Fastest Accelerated Online Master’s of Counseling Degree Programs 2024

Badge for FASTEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN COUNSELING

By Dave Tomar
Reviewed By Jenn Finley

Updated: May 16, 2024

Key Takeaways

Accelerated counseling degree programs generally take two years or less of full-time studies.
Fast-track counseling programs usually have concentration options for students, and the choice of concentration greatly impacts your counseling career.
Online counseling programs aren’t always 100% online, a consideration prospective students must consider. Online courses are common. There are also in-person requirements like on-campus residencies and on-site practicum and internships.

Fastest Online Master's of Counseling Degrees

New York University
University of Southern California
Northwestern University
University of Denver
University of Massachusetts
Wake Forest University
Seton Hall University
Liberty University
Arkansas State University
Southern New Hampshire University

New York University
University of Southern California
Northwestern University
University of Denver
University of Massachusetts
Wake Forest University
Seton Hall University
Liberty University
Arkansas State University
Southern New Hampshire University

Liberty University 99%
Southern New Hampshire University 96%
Lamar University 84%
Grand Canyon University 78%
University of Denver 78%
Seton Hall University 75%
Southeastern Oklahoma State University 74%
Arkansas State University 70%
University of West Alabama 69%
Abilene Christian University 66%

Capella University 35 to 1
Southeastern Oklahoma State University 22 to 1
Southern New Hampshire University 22 to 1
Regent University 21 to 1
Grand Canyon University 20 to 1
Lamar University 20 to 1
Liberty University 18 to 1
University of West Alabama 18 to 1
Arkansas State University 15 to 1
Eastern University 15 to 1

University of Southern California $64,726
Northwestern University $63,468
Wake Forest University $62,128
New York University $58,168
University of Denver $56,439
Seton Hall University $48,960
Abilene Christian University $40,500
Gwynedd Mercy University $37,052
Eastern University $36,464
Liberty University $22,511

University of Southern California $63,468
University of Denver $55,260
Northwestern University $51,869
Palo Alto University $44,230
Wake Forest University $38,650
New York University $37,332
Seton Hall University $33,528
Abilene Christian University $24,174
Southern New Hampshire University $18,900
Regent University $16,028

Gwynedd Mercy University
University of West Alabama
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Capella University
Eastern University
Palo Alto University
Grand Canyon University
Regent University
Abilene Christian University
Lamar University

Gwynedd Mercy University
University of West Alabama
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Capella University
Eastern University
Palo Alto University
Grand Canyon University
Regent University
Abilene Christian University
Lamar University

Northwestern University 7%
University of Southern California 12%
New York University 12%
Wake Forest University 21%
Regent University 32%
Gwynedd Mercy University 58%
Eastern University 63%
Abilene Christian University 66%
University of West Alabama 69%
Arkansas State University 70%

Northwestern University 6 to 1
New York University 8 to 1
University of Denver 8 to 1
Gwynedd Mercy University 8 to 1
University of Southern California 9 to 1
Wake Forest University 10 to 1
Palo Alto University 12 to 1
Abilene Christian University 13 to 1
Seton Hall University 14 to 1
Arkansas State University 15 to 1

Lamar University $6,228
Southeastern Oklahoma State University $6,420
Arkansas State University $6,888
University of West Alabama $9,100
Capella University $14,328
Southern New Hampshire University $15,380
Palo Alto University $17,714
Grand Canyon University $17,800
Regent University $19,680
Liberty University $22,511

Southeastern Oklahoma State University $4,734
Arkansas State University $6,282
Lamar University $6,471
University of West Alabama $6,678
Liberty University $7,893
Grand Canyon University $10,655
Eastern University $14,058
Capella University $14,826
Gwynedd Mercy University $15,246
Regent University $16,028

Table of Contents

Aspiring professional counselors may consider enrolling in the fastest online master’s of counseling degree programs!

Since a graduate degree is among the minimum requirements for professional licensure and certification in the counseling profession, an accelerated program is one of the best ways to start your career quickly.

Whether you’re already engaged in a counseling career or thinking of shifting to a counseling career, a graduate degree will open doors to new career opportunities.

