Best Online School Counseling Programs for 2027
Updated August 29, 202625+ min read

Best Online School Counseling Programs for 2027

Compare accredited programs by cost, completion time, and licensure outcomes to find your ideal fit.

What you’ll learn in this article…

  • CACREP accredited online school counseling programs require 600 supervised field hours, and no program can waive that.
  • The national median salary for school and career counselors was $65,140 as of May 2024 BLS data.
  • Graduate certificates in school counseling range from 12 to 36 credits, suiting professionals who already hold a related master's.
  • BLS projects roughly 29,100 annual openings for school counselors through 2033, reflecting steady demand nationwide.

A traditional on-campus master's and an online school counseling program lead to the same state credential, but the logistics diverge sharply. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4% job growth for school and career counselors from 2023 to 2033, with roughly 29,100 annual openings. Across 29 ranked schools, the list below spans both full master's programs and graduate certificates for those who already hold a related degree. For online students, the critical hurdle is field hours: CACREP requires 100 practicum and 600 internship hours completed in person at a local K-12 site, and finding that site is the student's responsibility. If you are still exploring the broader path into this role, our guide on how to become a school counselor covers the full sequence of steps from degree selection through licensure.

Best Online School Counseling Programs

These online and hybrid school counseling programs were selected for students who need flexibility without sacrificing the field training and licensure groundwork that matter in schools. Each listing highlights what the program emphasizes, from clinical hours to specialization options, so you can compare fit at a glance.

How we ranked these
Factors considered
  • Graduation and retention rates
  • Student-faculty ratios
  • Online delivery flexibility
  • Accreditation and licensure alignment
  • Field training requirements
Data sources
  • National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
  • Federal College Scorecard outcomes data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
  • CACREP accreditation directories — cacrep.org
  • Original research on individual programs — cacrep.org
FL

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL · $11,000/yr

Best for: Career changers seeking a combined online master's

Florida State University delivers a school counseling pathway that combines a master's degree with a specialist degree in one online program. The curriculum focuses on comprehensive K-12 counseling, with coursework on data-driven interventions, group and individual counseling, and family collaboration. Students prepare for counselor roles in public and private schools while benefiting from close faculty mentorship and financial aid options.

  • School Counseling, Master's — Online
    Florida State University
    CACREP accredited
    • Earn both master's and specialist degrees
    • CACREP accredited
    • No entrance exam required
    • 3.0 GPA minimum
    • Prepares for K-12 school counselor roles
    • Data-driven school counseling approach
    • Financial aid and scholarships available
    Visit Website
WI

William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA · $15,000 – $20,000/yr

Best for: Social justice minded future school counselors

William & Mary fields an online Master of Education in Counseling with a School Counseling concentration that students can finish in as few as three years. Coursework stresses social justice, advocacy, and inclusive school environments, while 700 hours of practicum and internship place students directly in K-12 settings. Small classes and brief on-campus residencies make it manageable for working professionals.

  • M.Ed. in Counseling: School Counseling, Master's — Online
    William & Mary
    No entrance exam
    • CACREP and CAEP accredited
    • Complete in as few as three years
    • 700 clinical hours
    • Average class size of 14 students
    • Two three-day on-campus residencies
    • Meets Virginia licensure coursework requirements
    • No entrance exam required
    Visit Website
NO

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · $12,000 – $33,000/yr

Best for: Working educators needing flexible hybrid options

North Carolina State University's school counseling M.Ed. is a 60-credit program accredited by CACREP and delivered on campus, online, or in a hybrid format. The curriculum spans counseling theory, career counseling, multicultural issues, group counseling, and crisis intervention, capped by a 600-hour school internship. With no GRE requirement and a 1:10 faculty-to-student ratio, NC State is built for working professionals.

  • School Counseling, Master's — Online
    North Carolina State University at Raleigh
    CACREP accredited
    • CACREP accredited through 2030
    • 60 total credit hours
    • 600 clinical hours
    • Eligible for NCE and PRAXIS exams
    • On-campus, online, or hybrid delivery
    • No GRE required
    • 1:10 faculty-to-student ratio
    • Small class sizes of 20-25
    Visit Website
UN

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO · $14,000/yr

University of Missouri's school counseling M.Ed. prepares graduates for elementary, middle, and high school counseling through a cohort-based scientist-practitioner curriculum. Offered online or on campus, the program combines counseling theory with research, assessment, and practice while emphasizing multicultural competence. It holds ASCA recognition and seeks applicants ready to serve diverse K-12 communities.

