Reviewed by Sean Jackson, B.A. Psychology; M.S. Counseling
There’s no doubt that getting an advanced education can be expensive. However, not all counseling graduate degrees are expensive – many budget-friendly options exist for getting a master’s degree in this field.
This guide features ten budget-friendly pathways for completing your counseling degree. In each case, you’ll find a high-quality program that proves getting your degree and advancing your career doesn’t have to bust your budget. You can explore programs from schools small and large, near and far, on campus and online that combine excellent academics, expert instruction, and affordability.
Methodology for Ranking the Most Affordable Master’s in Counseling Programs
The following methodology guided our ranking of the most affordable master’s in counseling programs:
Consult the National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator Database to develop a list of master’s in counseling programs.
Narrow the list to programs offered by regionally accredited schools.
Narrow the list of programs again to the most affordable based on the estimated cost of in-state tuition.
Using these criteria allows us to focus on schools that provide excellent instruction (thus the requirement that the programs be offered by regionally accredited schools) at an affordable cost.
Bear in mind that tuition is only one component of a program’s affordability. Other factors to consider include fees, room and board (if you decide to live on campus), and commuting expenses (e.g., fuel and parking). Books, supplies, and costs associated with practicum and internship experiences can also affect the affordability of a program. However, prioritizing low-tuition programs is a good base for finding affordable counseling degrees.
See also: What Are The Major Differences Between a Counseling Degree and a Psychology Degree?
Ranking Low-Cost Master’s in Counseling Degrees
1. Southeastern Oklahoma State University – Durant, Oklahoma
Master of Education in School Counseling Online
Unique Feature: All courses are 100 percent online, giving you the flexibility to complete the program in as little as one year.
Program Format: Online
Number of Credits: 42
Institutional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Total Program Tuition: $11,760 (including fees)
Southeastern Oklahoma State University confers a Master’s in Counseling that can be completed in as little as one year. This program was designed to be completed online with no on-campus requirements. This degree does require you to complete a supervised practicum in your community. The practicum must include at least 100 hours of counseling-related services. Forty of these hours must include direct contact time with clients.
The curriculum focuses on preparing you for a successful practicum experience and competent practice as a counselor after graduation. The program is delivered in a sequential format with 42 credit hours of coursework (including the practicum) required to graduate. Sample courses include Human Growth and Development in Counseling, Group Counseling, and Counseling Children and Adolescents.
2. The University of Texas at Tyler – Tyler, Texas
Master of Arts in School Counseling Online
Unique Feature: This cohort program begins each summer; there are no fall or spring admission windows.
Program Format: Online
Number of Credits: 42
Institutional Accreditation: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Programmatic Accreditation: None
Total Program Tuition: $13,044 (including fees)
The fully online Master’s in Counseling program at the University of Texas at Tyler includes 42 credit hours synchronous, semi-synchronous, and asynchronous courses. You’ll take classes in areas such as Career Counseling and Assessment, Advanced Principles of School Counseling, and Tests and Measurements. The program also requires you to complete a supervised internship in an educational setting in a Texas or Department of Defense school.
Once you have completed two years of teaching in Texas, you can earn certification as a school counselor. However, this degree does not prepare you to counsel in agencies or private practice; it is intended for educational settings only. If you wish to practice privately, you must complete additional courses and licensure requirements.
3. North Carolina Central University – Durham, North Carolina
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Unique Feature: This program can lead to multiple licensures in North Carolina, including Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Program Format: Online
Number of Credits: 60
Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Total Program Tuition: $17,923
The master’s in counseling from North Carolina Central University prepares you to work in a variety of mental health settings. This program, which is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs and is a full member of the International Registry for Counselor Education Programs, is offered online with an on-campus option.
You will be expected to complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of coursework, a practicum, and an internship. There is a comprehensive final exam, too. Additionally, this degree meets the requirements for you to sit for the Licensure as a Clinical Addictions Specialist exam and to apply for credentials as a Licensed Professional Counselor in North Carolina.
4. The University of Missouri – Columbia, Missouri
Master of Education in Educational, School and Counseling Psychology with an Emphasis in Mental Health Practices
Unique Feature: Current military service members and veterans qualify for a 10 percent tuition discount.
Program Format: Online
Number of Credits: 34
Institutional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Programmatic Accreditation: Teacher Education Accreditation Council
Total Program Tuition: $18,190 (including fees)
The University of Missouri offers an exceptional master’s in counseling focusing on mental health in schools. This program is exclusively online, with no residency requirements, making it a flexible option for obtaining your master’s degree.
The degree is fully accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. However, completing this degree does not lead to licensure of any kind. Instead, it’s designed to provide current educators with additional knowledge and skills to address the mental health needs of students.
This degree requires at least 34 credit hours of coursework and a capstone paper. Sample courses include Diversity Issues in School Mental Health, Overview of Research Methods, and Preventions and Interventions in School Mental Health.
