Online Masters Degrees in Counseling

Counseling is an up and coming field which is gaining more attention at the Masters level. For many years individuals looking to access mental health services went to psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses, and social workers. More recently this has changed due to the passing of more strict counseling requirements for licensure in each state. More colleges and universities now offer counseling degrees at the Master’s level which can lead to licensure in your state. Better yet, many of these programs can be found online.

Walden University offers an M.S. in Mental Health Counseling. The program prepares learners to treat clients with mental issues and disorders. The student must complete 95-102 total quarter credits to attain this degree. Courses include:

• Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories
• Interviewing and Observational Strategies
• Statistics 1
• Multicultural Counseling
• Tests and Measurement
• Lifespan Development
• Diagnosis and Assessment
• Vocational Psychology and Counseling
• Couples and Family Counseling
• Group Process and Dynamics
• Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation
• Substance Abuse Counseling
• Research Design
• Capstone Project

Beside learning through online studies, students will also take part in a practicum, an internship, and residencies. The fieldwork requires the student to go on site for indirect and direct hours in counseling services. Residencies require 12 days at residency, twice at six day lengths. Residency is located in Minnesota or Texas.

Tuition is as follows:

• $345 per quarter credit hour
• $1,275 each residency, plus travel, lodging, other expenses
• $30 technology fee.

Financial Aid is available through federally funded and private loans. Walden also offers “Commitment to Social Change “Scholarship at $2500 for Master’s level counseling students. Walden University is also accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. Although Walden follows Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Educational Related Programs (CACREP) guidelines, the program does not guarantee licensure in your state and you must research these guidelines yourself.

Regent University offers an online Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in Community Counseling. The degree program follows CACREP guidelines for the 2009 standards set forth. The program prepares students for licensure but please consult with your own state licensure requirements. Regent University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The program requires that 60 credits be taken in various areas including but not limited to:

• Human Growth & Development
• Concepts of Family Systems
• Multicultural Counseling
• Helping Relationships
• Counseling Skills & Techniques
• Group Counseling
• Career & Lifestyle Development
• Assessment Techniques in Counseling
• Research & Statistics
• Ethics, Professional Orientation & Legal Issues in Counseling
• Addictive Behaviors
• Psychopathology
• Community Counseling

Electives are also taken which can be put into a concentration in Child & Adolescent Counseling or Marriage & Family. There is an on-site requirement with practicum and internship experience. Three week long residencies are also required in Virginia.

Tuition is as follows:

• Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (online): $650 per semester hour: At 60 credits that is $39,000 for the program.

Financial aid is available through federally funded and private loans.

Through online degree programs more individuals can now earn their counseling degree online. Just remember to check with your state’s licensure requirements. Specific details to check for is if your state requires a degree from a CACREP accredited program and how many credits you must take at the graduate level.(48 or 60)