The best online school counseling programs pair CACREP accreditation with real-time skills training, manageable travel, and real help finding a fieldwork site where you live. All 29 programs below are CACREP-accredited. They differ in how much live class time they build in, how often you’ll visit campus, and who they’re designed for.
Dana teaches seventh-grade science in a small town two hours from the nearest university. She wants to become her school’s counselor, but she can’t quit her job or move. What she needs from an online program isn’t just a login. She needs live classes she can attend after school, a residency she can cover with a few personal days, and a program that will help her set up her internship in her own district. That’s what separates a strong online program from a correspondence course.
This guide is built around that question. Every program here is CACREP-accredited, and each profile explains how the program actually works for a distance student: when you meet live, when you travel, who helps with placement, and which applicants it fits best. If you’re still deciding whether school counseling is the right career fit, the school counseling career overview is a good place to start.
What Makes an Online School Counseling Program Great
Plenty of programs put their coursework online. Far fewer are genuinely built for students who live hours from campus and work full-time. These are the seven things that make the difference, and they’re the lens we used for every profile below.
1. CACREP Accreditation That Covers Online Delivery
CACREP stands for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. It’s the field’s primary accrediting body. CACREP programs must cover a defined curriculum, meet minimum credit-hour requirements (60 semester hours under the 2024 CACREP Standards), and show that graduates are prepared for the school counseling role. Some states require or prefer it, and hiring committees often use it as a filter.
Accreditation is granted program by program, and CACREP’s record often lists each delivery format separately. That’s why every profile below tells you whether CACREP’s own record confirms online delivery or whether the online format is as described by the university. Every accreditation also runs in cycles, so each profile shows the date the current cycle ends.
2. Live Engagement, Not Just Discussion Boards
CACREP Policy A.2.e sets new rules for students who enter an accredited program on or after July 1, 2026. These students must complete at least two synchronous experiences where faculty observe and assess their counseling skills and professional dispositions, including one before practicum. The experiences may be held in person or through synchronous digital delivery. Programs may still deliver much of their coursework asynchronously, but CACREP-accredited programs must build these real-time experiences into the curriculum.
The best programs go further. Weekly live classes, evening skills labs and small cohorts give you the practice and feedback that counseling skills require. Counseling is a relational job, and a program that never puts you in front of a faculty member in real time is leaving something out.
3. Campus Time You Can Plan Around
Online programs range from no required campus visits at all to two separate weeks on campus. A residency can be valuable, since it’s often where skills come together, but it costs travel money and time off. Know the requirement before you apply, and ask exactly when each visit falls.
4. Fieldwork Placement Where You Live
This is the make-or-break factor for online students. Your practicum and internship happen in a real school, usually near home. A well-organized program helps you find and secure that site. A less organized one hands you a list of requirements and tells you to figure it out. Ask who coordinates placements, whether the program has relationships with districts near you, and what happens if your first site falls through.
5. A Schedule Built for Working Adults
Look for part-time paths, evening live sessions, multiple start dates and a clear picture of the weekly workload. A program that starts five times a year or meets mostly in the summer can fit around a teaching job in a way a traditional fall cohort can’t.
6. Admissions That Fit Your Background
Some programs welcome applicants with a bachelor’s in any field. Others require a teaching certificate. Several have dropped the GRE. If you’re changing careers, this one factor can rule a program in or out before anything else.
7. Licensure Transparency
An online program can enroll students from anywhere, but your license comes from the state where you plan to work. School counselor certification or licensure is state-specific. Degree, coursework, fieldwork, examination and endorsement requirements vary, so verify the current requirements with the education or licensing agency in the state where you plan to work. The best programs publish state-by-state disclosures and say plainly where they can’t help you. Our breakdown of school counseling degree requirements by state is a good place to start, and our state certification requirements hub covers each state’s credential.
How We Chose These Programs
Every program on this list comes from our database of CACREP-accredited school counseling programs, verified against the CACREP register on September 30, 2026. Each one either has online delivery confirmed in CACREP’s own record or is described as online by the university, and we say which. Program details come from our database and from each university’s own program pages. We profiled each program against the seven factors above: accreditation, live engagement, campus requirements, placement support, scheduling, admissions access and licensure transparency. The programs are listed alphabetically, not ranked, because the best program depends on your situation. Each profile names the student it fits best. CACREP accreditation is not the same as state approval. Confirm that any program meets your state’s requirements before you enroll.