Specifically, earning a master’s in counseling degree comes with several benefits. Although we must also emphasize that leveraging your graduate degree is your sole responsibility. In other words, the benefits of a graduate degree largely hinge on the effort you put into it.

Key Point:Tapping into your network, highlighting your counseling skills, and pursuing continuing education are effective strategies for getting the most out of your education.

The Benefits of an Online Master’s of Counseling Degree

When you effectively leverage your graduate-level counseling education, you may see the following returns on your efforts and investment.

Above-average income potential and job growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earned an annual median wage of $48,520 (May 2021).
Marriage and family therapists earned $49,880, while school and career counselors earned $60,510 in median annual wage in the same year.
Even better, the demand for professional counselors is on the rise. The projected job growth for counselors ranges from 10% for school and career counselors and 14% for marriage and family therapists to 22% for mental health counselors and the like.
With thousands of new jobs, every year, now is the best time to earn a master’s in counseling degree and make your mark in the counseling profession!

Opportunity to work in diverse fields

The best thing about a master’s in counseling degree is its flexibility of applications. Professional counselors work in various settings, from education, human services and social work, and healthcare to business, even military and church organizations.
Professional counselors possess marketable skills that enable such flexibility in the types of workplaces in which counseling knowledge and skills can be applied.

Key Point: An Accelerated Master’s of Counseling will provide a fast path to career advancement in a high-demand job market with diverse opportunities

Skills Developed in an Accelerated Master’s of Counseling Program

In pursuing an accelerated online master’s in counseling degree, students learn to develop excellent time management skills. The accelerated course format requires students to learn and retain information at a fast-pace, which is an invaluable skill in any profession.

Additionally, students will develop the fundamental skills of a professional counselor.

Specifically, students will learn to evaluate clients and their counseling needs; encourage clients to discuss their experiences, emotions and traumas; and guide clients in developing effective strategies to live better and healthier lives.

Of course, the concentration in pursuing a counseling degree influences the counseling skills used in particular situations. But the soft counseling skills are the similar, whether you are working as a mental health counselor or a marriage and family therapist!

These soft skills include:

effective communication
sincere compassion
interpersonal skills
patience and tolerance
a calm demeanor in the face of distressed clients

Key Point: An accelerated degree in counseling not only builds core professional skills and soft skills, but also teaches students how to manage their time effectively.

Fastest Online Master’s Degree in Counseling Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Counseling Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Counseling Psychology

Degree Level: Master's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $9,656
Avg. Expenses*: $16,911
Avg. Starting Salary*: $54,120
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $57,583
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 6 years
Job Growth: 6.50%
Number of Jobs: 1,476,300
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists	5.81%	$147,420
Human Resources Managers	6.51%	$136,350
Managers, All Other	5.75%	$133,560
Training and Development Managers	7.41%	$125,040
Psychologists, All Other	4.95%	$117,750
Management Analysts	10.60%	$99,410
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	13.28%	$96,100
School Psychologists	0.76%	$84,940
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	4.89%	$82,140
Human Resources Specialists	7.95%	$67,650

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists	$147,420
Human Resources Managers	$136,350
Managers, All Other	$133,560
Training and Development Managers	$125,040
Psychologists, All Other	$117,750
Management Analysts	$99,410
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	$96,100
School Psychologists	$84,940
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	$82,140
Human Resources Specialists	$67,650

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Accelerated Online Master’s in Counseling Degree Formats

Choose your counseling degree carefully, as different degree formats offer subtle but important differences.

Online master’s degrees in counseling programs come in three formats, namely:

Master of Science (MS) programs have a more science-centric approach with an emphasis on research and data analysis
Master of Arts (MA) programs generally have an interdisciplinary approach with a liberal arts emphasis.
Master of Education (MEd) programs are usually geared toward educators and administrators in charge of school counseling programs in the K-12 and tertiary levels.

Key Point: These master’s in counseling degrees are all accepted by employers and the counseling industry. Your prior educational and professional background, career aspirations, and personal interests will determine your choice.

Concentrations in Counseling Degree Programs

Most counseling programs offer concentration options that enable students to develop specialized skills within a specific counseling field.

These concentration options are the same as those in bachelor’s degree programs, thus, allowing master’s degree students to make a seamless transfer from their undergraduate speciality to their graduate program.

