Fastest Accelerated Online Associate’s of Counseling Degree Programs

Badge for FASTEST ONLINE ASSOCIATE'S IN COUNSELING

By Dave Tomar
Reviewed By Jenn Finley

Published: Nov 29, 2022
Updated: Apr 18, 2024

Key Takeaways

While earning an online associate degree in counseling effectively jump starts your counseling career, professional certification and licensure are a must to become a fully credentialed professional counselor, too.
Due to the fast-paced coursework, effective time management and study habits are a must for student success in an accelerated program.
Choosing a concentration or specialization in your associate degree program will contribute to your success after graduation, whether that be into a career or transfer into a bachelor’s program.

Fastest Online Associate in Counseling Degrees

Liberty University
University of St. Thomas
Jamestown Community College
Bryant & Stratton College
Monroe Community College
Hudson Valley Community College
Finger Lakes Community College
Tompkins Cortland Community College
Community College of Baltimore County
Spokane Falls Community College

Liberty University
University of St. Thomas
Jamestown Community College
Bryant & Stratton College
Monroe Community College
Hudson Valley Community College
Finger Lakes Community College
Tompkins Cortland Community College
Community College of Baltimore County
Spokane Falls Community College

Liberty University 99%
University of St. Thomas 97%
Hilbert College 95%

Waukesha County Technical College 22 to 1
Jamestown Community College 21 to 1
Liberty University 18 to 1
Stautzenberger College 18 to 1
Northcentral Technical College 18 to 1
Monroe Community College 17 to 1
Hudson Valley Community College 16 to 1
Beal University 15 to 1
Hilbert College 14 to 1
Finger Lakes Community College 14 to 1

Beal University $39,570
University of St. Thomas $32,484
Hilbert College $29,900
Liberty University $22,511
Bryant & Stratton College $18,435
Stautzenberger College $16,699
NHTI – Concord's Community College $6,450
Iowa Lakes Community College $6,272
City Vision University $6,000
Community College of Baltimore County $5,784

University of St. Thomas $20,934
Hilbert College $17,955
Liberty University $7,893
City Vision University $6,400

NHTI – Concord's Community College
Beal University
City Vision University
Nicolet College
Iowa Lakes Community College
Stautzenberger College
Northcentral Technical College
Waukesha County Technical College
Hilbert College
Genesee Community College

City Vision University
Nicolet College
Iowa Lakes Community College
NHTI – Concord's Community College
Stautzenberger College
Northcentral Technical College
Waukesha County Technical College
Beal University
Hilbert College
Genesee Community College

Hilbert College 95%
University of St. Thomas 97%
Liberty University 99%

Nicolet College 7 to 1
City Vision University 7 to 1
NHTI – Concord's Community College 9 to 1
Tompkins Cortland Community College 11 to 1
Bryant & Stratton College 11 to 1
Hilbert College 14 to 1
Finger Lakes Community College 14 to 1
Community College of Baltimore County 14 to 1
Genesee Community College 14 to 1
Spokane Falls Community College 14 to 1

Spokane Falls Community College $3,102
Northcentral Technical College $3,443
Waukesha County Technical College $4,304
Nicolet College $4,304
Monroe Community College $4,756
Hudson Valley Community College $4,800
Genesee Community College $4,950
Finger Lakes Community College $5,112
Jamestown Community College $5,300
Tompkins Cortland Community College $5,462

City Vision University $6,400
Liberty University $7,893
Hilbert College $17,955
University of St. Thomas $20,934

Table of Contents

Enrolling in one of the fastest online associate’s of counseling degree programs is the quickest way of entering the counseling profession.

But it has its share of challenges, too, from admission to graduation. The challenges encountered along the way are due to the high expectations that come with the profession and the difficulty of accelerated learning.

What is an accelerated associate degree program?

Like an accelerated bachelor’s or master’s program, an accelerated associate’s degree program aims to offer students the quickest time-to-graduate after enrollment.

How does a program accomplish this?