The Best Online Programs at a Glance
| Program | Degree | Online Delivery | Campus Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams State University (CO) | M.A. | Per the university | Two one-week labs | Students who want a dual-specialty option |
| Butler University (IN) | M.Ed. | CACREP-confirmed | Two Saturday residencies | Students who want hands-on placement help |
| Capella University (MN) | M.S. | Per the university | Two residencies | Students who want a specialization |
| Fort Hays State University (KS) | M.S. | CACREP-confirmed | None listed by the university | Studying fully online from anywhere |
| Grand Canyon University (AZ) | M.Ed. | CACREP-confirmed | Ask the program | Career changers seeking initial licensure |
| Husson University (ME) | M.S. | CACREP-confirmed | On-campus residencies | New England students who want live classes |
| Indiana University Indianapolis (IN) | M.S. | CACREP-confirmed | None listed by the university | Career changers without a teaching degree |
| Kansas State University (KS) | Ed.S. | CACREP-confirmed | None listed by the university | Students who want an Ed.S. from day one |
| Long Island University Post (NY) | M.S. | CACREP-confirmed | Ask the program | Future New York school counselors |
| Marshall University (WV) | M.A. | CACREP-confirmed | Ask the program | Working adults who want evening live classes |
| MidAmerica Nazarene University (KS) | M.A. | CACREP-confirmed | On-site meetings | Kansas City-area students who want a blend |
| Montana State University (MT) | M.Ed. | CACREP-confirmed | Two residency weekends | Educators who want to study mostly in summer |
| North Carolina State University (NC) | M.Ed./M.S. | CACREP-confirmed | Ask the program | North Carolina students who want a part-time cohort |
| Northern State University (SD) | M.S.Ed. | CACREP-confirmed | Optional (HyFlex) | Students who want to choose how they attend |
| Ohio University (OH) | M.Ed. | CACREP-confirmed | None listed by the university | Working professionals from any field |
| Seattle University (WA) | M.A.Ed. | CACREP-confirmed, low-residency | Low-residency | Students ready for a full-time, three-year cohort |
| St. Bonaventure University (NY) | M.S.Ed. | CACREP-confirmed | None listed by the university | Students who want placement support and a clear workload |
| Troy University (AL) | M.S.Ed. | CACREP-confirmed, low-residency | Two short residencies | Alabama teachers and alternative-route candidates |
| Truman State University (MO) | M.A. | CACREP-confirmed | None listed by the university | Students who want a small, capped cohort |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks (AK) | M.Ed. | CACREP-confirmed | Ask the program | Alaskans and rural students |
| University of Denver (CO) | M.A. | Per the university | None required | A live classroom with no campus travel |
| University of Holy Cross (LA) | M.A. | CACREP-confirmed | Ask the program | Students balancing work and family |
| University of Puget Sound (WA) | M.Ed. | CACREP-confirmed | Two residency weekends a year | Students who want a small cohort |
| University of West Alabama (AL) | M.Ed./M.S. | Per the university | One four-day residency | Certified teachers moving into counseling |
| Valdosta State University (GA) | M.Ed. | CACREP-confirmed | None listed by the university | A mix of live and self-paced classes |
| Walden University (MN) | M.S. | CACREP-confirmed, low-residency | Skills labs (in person or virtual) | Flexible starts and pacing |
| Walsh University (OH) | M.A. | CACREP-confirmed | No on-campus visits | Starting soon without travel |
| William & Mary (VA) | M.Ed. | CACREP-confirmed | Two three-day residencies | Working adults who want a part-time cohort |
| Winthrop University (SC) | M.Ed. | Per the university | No residency | Future counselors in the Carolinas |
Online School Counseling Programs
Programs are listed alphabetically. Each profile starts with the student it fits best, then explains how the program delivers online.
Adams State University — M.A. in Counseling, School Counseling
Best for: Students who want an established program and the option of a dual school and clinical specialty
Location: Alamosa, CO | Credits: 60
Format: Online, as described by the university, with two one-week labs on campus
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through March 31, 2028
Adams State has held CACREP accreditation for school counseling since 1994, one of the longest track records on this list. The university built its online program for students who can’t attend a face-to-face program, and almost all of the work happens online. The exception is two separate weeks on the Alamosa campus for required labs tied to your pre-practicum and practicum courses. Plan travel and time off early, because attendance is mandatory.
