits counseling degree programs in the United States. As such, graduating from a CACREP-accredited program provides a streamlined process for national exams, licensure, and interstate portability of licensure.
These seven programs were chosen according to the following methodology. First, they were selected for their CACREP status. Second, they were selected because they were primarily, if not completely, remote programs, allowing students to study from anywhere. In the expanded lists and table below, the reader will see that the universities sometimes include counseling programs which are not CACREP-accredited. When this is the case, it will be explicitly stated.
The table below provides an at-a-glance comparison of each university and program, including accreditation, tuition, delivery format, travel requirements, and estimated completion time.
Quick Picks by Need
| Card | Program | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most supervised practicum hours | Northwestern University, MA in Counseling | Requires a 200-hour practicum. The other programs on this list require 100 hours, the CACREP minimum. |
| Lowest per-credit tuition | University of West Alabama, MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling & MEd School Counseling | At $429 per credit for 60 credits, students can expect an estimated tuition of $25,740 before fees, books, and fieldwork costs. |
| Most specialization options | Walden University, MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Eight specializations within the CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. |
| Live online school counseling classes, no required campus visits | University of Denver, MA School Counseling | 90 quarter credits total, which can be completed in as few as 22 months. The campus immersion is optional. |
As of September 2026
Comparison Table
| Program | CACREP Status | Format | Tuition | Credits / Length | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University, MA in Counseling (Counseling@Northwestern) | Accredited | Live weekly online classes, 2 in-person immersions in Chicago | $5,915/unit (2026–27). Estimated $141,960 total, about $94,600 per year full-time (18 months). | 24 units. 18 months full-time, 36 months part-time. | Most supervised practicum hours on this list (200-hour practicum) |
| Walden University, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Accredited | Online coursework, with live pre-practicum labs (virtual or in person) | $604/credit. Estimated $54,360 total, about $19,800 per year (33-month average). | 90 quarter credits (up to 106 with a specialization). About 33 months on average. | Most specialization options on this list (eight) |
| Sacred Heart University, MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Accredited | Remote coursework, two required 1-week campus residencies | $900/credit. Estimated $54,000 total, about $27,000 per year full-time (2 years). | 60 credits, 2 to 3 years | — |
| University of Denver, MA in School Counseling (Morgridge, SchoolCounseling@Denver) | Accredited | Live weekly online classes, optional campus immersion | $1,102/credit Estimated $99,180 total, about $54,100 per year full-time (22 months). | 90 quarter credits, as few as 22 months full-time. The campus immersion is optional. | Live online school counseling classes, no required campus visits. |
| Butler University, MS in School Counseling | Accredited. Butler’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is not CACREP-accredited. | Fully online, no campus visits required | $700/credit. Estimated $42,000 total, about $21,000 per year on the 2-year track or $14,000 per year on the 3-year track. | 60 credits (66 with dual-licensure electives), about 3 years; accelerated 2-year track available | Optional Indiana dual-licensure route (the added Clinical Mental Health program is not CACREP-accredited) |
| Liberty University, MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Accredited | Online, two required in-person intensives in Virginia (in-person required starting the 2026-2027 Degree Completion Plan) | $600/credit full-time (2026–27). Estimated $36,000 total, about $12,000 per year on the suggested 3-year plan. Part-time rate: $665/credit. | 60 credits. Suggested plan about 3 years; up to 7 years allowed. | Longest allowed completion window (up to 7 years) |
| University of West Alabama, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MEd in School Counseling | Accredited | Online with a required 4-day in-person residency in Livingston, Alabama | $429/credit plus a technology fee $120/semester for both programs Estimated $25,740 total, about $8,600 to $12,900 per year (2 to 3 years). | 60 credits, 2 to 3 years | Lowest per-credit tuition on this list; MEd option for certified teachers |
Tuition as of September 2026. Totals are estimates (per-credit rate times credits) and exclude fees, books, and travel. Per-year figures divide that estimate by the program’s published full-time timeline (Walden: average completion time). Rates may change each year.
What to Consider When Choosing a CACREP-Accredited Online Counseling Program
Even with all of this information, there is the question of what to prioritize and how to choose the program that best fits needs, lifestyle, and goals. Below is a list (not ranked in order of importance) of elements to consider when choosing a program.
- CACREP accreditation status. Of course, this article has focused on providing readers with programs which are CACREP-accredited. So, as of September 2026, these programs will be accredited and up-to-date. However, accreditation status may change over time. When choosing a program, then, the prospective student should check current accreditation status, next reaccreditation date, and whether the online delivery is covered under the parent program’s accreditation. A university itself cannot be CACREP-accredited, only specific programs can. For example, Liberty University as a whole is not CACREP-accredited, but the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling within the university is. Additionally, “accredited” means that the program has undergone the process of accreditation with CACREP, not merely that the program is designed to meet CACREP standards. Meeting standards does not in itself qualify for an accreditation.
- Specialization tracks. You might have noticed that there are two kinds of master’s degrees listed in this article: Master’s of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS). Both can be CACREP-accredited and indicate very little beyond their name, except a slight difference in emphasis on scientific inquiry in the MS. Another detail you might notice is the specialization. CACREP accredits several master’s specialty areas, including Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, Addiction Counseling, Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, and Rehabilitation Counseling. This article covers the two most common online options: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling.