By offering a combination of generous credit transfer policies, accelerated curricula, and rigorous academics, these programs speed up the education process. The trade off is that students will be challenged to learn and retain information at a scale and pace far beyond a traditional program format.

In other words an accelerated Associate of Counseling might not be for everyone.

Check out our comprehensive guide to accelerated degree programs for a deeper look into ways to get that degree as quickly as possible.

Who would benefit from an online accelerated associate program?

An accelerated online associates program offers the added conveniences of distance education. So for students who appreciate self-directed learning and are self-motivated, the accelerated program format may be ideal.

Specifically, students may benefit most if they:

Are looking to transfer credits from previous work, education, or even life experience.
Are self-motivated and productive students.
Need to complete their education and enter the workforce as fast as possible.
Want to quickly earn a degree for the purpose of enrolling in a Bachelor’s program.

Who might not benefit from an online accelerated associate program?

An accelerated online degree program will be challenging, moreso than other degree program formats. This means that students should carefully evaluate their personal strengths and weaknesses to decide if these challenges outweigh the benefits of accelerated education.

Students may not benefit from an accelerated program if they:

Find themselves to be slower learners.
Struggle to retain information at a fast-pace.
Want to explore each subject comprehensively.
Need to balance the degree program with work or other responsibilities.

The Limitations of an Associate’s in Couseling

We must also emphasize that an associate degree in counseling and related fields of study is only a foot in the door.

Career advancement requires advanced degrees, such as a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, particularly for professional certification and license purposes. An associate degree in counseling, nonetheless, establishes the foundational knowledge and skills that will serve aspiring professional counselors in their careers.

How will you know if you’re a suitable candidate for online associate degree programs in counseling?

First, you want to determine if a counseling career is the best fit for your personal and professional goals.

To determine this, you will need to decide whether a counseling degree offers your the academic and professional development that you need. In such a program, you will be exposed to the fundamentals of psychology, human services, and human behavior, among other relevant subjects, while also earning general education credits.

Because associate degrees are less stringent in their enrollment requirements, whether or not you are a suitable candidate mostly comes down to whether the program matches your particular interests and goals.

Fastest Online Associate Degree in Counseling Programs

We chose the following 20 online associate degree in counseling programs based on the following criteria:

Each school must have current national or regional accreditation
Having programmatic accreditation was a bonus
Above-par academic quality based on the faculty members’ credentials and experience, the program of study, and the student outcomes
Good student support services

Career Outlook for Students with Counseling Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Counseling Psychology

Degree Level: Associate's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $4,468
Avg. Expenses*: $16,232
Avg. Starting Salary*: $22,268
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 7 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.

What to Expect from an Associate in Counseling Degree Program

Admissions Requirements

Online programs usually have the same admission requirements as on-campus programs, and even the admissions portal is the same. In accelerated online programs, however, there’s an emphasis on transfer credits being accepted for evaluation and approval, either before admission or during matriculation.

Generally speaking, online associate degree programs in counseling have the following admissions requirements:

Completed online application form
Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) with satisfactory scores
Personal statement
Letters of recommendation
High school diploma or GED equivalent, as well as official transcripts
Proof for college credits for transfer (e.g., military service records or work portfolio)

Many an associate degree program in counseling requires prospective students to undergo interviews, which may be in-person or via Zoom, before an admission decision.

Number of Credits

The typical associate degree program in counseling has a 60-credit hours (semester) or 90-credit hours (quarter) curriculum, but it can exceed these numbers slightly. But for the fastest associate degree in counseling programs, the number of credits required for graduation and the number that must be earned in the program differ.

This is due to the transfer of college-level credits. For example, the number of required credits for graduation is 60 but students must complete at least 30 credits (i.e., major courses) in the program. Obviously, the more transfer credits, the faster the time-to-completion.