5. Lamar University – Lamar, Texas
Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Unique Feature: This program has extensive face-to-face learning, including two on-campus residencies, a practicum, and an internship.
Program Format: Online and In Person
Number of Credits: 60
Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Programmatic Accreditation: None
Total Program Tuition: $20,520
Lamar University’s online Master of Counseling program focuses on clinical mental health counseling and prepares you to become a licensed professional counselor in Texas. The 60-credit program includes online coursework, two five-day residency experiences on campus, and two field learning experiences. The field-based learning includes one practicum and one internship, during which you work directly with clients in a supervised counseling setting.
Most courses are five weeks long. You’ll explore subjects like Counseling Skills, Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Multicultural Counseling, to name a few. Other courses are 15 weeks long, including Substance Abuse Counseling and Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling. You will need three years of full-time studies to complete this program.
6. Grand Canyon University – Phoenix, Arizona
Master of Science in Addiction Counseling
Unique Feature: At just 36 credits, this program is among the shortest available that prepares you for licensure as a counselor.
Program Format: Online
Number of Credits: 36
Institutional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Programmatic Accreditation: National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC)
Total Program Tuition: $20,700
Grand Canyon University’s Master’s in Counseling program focuses on addictions counseling. The program is just 36 credits and is offered entirely online, giving you the flexibility to finish the program as quickly or as slowly as you wish. While most students take one or two courses per semester, you can take more classes to finish the program more quickly. Likewise, you can transfer as many as 12 credits – one-third of the total needed to graduate – to expedite the process even further.
The coursework includes studies in Family Issues and Addictive Disorders, Counseling Theories, and Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethics, to name a few. There is also a pre-practicum and a practicum/internship experience that you can complete at an approved location near where you live. These in-person, supervised experiences allow you to put your training into practice in direct contact situations with clients. As a graduate of this program, you will be able to sit for the Licensed Associate Substance Abuse Counselor exam in the state of Arizona. You might also qualify to seek licensure or certifications in other states.
7. Emporia State University – Emporia, Kansas
Master of Science in School Counseling
Unique Feature: This dual licensure program leads to a Kansas school counseling license and licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Kansas.
Program Format: Online
Number of Credits: 60
Institutional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
Total Program Tuition: $21,300
Emporia State University offers a Master’s in Counseling degree that can be taken as a full-time or part-time plan of study. The program’s coursework is fully online, too, making it all the more flexible. A supervised practicum and several internships take place in person, but Emporia State works with you to find placements in or near your hometown.
This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs and is open to you whether you have a teaching license or not. You should note, however, that licensed Kansas teachers have fewer requirements than others; this is because these individuals are already licensed as teachers and work in the classroom.
This program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours of coursework in addition to the previously mentioned practicum and internships. Depending on your admission status, you might have to satisfy additional requirements. Nevertheless, some courses you will take include Counseling Theories, Ethical Issues in Counseling, and Assessment in Schools.
8. Creighton University – Omaha, Nebraska
Master of Science in School Counseling
Unique Feature: This highly customizable program offers multiple specializations and program options for licensed teachers and non-licensed bachelor’s degree holders.
Program Format: Online
Number of Credits: 36
Institutional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Total Program Tuition: $22,536
Creighton University offers a Master’s in Counseling that is open to all students, regardless of your educational background. There are three concentrations: Elementary School Counseling, Secondary School Counseling, and PK-12 Guidance Counseling. Each concentration has a site-specific 600-hour internship that provides you with additional training in a school setting.
To graduate, you need a minimum of 36 credits, including coursework in Career Perspectives in School Counseling, Theoretical Perspectives in School Counseling, and Ethical Guidelines for School Counselors. If you are a licensed teacher, you are guaranteed financial aid.
If you don’t have a teaching certificate, you’ll need to complete the above requirements in addition to 12 teacher preparation courses. These four courses are taken one at a time and include practicum placements that give you the necessary classroom experience to be a more effective school-based counselor.
9. The University of West Alabama – Livingston, Alabama
Master of Education in School Counseling
Unique Feature: You will participate in the UWA Mentor Collective, a one-on-one mentorship program in which a UWA alumni member helps you navigate school, build your professional network, and develop improved leadership skills.
Program Format: Online
Number of Credits: 60
Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Total Program Tuition: $25,740
The online Master’s of Counseling at the University of West Alabama is designed for educators with a current teaching license and at least two years of classroom teaching experience. Nine of the 60 credits needed to graduate are professional courses like Life-Span Development and Learning, Techniques of Educational Research, and Educational Statistics. The remaining 51 credits include 45 credits in the concentration area and six elective credits. Some of the courses you will take include the following:
- Psychopathology
- Theories and Techniques of Counseling
- Counseling Children and Adolescents
- Diagnostic Techniques in Counseling
- Counseling Multicultural Populations
This program, which is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, also requires you to complete a three-credit practicum and a six-credit year-long internship. Completing this program qualifies you for certification as a school counselor in Alabama. The program might not satisfy out-of-state school counselor certification requirements, though. Be sure to consult with your state’s professional licensing board for guidance before enrolling in this program.