The standout option here is the dual specialty. Students who want to be prepared for both school counseling and clinical mental health counseling apply to the school counseling program and declare the dual specialty after admission. Adams State’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is CACREP-accredited through March 31, 2028. That’s useful if you want the option of working outside a school later.
Good to know: Online delivery is as described by the university. CACREP’s record does not confirm the format.
Butler University — M.Ed. in School Counseling
Best for: Students who want a well-supported path with hands-on help finding a field placement
Location: Indianapolis, IN | Credits: 60 | Length: 2.5 to 3 years
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed), with two required Saturday residencies
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2030
Butler removes friction at almost every step. There’s no GRE and no prerequisite coursework, you can transfer in up to 12 credits, and there are multiple start dates each year. Coursework is online, and CACREP’s own record confirms the online format.
Where Butler really earns its place is fieldwork support. Field experience totals 700 hours in K-12 settings, and a field placement coordinator helps you secure your site. For a distance student who isn’t already working in a school, that kind of help can save months. You’ll also attend two required Saturday residencies, one before practicum and one before graduation, focused on counseling skills and placement preparation. If you’re outside Indiana, confirm how the program lines up with your state’s rules.
Capella University — M.S. in School Counseling
Best for: Students who want a structured program with a specialization option
Location: Minneapolis, MN | Credits: 90 quarter credits (60 semester)
Format: Online, as described by the university, with two required residencies
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through March 31, 2028 (Reaffirmation in Process)
Capella’s school counseling program has held CACREP accreditation since 2008 and is currently going through reaffirmation. It runs in Capella’s GuidedPath format, which means structured 10-week quarters with set course deadlines rather than a self-paced model. That structure suits students who want online flexibility but also want someone else to set the pace.
Capella stands out for specialization. Along with General School Counseling, it offers specializations in Addiction Treatment and Recovery and in Child and Adolescent Counseling. Along with coursework, you’ll complete two residencies, a practicum and two internships. There’s no GRE or GMAT.
Good to know: Online delivery is as described by the university. CACREP’s record does not confirm the format. Capella does not accept applicants who live in Arkansas or Kentucky and intend to seek licensure in those states.
Fort Hays State University — M.S. in Counseling (School Counseling)
Best for: Students who want to study fully online from anywhere, with live sessions built into key courses
Location: Hays, KS | Credits: 60
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through March 31, 2029
Fort Hays State delivers every course online, and the university says you can complete the program from anywhere in the world. CACREP’s own record confirms the online format, and the school counseling program has been CACREP-accredited since 2019.
Online doesn’t mean isolated here. The program’s handbook lists synchronous components in several courses, including the practicum and internship, so you’ll meet with faculty and classmates in real time where it matters most. You’ll complete 700 hours of field experience, with a practicum focused on either elementary or secondary school. It’s designed to prepare graduates for licensure as Professional School Counselors.
Grand Canyon University — M.Ed. in School Counseling
Best for: Career changers with a bachelor’s in any field who want initial licensure
Location: Phoenix, AZ | Credits: 60
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2033
Grand Canyon’s M.Ed. is an initial licensure program, open to applicants with a bachelor’s degree who want to seek certification as a school counselor. Courses are offered online, and CACREP’s record confirms digital delivery. The program earned CACREP accreditation in 2024, one of the most recent accreditations on this list.
The curriculum is aligned with the American School Counselor Association’s framework and emphasizes data-informed decision-making and school counseling program development. Ask admissions how and when the program schedules its live skills assessments and how it supports placement in your area.
Husson University — M.S. in School Counseling
Best for: New England students who want live online classes with in-person residencies
Location: Bangor, ME | Credits: 60
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed), with on-campus residencies
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2031
Husson designed its online M.S. for students who need online access to coursework without giving up clinical quality. Courses are synchronous, so you’ll attend class live with faculty and classmates, and the program adds on-campus residencies and clinical internships. Admission opens for both fall and spring starts.