- Format. There are two kinds of formats prioritized here: remote and hybrid/mostly remote. Most counseling programs are in-person at their brick and mortar institutions. It is increasingly popular for programs to respond to the diverse needs of counseling students, however, and this article serves as a guide to remote and hybrid programs. Given the remote nature of these programs, classes may be asynchronous (a recorded lecture with readings to watch on your own time) or synchronous (live classes on set nights of the week , like a traditional school). Finally, there is the question of residencies, internships, and immersions. Some of these programs require that students come in person for certain parts of the clinical program, while others are entirely remote.
- Cost. Cost varies quite a bit, as seen in the table above. Tuition is the per-credit rate multiplied by the number of credits. Schools may also charge separate fees for things like technology, student services, or practicum. Not included in this article is everything the student might need to participate in the program, including adequate technological equipment, books, residency travel and lodging if needed, and so on.
- Practicum and internship. To be CACREP-accredited, a program must require a minimum of 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship. Programs handle this differently, with varying degrees of support.
- Faculty. While most MA programs employ licensed professionals to teach, there may be programs that rely on researchers to teach their courses. Additionally, a program may have a different on-site faculty than their remote faculty.
- Licensure exam preparation. CACREP’s core curriculum areas overlap heavily with what the two major counseling exams cover: the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) and the National Counselor Examination (NCE). Not all programs prepare students equally, and CACREP requires accredited programs to publish exam pass rates, completion rates, and job placement rates each year.
- State licensure portability. Licensure varies by state, and acquiring a professional license in one state does not mean you can practice in another. Therefore, it is important to understand the state that each program is aimed towards. More on this in the section below on the Counseling Compact.
Understanding CACREP Accreditation and Why It Matters
Choosing a program with CACREP accreditation matters because it ensures a certain level of academic and clinical standards are being consistently met, it allows students to more easily become licensed in their state, and it allows for easier transportability of their license to other states. It should be noted that institutions, universities, schools, and colleges are not CACREP-accredited. The programs within those institutions are. For instance, University of Denver is not accredited under CACREP, but their MA in School Counseling program is. It is also important to keep in mind that CACREP is not the only accreditation body out there, so a school which says it is “accredited” by X, Y, or Z accrediting body does not necessarily mean that its counseling programs are specifically CACREP-accredited.
CACREP stands for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, which is a national organization which confers accreditation status on a number of different graduate programs, ranging from Rehabilitation Counseling to Addiction Counseling to School Counseling. Under CACREP, accredited master’s programs require at least 60 semester credit hours (or 90 quarter hours), organized around national standards.
CACREP evaluates the program’s capacity to provide certain educational resources to the students. This includes knowledge and coursework, practicum and internship experiences, qualifications of faculty and supervisors, assessment and program evaluation, and resources (e.g., libraries or IT support) provided to students. It is not a governmental organization, but a national organization within the field of professional counseling, existing alongside other accreditation agencies, such as Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). Ultimately, CACREP ensures an educational framework, not a rigid demand that all programs teach exactly the same things in the same ways. Programs will vary in theoretical framework, specific values, and electives.
CACREP statuses also expire, which means that programs must continually self-evaluate and maintain their accreditation status. For the student, this means two things. First, that a CACREP-accredited program has a built-in process for continual improvement. Second, accreditation runs on a review cycle, so a program’s status can come up for renewal while a student is enrolled. For instance, March 31, 2032 marks the end of the CACREP accreditation cycle at the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Liberty University. Each program’s current status and cycle dates can be checked in the CACREP directory. CACREP-accredited programs do not guarantee licensure. Rather, they decrease uncertainty during the process to gain licensure.
The Counseling Compact and Program Portability
For many years, the field of professional counseling has struggled with transportability and geographical constraints. Until recently, each state has been a more or less self-contained licensing provider with its own set of regulations and processes. With the Counseling Compact, this obstacle is gradually being overcome by adding an additional authorized route to interstate practice. The Compact streamlines the process of transportability. Within the Compact, the counselor can gain the privilege to practice in other states with significantly less bureaucratic burden (submitting transcripts, examination scores, etc.).
As of the publication of this article, there are nine states that are currently operational in the Compact, meaning that they are actively participating in the interstate agreement with each other: Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Wyoming, Arkansas, and Tennessee. The list grows regularly, so it is a good idea to keep updated by viewing the news webpage of the Counseling Compact.
Efforts like this to expand interstate practices of professional counselors mean that students, counselors, and clients would be best served if there was a high degree of regularity in the training of clinicians across state lines. That way, a client in Minnesota would benefit from the same standards as a client in Ohio as far as education and training goes. With its emphasis on education which is organized around a national standard rather than individualized state standards, CACREP accreditation is contributing to the broader movement of professional and clinical consistency throughout the country. You can think of CACREP and the Counseling Compact as two separate legs of a broad movement in the field of professional counseling.
So, while graduation from a CACREP-accredited program does not guarantee Counseling Compact participation, it can make certain aspects of the process move with less uncertainty. The primary piece is program hours requirements. The Compact requires 60 semester credit hours (or 90 quarter hours), and this is mirrored in CACREP’s minimum standards for their accredited programs. Nevertheless, Compact eligibility ultimately rests on the counselor’s license, residence, and other eligibility conditions, not CACREP graduation.
