Best CACREP Accredited Online Christian Counseling Programs in 2026

If you want to become a licensed counselor and keep your faith central to your work, finding a CACREP-accredited online Christian counseling program is the right starting point. Graduating from a CACREP-accredited program matters because many states require it for licensure, and it prepares you for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential.

GetEducated helps you compare these counseling programs side-by-side so you can find one that fits both your budget and your values. Below, we have rounded up 13 CACREP-accredited master’s programs from accredited Christian universities. These programs let you pursue licensure-track counseling training without stepping away from your faith.

Top CACREP-accredited Online Christian Counseling Programs for 2026

These programs come from regionally accredited Christian institutions and hold CACREP accreditation at the program level. Each is available mostly or fully online at the master’s degree level, and they span specializations from clinical mental health counseling to school counseling and marriage and family therapy.

1. Liberty University: Master of Education in School Counseling

Liberty University’s MEd in School Counseling is a licensure-track program designed to prepare you for work as a professional school counselor in K-12 settings. It holds both CACREP and CAEP accreditation, a strong combination for school counseling careers.

• Estimated Cost: $28,465
• Credits: 48
• Format: Mostly Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 2.7 GPA; recommendation letters; statement of purpose
• Accreditation: CACREP; CAEP; SACSCOC

Admission also requires proof of English language proficiency for international students. Visit Liberty’s tuition page for current pricing details.

2. Liberty University: Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

This 60-credit MA program from Liberty University prepares students for licensure as a professional clinical mental health counselor. It is accredited by CACREP and taught from a Christian worldview through Liberty’s well-established online platform.

• Estimated Cost: $35,393
• Credits: 60
• Format: Mostly Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 2.7 GPA; recommendation letters; statement of purpose
• Accreditation: CACREP; SACSCOC

Visit Liberty’s tuition page for per-credit pricing and fee details.

3. Indiana Wesleyan University: Master of Arts in School Counseling

Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered institution in the Wesleyan tradition, and its MA in School Counseling is accredited by both CACREP and CAEP. The program is designed for working adults and follows an institution-paced format mostly delivered online.

• Estimated Cost: $30,336
• Credits: 48
• Format: Mostly Online, Institution-Paced
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; GRE required; interview; essay
• Accreditation: CACREP; CAEP; Higher Learning Commission

The GRE requirement is worth planning for. See IWU’s program and tuition page for current rates.

4. Indiana Wesleyan University: Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

IWU’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a 60-credit, 100% online, CACREP-accredited program rooted in a faith-integrated curriculum. It prepares graduates for licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors or Licensed Mental Health Counselors, depending on their state. GetEducated has tracked and ranked affordable counseling programs for years, making it a useful resource for comparing options.

• Estimated Cost: $34,680
• Credits: 60
• Format: 100% Online, Institution-Paced
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; GRE required; essay; interview
• Accreditation: CACREP; Higher Learning Commission

Visit IWU’s tuition and financial aid page for full cost details.

5. Concordia University Irvine: Master of Arts in Counseling

Concordia University Irvine is a Lutheran liberal arts university, and its MA in Counseling is a 60-credit, CACREP-accredited program delivered primarily online. Coursework integrates a Christian perspective throughout the counseling curriculum.

• Estimated Cost: $36,040
• Credits: 60
• Format: Mostly Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; essay; resume; recommendation letters
• Accreditation: CACREP; WASC Senior College and University Commission

Head to Concordia’s program page for tuition rates and program details.

6. Malone University: Master of Arts in Education / Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Malone University is a Christian liberal arts university in the Evangelical Friends tradition. Its 60-credit, fully online Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is CACREP-accredited and designed for students seeking licensure as mental health counselors.

• Estimated Cost: $37,545
• Credits: 60
• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree, recommendation letters, statement of purpose
• Accreditation: CACREP; Higher Learning Commission

For current tuition rates, check Malone’s tuition and costs page.

7. Grace College and Theological Seminary: Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Grace College is a Christian liberal arts institution, and its mostly online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is CACREP-accredited. The program prepares students for state licensure and integrates a biblical framework into counseling theory and practice.

• Estimated Cost: $40,440
• Credits: 60
• Format: Mostly Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; interview; background check; resume
• Accreditation: CACREP; Higher Learning Commission

A criminal background check is part of the admission process, so factor that in early. See Grace College’s program page for details on cost and admission.

8. Messiah University: Master of Arts in Counseling / School Counseling

Messiah University is a Christian university in the Anabaptist, Pietist, and Wesleyan traditions. Its 60-credit MA in Counseling with a School Counseling track is CACREP-accredited and delivered in a mostly online, institution-paced format. The curriculum is shaped by both professional standards and a Christ-centered approach to helping others.