10. Capella University – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
Unique Feature: You can choose from three concentrations: Applied Research, Clinical Counseling, or Forensic Psychology.
Program Format: Online and In Person
Number of Credits: 74
Institutional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Programmatic Accreditation: None
Total Program Tuition: $36,630
Capella University offers an online Master of Science in Clinical Psychology Counseling program for students interested in a versatile degree. The program has three concentrations: Applied Research, Clinical Counseling, and Forensic Psychology. The Clinical Counseling option focuses on topics such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and other clinical interventions.
This is a low-residency program; you must participate in two campus residencies. One practicum and one internship are also necessary for this degree and can be completed in your community. In all, you will complete 74 credit hours of coursework, including Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Introduction to Psychopathology, and Clinical Interventions, among others. This degree prepares you for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor, master’s-level psychologist, or Mental Health Counselor. However, since individual states control licensure, it’s important to ensure that this program meets your state’s licensure qualifications.
See also: Ranking Top 10 Master in Counseling Psychology Online Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for counselors in the U.S. is $49,710. The salary range for counselors varies from $34,580 for the lowest ten percent of workers to $82,710 for the highest ten percent of earners. These numbers account for all positions across the country that require a counseling degree. It also includes positions that may not require a counseling license or that require additional training and education.
Your specialization is the most important factor in determining your potential salary. Counseling is a wide-ranging discipline, so you will most likely choose a specialization during your master’s degree. The choice you make at that point can affect your income. For example, the median yearly salary for school and career counselors is over $60,000 – more than $10,000 higher than the median for all counseling positions.
Other factors that influence your earning potential include the following:
• Your experience – The more experience you have, the higher your income is likely to be.
• Where you work – Counselors in private practice tend to make far higher salaries than counselors who work in any other setting.
• The geographic location in which you work – Counselors in urban areas usually have higher incomes than those in rural areas.
• Licensure, certifications, and specialties – Counselors who are licensed, have advanced training, or highly specific specialties can often command a higher income.
Counseling is a broad field with many areas of study and a wide range of potential job titles. Each of the following are common fields of study and practice:
• School Counseling
• Addictions Counseling
• Group Counseling
• Marriage and Family Counseling
• Corrections Counseling
• Rehabilitation Counseling
Other counseling disciplines include military counseling, pastoral counseling, and child/adolescent counseling. Some counselors specialize in grief or trauma counseling, career counseling, or health counseling, to name a few other options.
With an education in one of these fields, you might pursue employment in one of the following areas:
• Mental Health Counselor
• Vocational Services Specialist
• Correctional Counselor
• School Counselor
• Applied Behavior Analyst
• University Professor
• Career Counselor
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Clinical Director
Yes, it is possible to become eligible for a counseling license after graduating with a master’s in counseling. However, the type of license and eligibility requirements depend on numerous factors, including your course of study, the type of master’s in counseling program you complete, and state licensure requirements.
Obtaining licensure can only be done by attending an accredited university. Counseling licensure requires specific educational and work requirements for supervisory reasons, meaning that you must demonstrate competency in your field prior to applying for licensure. The accreditation necessary for this is provided by two organizations: the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, also known as CACREP, and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). A list of CACREP-accredited counseling programs is available from the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. You can find CAEP-accredited programs here.
Licensure is usually overseen by individual states, so eligibility requirements depend on each state’s needs. Some specializations, such as rehabilitation counseling, have national licensing exams that allow practitioners to practice without applying for licensure in a new state. However, you should check the licensure requirements for your specialization to confirm what you must meet.
Not all schools provide a pathway to licensure. Schools are required to specify whether or not a program leads to licensure. This does not mean a school does not offer a quality education but rather that the school has not yet met the requirements to offer a pathway to licensure.
Clinical hours are important because you need to demonstrate, in a supervised setting, that you can work with clients in an ethical and engaging manner. Clinical hours provide the needed training to ensure you are dedicated to the work and competent to handle your counseling duties, regardless of the situation.
Schools requiring clinical hours also know the importance of these hours for licensure. Finding an internship or field experience can be difficult if you aren’t in a degree program. As such, many schools have incorporated clinical hours into their programs to ensure you gain the necessary field experience.
Counseling is a necessary part of American life. Whether someone is struggling with an addiction, dealing with PTSD, or something in between, it is clear that people all across the nation need access to highly qualified counselors. A master’s in counseling provides you with the necessary education and training to be able to handle any situation with compassion and empathy.
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See also: 10 Best Graduate Programs in Counseling Psychology