This relationship poses interesting questions for students attending a remote program. It may seem, from the outset, that a remote program may not be tied to any state, and therefore either has automatic access to the Compact or none at all. In fact, there are limitations on these options. The guiding concept within the Compact is that of the “home state.” To qualify for the Compact the counselor must primarily reside in the home state, hold the qualifying independent license issued by that state, and meet the Compact’s other eligibility requirements.
So, while these programs are remote and may not be based in one of the nine states listed above, this shouldn’t present a barrier for an alum to gain privilege to practice if they live and work in a state within the Compact.
For example, let’s say that a professional counselor recently attained their independent license in Ohio. They graduated from Northwestern with an MA in Counseling. Northwestern is physically based in Illinois, but the counselor in question was only there physically for the two intensives throughout their education. For the bulk of their program, they lived in Ohio. Even though Illinois is not an operationally live state in the Counseling Compact, this professional counselor can gain privilege to practice in Minnesota, Arkansas, or any other active state within the Compact.
There are some practical takeaways students pursuing a remote CACREP-accredited counseling program should leave with. First, they should investigate the licensure requirements in the state in which they wish to reside (their prospective “home state”) upon graduation: hours, supervision, examination requirements, and jurisprudence. They should then also check if their prospective home state is actively participating in the Counseling Compact. There is a difference between enacting the Compact and being operational, active, or live in the Compact. The former designates that legislation was passed, the state in question is working on becoming operational. The latter designates that the state is fully participating in the Compact, and is eligible for privilege to practice.
Counseling@Northwestern (MA Counseling, via The Family Institute)
Overview:
The MA program in Counseling at Northwestern grew out of the doctoral program at the institution, and still retains its academic roots. The program prioritizes self-reflection and holistic approaches and stays grounded in psychodynamic therapy, integrating these elements into its supervision and practicum. The 200 hour requirement for practicum adds more supervised clinical experience for the student. The program is built for both full- and part-time students looking for a mostly online program, but requires all of its students to attend two intensives in Chicago.
| Degree | MA in Counseling |
| Credits | 24 units |
| Modality | Mostly synchronous online; two in-person intensives in Chicago |
| Location | Chicago, IL |
| Tuition | $5,915 per unit, with a total estimated tuition of $141,960 |
| Best for | Most supervised practicum hours on this list (200-hour practicum) |
| Program page | https://counseling.northwestern.edu/counseling/ |
CACREP Specializations Offered.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Program Structure:
Largely synchronous (live) courses are often offered in the evening for people who are employed. The program contains 24 courses and is usually completed in 18 months if attended full-time or 36 months if attended part-time.
Cost Breakdown:
For 2026–27, online counseling tuition is $5,915 per unit. At 24 units, the standard curriculum costs approximately $141,960, while the 27-unit Bridge curriculum costs approximately $159,705, excluding fees, books, insurance, clinical-placement expenses, and travel to Chicago for two required immersions.
Faculty and Clinical Support:
Weekly supervision during practicum and internship is included through the program. The Reflective Supervisor model emphasizes therapist self-reflection and increasing self-awareness in the room with clients.
Practicum and Internship Requirements:
Students complete a 200-hour practicum, including at least 50 direct-client hours, followed by a 600-hour internship with at least 240 direct-client hours.
Licensure Exam Prep:
The latest published program data, from 2022–23, report a 96% NCE pass rate among online graduates, although applicants should verify whether newer figures are available. The website does not explicitly state anything regarding exam preparation.
What Students Say:
Testimonials emphasize the self-reflective training during practicum and internship.
Career Outcomes.
Northwestern’s 2022–23 data report an 80% job-placement rate within six months for online graduates.
The Fine Print:
Online students must attend two required two-day immersions in Chicago and complete supervised placements at approved sites; the online designation therefore does not mean the degree can be completed entirely from home.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: CACREP accreditation, a distinctive psychodynamic and relational orientation, extensive clinical supervision, strong NCE results, online full- and part-time options, and the reputation and professional network associated with Northwestern.
Cons: The highest estimated tuition on this list, two required Chicago immersions with travel paid by the student, and published outcome data from 2022–23.
Bottom Line:
The latest publicly displayed completion and employment statistics are also from 2022–23 rather than a recent graduating class. Additionally, the tuition is very high compared to other programs in this list.
University of West Alabama
Overview
University of West Alabama (UWA) has two online mental health counseling programs: MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MEd in School Counseling. Both programs are CACREP accredited online counseling programs. Each is primarily remote, with a required 4 day in person residency in Livingston, Alabama. At $429 per credit for each program, UWA represents a very affordable option on this list while not sacrificing excellence in academics and training.
| Degree | MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC); MEd School Counseling |
| Credits | 60 standard credits |
| Modality | Online, with a required four day in-person residency in Livingston, Alabama |
| Location | Livingston, Alabama |
| Tuition | For CMHC: $429 per credit, $120 per semester technology fee For School Counseling: $429 per credit with a $120 per semester technology fee |
| Best for | Lowest per-credit tuition on this list; MEd option for certified teachers |
| Program page | For CMHC: https://online.uwa.edu/online-degrees/ms-masters-clinical-mental-health-counseling/ For School Counseling: https://online.uwa.edu/online-degrees/med-masters-education-school-counseling/ |
CACREP Specializations Offered.
