8 Accelerated Online Master's in Counseling Programs 2025

A master's degree in counseling gives students the necessary background to secure licensure and start successful careers. Coursework prepares learners to help clients in need of mental health therapy, substance abuse and addiction counseling, marriage and family therapy, school counseling, and beyond.

Online counseling schools with reputable programs are available nationwide with some offering an accelerated online format for students who want to study from home and graduate sooner. Northwestern University and New York University offer master's degrees in counseling with accelerated online learning options.

Below, we'll highlight some of the best online counseling degree programs for students eager to begin their careers. Our frequently asked questions provide additional details about these programs, including how to use your degree after graduating.

Accelerated Online Master's Counseling Degrees

Most accelerated online counseling master's programs offer the same benefits as traditional on-campus programs, though accelerated programs can have pros and cons. These programs include the bonus of helping learners start their counseling careers sooner. Explore the list of schools below to find graduate programs providing accelerated online learning opportunities.

1. Northwestern University

Northwestern University offers an online Master of Arts in counseling. It is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This program delivers live and asynchronous online courses for students who want to become clinical mental health counselors or secure a child and adolescent specialization.

Enrollees are required to complete a 200-hour practicum, 600-hour internship, and in-person immersions. Full-time students can finish in 18 months, and part-time learners can graduate in 36 months.

2. New York University

The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University (NYU) offers an online MA in mental health counseling and wellness that students can complete in 21 months. Coursework in this graduate program prepares students to work as licensed mental health counselors in treatment centers, private practice, and community agencies.

Enrollees gain hands-on experience through a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship. The program accepts applications year-round and doesn't require GRE scores to gain admission.

3. Sonoran University of Health Sciences

The Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling program at Sonoran University teaches field-based crisis counseling and evidence-based integrative mental healthcare. Students are prepared to work as licensed professional counselors (LPCs) in government agencies, hospitals, and private practice.

This online counseling program offers a practicum and internship students experience through remote telehealth-based care and supervision. Enrollees can finish this program online in as few as two and a half years.

4. The University of Olivet

The University of Olivet offers an online MA in counseling that follows American Counseling Association (ACA) ethical guidelines. Learners build their counseling skills in the online classroom and gain hands-on experience through clinical residencies.

Courses in this grad program are delivered in eight-week terms with five terms being offered annually. Academic and career resources help online students navigate the program and finish their studies in as little as 24 months.

5. Avila University

Avila University offers an online Master of Arts in Education as a K-12 school counselor program students can complete in 30 months. Enrollees learn counseling theories and intervention methods through coursework covering academic planning, family relations, appraisal of student growth, and more.

Admission requirements for this 48-credit-hour program include a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and a 2.75 GPA. GRE scores and teaching certification aren't required for enrollment.

6. The College of New Jersey

The MA in clinical mental health counseling at the College of New Jersey is a 60-credit accelerated program that enables students to finish their studies in as little as two years. This degree offers a mix of synchronous and asynchronous online courses with specializations in generalist practice and addiction counseling.

Each term for this program's courses is divided into two seven-week sessions. However, the practicum spans a full 14-week term and the internship spans two terms. GRE scores aren't required to apply.

7. California Baptist University

California Baptist University's online MS in counseling psychology prepares students to work as licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) or professional clinical counselors (LPCCs). Asynchronous and synchronous courses teach counseling theory, advanced research methodology, and Christian perspectives in professional counseling.

Enrollees must complete 24 hours of individual therapy or 50 hours of group therapy while supervised by a licensed psychotherapist in an off-campus setting. Students who take on a full-time course load can finish this program in 24 months.

8. Walsh University

Walsh University offers a CACREP-accredited MA in counseling and human development with specializations in clinical mental health counseling and school counseling. This degree features 100% online coursework and practicum and internship field experiences learners complete within their communities.

Students who enter the program with a 3.0 GPA or higher won't be required to submit GRE or GMAT scores. This degree is designed so that working students with full-time jobs can take one course at a time and graduate in three years.

Our Selection Criteria

Our team used a rigorous vetting process to select the institutions in the rank list above. Each school in this list has met the following criteria for delivering quality academic experiences in higher education:

• Accredited: The schools have been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and WASC Senior College and University Commission, guaranteeing recognized academic standards.
• Reputable: We verified that the institutions in this list are respected schools, considering factors, such as student outcomes, acceptance rates, and graduation rates.
• Path to degree completion: The colleges and universities above offer an accelerated degree path through shorter terms, rolling admissions, and flexible online options.

FAQs About Accelerated Online Master's Programs for Counseling

Are you ready to pursue an accelerated online master's degree in counseling? Learn more about these programs by reviewing the following FAQs.

What Is the Easiest Counseling Degree To Get?

The easiest counseling degrees require the least effort to complete the program. Most counseling master's degrees that lead to licensure require practicums and/or internships for supervised clinical experiences. However, some offer flexible online courses with no campus requirements so you can spend much time learning from home.

How Fast Can You Finish a Master's Degree Online?

The timeframe for completing an online master's degree depends on factors such as your enrollment status (part-time vs. full-time) and whether your program is accelerated. Full-time students typically finish their programs faster. Also, degrees with shorter terms (e.g., six to eight weeks) can help students earn more credits in less time. Some graduate degree programs help learners finish their studies in less than two years.

What Can You Do With an Online Counseling Degree?

After earning an online master's degree in counseling, you can enroll in a doctoral degree program or pursue a career in the counseling field. Roles are available in social work, family counseling, human services, group counseling, and beyond.

As more people turn to counseling to manage life's challenges, more counselors will be needed. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow much faster than average for all occupations at 19% from 2023 to 2033.

Explore Online Master's Degrees Today

Take the next step toward a fulfilling career in counseling by exploring the degree programs offered by colleges on Learn.org. Contact one of these schools today to learn how their programs can help you reach your career goals.