Husson’s program has held CACREP accreditation since 2013, and it’s the only online CACREP school counseling program on this list based in New England. If you’re in Maine or nearby and want a program with a strong live-class rhythm, it’s worth a close look.
Indiana University Indianapolis — M.S. in School Counseling
Best for: Career changers who don’t have an education or teaching degree
Location: Indianapolis, IN | Credits: 60
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through March 31, 2030
IU Indianapolis delivers its 60-credit school counseling program fully online, with a mix of live (synchronous) sessions and self-paced work. That balance gives you real-time contact with faculty without tying every week to a fixed class time.
The program is especially open to career changers. The university says plainly that you don’t need an education or teaching degree to apply, which removes one of the most common barriers for people coming from social work, psychology, business or other fields. The program has held CACREP accreditation since 2019.
Kansas State University — Ed.S. in School Counseling
Best for: Students who want an Education Specialist credential as their entry-level degree
Location: Manhattan, KS | Credits: 60
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2032
Kansas State is the one program on this list that awards an Education Specialist degree instead of a master’s. K-State describes the Ed.S. as its entry-level school counseling degree, and the 60-credit program is 100% online. CACREP has accredited its digital delivery since July 2025.
K-State has built the program around current school needs, with added emphasis on individual counseling skills, trauma-responsive practice, attention to student mental health, and leadership within schools. It’s the only Ed.S. in school counseling of its kind in Kansas.
Good to know: This program awards an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree rather than a master’s. Check that your state accepts it for school counselor certification.
Long Island University Post — M.S. in School Counseling
Best for: Students who plan to work as school counselors in New York
Location: Brookville, NY | Credits: 60
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2029 (Progress Report Required)
LIU’s school counseling program, offered through its Post and Brentwood campuses, has held CACREP accreditation since 2003, and CACREP has recognized its digital delivery since March 2020. New cohorts begin each fall and spring, so you won’t wait a full year to start.
Fieldwork spans elementary, middle and high school levels, which gives you a full picture of the role before you graduate. The program leads to New York State certification as a school counselor, so it’s a natural fit if you plan to practice there.
Marshall University — M.A. in Counseling, School Counseling
Best for: Working adults who want evening live classes and a path to both school certification and counselor licensure
Location: South Charleston, WV | Credits: 60
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through April 30, 2034 (Progress Report Required)
Marshall’s online program is built around evening classes with live sessions, so you keep regular contact with core faculty without giving up your workday. There’s no GRE. Instead, you’ll submit a writing sample, a video personal statement and two recommendation forms, which gives the program a fuller picture of how you communicate.
Marshall also offers a rare combination. Graduates of the School Counseling emphasis are eligible to apply for both the LPC-WV license and school counseling certification. Marshall’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is CACREP-accredited through April 30, 2034 (Progress Report Required).
Good to know: Marshall’s own program page still shows an October 2025 expiry. CACREP’s register has renewed this program through April 30, 2034.
MidAmerica Nazarene University — M.A. in School Counseling
Best for: Kansas City-area students who want live online classes with some on-site meetings
Location: Olathe, KS | Credits: 62 or 64 | Length: 33 months
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed), meeting on-site and synchronously online
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2033
MidAmerica Nazarene’s program meets both on-site and synchronously online, so every class has a live component. That makes it one of the more interactive formats on this list, and a good match if you live within reach of Olathe and want face-to-face contact without a full campus schedule.
The program takes about 33 months to complete, and the university has held CACREP accreditation for school counseling since 2009. Ask how often on-site meetings happen before you commit if you live farther away.
Good to know: The university offers a 62-credit track and a 64-credit track, and which one you enter depends on your background.
Montana State University — M.Ed. in School Counseling
Best for: Working educators who want to do most of their studying in the summer
Location: Bozeman, MT | Credits: 60 | Length: 3 years
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed), with two residency weekends
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through March 31, 2031
Montana State’s online M.Ed. has one of the most distinctive schedules on this list. The three-year program is mostly offered in the summer months, with up to six credits each fall and spring. You can start any summer. For teachers, that rhythm puts the heaviest coursework in the months you’re not in the classroom.
Coursework is online, with two residency weekends across the program. A few summer courses are blended with an in-person component to meet CACREP requirements. No teaching license is required for Montana’s Class 6 school counselor license, and the 60 credits also cover the coursework Montana requires for the LCPC license. Montana State has held CACREP accreditation for school counseling since 1991, and CACREP accredited its digital delivery in February 2026.