West Alabama’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MEd in School Counseling are both CACREP-accredited.
Program Structure:
Both programs require 60 semester credits, use primarily eight-week online courses, and are advertised as taking approximately two to three years. Courses combine asynchronous work with scheduled live sessions, particularly in pre-practicum, group counseling, practicum, and internship.
Both programs require a four-day residency on the UWA campus in Livingston, Alabama, as part of the pre-practicum course. Applicants should confirm current residency dates with admissions.
Cost Breakdown:
Both programs are $429 per credit with an additional listed technology fee of $120 per semester for each program. Therefore, the estimated academic cost is $25,740 before books, background checks, examination fees, and fieldwork expenses.
Faculty and Clinical Support:
Faculty are licensed professionals who teach in both programs. Students are assigned a faculty mentor that stays with them throughout their program to support and guide with scheduling, responsibilities, and so on.
Practicum and Internship Requirements:
CMHC students complete a 100-hour practicum, including 40 direct-client hours, followed by 600 internship hours, including 240 direct-client hours. The practicum spans two online terms, and the internship normally spans two full-semester courses.
School-counseling students also complete a 100-hour practicum with 40 direct hours and a 600-hour internship with 240 direct hours. Practicum must be divided evenly between P–6 and grades 7–12, while internship requires at least 100 hours at each developmental level.
Licensure Exam Prep:
UWA participates in the NBCC’s graduate-student examination program, allowing eligible students in their final internship or final courses to take the NCE or NCMHCE before graduation.
The School Counseling MEd requires a satisfactory Praxis II score as its comprehensive examination. The CMHC program requires its own comprehensive evaluation in addition to any optional NCE or NCMHCE participation.
What Students Say:
The official UWA site does not publish any survey or testimonials from students.
Career Outcomes.
UWA’s 2023-24 data shows 69 graduates in the CMHC program and 62 in School Counseling. In CMHC, 83% passed the NCE and 94% found employment after graduation. In School Counseling, 93% passed the Praxis and 84% found employment after graduation. Timelines for post-graduation and whether or not all students were actively looking for work were not included in those published reports.
The Fine Print:
CACREP accredited both UWA programs on January 13, 2024, through March 31, 2032. As of September 2026, CACREP’s directory lists a required progress report on the program’s student-to-faculty ratio.
The CMHC degree is designed to satisfy the common academic components for professional-counselor licensure, but it does not guarantee eligibility in every state. UWA recommends using the six elective credits strategically when another state requires content not included in the core curriculum.
UWA explicitly states that obtaining the MEd in School Counseling does not guarantee a job as a school counselor in any state. Students should consult with their state credentialing agency.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: CACREP accredited; low $25,740 base tuition, 94% reported employment.
Cons: state licensure must be verified, residency format and dates should be confirmed with admissions.
Bottom Line:
UWA’s CMHC program is a strong affordability option with excellent outcomes, including a 94% post-graduation employment rate.
The School Counseling MEd is a strong, affordable option for certified teachers. As with any school counseling program, confirm your state’s credential requirements before enrolling.
Walden University (MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
Overview
Walden was founded in 1970 with the explicit intention of making graduate education more accessible to working adults who wanted to advance their academics and careers. Today, it considers itself a leader in the growing network of online universities. The program emphasizes evidence-based treatment planning, multicultural competence, professional counselor identity, ethical practice, and positive social change. Walden offers eight specializations, allowing students to choose-their-own adventure regarding their career goals!
| Degree | MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
| Credits | 90 quarter credits for general degree, up to 106 credits for a specialization |
| Modality | 100% online with the option of selecting in-person labs. Synchronous labs if online. |
| Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Tuition | $604 per credit, with Walden’s published total program cost of 54,435–54,635 (includes labs and fees) |
| Best for | Most specialization options on this list (eight) |
| Program page | https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/ms-in-clinical-mental-health-counseling |
Specializations (within the CACREP-accredited CMHC program).
Walden offers eight specializations: Addiction Counseling; Forensic Counseling; Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling; Military, Families, and Culture; Play Therapy; Rehabilitation Counseling; Telehealth Counseling, Private Practice, and Supervision; Trauma and Crisis Counseling.
Program Structure:
The general MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is 90 credits. Some of the specializations can take this to 106 credits, with an average (overall, including all tracks) being 33 months to complete.
Cost Breakdown:
Walden lists the 90 credit General Program at $54,435–$54,635, including tuition, two pre-practicum labs, and estimated program fees; books and materials may add as much as $4,500.
Faculty and Clinical Support:
The program is taught by doctorally prepared faculty and uses faculty mentorship, virtual counseling simulations, small-group labs, and pre-practicum intensives to develop clinical skills. Walden also advertises step-by-step support as students move into their community-based field placements.
Practicum and Internship Requirements:
Students complete a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship, with field experience extending across three academic quarters. They must also complete two six-week pre-practicum labs—each containing a three-day synchronous intensive and a nine-week group lab with 14 hours of live group participation.
Licensure Exam Prep:
Walden explicitly states that the CACREP-accredited curriculum is designed to prepare graduates to qualify for licensure examinations. In the 2024-25 self-published outcomes, Walden reported 63% of students who took the NCE passed.