  • School Counselor: Elementary and Secondary, Master's — Online
    University of Missouri
    • ASCA recognized program
    • Cohort-based structure
    • Online and on-campus options
    • Starts fall, deadline February 1
    • 3.0 GPA minimum
    • Three letters of recommendation required
    Visit Website
CU

CUNY Lehman College

Bronx, NY · $12,000/yr

Hispanic-Serving Institution

CUNY Lehman College offers a 60-credit school counseling master's in a low-residency hybrid format, with most coursework online and one in-person day per semester. The program is built around anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice and serves New York City's multilingual schools. Students may add a bilingual advanced certificate, and the program is the only one in the Bronx and lower Hudson Valley with dual CACREP and CAEP accreditation.

  • Counselor Education: School Counseling, Master's — Hybrid
    CUNY Lehman College
    • Dual CACREP and CAEP accreditation
    • 60 total credit hours
    • Low-residency hybrid format
    • One in-person day per semester
    • Prepares for New York State certification
    • Bilingual advanced certificate available
    • Anti-racist and anti-oppression curriculum
    Visit Website
UN

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · $72,000/yr

University of Southern California offers two online routes into school counseling: a 49-credit Master of Education for those entering the field and a 20-unit post-master's certificate for counselors expanding into schools. Both emphasize college and career readiness, restorative justice, and trauma-informed practice, with live online classes and field placements arranged through USC's national school network.

  • Master of Education in School Counseling — Online
    University of Southern California
    • Complete in 20-21 months full time
    • 49 total credit hours
    • Start dates in January and August
    • Scholarships available up to $30,000
    • 100 clinical hours
    • Focus on whole child, trauma, and substance abuse
    • Prepares for K-12 school counselor roles
    Visit Website
  • Post-Master's Certificate in School Counseling — Online
    University of Southern California
    • 20-unit program completed in 12 months
    • Prepares for California PPS credential
    • Designed for USC Rossier MFT or EC graduates
    • Focuses on college readiness, restorative justice, trauma
    • Live online classes with practicum and fieldwork
    • Federal financial aid available via FAFSA
    Visit Website
UN

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, FL · $10,000 – $15,000/yr

University of North Florida's M.Ed. in Counselor Education with a School Counseling concentration follows a hybrid, cohort-based model accredited by CACREP. Students complete 700 hours of supervised field experience while studying counseling theories, crisis intervention, consultation, and advocacy. The program aligns with Florida PK-12 certification and feeds local school district employment pipelines.

  • Counselor Education in School Counseling, Master's — Hybrid
    University of North Florida
    CACREP accredited
    • CACREP accredited
    • 60 total credit hours
    • Hybrid cohort delivery
    • 700 clinical hours
    • Prepares for Florida school counselor certification
    • Employer tuition reimbursement supported
    • Fall and summer start dates
    • Individual interview required
    Visit Website
CA

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · $9,000 – $19,000/yr

Hispanic-Serving Institution

Cal State East Bay's M.S. in Counseling with a School Counseling concentration prepares counselors to support students in P-20 settings from a social justice, equity, and inclusion lens. Coursework covers data-informed program development, academic and career counseling, and crisis intervention, supported by supervised practicum placements. The flexible hybrid format with evening classes accommodates working professionals, and graduates can pursue the PPS credential or additional LPCC fieldwork.

  • Counseling M.S., School Counseling Concentration, Master's — Hybrid
    California State University-East Bay
    • 60 total credit hours
    • Full-time two-year or part-time three-year option
    • Hybrid afternoon and evening classes
    • Prepares for California PPS credential
    • Option to add LPCC intern license fieldwork
    • CBEST required for admission
    • Three start dates per year
    • Social justice and equity focus
    Visit Website
TO

Touro University

New York, NY · $15,000/yr

Touro University's fully online Master's in School Counseling is a 60-credit program designed for working professionals, with most students finishing in three years. Coursework covers counseling families of exceptional children, high-risk behavior, child development, and community relations, followed by a 600-hour school internship. Graduates are prepared for New York State certification and national counselor certification through NBCC.