North Carolina State University — M.Ed./M.S. in School Counseling
Best for: North Carolina students who want a steady, part-time cohort
Location: Raleigh, NC | Credits: 60 | Length: 3 years part-time
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through March 31, 2030
NC State’s online program follows a part-time cohort model that starts in Summer Session I. You take one course each summer session and two courses each fall and spring, finishing in three years. It’s a predictable pace that leaves room for a job, and you’ll move through it with the same group of classmates. The program no longer requires the GRE or MAT.
The program also meets the educational requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in North Carolina. NC State’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is CACREP-accredited through March 31, 2030. If you live outside North Carolina, ask whether fieldwork sites outside the state are allowed before you apply.
Northern State University — M.S.Ed. in Counseling, School Counseling
Best for: Students who want to choose, class by class, whether to attend in person or online
Location: Aberdeen, SD | Credits: 60 | Length: About 2 years
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed), HyFlex
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through April 30, 2034
Northern State delivers its counseling program through HyFlex, a model that combines face-to-face, live online and self-paced online modes in the same course. Distance students join the class in real time alongside students in the room. That means you’re never watching a recording of a class you could have been part of.
The university estimates about two years to complete the 60 credits, and the program carries one of the longest current accreditation cycles on this list, running to 2034. Northern State prepares graduates for South Dakota school counselor certification.
Ohio University — M.Ed. in Counselor Education, School Counseling
Best for: Working professionals from any field, including K-12 staff, who may want a dual specialty
Location: Athens, OH | Credits: 60 | Length: 6 to 7 semesters
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2032 (Progress Report Required)
Ohio University’s school counseling program has held CACREP accreditation since 1985. Its online track is designed for working professionals and, according to the university, is open to students with a bachelor’s in any field. Most students finish in six to seven semesters, and the program starts in summer.
Ohio also offers a dual program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling, so you can specialize in both. Ohio’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2032 (Progress Report Required).
Seattle University — M.A.Ed. in School Counseling
Best for: Students ready for a full-time, three-year cohort with a live final year
Location: Seattle, WA | Credits: 90 quarter credits | Length: 3 years full-time
Format: Online, low-residency (CACREP-confirmed)
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2027 (Reaffirmation in Process)
Seattle University says its online program runs on a quarter system and takes three years full-time. The online and in-person programs mirror each other, and the third year is online and synchronous, so your fieldwork year comes with live class support. Applications open on a rolling basis each December.
Good to know: This program’s CACREP accreditation cycle ends October 31, 2027, sooner than any other program on this list, and reaffirmation is in process. Ask where it stands before you apply.
St. Bonaventure University — M.S.Ed. in School Counseling
Best for: Students who want placement support and an honest picture of the weekly workload
Location: St. Bonaventure, NY | Credits: 60
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2032
St. Bonaventure’s program is 100% online for coursework, with 60 credits across 20 courses plus 100 practicum hours and 600 internship hours. The university provides practicum and internship site support, which matters a lot when you’re arranging fieldwork from a distance. There’s no GRE or GMAT.
What sets it apart is transparency. St. Bonaventure tells applicants to expect 15 to 20 hours of work per class each week, plus 8 to 10 additional hours a week during practicum. That kind of candor helps you plan your job and family life before you commit. The program has held CACREP accreditation since 2007.
Troy University — M.S.Ed. in Counseling, School Counseling
Best for: Alabama teachers and candidates using Alabama’s alternative certification route
Location: Troy, AL | Credits: 60
Format: Online, low-residency (CACREP-confirmed), with two short residencies
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2032
Troy moved its CACREP-accredited counseling programs to fully online delivery to give students more flexibility in balancing school, family and work. The school counseling program pairs online coursework with two short residencies, and CACREP’s record confirms the low-residency format. Troy’s program has held CACREP accreditation since 1997.
Troy offers a residency-based track designed for candidates earning certification while transitioning into school counseling, which makes it a practical option if you don’t already hold a teaching certificate.
Good to know: Admission requires a valid teaching certificate or the Alabama Department of Education non-certificate option. Ask the program which route applies to you.