What Students Say:
Walden does not publish student testimonials on their website.
Career Outcomes.
Of the 87% that answered the 2024-25 survey, 57% reported being employed or admitted to a doctoral program around the time of graduation.
The Fine Print:
Walden’s degree is CACREP-accredited, but the university explicitly states that it cannot guarantee licensure in every state; students remain responsible for confirming their state’s educational and clinical requirements.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: CACREP accreditation, several specialization options, comparatively transparent pricing, online coursework designed for working adults, virtual or in-person pre-practicum intensives, and specific clinical-placement support.
Cons: A 63% reported NCE pass rate, a 40% five-year graduation rate for the reported cohort, no detailed graduate salary or employer data, and substantial clinical and synchronous requirements despite the online format.
Bottom Line:
Walden is a fairly flexible program for students who are employed but are seeking synchronous labs. The eight specializations are what makes it stand out, allowing students to pursue a unique clinical pathway.
Butler University
Overview
The online MS in School Counseling program at Butler University is very young, being founded in 2023. However, its MS in School Counseling in-person dates back to 1997. Located in Indianapolis, the program is 100% online with the potential to gain a dual-track licensure in Clinical Mental Health (a program which is not CACREP-accredited).
| Degree | MS in School Counseling |
| Credits | 60 standard, 66 for the Indiana dual-licensure route |
| Modality | 100% online, mostly asynchronous |
| Location | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Tuition | $700 per credit, with a total estimated tuition of $42,000. |
| Best for | Optional Indiana dual-licensure route (the added Clinical Mental Health program is not CACREP-accredited) |
| Program page | https://educationonline.butler.edu/programs/masters-school-counseling/ |
CACREP Specializations Offered.
School Counseling.
Program Structure:
The program consists of 60 credits, which is typically completed in three years (or eight semesters). There is an accelerated six semester track available. The majority of the coursework is online and asynchronous. However, there are opportunities to collaborate with other students on projects in a synchronous format as well as required synchronous meetings during practicum and internship.
Cost Breakdown:
The per-credit tuition is listed at $700 Fee. Assuming a student completes the 60 credit program, the estimated final for coursework is $42,000. Fees, books, and supplies are not included in that estimate.
Faculty and Clinical Support:
Teaching faculty at Butler all have experience working in school counseling settings as well as some doing research. Students are assigned a field-placement coordinator to help guide the student in finding a practicum and internship placement.
Practicum and Internship Requirements:
Students complete a 100-hour practicum followed by two 300-hour internships, producing at least 700 hours of school-counseling field experience.
Licensure Exam Prep:
Butler has a unique examination prep built into its program. Rather than having a course specific for exam prep or advertising preparation in name only, it has embedded comprehensive examinations throughout the curriculum, preparing students to take exams over time. This strategy pays off according to Butler’s published data regarding examinations: For 2024–25, Butler reported a 100% state-licensure examination pass rate and 100% National Counselor Examination pass rate among graduates.
What Students Say:
Butler publishes internal student feedback rather than hand-picked testimonials. These internal surveys indicate that students feel generally supported and included, that the practicum and internship phase is valuable, and that there is a clear link between coursework and the clinical practice. Students also note that the workload feels overwhelming at times, and communication between staff and students is sometimes inconsistent.
Career Outcomes.
Butler’s 2024–25 CACREP report lists 10 graduates, a 90% completion rate, and a 100% job-placement rate among graduates actively seeking school-counseling employment. The 2025–26 report lists five online graduates, four of whom were employed; the fifth was still deciding on a preferred setting and was not actively pursuing employment, which is effectively 100% among active job seekers.
The Fine Print:
The curriculum leads directly toward Indiana school-counselor licensure, not automatic licensure nationwide. Applicants living elsewhere must review their state’s requirements and may need to sign an acknowledgment if Butler’s program does not fully satisfy them.
Butler also offers a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a program which began in August of 2026. It is currently not CACREP-accredited. Students at Butler can take the Indiana dual-licensure route. This route bumps credits to 66 and sets up a student for licensure in each profession within the state of Indiana.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: CACREP-accredited school-counseling specialty, relatively modest tuition, optional Indiana dual-licensure route, strong early exam and employment results.
Cons: Licensure alignment is clearest in Indiana, some students reported excessive assignments and unclear administrative communication, online-only outcome data come from very small, early graduating cohorts.
Bottom Line:
Butler offers a relatively affordable option for pursuing an MS in School Counseling, with a clear pathway to Indiana licensure. It is a very small, new program, which has both pros and cons. Its optional Indiana dual-licensure route sets it apart on this list, though the added Clinical Mental Health program is not CACREP-accredited.
Sacred Heart University (MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
Overview
The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Sacred Heart is very new, being founded in 2020. The program’s values include holistic approaches to mental health, accessibility, evidence-based practice, and training ethically sound professionals. It is primarily online with two week-long intensives in Connecticut.
| Degree | MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
| Credits | 60 standard credits |
| Modality | “Low- residency program”: Courses are taught online, and students attend two week-long residencies in Connecticut. |
| Location | Fairfield, Connecticut |
| Tuition | $900 per credit, with a total estimated tuition of $54,000. |
| Best for | Students who are looking for mostly online education along with low-residency in-person training |
| Program page | https://www.sacredheart.edu/majors–programs/clinical-mental-health-counseling—ma/ |
CACREP Specializations Offered.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Program Structure:
The degree requires a minimum of 60 graduate credits. Sacred Heart estimates that students generally finish in two to three years, with full-time students potentially completing it in two years and part-time students taking longer. The majority of the program is online, excluding two week-long residency programs in Connecticut.