Accredited colleges and universities accept college credits for transfer to their associate degree programs from the following sources:

Credits from dual enrolment programs
Credit by examination including AP, CLEP, DANTES, TECEP, and UExcel
Credits for prior learning like industry-related license, work portfolio, and life experiences (Check out the ACE Credit College and University Network)
Credits from military training and service

Time-to-completion

Most, if not all, traditional associate degree programs have a two-year completion period for full-time students taking 9-12 credit hours per term. But for accelerated programs, it can be as short as five months although an 18-month time-to-completion is the average. Online programs with a fast-track program of study allow their students to take on more classes and enroll during the summer term, too, resulting in the faster completion time.

Continuing Education

Online students in associate degree in counseling programs should consider pursuing continuing education for career advancement. Depending on your state, an associate degree is the only academic credential necessary to secure a professional certification, particularly if you’re not planning on a mental health counseling practice.

In many states, however, a master’s degree is a statutory requirement for licensure and certification. This is the case for certified mental health counselors with designations like Clinical Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Master Addictions Counselor.

Program of Study/Curriculum

Every associate degree program in counseling has its specific curriculum, but online students typically tackle general education, core or major, and elective courses. At the associate degree level, students gain an introduction to the fundamentals of the counseling profession with courses like:

Introduction to counseling
General psychology
Abnormal psychology
Developmental psychology
Counseling theories and issues
Counseling methods
Crisis intervention

If you’re keen on gaining hands-on learning experiences, look for an associate in counseling program with an on-site internship or practicum component. You will develop soft skills during your internship, too, which are just as important as hard skills in your professional success.

In most schools, online programs have the same curriculum and sequence of courses as on-campus programs, aside from having the same faculty members leading the courses. This means the academic quality in both types of programs are the same—and online students enjoy the benefits of online learning, to boot!

Online Learning Experience

All online programs have a learning management system (LMS) that facilitates online learning among students and aids faculty and staff members in the course delivery, among other aspects. Online students log in using their respective accounts into their school’s LMS, and then use its features and functions for synchronous and asynchronous courses, assignment submissions, and group projects.

Prospective online students must beware about committing cheating, plagiarism, and other misdemeanors! Anti-cheating apps are usually embedded in the best LMS, such as Canvas, Moodle, and Blackboard, not to mention that professors are experts at detecting cheating.

Tuition and Financial Assistance

Online students in associate in counseling degree programs pay per-credit tuition ranging from $150 to $400 and above. With a 60-credit program and no transfer credits, it can translate to between $9,000 and $26,000 in tuition for a two-year program. This is true for accelerated degree programs, too, since the number of credits remains the same.

The good news is that students in online associate in counseling degree programs are also eligible for federal financial aid and for state aid. Filing the FAFSA regardless of your current family and individual income situation is the first step.

Accelerated Online Associate in Counseling Degree Formats

Online associate degree programs in counseling offer three types of degrees

Associate of Arts (AA) programs have a strong liberal arts curriculum with more focus on general education courses. Students develop transferable skills, such as communication and critical thinking skills, because of the liberal arts emphasis.
Associate of Science (AS) programs have more emphasis on technical skills resulting in more counseling-specific courses including the theories, methods, and issues in counseling.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) programs emphasize real-world, workplace-ready practical skills with a balanced importance of hard and soft skills.

Note that associate of arts and an associate of science degrees are designed for transfer into bachelor’s degree programs. The associate’s of applied science degree programs are a different matter—graduates may or may not be able to transfer some or all of the college credits earned.

If you’re planning on earning an associate of applied science in counseling degree, you may want to verify the school’s transfer policies and articulation agreements.

Concentrations in Counseling Degree Programs

Most associate degree programs don’t have options for a concentration or specialization for its online students. Concentrations are more common in bachelor’s degree programs. But there are a few associate in counseling degree programs that offer concentrations, also known as tracks, which can set the stage for your advanced studies and career path.

It may also a good idea to look into the counseling concentrations so you’re ready when the time comes. You will have an idea about the possible workplaces where you can put your associate degree to good use, too.

The popular concentrations in counseling programs include:

Mental health counseling or clinical counseling
School and career counseling
Substance abuse counseling
Addictions counseling
Marriage and family counseling
Christian counseling

Even in associate degree programs without concentration options, these specific counseling careers are discussed, usually as part of an introductory course to the counseling profession

What can you do with an associate degree in counseling?