Truman State University — M.A. in Counseling, School Counseling
Best for: Students who want a small, capped cohort in a fully online program
Location: Kirksville, MO | Credits: 60
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through March 31, 2033
Truman’s Master of Arts in Counseling is the university’s first online-only master’s program, and it was designed with working adults in mind. It follows a research-based cohort model, and each cohort is capped at 24 students across the mental health and school counseling tracks. That keeps classes small and faculty accessible.
Fully online doesn’t mean isolated. Skills courses meet live over Zoom on weekday evenings, and the rest of the coursework is asynchronous. Fall and spring courses follow a semester format, while summer classes generally run 10 weeks. Truman earned CACREP accreditation in 2023 and admits on a rolling basis.
University of Alaska Fairbanks — M.Ed. in School Counseling
Best for: Alaskans and students in rural communities who want culturally grounded training
Location: Fairbanks, AK | Credits: 60
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through April 30, 2034
UAF’s program is entirely digitally delivered, with courses offered online either synchronously or asynchronously, so you can take classes from anywhere in Alaska. The university says it’s the only counseling program of its kind in the state, and CACREP has accredited its online delivery since January 2018.
The program is taught by practitioners who understand Alaska’s cultural context, and it prepares counselors to be culturally responsive in the communities they serve. It admits students twice a year, and the degree includes practicum and internships under a licensed counselor’s supervision.
University of Denver — M.A. in School Counseling
Best for: Students who want a real live classroom without any required campus travel
Location: Denver, CO | Credits: 90 quarter hours (60 semester) | Length: As few as 22 months full-time
Format: Online, as described by the university, with weekly live classes
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2030
If you want a real classroom feel, DU’s SchoolCounseling@Denver is the one to look at first. You’ll meet in weekly live online sessions, and asynchronous work fills in between them. DU says there are no mandatory campus requirements for graduation. An optional on-campus immersion is available if you want it.
DU is also easy to start. Cohorts begin in January, June and September, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and there’s no GRE. If test requirements are a sticking point, our list of school counseling programs that don’t require the GRE covers more options. Full-time students can finish in as few as 22 months, and a part-time option is available. Field experience includes a 100-hour practicum and 600 hours of internship completed in or near your own community.
Good to know: Online delivery is as described by the university. CACREP’s record does not confirm the format.
University of Holy Cross — M.A. in Counseling, School Counseling
Best for: Students balancing work and family who want control over when they study
Location: New Orleans, LA | Credits: 60
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2031
Holy Cross launched its online counseling degrees to give students more control over when they access course material. The university says the format works well for students with work and family responsibilities, and it extends the program’s reach beyond the New Orleans region.
Holy Cross’s school counseling program has been CACREP-accredited since 2006, and CACREP has accredited its online delivery since July 2020. Ask the program about residency requirements and how it supports placements outside Louisiana.
University of Puget Sound — M.Ed. in Counseling, School Counseling
Best for: Students who want a small cohort and regular in-person connection
Location: Tacoma, WA | Credits: 15 units
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed), described by the university as hybrid, with two residency weekends a year
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through March 31, 2031
Puget Sound runs a hybrid format. You complete most coursework online, then come to campus for two residency weekends a year for hands-on learning and networking. The small-cohort model is built to create close relationships with faculty and classmates, which is exactly what a lot of online students miss.
You choose between Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling, and the school counseling program has been CACREP-accredited since 2021. Puget Sound counts coursework in units rather than credit hours, so don’t compare its total directly with 60-credit programs.
University of West Alabama — M.Ed. in School Counseling
Best for: Certified teachers moving into school counseling, with a parallel track for career changers
Location: Livingston, AL | Credits: 60 | Length: 2 to 3 years
Format: Online, as described by the university, with one four-day residency
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through March 31, 2032 (Progress Report Required)
UWA runs its courses in 8-week terms, mixing synchronous and asynchronous formats with evening class times designed around working adults. You’ll spend four days on the Livingston campus for an in-person skills residency. That’s the only required trip. Graduates from January 13, 2022 onward are considered CACREP graduates.
Good to know: Online delivery is as described by the university. CACREP’s record does not confirm the format. The M.Ed. requires an existing teaching certificate. Applicants without one use the parallel 60-credit M.S. in Guidance and Counseling.
Valdosta State University — M.Ed. in Counselor Education, School Counseling
Best for: Students who want a mix of live and self-paced online classes
Location: Valdosta, GA | Credits: 60
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through April 30, 2033
Valdosta State offers every class fully online with both virtual synchronous and asynchronous components. That blend gives you regular live contact without requiring you to be online at a set time for every course. Students begin in the summer or fall after admission.
Fieldwork includes a 100-hour practicum and two 300-hour internships, and the program prepares school counselors to work across P-16 settings. Valdosta State’s school counseling program has been CACREP-accredited since 2007.
Good to know: Valdosta State takes part in SARA, but whether this program meets licensure requirements varies by state. Applicants in some states sign an attestation before enrolling.
Walden University — M.S. in School Counseling
Best for: Students who want flexible start dates, adjustable pacing and a dual-degree option
Location: Minneapolis, MN | Credits: 90 quarter credits (60 semester), General Program
Format: Online, low-residency (CACREP-confirmed)
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2033 (Progress Report Required)
Walden is built for working professionals, with rolling start dates throughout the year. Walden also offers a standard track at one or two courses per quarter and an accelerated track at three. The curriculum, labs and fieldwork are the same either way, so you can choose the pace that fits your life.
Don’t expect to do all of it on your own schedule, though. The program includes two pre-practicum labs with live, synchronous components, and a field experience preparation course walks you through placement before practicum begins. Walden also offers a dual degree that leads to both an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and an MS in School Counseling. Walden’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2033 (Progress Report Required).
Good to know: The 90 quarter credits apply to the General Program. Specializations require 105 credits.
Walsh University — M.A. in Counseling, School Counseling
Best for: Students who want to start soon and avoid campus travel entirely
Location: North Canton, OH | Credits: 60 | Length: Just over 3 years part-time
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2031
Walsh offers five start dates a year, which is more than almost any program on this list, so you won’t wait long to begin. Coursework is 100% online, and the university says no on-campus visits are required. You’ll finish the 60 credits in just over three years of part-time study, with 100 practicum hours and 600 internship hours.
Walsh also lets you complete the Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling specializations at the same time. Walsh’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2031. Its school counseling program has held CACREP accreditation since 2005.
William & Mary — M.Ed. in Counseling, School Counseling Concentration
Best for: Working adults who want a structured part-time cohort and short, focused residencies
Location: Williamsburg, VA | Credits: 60 | Length: About 3 years part-time
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed), with two three-day residencies
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2032 (Progress Report Required)
William & Mary’s online M.Ed. runs as a part-time cohort, and most students finish in about three years. That’s by design. It’s built for people keeping a full-time job, and you’ll move through the program with the same classmates. Coursework is online, but you’ll travel to Williamsburg twice for three-day residencies, one before practicum and one before internship.
The school counseling concentration covers P-12 development, school-based intervention, consultation and program evaluation. William & Mary has held CACREP accreditation for school counseling since 1998.
Good to know: The on-campus track is not accepting applications for the 2026-27 admission cycle, so the online program is currently the way in.
Winthrop University — M.Ed. in Counseling and Development, School Counseling
Best for: Future school counselors in South Carolina and North Carolina
Location: Rock Hill, SC | Credits: 60 | Length: 3 years (7 semesters)
Format: Online, as described by the university
Accreditation: CACREP-accredited through October 31, 2033
Winthrop’s online M.Ed. uses a cohort model, so you’ll move through the curriculum with the same group rather than navigating it alone. Most coursework is asynchronous, and Winthrop says there’s no campus residency, so ask how it schedules the live skills assessments CACREP now requires. Fieldwork totals 700 hours across practicum and internship.
Completers who meet program requirements and pass the Praxis specialty exam are eligible for certification in South Carolina or licensure in North Carolina. If you’re outside those states, check alignment with your own board before you apply.
Good to know: Online delivery is as described by the university. CACREP’s record does not confirm the format.
Can You Work Full-Time While Earning Your Degree Online?
It’s possible, but not without trade-offs. One course at a time in your first term is manageable for most people. Adding a second works for many students once they understand the program’s rhythm and writing load, but school counseling coursework involves regular written reflections, case studies and applied skill practice that don’t compress easily. St. Bonaventure’s estimate of 15 to 20 hours per class each week is a useful reality check.
Cohort programs like William & Mary’s and NC State’s are designed around this reality. They set a steady pace, give you clear due dates and build in peer accountability. Mostly asynchronous programs offer more flexibility but take more self-direction to stay on track. Either way, block out time for residencies and live skills assessments. A one-week lab in Alamosa or a three-day residency in Williamsburg means using vacation days.
Fieldwork complicates the picture further. Most programs require practicum and internship hours during the school day, since that’s when students and site supervisors are available. If you’re currently teaching, you may be able to arrange fieldwork within your own school. If you’re not in a school setting now, plan for daytime availability during your fieldwork terms, usually the last two or three terms of the program.
How Practicum and Internship Work in Online Programs
CACREP requires at least 700 clock hours of supervised field experience: 100 hours of practicum followed by 600 hours of internship. At least 40 practicum hours and 240 internship hours must involve direct service with actual clients, and the internship must be relevant to the school counseling specialization. Some programs and states require more, so check your state’s rules before you plan your timeline. For a closer look at what fieldwork involves, the internship and fieldwork guide covers what to expect.
The online part of your degree doesn’t extend to fieldwork. You’ll be in a school building, working under a qualified site supervisor, logging direct contact hours across academic planning, social-emotional support, crisis response and group work.
What varies between programs is how much help you get arranging that placement. Some programs actively coordinate placements. Butler assigns a field placement coordinator, and St. Bonaventure offers practicum and internship site support. Others provide requirements and templates but leave the arranging to you. Ask about placement support before you commit. It’s one of the most revealing questions you can ask in an admissions conversation.
One more note. Some programs describe simulation or role-play exercises as supplementing fieldwork, which is accurate. Simulation doesn’t replace clock hours. Any program implying otherwise is worth a hard second look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do online school counseling programs require campus visits?
Many do. Adams State requires two one-week labs, William & Mary and Troy require two short residencies, and Butler requires two Saturdays. Denver and Walsh say no campus visits are required. CACREP programs also require at least two live skills assessments, including one before practicum, for students who start on or after July 1, 2026. These can happen in person or through synchronous digital delivery, so ask each program for its exact schedule.
Can I become a school counselor through an online program without a teaching degree?
In many cases, yes. IU Indianapolis says you don’t need an education or teaching degree, Grand Canyon admits applicants with a bachelor’s in any field, and Montana’s school counselor license doesn’t require a teaching license. Some programs do require one. UWA’s M.Ed. requires a teaching certificate, and Troy requires a certificate or Alabama’s non-certificate option. Your state sets the final rules, so check them before you apply.
Will the program help me find a practicum or internship site?
Some programs actively coordinate placements, and others mostly leave it to you. Butler has a field placement coordinator, and St. Bonaventure offers site support. Ask every program whether it has relationships with schools near you and what happens if your first site falls through.
How many fieldwork hours does a CACREP school counseling program require?
CACREP requires at least 700 clock hours of supervised field experience: 100 hours of practicum followed by 600 hours of internship. At least 40 practicum hours and 240 internship hours must involve direct service, and the internship must be relevant to the school counseling specialization. Some programs and states require more, so check your state’s rules before you map out your timeline.
Can I enroll in an out-of-state online program and still get licensed where I live?
Usually, yes, but confirm it with your state licensing board before you enroll. Some programs limit who can apply. Capella doesn’t accept applicants in Arkansas or Kentucky who plan to seek licensure there, and Valdosta State asks applicants in some states to sign an attestation. Your license comes from your state, not your school, so the final check is on you.
- Every program here is CACREP-accredited — check whether CACREP’s own record confirms the online format, and note when the current accreditation cycle ends.
- Online doesn’t mean never live — CACREP programs now require at least two synchronous skills experiences, and the strongest programs build in weekly live classes or small cohorts.
- Campus time ranges from none to two weeks — Denver and Walsh require no visits, while Adams State requires two one-week labs.
- Placement support is the make-or-break factor — ask exactly who helps you find a fieldwork site in your community.
- State approval is a separate question — certification is state-specific, so confirm with your state board that a program qualifies before you enroll.
If you’re comparing master’s programs, start with the state where you plan to practice. Licensing requirements vary, and your program needs to line up with your state’s credentialing process before you enroll.
Explore Programs