Cost Breakdown:
Sacred Heart lists tuition at $900 per credit, producing an estimated base tuition of $54,000 for 60 credits (this is, importantly, an estimation based on per-credit tuition). Students should also budget separately for books, fees, and travel and lodging associated with the two Connecticut residencies; the program page says scholarships are not currently available.
Faculty and Clinical Support:
The faculty consists of doctoral and master’s-level instructors licensed in clinical work. During clinical courses, students receive group supervision from program faculty, individual supervision from an approved site supervisor, and feedback from classmates and instructors.
Practicum and Internship Requirements:
Students complete a 100-hour practicum, including at least 40 hours of direct client service. This is followed by two 300-hour internship experiences (600 hours total for internship), each requiring at least 120 direct-service hours, for a program total of 700 clinical hours and 280 direct-service hours.
Licensure Exam Prep:
Students must pass the program’s Counselor Education Comprehensive Examination before graduating. Sacred Heart is also an approved participating university for NBCC examinations, allowing eligible students to pursue certification and take the NCE or NCMHCE during their final internship.
What Students Say:
Students praise the accessibility of faculty, the flexibility of asynchronous coursework, cohort relationships, technical support, and the opportunity to discuss clinical cases during supervised internships.
Career Outcomes.
The program publishes its outcomes, the most recent from 2024-2025 graduates: 96% completion rate, 100% NCE/licensure-examination pass rate, and 100% job-placement rate. However, it should be noted that methodology and exclusion criteria were not explicitly included in the published data.
The Fine Print:
Sacred Heart has comparatively strict rules around GPA: a grade below B- must be repeated, and three grades below B- can result in dismissal. Applicants and students should also confirm whether the curriculum meets their state’s educational requirements, since some states require additional electives. Finally, students must account for the cost and scheduling demands of two week-long Connecticut residencies.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: CACREP accreditation, a 60-credit licensure-oriented curriculum, a two-year full-time option, substantial supervised clinical experience, and some in-person skills training despite the online format.
Cons: no formal specialization choices, potentially additional state-specific coursework, limited scholarship availability, and published career outcomes that lack detailed methodology. Students should treat the estimated $54,000 tuition as a starting figure rather than the program’s complete cost.
Bottom Line:
The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Sacred Heart maintains an academic atmosphere in which students excel in their studies and achieve comparatively competitive job placement and examination scores. It requires two week-long intensives, which can be either a positive or a negative depending on any given student’s needs and resources.
University of Denver, Morgridge College of Education (MA School Counseling)
Overview
Physically located next to the Rockies in Denver, University of Denver (DU) offers a fully online, synchronous program for MA in School Counseling. It began in 2019 and boasts excellent graduation, employment, and examination data for graduates. It is a fully remote program with no required visits to Colorado. Staff will assist students in finding local (to them) schools for practicum and internship placement.
| Degree | MA in School Counseling |
| Credits | 60 standard credits (equivalent to 90 quarter credits) |
| Modality | 100% online, no required campus visits |
| Location | Denver, Colorado |
| Tuition | $1,102 per credit |
| Best for | Live online school counseling classes, no required campus visits. |
| Program page | https://morgridgeonline.du.edu/masters-school-counseling/ |
CACREP Specializations Offered.
None outside of Master of Arts in School Counseling.
Program Structure:
The program consists of 90 quarter credit hours, which DU identifies as 60 credit hours. Students can choose tracks of varying lengths, ranging from 22 months to four years.
Cost Breakdown:
DU lists tuition at $1,102 per credit for 2026–27. At 90 quarter credits, the estimated base tuition is $99,180. This estimate does not include fees, books, fieldwork-related expenses, or future rate increases, since DU sets tuition rates each academic year.
Faculty and Clinical Support:
Core faculty all graduated from CACREP-accredited programs with varying specializations: grief, family, trauma, and others. Placement includes weekly group supervision with students and faculty.
Practicum and Internship Requirements:
Students complete 700 total fieldwork hours in P–12 school settings: a 100-hour practicum followed by two 300-hour internships. The 600 internship hours must include at least 240 hours of direct student or client contact. Each student is assigned a placement specialist three months before practicum begins to ensure a good fit is found.
Licensure Exam Prep:
The program reports credentialing-exam pass rates of 100% for 2024–25, 95% for 2023–24, and 100% in each of the two preceding reporting years. These results include exams such as the Praxis, but not every state requires graduates to take an examination.
What Students Say:
Former students report that the coursework is demanding and feels full, but still manageable while working full-time and/or parenting. Testimonials also emphasize faculty support, collaboration with classmates, advocacy, and the program’s focus on social justice.
Career Outcomes.
Defined as “employed as a school counselor within the first year of graduation,” DU reports a 90% employment rate among the 19 graduates for whom it had employment information among the 2024–25 graduating cohort.