There are several concentration areas offered in accelerated online counseling programs which are accredited by the CACREP-Council for Accreditation of Counseling Related Educational Programs.

The most notable concentrations are as follows:

Substance Abuse, Chemical Dependency or Addiction Counseling

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling

Career Counseling

School Counseling

Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling

Rehabilitation Counseling

Gerontological Counseling

Key Point: Note that there are online master’s in counseling programs that offer generalist counseling degrees. These generalist degrees are just as acceptable as specialist degrees, too, provided that the curriculum including the courses, practicum, and internship requirements meet counseling standards (i.e. programmatic accreditation)

Admissions Requirements

Every counseling program has its specific admissions criteria, although the documentation requirements are typically similar.

Accelerated programs may also have additional requirements, such as credits from prior graduate coursework and work experience in counseling settings, which may be paid or voluntary.

The number of hours related to the work experience varies, too. But it pays to have at least 12 months under your belt, as a faster program represents a significant challenge in terms of retaining information.

The common admissions requirements in online accelerated master’s degree in counseling programs include:

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling or human services from a regionally accredited university with minimum GPA score (i.e., 2.5 to 3 in most programs)
Official transcripts of record for all colleges/universities attended for both undergraduate degree and graduate coursework
Satisfactory GRE scores
Letters of recommendation
Personal statement according to the recommended format, if any
Resume/curriculum vitae

Key Point: Master’s degree in counseling accelerated programs may also require in-person or virtual interviews with prospective students to determine their readiness for the challenges ahead.

Number of Credits

Most programs require students to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credit hours of graduate-level study. The number of credits include didactic coursework as well as practicum, internships and on-campus residencies.

Time-to-completion

Accelerated programs in counseling have a typical time-to-completion of two years for the didactic component. But it can be shortened to less than two years with transfer credits from prior graduate coursework and even work and life experiences. The number of years spent in a counseling program will also be affected by the coursework related to a concentration.

The required hours for the practicum and internship, however, cannot be shortened—it can be as long as 3,000 contact hours of supervised clinical experience over two years.

The typical master’s in counseling programs have a three- to five-year time-to-completion depending on type of matriculation—full-time or part-time, respectively.

Check out our comprehensive guide to accelerated degrees for even more master’s degree programs that can be completed fast.

Program of Study/Curriculum

Every counseling program has its specific courses and their descriptions, learning outcomes and sequence.

Accredited counseling programs, nonetheless, have courses that cover eight core areas of study, namely:

Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
Assessment and Testing
Group Counseling and Group Work
Counseling and Helping Relationships
Human Growth and Development
Social and Cultural Diversity
Career Development
Research and Program Evaluation

Key Point: As previously mentioned, counseling programs have practicum and internship components. Practicum experiences are opportunities for students to apply their skills. Internships are opportunities for direct contact with diverse clients in treatment centers, hospitals, and schools, among other counseling settings.

Online Learning Experience

Every counseling program has its own learning management system (LMS) and policies and practices for its use among students, professors, and staff members.

Popular LMS in colleges and universities are Canvas, Moodle and Blackboard as well as other digital technologies (e.g., Zoom) that facilitate learning, interaction and communication among users.

Online learning has an enduring popularity among graduate students because of its suitability to their busy lifestyles, particularly for those who juggle family, personal, and professional commitments.

Graduate students can access their learning materials and coursework, complete and submit their assignments, and interact with their peers and professors from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Key Point: It’s this LMP technology that allows students to complete their program at accelerated pace.

Tuition and Financial Assistance

Online students pursuing a master’s in counseling degree will likely pay between $400 and $700+ in per-credit costs, meaning total tuition can range from $18,000 to $44,000 or more.

Note that in-state and out-of-state tuition may differ in online programs, too, although there are some online programs with a flat per-credit tuition for all students. Other online-related fees may also apply, such as a technology fee.

Graduate students in online counseling programs are eligible for federal and state financial aid, and the first step is filing the FAFSA whether you think you’re qualified or not. Note that graduate students aren’t considered dependents anymore and, thus, your income will be the sole determinant of your eligibility and amount of aid.

Look into the Federal Stafford Loan, the first choice among graduate students in counseling programs, and the Federal Grad PLUS Loan, too. Ask about school-based aid, too, such as grants and scholarships.

