Fastest Online Counseling Degrees

UNK's hybrid master of science in education with a concentration in school counseling requires 43 credit hours for completion. Students can choose from two sub-concentrations: school counseling preK-6 or school counseling secondary 7-12.

The curriculum consists of six semesters of online coursework, a summer residency, and in-person Praxis core and school counseling courses. The program is approved by the Nebraska Department of Education for School Counselor Endorsement.

Prospective students must hold a bachelor's degree in any field. Applicants submit official transcripts, a resume, three professional references, and a statement of motivation. Students without undergraduate degrees in teacher education can become school counselors by completing 12 graduate credit hours of online coursework, teacher educator field-based training, and a master's degree in school counseling.

Courses Include

Theories of Counseling | Child and Adolescent Development and Interventions | Ethical, Legal, and Professional Practice in Schools | Problem-Solving Behavioral Assessment

Unique Features

Cost: $315/credit (in state), $500/credit (out of state)
Credits Required: 43 credit hours
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

https://www.unk.edu/

The School of Behavioral Science at Liberty offers a fully online, non-licensure master of arts in human services counseling. This program requires 30 credits, which most learners complete within one year. Students can select one of 13 specializations in areas such as addictions and recovery, business, Christian ministries, criminal justice, crisis response and trauma, marriage and family studies, life coaching, and military resilience.

Admission requirements include a regionally accredited bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.0 GPA, official collegiate transcripts, an online application and associated fee, and proof of English proficiency. The curriculum includes 18 credits of core coursework and 12 credits of specialization courses, utilizing flexible, eight-week scheduling. Students can transfer up to 15 credits into the program.

Courses Include

Human Growth and Development | Integration of Spirituality and Counseling | Studies in Interpersonal Communication | Multicultural Issues in Human Services

Unique Features

Cost: $565/credit
Credits Required: 30 credits
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

https://www.liberty.edu/

The hybrid master of arts in pastoral counseling at Regent requires 30 credits for completion and includes three credits of field experience. Students must complete at least 150 hours of pre-approved, on-site experience, 50 of which must include contact hours in human services work. Career opportunities with this degree include pastoral care, family service centers, church counseling centers, and coaching.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA from a regionally accredited institution. Prospective learners submit an online application and applicable fee, official college transcripts, an academic background questionnaire, a writing sample, and a government-issued ID. Some students must take two prerequisite courses, depending on the outcome of their submitted writing sample.

Courses Include

Professional Ethics in the Human Service Fields | Addictive Behavior and Substance Abuse | Multicultural Awareness and Individual Diversity | Survey of Christianity

Unique Features

Cost: $595/credit
Credits Required: 30 credits
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

https://www.regent.edu/

MSU's master of arts in counseling program entails 36 credits over two years, assuming a part-time study load of six credits per semester, including summer terms. The curriculum consists of 24 credits of core coursework, nine credits of professional education core coursework, and culminating practicum.

Students must complete required coursework with a minimum 3.0 GPA and pass an exit exam to meet graduation requirements. Students who complete the program gain a provisional school counseling certificate in grades preK-12.

Admission requirements include official transcripts demonstrating a bachelor's or master's degree with a minimum 2.5 or 3.0 GPA, respectively. Applicants must also submit a 286 GRE score with a minimum 143 verbal score or an MAT raw score of 33.

Courses Include

Research Methods in Education | Introduction to Career Counseling | Psycho-Social and Multicultural Factors in Counseling | Practicum in Counseling

Unique Features

Cost: $570/credit
Credits Required: 36 credits
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

https://www.moreheadstate.edu/

The Carter and Moyers School of Education offers a hybrid master of education in counseling requiring 48-60 semester hours for completion. The preK-12 concentration requires 36 semester hours of core coursework and 12 semester hours of concentration courses, while the mental health counseling concentration requires 36 semester hours of core coursework and 24 semester hours of concentration courses.

Prospective students must apply for and gain admission to both the graduate studies department and the program. Graduate admission requirements include official transcripts, three recommendations, a professional statement, a group interview, and GRE, PPLT, or MAT test scores. For program admission, students must apply for degree candidacy and have their program of study approved by an advisor.

Courses Include

Professional Orientation and Ethics in Counseling | Counseling Skills | Psychology of Human Development | Practicum in Counseling

Unique Features

Cost: $490/semester hour
Credits Required: 48-60 credits
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

https://www.lmunet.edu/