The Fine Print:
Post-graduation and licensing credential requirements vary by state, so applicants should use DU’s state disclosures before enrolling. Fieldwork generally requires 10–20 hours per week during regular school hours, which may conflict with full-time employment.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: CACREP-accredited school-counseling curriculum, fully online coursework with no mandatory Denver residency, live/synchronous classes rather than entirely independent coursework, placement assistance for local practicum and internship sites.
Cons: The highest per-credit rate among the credit-based programs on this list, fieldwork during school hours that may conflict with full-time work, and a school counseling focus that does not by itself lead to LPC licensure.
Bottom Line:
The MA in School Counseling at DU is a well-regarded program across the nation with strong staff and faculty support. Its fully online structure allows students to complete coursework from home, subject to DU’s state disclosures. Courses are known to be rigorous, but support is provided and an emphasis is placed on equity and accessibility.
Liberty University
Overview
The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University is a mostly remote, asynchronous program with two in-person intensives in Virginia. It is a comparatively large (student population-wise) program and integrates a Christian perspective into its education and training.
| Degree | MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
| Credits | 60 standard |
| Modality | Online, mostly asynchronous; two required in-person intensives in Virginia |
| Location | Lynchburg, Virginia |
| Tuition | $600 per credit, with a total estimated tuition of $36,000. |
| Best for | Longest allowed completion window (up to 7 years) |
| Program page | https://www.liberty.edu/online/behavioral-sciences/masters/professional-counseling/ |
CACREP Specializations Offered.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Program Structure:
The program requires 60 semester credits. Liberty’s suggested full-time plan distributes the curriculum across six semesters, or approximately three years, although students can adjust their pace and have up to seven years to finish. There are two in-person intensives that require travel to Virginia to attend for all students.
Cost Breakdown:
For 2026–27, Liberty lists graduate tuition at $600 per credit for full-time students and $665 per credit for part-time students. This does not include additional fees, books, or travel expenses. With these per credit costs, we could estimate full-time tuition at $36,000 and part-time at $39,900.
Faculty and Clinical Support:
Liberty has two directors assigned to the online CMHC program, a director and associate directors of clinical training, practicum and internship coordinators, gate coordinators, and a large counseling faculty.
While there is a sizable faculty at Liberty, it should be noted that the student population is considerably larger than many other programs, with a reported 8,560 enrolled online CMHC students in 2024-25. This size is reflected in some student feedback, with many students noting slow response times and inaccessible staff.
Practicum and Internship Requirements:
Students complete a 100-hour practicum, including at least 40 direct-client hours, followed by 600 internship hours over two semesters.
Identifying an appropriate site for these hours is done by the student, using an approved list from Liberty.
Licensure Exam Prep:
Students must pass both the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination and Liberty’s Integration Examination to graduate. The CPCE covers eight CACREP knowledge areas, and Liberty supplies exam information and study guides. The online program’s 2024–25 credentialing-examination pass rate was 82.39%.
What Students Say:
Liberty’s published student surveys indicate good overall experiences and confidence in recommending prospective students to study there. However, as mentioned above, only 52.86% found their faculty advising mentor accessible and helpful, and 29.73% said some content was not well suited to online delivery. Liberty reported taking steps to improve faculty communication and advising in response.
Career Outcomes.
For 2024-25, Liberty reported 1,317 graduates and a 98.63% job-placement rate among alumni-survey respondents.
The Fine Print:
Liberty states that the program complies with Virginia licensure requirements, but educational requirements vary elsewhere. Students should check Liberty’s state-by-state disclosure and confirm directly with their licensing board before enrolling. The program is explicitly Christian and integrates spirituality into both the curriculum and graduation examinations. That may be a significant advantage for students seeking faith-integrated counselor education and a poor fit for students who want a religiously neutral curriculum.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Comparatively affordable $36,000 full-time base tuition, large selection of faculty and administrative personnel, very large alumni population and national geographic reach.
Cons: Two required intensives require travel to Virginia, students are substantially responsible for securing clinical placements, very large enrollment may limit personalized attention, strict fieldwork deadlines can delay progression if missed.
Bottom Line:
Liberty offers a nationally recognized program for Clinical Mental Health Counseling at a relatively affordable rate. Its huge student population is a benefit in some areas (networking, geographical reach, diversity) and a drawback in others (individualized training, staff responsiveness). The integration of Christianity into its counseling training might likewise be a benefit for some and a drawback for others.
How to Apply and What to Expect After Admission
- Though each program will have its own process for admission to some degree. Application steps are often similar across CACREP programs, though each school sets its own process.
- Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) used to be very commonplace in graduate school admission processes. The GRE is a standardized exam taken before being admitted to graduate school and consists of verbal and quantitative reasoning with an essay. These days, the GRE is optional at most CACREP accredited online counseling programs and required by few. None of the seven programs in this article require the GRE for admission.
- With each of these programs, students are expected to submit official undergraduate transcripts. Many programs also request letters of recommendation and a personal statement explaining the applicant’s experiences, career goals, and interest in counseling. The number and preferred sources of recommendation letters vary by institution. Some programs may also use recorded video essays or interviews.
- Once everything is submitted, there will be some waiting. How much waiting differs, considerably, depending on the program. Some programs have rolling admissions without a cohort model, while others only begin in the fall with a cohort model. These differences will drastically affect wait times and decision windows. The shortest wait time comes from Liberty, which does academic reviews every 2 days and has eight annual admissions. In that case, a student could technically apply and begin classes very soon after. On the other extreme is Northwestern, with a traditional cohort model and longer decision windows. DU reviews applications on a rolling basis with three start dates a year (January, June, and September).
- Since some of the seven programs listed have in-person residency or immersion requirements, scheduling these far in advance are important first steps of the program. Depending on the institution, these experiences may last from several days to one week.
- After admission, the student will usually attend some kind of orientation experience, meet with their cohort and their faculty advisor to discuss scheduling, classes, and other individualized details. Because counseling curricula are carefully sequenced (i.e., core courses must be completed before practicum and internship), early advising can help students understand when courses, residencies, practicum, and internship requirements must be completed.
How to Choose the Right Program for You
Choosing the right program for any given students’ specific needs and background is important. For the career changer, Northwestern would provide a solid foundation and advanced study for psychology and clinical practice with excellent instruction. For the working teacher moving into school counseling, UWA’s MEd program is explicitly designed for being comparatively affordable and for making this transition. For the budget-constrained student or reader, UWA again comes in first, with the most affordable counseling program. For the student who cannot travel, Butler’s MS in School Counseling has no travel requirements, while the MS in Clinical Mental Health at Walden would work just as well for a different kind of education. However, both Butler and Walden still require students to complete in-person practicum and internship experiences at approved local (to the student) sites.
As a graduate from an in-person CACREP accredited counseling program, my personal recommendation is coming from my own background and experience. I believe in the power of programs to form excellent and well-rounded clinicians. If there were no specific travel or tuition limitations, Northwestern would stand out to me as the most excellent program to enter into the field. It also stands out uniquely as being rooted in a psychodynamic orientation. With typical constraints of cost and travel, UWA stands out to me as providing a balance of good training within reasonable practical considerations. Ultimately, the “best” program for each student is not dependent upon the school’s reputation or cost, it is the program that fits the student’s intended career, state licensure requirements, financial circumstances, and ability to complete residency obligations.
Conclusion
Choosing an online counseling program is a decision about your license as much as your degree. CACREP accreditation gives you a clear, national standard to start from, but your state board sets the rules you will actually practice under. Before you enroll, confirm the program’s current status in the CACREP directory, check your state’s requirements for supervised hours and exams, and count the cost of any required travel alongside tuition. To see what your state will expect from your degree, start with our guide to counseling licensure requirements. To see what your state will expect from your degree, use our licensure requirements check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not in every state. Some states require a CACREP-accredited degree, while others accept equivalent coursework, so check with your state licensing board.
Yes, in many states, there are other accreditation bodies out there, and licensure is not dependent upon any specific one. For instance, many programs are accredited by Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) which prepares students for licensure.
Length will vary depending on how part-time the student is. Among the programs reviewed here, Northwestern’s part-time track takes about 36 months, and Liberty allows up to seven years.
Some of them do, not all of them. The programs which require in-person residencies on this list are Northwestern, Liberty, Sacred Heart, and University of West Alabama, as of September 2026. Walden’s labs can be completed virtually or in person, and DU’s immersion is optional.
This varies by program. On this list, the lowest tuition is around $25,000 at University of West Alabama and the highest is around $141,000 at Northwestern.
It depends. Some programs listed above prepare students for licensure in that specific state (see the “Fine Print” section on each school above if this is the case). On the whole, however, CACREP-accredited master’s programs are designed to be able to be translated more easily into other states. But this does not mean that CACREP is explicitly tied to the Counseling Compact or reciprocity.
There are different examinations to take to get licensed, and one or the other is typically required by specific states. Which exam is required depends on the state, so check your state licensing board. Many counselors take the exam after they graduate, though some programs, such as UWA and Sacred Heart, allow eligible students to test before graduation from their master’s program during the time period in which they are collecting clinical hours.
The Compact is an interstate agreement that allows counselors to gain privilege to practice in states other than their home state (the state in which they primarily reside). If you live and work in a state which is part of the Compact, you can more easily gain privilege to practice without gaining a whole other license. A privilege to practice still requires an application and fees, and some states require a jurisprudence exam. If you do not live in a state which is operational within the Compact, it will not affect your ability to work in multiple states.
Resources
- UWA CACREP entries: https://www.cacrep.org/program/auto-draft-170/ and https://www.cacrep.org/program/auto-draft-179/
- CACREP directory: https://www.cacrep.org/directory (one entry per program)
- Program pages: the links already in each deep dive
- DU tuition: https://morgridgeonline.du.edu/masters-school-counseling/tuition-financial-aid/
- UWA handbooks (four-day residency):
- Counseling Compact: https://counselingcompact.gov/
- BLS:
- NBCC: https://www.nbcc.org
- Northwestern
- Walden
- Sacred Heart
- University of Denver
- Butler
- https://educationonline.butler.edu/programs/masters-school-counseling/
- https://educationonline.butler.edu/programs/masters-school-counseling/tuition/
- https://educationonline.butler.edu/programs/masters-school-counseling/state-restrictions/
- https://educationonline.butler.edu/programs/masters-mental-health-counseling/
- https://educationonline.butler.edu/programs/masters-mental-health-counseling/tuition
- Liberty
- University of West Alabama