  • Master's in School Counseling — Online
    Touro University
    • Fully online coursework
    • 60 total credit hours
    • Finish in about three years
    • 600-hour school internship
    • Prepares for New York State certification
    • Prepares for NBCC national certification
    • Covers exceptional children and high-risk behavior
    Visit Website
MI

Miami University

Oxford, OH · $17,000 – $38,000/yr

Miami University's online M.Ed. in Counselor Education with a School Counseling concentration aligns with CACREP standards and the ASCA National Model. The 60-credit program requires 700 hours of supervised practice in school settings and can be paired with a clinical mental health counseling track for broader career flexibility. Electives allow students to customize around exceptional education and diversity topics.

  • M.Ed. in Counselor Education: School Counseling, Master's — Hybrid
    Miami University
    • 60 total credit hours
    • 700 clinical hours
    • CACREP standards and ASCA National Model
    • Meets Ohio school counselor licensure requirements
    • Dual track with clinical mental health counseling
    • Online format for working professionals
    • Prepares for Ohio Assessment for Educators
    • BCI/FBI background check required
    Visit Website

Most Affordable Online School Counseling Degrees

The table below ranks ten of the most affordable online school counseling programs by their institution-level average net price after financial aid. Every school listed is a public university, which helps explain the lower price tags: state subsidies, regional tuition agreements, and flat-rate tuition models (as seen at Murray State and Truman State, where in-state and out-of-state rates are identical) all contribute to reduced costs. Keep in mind that the net price shown is an approximate institution-wide average for aided students, not a guaranteed quote for the graduate counseling program specifically. Per-credit tuition rates are not included in this dataset, so prospective students should contact each school's admissions office to confirm total program costs, fees, and any differential pricing for graduate coursework.

SchoolStateIn-State TuitionOut-of-State TuitionAvg. Net Price (After Aid)Program Format
CUNY Lehman CollegeNY$11,570$21,000$3,148Hybrid
Texas A&M International UniversityTX$6,650$15,490$3,637Online
Utah Valley UniversityUT$10,224$22,834$6,376Hybrid
Murray State UniversityKY$10,683$10,683$9,096Hybrid
California State University, East BayCA$9,107$19,187$9,320Hybrid
The University of Texas at El PasoTX$7,166$16,621$9,403Hybrid
University of North FloridaFL$10,364$21,930$10,154Hybrid
University of Nevada, Las VegasNV$7,413$25,555$10,359Hybrid
Florida State UniversityFL$10,553$26,707$11,297Online
Truman State UniversityMO$12,168$12,168$12,780Online

Questions to Ask Yourself

Are you prioritizing affordability, CACREP accreditation, or schedule flexibility?
These three factors are often in tension: accredited programs may cost more, and the most flexible schedules might mean fewer in-person supports. Clarify your non-negotiable first.
Does your state require CACREP accreditation for licensure, and have you checked before enrolling?
Some states mandate a CACREP degree for school counselor certification, while others accept equivalent programs. Enrolling in a non-CACREP program could block licensure later.
Will you need practicum placement support in your home state, or can you relocate temporarily?
Online programs vary widely in how they help arrange supervised fieldwork. If you cannot relocate, confirm the program’s track record placing students in your area.

Why CACREP Accreditation Matters for School Counseling

When evaluating online school counseling programs, you will encounter two types of accreditation: regional accreditation (institutional) and programmatic accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Both are important, but CACREP accreditation is the specialized credential that state licensing boards reference when determining whether your degree meets requirements for school counselor certification.