After earning your associate degree in counseling and the appropriate licensure, you will be prepared to work as a professional counselor.

As part of their jobs, professional counselors work with individuals, couples, families, and groups with the aim of improvement of mental health. Their work emphasizes the wellness model where strengths in successfully coping with life’s challenges are encouraged; in contrast, the illness model emphasizes the client’s weaknesses.

With their clients’ cooperation, professional counselors examine the mental health issues caused by aging, substance abuse, trauma, and personal and professional relationships, among other concerns.

The counseling sessions also include the counselor providing appropriate guidance for clients to define their goals, actions, and outcomes; formulating therapeutic strategies; and guiding their clients toward effective mental health strategies.

Professional counselors also refer their clients to other healthcare professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, and even physicians, meaning a mind-and-body approach is followed.

Leveraging an Associate’s in Counseling after Graduation

You can then decide whether a bachelor’s degree in counseling, human services or psychology is in your future after completion of the associate degree program. Plus, you can save on costs since an associate degree in counseling can be earned in a community college where tuition costs are generally more affordable and federal financial aid is available.

Graduates may also want to find entry-level employment after earning an associate degree in counseling. The best —and fastest—associate degree programs in counseling equip students with the practical knowledge and skills for a wide range of jobs, such as counseling assistants and human services associates.

In the end, what you do with your online associate in counseling degree is your call! Whatever that may be, you can be sure that an associate degree will get you places starting with a higher salary than you can earn with a high school diploma alone.

Occupations with an Associate Degree in Counseling

The increase in the demand for professional counselors range from 19% to 22% in the next decade, meaning more than 75,000 new openings every year, on average! This is good news for graduates of associate in counseling degree programs since there’s a steady demand for professionals like:

Teacher’s aides
Home care aides
Family advocates
Youth counselors
Social services assistants
Counseling technicians
Mental health technicians

On the job, you should strive to develop your counseling knowledge and skills beyond what you learned in an associate degree program. You can also apply the workplace-acquired skills in your pursuit of an advanced degree and licensure.

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

Fastest Accelerated Online Associate’s of Counseling Degree Programs

Key Takeaways

Fastest Online Associate in Counseling Degrees

What is an accelerated associate degree program?

Who would benefit from an online accelerated associate program?

Who might not benefit from an online accelerated associate program?

The Limitations of an Associate’s in Couseling

Fastest Online Associate Degree in Counseling Programs

What we love about Liberty University:

Liberty University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

What we love about St. Thomas:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Jamestown Community College

What we love about SUNYJCC:

What we love about Bryant & Stratton College:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Monroe Community College

What we love about MCC:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Hudson Valley Community College

What we love about HVCC:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Finger Lakes Community College

What we love about FLCC:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Tompkins Cortland Community College

What we love about TC3:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Community College of Baltimore County

What we love about CCBCMD:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Spokane Falls Community College

What we love about SFCC:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Genesee Community College

What we love about GCC:

What we love about Hilbert College:

Hilbert College’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Waukesha County Technical College

What we love about WCTC:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Northcentral Technical College

What we love about NTC:

What we love about Stautzenberger College:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Iowa Lakes Community College

What we love about ILCC:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Nicolet College

What we love about Nicolet College:

What we love about CVU:

City Vision University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

What we love about Beal University:

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at NHTI – Concord's Community College

What we love about NHTI:

Career Outlook for Students with Counseling Degree

Counseling Psychology

Degree Level: Associate's

Career Salaries

Top Industries

What to Expect from an Associate in Counseling Degree Program

Admissions Requirements

Number of Credits

Time-to-completion

Continuing Education

Program of Study/Curriculum

Online Learning Experience

Tuition and Financial Assistance

Accelerated Online Associate in Counseling Degree Formats

Concentrations in Counseling Degree Programs

What can you do with an associate degree in counseling?

Leveraging an Associate’s in Counseling after Graduation

Occupations with an Associate Degree in Counseling