• Estimated Cost: $44,100
• Credits: 60
• Format: Mostly Online, Institution-Paced
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; interview; resume; statement of purpose
• Accreditation: CACREP; Middle States Commission on Higher Education

For cost details, visit Messiah’s school counseling program page.

9. Colorado Christian University: Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Colorado Christian University’s fully online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is CACREP-accredited and explicitly grounded in a Christian worldview. Students learn to integrate faith and clinical skills, preparing them for state licensure as professional counselors. GetEducated lists and reviews programs like this so you can compare costs and read student feedback before you decide.

• Estimated Cost: $44,490
• Credits: 60
• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 2.5 GPA; essay; interview; background check
• Accreditation: CACREP; Higher Learning Commission

Check CCU’s counseling tuition page for up-to-date pricing information.

10. Regent University: Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Regent University is one of the most recognized Christian universities for graduate counseling programs. Its mostly online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is CACREP-accredited and taught from a distinctly Christian perspective by experienced faculty.

• Estimated Cost: $46,450
• Credits: 60
• Format: Mostly Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; GRE or MAT required; interview; resume
• Accreditation: CACREP; SACSCOC

Visit Regent’s tuition and costs page for the most current per-credit rates.

11. Regent University: Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling

For students drawn to relational counseling, Regent University’s MA in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling is a strong CACREP-accredited option. It is grounded in a Christian framework and prepares graduates to work with couples and families as licensed counselors.

• Estimated Cost: $46,450
• Credits: 60
• Format: Mostly Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; GRE or MAT; interview
• Accreditation: CACREP; SACSCOC

See Regent’s tuition page for current program costs.

12. Regent University: Master of Arts in School Counseling

Regent’s MA in School Counseling rounds out its trio of CACREP-accredited counseling options. The program prepares students for school counseling licensure and is offered primarily online, with Christian values integrated throughout.

• Estimated Cost: $47,700
• Credits: 60
• Format: Mostly Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; GRE required; interview; additional materials may be required
• Accreditation: CACREP; SACSCOC

For pricing, visit Regent’s tuition page.

13. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary: Master of Arts in Christian Counseling

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary brings deep theological grounding to professional counseling. Its 66-credit MA in Christian Counseling is CACREP-accredited and is one of the most explicitly faith-integrated options on this list, with coursework that blends clinical counseling skills with Christian theology.

• Estimated Cost: $54,880
• Credits: 66
• Format: Mostly Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; recommendation letters; statement of purpose; proof of English proficiency for international students
• Accreditation: CACREP; New England Commission of Higher Education

The extra credits reflect the deeper theological coursework. Visit Gordon-Conwell’s tuition and financial aid page for cost details.

CACREP-accredited Online Christian Counseling Programs FAQ

Choosing the right program means understanding what CACREP accreditation means for your future career and how faith-based programs differ from traditional counseling degrees. Here are answers to the most common questions.

What does CACREP accreditation mean for a counseling program?

CACREP, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, is the national body that evaluates and accredits counseling degree programs. When a program is CACREP-accredited, it meets rigorous standards for curriculum, faculty qualifications, and supervised clinical experience. Many states require graduation from a CACREP-accredited program for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). It also qualifies you to sit for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) exam, which is a nationally recognized credential.

Do employers recognize CACREP-accredited Christian counseling programs?

Yes. As long as the program is CACREP-accredited and the school holds regional accreditation (such as SACSCOC, HLC, or NECHE), employers treat these degrees the same as credentials from secular institutions. The faith integration component affects the philosophy and approach of the training, not its professional validity.

How much do counselors earn after completing one of these programs?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for mental health counselors was $59,190 in May 2024, with employment projected to grow 17% through 2034, much faster than average. School counselors earned a median of $65,140 annually in May 2024. Earnings vary by specialization, location, and years of experience.

How are Christian counseling programs different from standard counseling programs?

The core clinical training in a CACREP-accredited program is the same regardless of whether the school is faith-based. What differs in a Christian counseling program is the integration of theological frameworks, ethics grounded in Christian values, and sometimes the use of scripture or prayer in therapeutic contexts. Programs like Gordon-Conwell’s MA in Christian Counseling lean heavily into this integration, while others, like Indiana Wesleyan’s, take a more broadly faith-informed approach.

What is the difference between CACREP and CAEP accreditation?

CACREP accredits professional counseling programs, while CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, accredits educator preparation programs, including school counseling degrees. Some programs on this list, such as those from Liberty and Indiana Wesleyan, hold both accreditations, which is a strong indicator of quality for anyone pursuing school counseling specifically.

Ready to Find a CACREP-accredited Christian Counseling Program?

Whether you are drawn to clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, or marriage and family work, there is a faith-integrated program on this list to match your goals. Comparing costs, credits, and admission requirements across 13 options takes time, but GetEducated makes it easier to search accredited programs, read verified reviews, and filter by cost. Browse programs now to find the right fit for your counseling career.