What CACREP Accreditation Means

CACREP is the profession's standard-setting body for counseling programs. The 2024 CACREP Standards, which took effect for all accredited programs, require a minimum of 48 semester credits, including 100 practicum hours and 600 internship hours.1 Programs must also meet supervision standards, including a maximum faculty-to-student ratio of 1:6 during practicum and a group supervision cap of 12 students.2 For school counseling specifically, CACREP standards align with the ASCA National Model, ensuring that graduates understand comprehensive school counseling frameworks, data-driven decision making, and developmentally appropriate interventions.3

State Licensure and CACREP Requirements

As of 2025, 11 states require CACREP-accredited degrees for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credentials, and an additional 20 states express a strong preference for CACREP programs. While school counselor certification is typically managed separately from clinical licensure, many states apply similar logic: Kentucky, North Carolina, and Ohio, for example, require CACREP accreditation without exception for counseling licensure, and these requirements often extend to or influence school counselor certification pathways.

Even in states that do not mandate CACREP, graduates of accredited programs often face streamlined application processes, reduced coursework documentation requirements, and fewer delays. Starting January 2027, the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential will require a CACREP-accredited degree, further cementing CACREP's role as the baseline credential for professional counselors.5

Licensure Portability Across State Lines

If you anticipate relocating during or after your career, CACREP accreditation significantly improves licensure portability. States that recognize CACREP programs accept the credential as evidence that your training meets national standards, reducing the need for transcript evaluations, additional coursework, or conditional licenses. Graduates of non-CACREP programs moving to states with strict requirements may face months of extra coursework or even re-enrollment in a new program.

Regional Accreditation Still Matters

CACREP accredits programs, not institutions. Your university must also hold regional accreditation from a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (e.g., HLC, SACSCOC, MSCHE). Regional accreditation ensures that your degree is recognized for federal financial aid, transfer credits, and employer verification. Both layers of accreditation are necessary: regional accreditation validates the institution, while CACREP validates the professional training you receive. If you are still exploring counseling degrees at different levels, understanding this dual-accreditation framework early will save you time and money down the road.

Online School Counseling Graduate Certificates

Graduate certificates in school counseling typically run 12 to 36 credits, a fraction of the 48 to 60 credits required for a full master's.1 For licensed teachers, school psychologists, or clinicians who already hold a related master's, that compressed pathway can be the most efficient route into a school counseling role.

Who These Certificates Are Designed For

These programs are not entry-level credentials. They assume you already have a master's in a related field, often counseling, marriage and family therapy, educational counseling, school psychology, or a teaching credential paired with graduate coursework. The certificate fills the specific gaps required for school counselor licensure or endorsement: developmental theory, school counseling program design, supervised practicum hours in a K-12 setting, and ethics tied to minors in schools.

Career changers fall into a few common profiles: classroom teachers moving into student support roles, licensed professional counselor online programs expanding into school settings, and out-of-state school counselors needing additional coursework to meet a new state's requirements.

Examples of Online and Hybrid Certificate Programs

  • Campbellsville University (Kentucky): A 12-credit online Rank 1 certificate that upgrades a provisional Kentucky certification to standard certification. Requires a prior master's in school guidance counseling (48 hours).2
  • USC Rossier (California): A 20-unit online post-master's certificate completed in about 12 months, leading to the California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) School Counseling Credential. Built for holders of a master's in MFT or educational counseling.3
  • UNC Charlotte (North Carolina): A 12-credit online post-master's certificate aligned with North Carolina school counseling licensure. Candidates sit for the Praxis School Counseling exam.4
  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: A 36-credit graduate certificate leading to Wisconsin K-12 School Counselor Certification, the most credit-heavy option on this list because it covers a wider scope of licensure prerequisites.5
  • Loma Linda University (California): A 30 to 40 quarter-unit certificate leading to the California PPS School Counseling Credential.6
  • University of Mary: A blended graduate certificate with credit loads individualized based on prior coursework, leading to state school counseling certification.7

Certificate vs. Full Master's: Know the Tradeoff

A certificate is faster and cheaper, but it is not universally portable. Some states will only issue school counselor licensure to candidates who hold a master's specifically in school counseling, often from a CACREP-accredited program. Others, like Kentucky and California, recognize certificate-based pathways when paired with a qualifying prior master's.

If you are weighing the certificate route against a full graduate program, reviewing the broader landscape of counseling graduate certificate options can help you compare scope and cost. Before enrolling, pull your target state's department of education licensure rules and confirm two things: that a certificate (rather than a full master's in school counseling) satisfies the credential, and that your existing master's qualifies as an acceptable prerequisite. Skipping that verification is the most common reason career changers end up needing additional coursework after finishing a certificate.

How Long Does It Take to Become a School Counselor Online?

Once you hold a bachelor's degree, the journey to becoming a licensed school counselor typically takes two to four years depending on your enrollment pace and state requirements. Here is the general sequence most online students follow.

Five-step timeline from bachelor's degree through state certification, showing 2 to 4 years to become a school counselor online

Practicum and Internship Requirements for Online Students

One area where online school counseling programs diverge sharply from each other is how they handle field placement, and what that means for you depends almost entirely on where you live.

The Hour Requirements Are Non-Negotiable

CACREP sets clear minimums: 100 hours of supervised practicum and 600 hours of internship, all completed in real K-12 school settings. These hours cannot be fulfilled virtually. You will need to be physically present in a school, working alongside a site supervisor, regardless of how many of your coursework hours are delivered online. Programs such as Walsh University and SUNY Oneonta both confirm these same CACREP benchmarks for their online tracks.12 There is no shortcut, and any program claiming otherwise deserves closer scrutiny.

Who Finds the Placement Site?

This is where programs diverge in ways that matter. Some programs maintain active placement partnerships with school districts in multiple states and handle much of the coordination for you. Others expect students to identify and secure their own sites, with the program stepping in only to approve the placement and assign a university supervisor. Winthrop University's online program, for instance, uses a student-led model where you find your own site with program approval, and its curriculum is primarily aligned to South Carolina and North Carolina licensure standards.3 If you are weighing different graduate options, understanding how each program structures field experience is just as important as comparing tuition or counseling master's programs online.

Neither model is inherently better, but each comes with trade-offs. A program with established partnerships may give you faster access to vetted sites. A self-arranged model gives you more control over location and schedule, but puts the legwork on you.

The Out-of-State Question

If you are enrolling from outside a program's home state, ask directly whether the program has existing relationships with districts in your area. SUNY Oneonta, for example, leads to New York State certification, which makes it a natural fit for students in New York but raises questions for those elsewhere.2 Placement support for out-of-state students varies widely, and some programs offer it more robustly than others. For a broader look at the steps involved, our guide on how to become a school counselor outlines how licensure requirements differ by state.

A Practical Step Before You Enroll

Contact the field placement coordinator at any program you are seriously considering. Ask three things: Does the program have placement partners in your state or region? If not, what support do they provide to help you find a site? And will completing your hours in your state satisfy that state's licensure requirements? Getting clear answers before you enroll saves considerable frustration later.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4% job growth for school and career counselors between 2023 and 2033, with approximately 29,100 annual openings expected during that period. This steady demand reflects ongoing needs for mental health support and college-career readiness guidance in schools nationwide.

School Counselor Salary and Career Outlook

School counselors earn a wide range of salaries depending on experience, location, and employer type. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median annual wage for educational, guidance, and career counselors was $65,140 as of May 2024, with roughly 327,660 professionals employed across the country. Top-paying states include California (mean wage of $85,820), Washington ($79,180), and Massachusetts ($76,860). Program-level earnings data for the specific school counseling programs in our rankings are not yet available, so your individual outcomes will depend heavily on where you practice and the demand in that region.

National salary percentiles for school counselors in 2024, ranging from $40,140 at the 10th percentile to $103,590 at the 90th

State Licensure and Reciprocity for Online School Counseling Graduates

Every state issues its own school counselor credential, and a master's degree is the minimum requirement across the country.1 What varies significantly is everything else: required exams, the number of supervised hours, whether teaching experience is mandatory, and how readily a state will recognize a credential earned elsewhere.

Licensure Requirements Vary More Than You Might Expect

Michigan requires a master's degree, at least 30 graduate credits, and 600 internship hours, and candidates must pass the MTTC School Counselor exam.2 However, applicants with three or more years of out-of-state experience may qualify for an exam waiver.2 Utah demands a master's degree specifically in school counseling, with no alternate pathway available, and requires the Praxis 5422 exam with a passing score of 153.3 Kansas takes a somewhat more flexible approach: the degree must be in counseling with a school counseling track, the program accepts either the Praxis 5421 or 5422, and a non-teacher pathway exists for candidates without classroom experience.4 Maryland requires a master's degree but has its own certification process through the state Department of Education.5

These four states alone illustrate how much variation exists. Some states require teaching licensure or classroom experience before you can work as a school counselor. Others use state-specific exams rather than the nationally recognized Praxis series. Checking your target state's requirements before choosing a program is not optional.

State Authorization and SARA

Enrolling in an online program from another state adds a separate layer of complexity. The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) allows participating institutions to enroll students across state lines for distance education purposes.1 Most regionally accredited programs operate under SARA, which simplifies the enrollment process. One critical point: SARA covers enrollment and instruction. It does not grant professional licensure, and it does not guarantee that a program's curriculum will satisfy your state's specific credentialing requirements.1

Always confirm that the program you are considering is authorized to enroll students in your state, and verify that its coursework and practicum hours align with what your state's Department of Education requires.

Reciprocity and CACREP's Role

Formal reciprocity agreements between states for school counselor credentials are limited. The NASDTEC Interstate Agreement provides a framework for evaluating out-of-state licenses, but acceptance is not automatic.1 Graduating from a CACREP-accredited program tends to ease the process, since several states explicitly prefer or recognize CACREP preparation when reviewing applications from out-of-state candidates.1

The practical takeaway: identify the state where you intend to work before you apply to any program, pull the current requirements directly from that state's Department of Education, and compare them line by line against the program's curriculum, required exams, and supervised hours. The American School Counselor Association state-by-state resource can serve as a useful starting point for researching those requirements.

How to Choose the Right Online School Counseling Program

The single biggest format decision you will face is whether to pursue a fully online program or a hybrid model that blends online coursework with in-person residencies. Both paths can lead to the same credential and the same career, but they differ in flexibility, cost structure, and how much logistical legwork falls on you. Here is a practical breakdown to help you weigh each option.

Pros
  • Fully online programs offer maximum scheduling flexibility, letting you complete coursework around a full-time job or family obligations.
  • No relocation is required for fully online formats, which opens access to CACREP accredited programs regardless of where you live.
  • Total tuition and living costs are often lower in fully online programs because you avoid travel, housing, and campus fees.
  • Hybrid residencies create structured opportunities to practice counseling skills face to face with peers and faculty mentors.
  • In-person intensives in hybrid programs help you build a professional network that can support job placement after graduation.
  • Some state licensing boards view hybrid formats favorably because they include documented, supervised on-campus clinical hours.
Cons
  • Fully online students typically must locate, vet, and secure their own practicum and internship sites, which can be time consuming.
  • Limited face-to-face interaction in fully online programs may reduce spontaneous peer networking and collaborative learning.
  • State authorization rules can restrict where a fully online program is approved, potentially creating licensure complications if you relocate.
  • Hybrid programs require periodic travel to campus for residencies, adding airfare, lodging, and time away from work or family.
  • The added travel expenses in hybrid formats can raise total program cost well beyond the listed tuition rate.
  • Hybrid schedules are less flexible, since residency dates are fixed and may conflict with employer or personal commitments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online School Counseling Programs

Prospective school counseling students often share a common set of questions about program format, timelines, and career outcomes. Below are answers grounded in the data and guidance covered throughout this article.

