Whether they work in schools, clinics, or residential centers, counselors provide much-needed assistance to people in their communities. They apply counseling principles to help individuals and groups achieve specific goals in their mental and emotional health, such as overcoming addiction or starting a new career. This work begins with courses and licensure in counseling degree programs.
The cost of counseling degree programs in 2023 ranged from $3,885 for an associate degree, $27,673 for a bachelor’s degree, and $20,513 for a master’s degree. When you graduate from a counseling degree program, you can become a substance abuse and behavioral counselor, making an average of $49,710 (as of 2022), or a school and career counselor, earning an average of $60,140. With additional postgraduate schooling, you can apply a counseling degree to a clinical and counseling psychologist career and earn an average starting salary of $90,130.
How to Choose a Counseling Degree Program
Choose your area of study
There are two main career paths in counseling: mental health counseling and school counseling. When choosing an area of study, you can specialize further within these paths.
Those pursuing a career in mental health and clinical counseling typically graduate with degrees from colleges of science (Associate of Science, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science), which integrate statistics and data analysis in a research-based curriculum. These degrees include:
- Associate of Science in counseling
- Bachelor of Science in counseling
- Bachelor of Science in addiction counseling
- Bachelor of Science in psychology with a specialization in counseling
- Master of Science in counseling studies
- Master of Science in professional counseling
- Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling
To become a school counselor, find a humanities-focused counseling program that links psychology to social sciences in a college of arts (Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts). Counseling degrees on this career path include:
- Associate of Arts in counseling
- Bachelor of Arts in counseling
- Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a specialization in counseling
- Bachelor of Arts in social work
- Master of Education in school counseling
- Master of Arts in counseling psychology
Practicing as a counselor often requires additional certifications after graduating with a counseling degree. Completing a postgraduate degree in counseling often leads to licensure — for example, a substance abuse or mental health counselor can become a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) or licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC). School counselors earn state-specific credentials, such as the Pupil Personnel Services Credential with School Counseling Specialization in California.
Research schools and programs
Choosing an accredited counseling degree program is the first step in your counseling education journey. Find a school that is institutionally accredited by a body like the
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) to ensure you can easily transfer credits and degrees between other accredited schools.
When it comes to finding accredited counseling programs, check that your program has been accredited by the American Psychological Association. The APA regularly assesses counseling and psychology programs for the educational rigor and adherence to professional requirements that graduating counselors will need.
Spend time researching your desired department and school. Talk to graduates from the counseling program and read literature written by its professors. If you have more questions, contact program representatives for details about coursework or program requirements.
Prepare for tests and applications
Though each counseling program is different, be prepared to submit application materials such as an application letter, letters of recommendation, and transcripts. Visit your program’s website for an application deadline and a more specific list of requirements, including a minimum GPA and prerequisites.
Bachelor programs in counseling will likely require minimum SAT and ACT scores, so take these tests until you’ve earned a score that represents your ability. Science and research-based counseling programs may look more closely at your math scores, so get those as high as you can. For postgraduate counseling degrees, take the GRE as far in advance as possible.
Select your program
Your desired career path and interest in coursework can help you choose the right counseling program. If you’d like to learn about applying research and data analysis to the practice of counseling and scientific psychology, find an institution with a School of Behavioral Sciences or a School of Health Sciences. Future school counselors will likely earn their degrees through a School of Education. If becoming a school counselor is your goal, choose a school with a strong educational program.
Examine your schedule and living needs as you decide between counseling programs. Some students prefer immersing themselves in full-time programs, while others need the flexibility of a part-time counseling program as they work in other jobs or take care of family members. Consider whether you’ll need to live on campus as you narrow your options.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Expenses in a counseling program include tuition, fees, educational supplies, transportation, and room and board — but you may not have to pay for all of that. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to find out how much financial aid you qualify for, and inquire about scholarships and grants that you don’t need to pay back after graduation. If you’re already working in a related career, your employer may be able to provide employer tuition assistance to help you advance in your education.
Talk to a financial aid officer at your future school and see if they offer additional benefits. Program representatives can also tell you if holding a job to cut costs while in school is feasible.
Best 50 Accredited Counseling Degree Programs
How we rank schools
We have assembled a list of the best counseling degree programs, including both undergraduate and graduate programs. Though studying psychology and other counseling-related topics as an undergrad provides additional insights, a master’s degree in counseling can be pursued after earning a bachelor’s degree in nearly any area of study. Becoming a licensed counselor requires a master’s degree. The programs included on our list represent a combination of online and on-campus options, as well as some options that offer a choice or combination of the two.
We only considered institutions that have been approved by a DOE-recognized regional accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Those who attend a school that isn’t regionally accredited may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed. Many of these options also have programmatic accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs, which has particularly high standards for counseling education.
We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.
What Can You Expect From a Counseling Degree Program?
Counseling program coursework varies by career path, but generally speaking, the curriculum of a counseling degree program incorporates data-based psychological studies into a counseling context. Typical courses in a counseling program include:
Potential courses you’ll take in a counseling degree program
- General psychology. This course introduces students to fundamental theories and research in psychology through many perspectives, including biological, societal, cognitive, and clinical psychology.
- Marriage and family. Apply concepts from group therapy and psychopsychology to a study of historical and modern developments of the family unit. Students examine family systems and trends in family therapy with research projects and case studies.
- Child development. Connect classical models of child development with modern applications as they relate to patterns and milestones in different phases of childhood (infant, toddler, and school-aged).
- Group counseling. Study group dynamics, leadership roles, developmental stages of a group, and a counselor’s role in group therapy. This class often involves theoretical and experimental work to see how group dynamics affect a clinical approach.
- Crisis intervention. Counselors-in-training learn individual and community-based approaches to assessing and handling mental health crises, including substance abuse, self-harm, and violence resulting from long-term psychological trauma.
Counseling Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to a counseling degree program?
Your program’s website should contain application requirements and deadlines. Some counseling degree programs may require clinic or experience hours, test scores, a minimum GPA, and letters of recommendation along with your application.
Begin investigating your desired schools around a year before you plan to attend. For competitive programs, consider researching schools even earlier to ensure you have plenty of time before the application deadline.
How much does a counseling degree cost?
Tuition and fees for an associate degree cost $3,885 in 2023. With room and board, the cost increases to $12,300.
When you begin a bachelor’s program in counseling, the average cost for tuition and fees is $27,673 (and $30,884 with on-campus housing). A master’s degree in counseling costs an average of $20,513 annually.
How long does it take to earn a counseling degree?
A counseling degree takes anywhere between two and six years to earn, depending on which degree you’re working toward. An associate degree requires 60 credit hours, which takes two years of full-time study to complete. Bachelor’s degrees in counseling include 120 credit hours of instruction and coursework, and full-time students usually finish these degrees in four years. A 60-unit master’s degree in counseling takes another two years of full-time study to finish.
Taking a part-time counseling program may alter this timeline, as you take fewer units each year and complete them more gradually. Some counseling degree programs offer accelerated tracks, including one-year master’s degrees, making it possible to earn your degree in even less time.