Key Point:Private loans generally have higher interest rates and, thus, aren’t recommended as a first choice if you must borrow to finance your master’s degree in counseling.

Continuing Education

While a master’s degree in counseling is the minimum requirement for professional licensure and/or certification, it’s only the start. Licensed counselors must maintain their professional credentials through continuing education credits (CEU) according to industry, state and employer standards.

There are several industry organizations that offer post-graduate counseling programs for CEU purposes including:

American Counseling Association

American School Counselor Association

American Mental Health Counselors Association

Substance Abuse Practitioner Certification Program

Association for Death Education and Counseling

Key Point: Be sure to look into membership in these professional counseling organizations, too, for its benefits. Networking opportunities abound here, not to mention the opportunity to be on top of trends, to be with like-minded individuals while also expanding your horizons, and to make friends.

Certifications and Licensure

Students of online master’s degree in counseling programs must look into national certification and state licensing requirements as early as possible.

These requirements will have a significant impact on the chosen concentration, number of practicum and internship hours completed, and program of study.

Note that national certification is usually voluntary in nature, but national certification will boost career readiness, credibility, and employability in the counseling profession.

The NBCC-National Board for Certified Counselors is the body in charge of administering the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential.

Among its certification requirements are:

Master’s degree in counseling and other related programs from a regionally accredited institution or a CACREP-accredited program (Other accepted academic credentials are education specialist credential, certificate of advanced study, or a doctorate in counseling)
At least 3,000 hours of post-graduate work experience (Waivers may be requested under special circumstances)
Passing either the NCE-National Counselor Examination or the NCMHCE-National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination

Key Point: As for state licensure, the requirements vary between states but a master’s degree in counseling and other related fields is a minimum requirement. Supervised work experience, passing score on either the NCE or NCMHCE, and criminal background checks are also common.

Occupations with Master’s Degree in Counseling

With professional certification and license as credentials, counseling professionals have a wide range of counseling careers before them! Of course, your choice in concentration in counseling during your graduate studies will influence your career path.

Among the most popular counseling career specializations are the following:

Substance abuse, behavioral disorders, mental health counselors

School and career counselors

Clinical therapists

Clinical rehabilitation therapists

Marriage and family therapists

Key Point: You can choose your career path, too, between your own private practice or as an employee in public and private facilities, perhaps even as a volunteer in human services organizations and the like.

Accelerated Master’s of Counseling Ranking Criteria

In order for a student to have the highest chances of success in an accelerated program, the program must offer an optimized curriculum and the necessary resources needed for fast-paced learning.

As such, the following 20 online accelerated master’s degree in counseling programs were ranked based on these criteria:

With current national or regional accreditation
With programmatic accreditation as a bonus (e.g., CACREP)
With a track record of academic excellence as evidenced by its program of study, learning outcomes and graduate outcomes
With above-par student support services for online students

Key Point: When choosing from among these programs, we suggest looking at the official website afterwards and then asking for more information, if necessary. The alignment between your personal interests and professional goals and a program’s concentration and courses, practicum and internships and other aspects is a must.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Fastest Accelerated Online Master’s of Counseling Degree Programs 2024

Key Takeaways

Fastest Online Master's of Counseling Degrees

The Benefits of an Online Master’s of Counseling Degree

Above-average income potential and job growth

Opportunity to work in diverse fields

Skills Developed in an Accelerated Master’s of Counseling Program

Fastest Online Master’s Degree in Counseling Programs

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at New York University

What we love about NYU:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at University of Southern California

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Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Northwestern University

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Career Outlook for Counseling degree at University of Denver

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Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Wake Forest University

What we love about Wake Forest

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Seton Hall University

What we love about Seton Hall

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Liberty University

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Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Arkansas State University

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Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Southern New Hampshire University

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Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Lamar University

What we love about Lamar

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Abilene Christian University

What we love about ACU:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Regent University

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Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Grand Canyon University

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What we love about Palo Alto U:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Eastern University

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Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Capella University

What we love about Capella:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Southeastern Oklahoma State University

What we love about Southeastern:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at University of West Alabama

What we love about UWA:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Gwynedd Mercy University

What we love about GMercyU: