CACREP-Accredited School Counseling Programs: Verify Before You Enroll
Your Degree Needs to Meet State Licensure Requirements, and Accreditation is Where That Starts
MS in School Counseling (no GRE required)
MS in School Counseling - General Program
MA in Education in School Counseling
MA in School Counseling
M.Ed. in Counseling Development - School Counseling Concentration
Education Specialist in Counseling- School Counseling
MS in School Counseling
M. Ed School Counseling
MED: School Counseling
M. Ed. in School Counseling – Special Populations Concentration
M. Ed. in Counseling & Development with a Specialization in Professional School Counseling
M. Ed. in School Counseling
MS in School Counseling
M. Ed. — Counseling, School Counseling Track
What this guide covers
What CACREP accreditation means, how it differs from state approval, how to verify a program before you enroll, and how to shortlist programs that actually meet compliance requirements in your state.
- What CACREP accreditation is and why it matters
- Accreditation vs. state approval — how they differ
- How to verify a program before you enroll
- Online programs and the practicum reality
- M.Ed., MA, MS — does the degree title matter?
- State variation and compliance caveats
What CACREP Is — and Why It Matters for School Counseling
CACREP stands for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. It’s the primary national accrediting body for graduate-level counselor education in the United States. A program that holds CACREP accreditation has been reviewed against a defined set of standards covering curriculum structure, faculty qualifications, practicum and internship requirements, and student learning outcomes.
For school counseling, accreditation matters because it signals that a program was built to meet the professional standards of the field — not just assembled to satisfy minimum state-course requirements. That distinction has consequences when you apply for state licensure, when employers screen applicants, and when you eventually move or seek licensure in another state.
CACREP is not a government agency. It’s an independent professional standards body. Accreditation is granted at the program level, not the institution level. A university can hold CACREP accreditation for its school counseling program without holding it for every other program in the same department — so always verify the specific program, not just the school name.
Check the program, not the institution. Search for “CACREP-accredited school counseling program” specifically. Institutional accreditation (regional accreditation) and CACREP program accreditation are separate. A school can be regionally accredited without any CACREP-accredited programs at all.
Why Accreditation Matters — and What It Doesn’t Guarantee
School counselor licensure is controlled at the state level, not by CACREP. Each state sets its own requirements — credit hours, supervised fieldwork expectations, required exams, and which preparation programs it will accept. CACREP doesn’t issue licenses. What it does is establish a curriculum and structure standard that many states use as a benchmark.
Where CACREP accreditation helps
- Some states offer streamlined or preferred licensure pathways for CACREP-accredited program graduates, while others accept multiple approved program types
- Some school districts may consider CACREP accreditation as one indicator of program quality during hiring — though this varies by employer and region
- Interstate portability is generally smoother when your program meets a recognized national standard
- The NBCC’s National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential provides a streamlined eligibility pathway for CACREP graduates; alternative eligibility routes exist for non-CACREP graduates
Where CACREP alone isn’t enough
- Graduating from a CACREP-accredited program doesn’t automatically qualify you for licensure — you still need to meet your state’s specific requirements
- State approval is a separate determination. A CACREP-accredited program may not be state-approved in every state
- Credit-hour minimums and fieldwork requirements vary by state. Verify that the program meets your state’s numbers, not just CACREP’s minimums
- Reciprocity is never guaranteed — even with a CACREP credential, each receiving state evaluates your application against its own rules
The safest path: Look for a program that is both CACREP-accredited and state-approved in the state where you plan to practice. Confirm both independently — with the program and with your state education agency — before enrolling.
State Requirements Vary — What That Means for Your Program Search
There’s no federal standard for school counselor licensure. Each of the 50 states sets its own rules — and they differ in ways that matter for program selection. Some states offer streamlined or preferred licensure pathways for CACREP-accredited program graduates. Others accept multiple approved program types with no formal CACREP preference. A few states have specific rules about which routes are available to graduates of non-CACREP programs. The picture varies enough that you shouldn’t assume any general statement applies to your state.
Before you choose a program, you need to know the rules in the state where you plan to be licensed — not the state where the program is headquartered. An online program may be based in one state but hold approval in others. That approval list is what matters for your credential.
| Compliance Variable | Who Controls It | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| CACREP requirement for licensure | Each state individually | Check your state education agency’s current licensure rules — not the program’s marketing page |
| State program approval | Each state individually | Ask the program which states it holds approval in; verify independently with your state agency |
| Minimum credit hours | Each state individually | Confirm the program’s credit hours meet your state’s minimum — CACREP currently requires 60 semester credit hours for school counseling programs; some states require additional hours beyond that |
| Fieldwork and internship hours | Each state individually | Confirm the program’s required hours match your state’s supervised experience requirement |
| Required licensure exams | Each state individually | Identify your state’s required exams (Praxis School Counselor, state-specific tests) before enrolling |
For exact, current state-by-state certification requirements — including approved programs, required exams, and supervised hours — see the School Counseling Certification hub linked in the related resources section at the bottom of this guide.
Compare Accredited School Counseling Programs
The programs below have been evaluated for accreditation status, state approval breadth, online flexibility, and supervised fieldwork support. Use the verification checklist below to confirm CACREP accreditation and state approval for your specific state before requesting information.
PROS
100% online and purpose-built for working adult learners with no set login times Social change orientation woven throughout the curriculum at every level Flexible quarterly calendar with multiple entry points throughout the year Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) No GRE required for admission to the MS program Broad practicum and internship support with field placement coordinated around the student's location Extensive alumni network across education and counseling as well as the social services fieldsCONS
As a large online university the cohort-style community may feel less immersive than smaller campus-based programs Doctoral-track students should note that the MS is a terminal master's though separate doctoral programs are available for those pursuing advanced credentialsPROS
CACREP-accredited program from a respected private research university with strong institutional credibility Three cohort entry points per year in January / June / September for flexible planning No GRE required for admission Social justice and equity lens embedded throughout the curriculum at every course level Optional immersion experience on DU's Denver campus for peer and faculty connection Practicum and 600-hour internship completed locally with no relocation required Graduates are prepared to sit for school counselor certification or licensure in their stateCONS
Beginning July 2026 there are two in-person synchronous residencies that will be required as part of CACREP compliance — plan travel logistics accordingly The program is structured around a cohort model so students who need more scheduling flexibility may find a self-paced format better suited to their needsPROS
Six online start dates per year optimizes scheduling flexibility 100% online program with fully asynchronous coursework designed for working professionals Faith-based Christian perspective integrated throughout the curriculum SACSCOC regionally accredited institution with CAEP-accredited education programs Small online class sizes ensure personalized faculty attention and engagement throughout the program Affordable private university tuition with financial aid options available No GRE required for admission to the programCONS
Faith-based institutional identity may not align with all students' backgrounds or professional worldviews State certification and licensure requirements for school counselors vary so students should verify their state's specific requirements before enrollingHow We Select Featured Programs
Programs featured in this guide are evaluated against a consistent set of criteria focused on accreditation status, state approval breadth, online flexibility, and support for working adults. No program pays to be featured here. Selection reflects editorial assessment only.
CACREP Accreditation Status
Programs are reviewed for CACREP accreditation at the school counseling program level. Always confirm directly at cacrep.org/directory before enrolling.
State Approval Breadth
Programs hold state approval across multiple states. Always verify approval for your specific state directly with the program and your state education agency.
Online Flexibility
Programs offer online or hybrid enrollment for working adults, with supervised fieldwork placements arranged locally in the student’s area.
Regional Accreditation
Every featured institution holds regional accreditation (HLC, SACSCOC, NECHE, or equivalent) — the minimum bar for employer recognition, credit transfer, and federal financial aid.
Accreditation status, state approval, and program offerings are subject to change. Always confirm current details directly with the program before enrolling.
How to Verify a Program — and Why You Can’t Take ‘Accredited’ at Face Value
Program pages and marketing materials use “accredited” loosely. Regional accreditation, CACREP accreditation, and state program approval are three different things — and a program can have some without having all. Before you request information from any school counseling program, work through this checklist.
Accreditation checks
- Confirm CACREP accreditation directly at cacrep.org/directory — don’t rely on the program’s own claims
- Verify the specific degree program is listed, not just the institution name
- Note the accreditation expiration or next scheduled review date
- Check whether the program is listed as fully accredited vs. CACREP candidate status — these are not the same thing
State approval checks
- Ask the program directly: “Is this program state-approved in [your state] for school counselor licensure?”
- Verify independently through your state education agency’s approved program list
- Confirm approval is specifically for school counseling — not a general counseling or clinical mental health track
- If you’re enrolling online, confirm local practicum placement is available in your area
Degree structure checks
- Confirm the program meets your state’s minimum credit-hour requirement
- Verify practicum hours (typically 100 hours) and internship hours (typically 600 hours) meet your state’s supervised experience requirements
- Confirm that supervised hours are completed in a K–12 school setting — not a clinical agency or mental health center
Credential type checks
- Confirm the degree leads to a school counselor credential — not an LPC, LMHC, or clinical counseling license
- Clarify whether the degree title (M.Ed., MA, MS) affects state eligibility in your target state
- Ask explicitly: “Does completing this program make me eligible to apply for [your state’s] school counselor license?”
One check that’s often skipped: Confirm that the program’s site supervisor relationships and K–12 placement network extend to your area. Some programs are excellent in their home region but have no placement infrastructure in other states. Ask before you enroll, not after.
M.Ed., MA, MS — Does the Degree Title Affect Eligibility?
Most states that require a master’s degree for school counselor licensure accept multiple degree titles. The ones you’ll see most often are Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Arts (MA), and Master of Science (MS). Some programs offer an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) — a post-master’s degree above the M.Ed. level that some states use for advanced or specialist-level credentialing.
In most cases, the degree title matters less than what the program actually contains: whether it’s focused on school counseling, whether it meets required credit-hour minimums, whether it includes the required supervised fieldwork in K–12 settings, and whether it holds state approval in your target state. When in doubt, verify with your state education agency before enrolling.
Certificate programs are not the same as a master’s degree. A graduate certificate in school counseling typically does not fulfill the master’s degree requirement for initial school counselor licensure. Verify that the program leads to an accredited master’s degree, not just a certificate.
| Degree / Credential | Typical Use | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| M.Ed. in School Counseling | Initial licensure pathway — most common in education departments | Widely accepted across states; confirm state approval for your specific state |
| MA in School Counseling | Initial licensure pathway — common in counselor education or psychology departments | Widely accepted; verify state rules if the program is housed in a counseling psychology department |
| MS in School Counseling | Initial licensure pathway — equivalent to M.Ed./MA in most states | Confirm the program focus is school counseling, not clinical mental health counseling |
| Ed.S. in School Counseling | Post-master’s credential; used in some states for advanced school counseling roles | Requires a prior master’s degree; not needed for initial licensure in most states |
| Graduate Certificate | Professional development; adding endorsements to an existing license | Does not fulfill the master’s degree requirement for initial school counselor licensure |
Online Programs and the Practicum Requirement
Most accredited school counseling programs — including CACREP-accredited ones — are now available fully or primarily online. Online delivery doesn’t disqualify a program from CACREP accreditation or state approval. The key distinction is this: coursework can be online; supervised fieldwork cannot be completed remotely.
CACREP requires a practicum (100 hours of supervised direct service in a school setting) and an internship (600 hours distributed across school levels). These hours must primarily be completed in actual K–12 school placements in your area. Limited simulation may supplement certain skill-building components, but it cannot replace required in-person fieldwork hours.
What can be online
Coursework and seminars
Lectures, skill-building courses, and supervisor debriefs can all be delivered online. Most programs include both live synchronous sessions and asynchronous options to accommodate working students.
What must be in person
Supervised fieldwork
Practicum and internship placements are always completed at K–12 schools in your local area. If you’re considering an online program, confirm that fieldwork can be completed where you actually live.
What to ask before enrolling
Placement support
Ask: “Does the program assist with local site placement, or am I responsible for finding my own school?” Some programs have established district partnerships; others require students to arrange their own site.
Ready to Compare Top-Rated Programs?
We’ve reviewed accredited school counseling programs across CACREP accreditation status, state approval breadth, online flexibility, and supervised fieldwork support. Review our top-rated picks and request information from programs that match your state and goals.
Review Top-Rated Programs Free information · No obligation · Verify your state fit firstFrequently Asked Questions
What is CACREP and why does it matter for school counseling?
CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) is the primary national accrediting body for graduate-level counselor education. It reviews programs against standards covering curriculum, faculty, practicum structure, and student learning outcomes. For school counseling, CACREP accreditation signals that a program was built to meet professional field standards — which affects state licensure pathways and interstate portability.
Is CACREP accreditation required for school counselor licensure in every state?
No — but it depends on your state. Some states offer streamlined or preferred licensure pathways for graduates of CACREP-accredited programs. Others accept multiple approved program types with no formal CACREP preference. Your state education agency’s current licensure requirements are the only authoritative source.
What is the difference between CACREP accreditation and state program approval?
CACREP is a national professional standards body that reviews programs against a common curriculum and structure framework. State approval is a separate determination made by each individual state education agency. A program can be CACREP-accredited without being state-approved in every state, and vice versa. Verify both independently before enrolling.
Can I trust ‘accredited’ claims on school counseling program pages without checking an official source?
No. “Accredited” on a program’s marketing page can refer to regional institutional accreditation, CACREP program accreditation, or other professional body recognition — they are not interchangeable. The only way to verify CACREP accreditation is to check the program’s listing at the CACREP official directory. State approval must be confirmed separately with your state education agency.
What is MPCAC, and is it equivalent to CACREP for school counseling?
MPCAC (Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council) is a separate accrediting body for counseling programs, primarily at the master’s level. Some states accept MPCAC-accredited programs for licensure; others don’t. Verify explicitly with your state education agency whether MPCAC accreditation satisfies any requirement in your state’s school counselor licensure rules.
Is a CACREP-accredited online school counseling program still valid if practicum is in person?
Yes — and that’s the standard arrangement. CACREP accreditation applies to the program, not the delivery format. Supervised fieldwork — practicum (typically 100 hours) and internship (typically 600 hours) — must primarily be completed in-person at K–12 school placements in your area. Limited simulation may supplement certain skill components but cannot replace required in-person hours.
How do practicum and internship requirements connect to accreditation rules?
CACREP sets minimum supervised fieldwork standards: at least 100 practicum hours and at least 600 internship hours, completed in K–12 school settings under qualified supervision. States may require the same or higher hours. Accreditation signals that the fieldwork component is properly structured, but you still need to confirm your state’s specific hour requirements are met.
Does accreditation affect reciprocity or portability across states?
Graduating from a CACREP-accredited program generally helps with interstate portability. Most states participate in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, which facilitates but does not guarantee reciprocity. Each receiving state evaluates your credential against its own requirements. Always confirm the specific reciprocity process in your destination state.
What happens if I choose a program that is not CACREP-accredited?
It depends on your state. In states where CACREP accreditation is required for a specific licensure route, you would need a qualifying alternative pathway. In states without a CACREP requirement, a state-approved non-CACREP program may be sufficient. Interstate portability may be harder and some employers may consider CACREP accreditation as one factor.
Do M.Ed., MA, and MS school counseling programs all qualify the same way?
In most states, yes. The degree title matters less than the program’s content, credit hours, fieldwork structure, and state approval status. M.Ed., MA, and MS degrees in school counseling are accepted across most states when the program meets licensure requirements. Confirm with your state education agency if you’re unsure whether a specific degree title affects your eligibility.
- CACREP accreditation is program-level — verify the specific degree program at cacrep.org/directory, not just the institution name.
- State approval is separate — a CACREP-accredited program still needs to hold state approval in the state where you plan to be licensed. Confirm both independently.
- State rules vary significantly — some offer streamlined CACREP pathways; others don’t. Your state education agency is the only authoritative source for current requirements.
- Online programs can be CACREP-accredited — but supervised fieldwork must primarily be completed in-person at K–12 schools in your area.
- The degree title usually matters less than what’s in the program — M.Ed., MA, and MS are generally accepted; what matters is field, credit hours, fieldwork structure, and state approval.
- Don’t take ‘accredited’ at face value — verify CACREP status at the official directory and confirm state program approval directly with your state education agency before enrolling.
For exact state certification requirements
School Counseling Certification Requirements State-by-state licensure rules, approved program routes, required exams, and supervised hour requirements for all 50 statesReady to Compare Accredited Programs?
Review school counseling programs evaluated for CACREP accreditation status, state approval breadth, online flexibility, and supervised fieldwork support — then use the verification checklist above to confirm fit with your state and goals before requesting information.
Use the verification checklist above · Confirm state approval before enrolling · No obligationCACREP accreditation standards, state certification requirements, and program approval status are subject to change. Information in this guide reflects standards current as of early 2026 and is intended as a general planning reference only. Always verify current requirements directly with your state education agency and with the program before enrolling.