2020 Best Online Master's in Counseling Degree Programs
The 15 schools on this list offer the top online Master's Degrees in Counseling, based on median salary one year after graduation. The school with the highest median starting salary for this degree is Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies, at $46,600. The lowest median debt for the best 15 schools is $20,500, at New Mexico Highlands University. Starting median salaries for graduates from the top schools range from $31,400-$46,600.
Tuition, median salaries, and median debt were reported by the U.S. Department of Education in November 2019. View our methodology for more details about these rankings or read more about the top-ranked schools.
| School | Annual Tuition | Median Debt | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies | $26,150 | $56,743 | $46,600 |
| Alliant International University | $19,874 | $98,288 | $46,100 |
| University of Massachusetts - Boston | $37,484 | $44,854 | $43,200 |
| Southern New Hampshire University Online | $11,286 | $64,493 | $42,900 |
| New Mexico Highlands University | $9,373 | $20,500 | $42,300 |
| Capella University | $14,826 | $78,190 | $41,000 |
| Drexel University | $37,074 | $100,664 | $40,900 |
| Northwestern University | $53,024 | $125,882 | $39,800 |
| Nova Southeastern University | $23,911 | $70,341 | $37,500 |
| Fort Valley State University | $17,836 | $67,443 | $34,500 |
2020 Best Colleges Highlights
Learn more about the top colleges for a Master's in Counseling degree. You can also read student reviews of each school by clicking on the stars. Although student reviews were not used as a ranking factor in this list, we provide ratings and reviews so students can consider the experience of alumni in their decision-making process.
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Hazelden Betty Ford’s Graduate School of Addiction Studies offers an online Master of Arts in Addiction Studies: Integrated Recovery for Co-Occurring Disorders. Graduates of this program will be prepared for careers as substance abuse counselors. This master’s degree has a 60-unit course requirement. There is a full-time option and a part-time option, and the full-time students can complete the program in two years. Students are able to start in January, May, or September. The online program affords flexibility and mobility, as you can take classes from anywhere in the U.S.
For the 12 units of electives, students can choose between engaging in an internship (where they can begin accumulating practice hours) and academic electives. There are two on-site program requirements, where students come to the campus (located in Center City, Minnesota) for four days for instruction and networking with fellow students, instructors, and faculty.
Visit Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies' website.
Alliant International University offers a Master of Art in Education in School Counseling with Pupil Personnel Services Credential Curriculum Plan (MAE in school counseling). This degree can be completed online, on campus, or in a hybridized format (some online courses and some on campus). The curriculum includes courses like Life Span Development, Methodology of Educational Research, Behavior Management in the Classroom, and Individual Counseling.
Alliant International University’s MAE in school counseling also includes an option for PPS only – meaning, if students already have their master’s degrees in psychology, counseling or education, they can apply transfer credits and experience to this program, minimizing the amount of repeat work they do.
To complete this degree, students have to engage in an internship within the field. Each student will be mentored by an instructor throughout the internship, and if properly supervised, some of these hours can go toward licensure later on.
The Master of Science in Mental Health at the University of Massachusetts-Boston program meets the education requirements for state licensure to work in mental health counseling. The degree has a 60-unit requirement, with sixteen 3-unit courses and two 6-unit courses. The M.S. in mental health is typically completed in two years. There is an online and on-campus option. For students who choose to take the online master’s courses, they will still need to complete several initial courses in person.
The curriculum includes theory, research, and practice. Coursework includes Counseling Theory and Practice, Research and Evaluation in Psychology, Psychopathology and Diagnosis, and Sex and Sexuality in Counseling.
After meeting academic requirements for state licensure, students often have many hours of supervised employment to complete. Not all states have the same licensure requirements, so students are advised to check the regulations of their home state with a local board.