What is the best online school for counseling?
The best program depends on your priorities, including cost, accreditation, flexibility, and field placement support. The ranking earlier in this article highlights top options evaluated on those factors. Programs with CACREP accreditation consistently stand out because they meet nationally recognized standards and simplify the licensure process in most states.
How fast can you become a school counselor?
Most master's programs in school counseling require 48 to 60 credit hours and take two to three years of full-time study. Some accelerated formats allow completion in as few as 20 months. Add time for supervised practicum and internship hours, which typically total 600 or more clock hours. The infographic earlier in this article maps out the full timeline.
What degree is best for school counseling?
A master's degree in school counseling is the standard credential required for licensure or certification in all 50 states. Programs specifically titled 'School Counseling' align most directly with state certification requirements and professional standards. A general counseling or education degree may require additional coursework to qualify, so choosing a focused school counseling program saves time and money.
Are online school counseling programs CACREP accredited?
Yes, a growing number of online programs hold CACREP accreditation. CACREP (the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) evaluates curriculum rigor, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes regardless of delivery format. As discussed in the accreditation section above, graduating from a CACREP program can streamline licensure and improve employer confidence in your training.
Can you complete a school counseling program entirely online?
Coursework can generally be completed fully online, but every accredited program requires in-person practicum and internship hours at a school site. Most online programs allow you to arrange these field placements in your local community. As outlined in the practicum and internship section of this article, expect a minimum of 600 supervised clinical hours before graduation.
How much do online school counselors make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median annual wage for school and career counselors and advisors was approximately $61,710 as of the most recent published data. Salaries vary significantly by state, district type, and years of experience. The salary and career outlook section earlier in this article provides more detail on earning potential and projected job growth through the next decade.

More Online School Counseling Programs to Consider

Beyond our top-10 rankings, these additional programs offer diverse options for aspiring school counselors. Each entry provides key details to help you explore further.

East Carolina University
Graduate Certificate in School Counseling designed for professionals with existing counseling master's degrees. Includes 600-hour internship and aligns with NC licensure requirements.
  • Graduate Certificate in School Counseling
Greenville, NC · Online
Miami University
Master of Education in Counselor Education specializing in School Counseling. Hybrid format with 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship.
  • Master of Education in Counselor Education (School Counseling)
Oxford, OH · Hybrid
California State University-East Bay
Master of Science in Counseling with School Counseling concentration. Hybrid program emphasizing social justice and equity.
  • Counseling, M.S. (School Counseling)
Hayward, CA · Hybrid
Oregon State University
CACREP-accredited Master of Counseling in School Counseling. Hybrid part-time format designed for working professionals.
  • Master of Counseling in School Counseling
Corvallis, OR · Hybrid
University of the Cumberlands
Master of Arts in Education with School Counseling concentration. Fully online program for licensed educators, can be completed in just over a year.
  • Master of Arts in Education (School Counseling)
Williamsburg, KY · Online
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Master of Education in Counselor Education with Elementary or Secondary School Counseling specializations. Fully online with 60 credit hours and 600-hour internship.
  • Master of Education in Counselor Education (Elementary School Counseling)
  • Master of Education in Counselor Education (Secondary School Counseling)
Charleston, SC · Online
Texas A & M International University
Online Master of Science in School Counseling. 48-credit hour program with 16-month format leading to Texas certification.
  • Master of Science in School Counseling
Laredo, TX · Online
The College of New Jersey
CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in School Counseling with hybrid format including summer sessions in Portugal. Leads to NJ certification.
  • Master of Arts in School Counseling
Ewing, NJ · Hybrid
Liberty University
CACREP-accredited Master of Education in School Counseling. Hybrid format with online coursework and campus intensives.
  • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling
Lynchburg, VA · Hybrid
Truman State University
CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Counseling with School Counseling concentration. Fully online 60-credit program with 400 hours of field experience.
  • Counseling: School Counseling (MA)
Kirksville, MO · Online
Kansas State University
CACREP-accredited Master's in School Counseling. Hybrid format with 100% Praxis pass rate and no teaching license required.
  • Master's in School Counseling
Manhattan, KS · Hybrid
Wake Forest University
CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Counseling with School Counseling concentration. Online program with practicum and internship for working professionals.
  • Master of Arts in Counseling (School Counseling)
Winston-Salem, NC · Online
Utah Valley University
Master of Education in School Counseling. Hybrid option with 51 credits, no GRE required, and 100% licensure rate.
  • Master of Education in School Counseling
Orem, UT · Hybrid
Utah State University
Master of Education in School Counseling. Nationally accredited hybrid program with hands-on practicum in K-12 settings.
  • Master of Education in School Counseling
Logan, UT · Hybrid
New York University
Master of Arts in School Counseling (K-12 or Bilingual). Online program accredited by MPCAC, leading to NY state certification.
  • MA, School Counseling
  • MA, Bilingual School Counseling
New York, NY · Online

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