Key Takeaways:
- CACREP accreditation signals that a counseling program meets rigorous national standards, which can ease the path to licensure in most states.
- Online master’s programs in counseling range from around $16,000 to over $34,000, giving students at nearly every budget a CACREP-approved option.
- Specialty tracks such as clinical mental health, rehabilitation counseling, and school counseling are available in fully or mostly online formats.
If you want to become a licensed counselor, choosing a program with CACREP accreditation is one of the most important decisions you will make. Many states use CACREP status as a benchmark when reviewing licensure applications, so graduating from an accredited program can make your path to becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) considerably smoother.
GetEducated helps you compare CACREP-accredited online counseling programs side by side, sorted by cost, so you can make an informed choice. Below, we have rounded up 12 CACREP-accredited online master’s programs to help you get started.Top CACREP Accredited Online Counseling Programs for 2026
These 12 programs are all CACREP-accredited and available at the master’s level, either fully or mostly online. Details are listed in ascending order of estimated out-of-state cost.
GetEducated's Picks
- Grand Canyon University Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Winthrop University Master of Education in Counseling & Development / Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Sacred Heart University Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
1. University of West Alabama: MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The University of West Alabama offers a 100% online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling designed to prepare you for licensure as a professional counselor. It is one of the more affordable CACREP-accredited options on this list, with a flat per-credit rate regardless of residency.
- Estimated Cost: $26,165 | Per Credit: $436
- Credits: 60
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree required; portfolio, essay, references, and resume
- Accreditation: CACREP; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Note: Not available to California residents
Check UWA's tuition page for current pricing details.
2. Liberty University: MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Liberty University’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a mostly online program with CACREP accreditation. It offers a particularly low military rate, making it a strong option for service members or veterans.
- Estimated Cost: $35,393 (standard) / $16,600 (military)
- Credits: 60
- Format: Mostly Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 2.7 GPA; statement of purpose, references, and transcripts
- Accreditation: CACREP; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
See Liberty's tuition page for a breakdown of current rates and military benefits.
3. University of Kentucky: Master of Rehabilitation Counseling
The University of Kentucky offers a 100% online Master of Rehabilitation Counseling with a focus on helping clients with disabilities return to the workforce or achieve independent living goals.
- Estimated Cost: $43,092 | Per Credit: $718
- Credits: 60
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 2.75 GPA; official transcripts
- Accreditation: CACREP; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Visit UK's tuition page for current credit hour rates.
4. Fort Valley State University: MS in Rehabilitation Counseling
Fort Valley State University in Georgia offers one of the most affordable CACREP-accredited master’s programs in rehabilitation counseling on this list. The flat tuition rate makes it accessible regardless of where you live.
- Estimated Cost: $16,419 | Per Credit: $269
- Credits: 61
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 2.75 GPA; essay, interview, references, and resume
- Accreditation: CACREP; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Check FVSU's tuition page for the latest per-credit details.
5. Lamar University: MEd in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Lamar University’s Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a mostly online program with a very competitive price point. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for licensure as professional counselors.
- Estimated Cost: $16,500 | Per Credit: $275
- Credits: 60
- Format: Mostly Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.5 GPA; GRE required; essay, interview, and references
- Accreditation: CACREP; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
See Lamar's program tuition page for detailed pricing.
6. University of the Cumberlands: MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The University of the Cumberlands offers a fully online 60-credit Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The program is CACREP-accredited and structured to support working adults.
- Estimated Cost: $24,600 | Per Credit: $410
- Credits: 60
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; essay, transcripts, and references
- Accreditation: CACREP; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Check UC's tuition page for financial aid and scholarship information.
7. The University of Alabama: MA in Rehabilitation Counseling
The University of Alabama offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling entirely online. It prepares graduates to work with individuals who have physical, mental, or developmental disabilities.
- Estimated Cost: $25,200 | Per Credit: $420
- Credits: 60
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; GRE or MAT; interview, references, and statement of purpose
- Accreditation: CACREP; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
See UA Bama by Distance tuition page for the latest online rates.
8. University of Louisiana at Monroe: MS in Counseling / Clinical Mental Health Counseling
ULM’s Master of Science in Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling track is a fully online, CACREP-accredited program designed to prepare students for counseling licensure in a variety of settings.
- Estimated Cost: $30,000 | Per Credit: $500
- Credits: 60
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 2.75 GPA; GRE required; official transcripts
- Accreditation: CACREP; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Visit ULM's online programs page for tuition and scheduling details.
9. University of Louisiana at Monroe: MS in Counseling / School Counseling
ULM also offers a School Counseling track within its CACREP-accredited MS in Counseling program. This track is designed for those who want to work with K-12 students in educational settings.
- Estimated Cost: $30,000 | Per Credit: $500
- Credits: 60
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 2.75 GPA; GRE required; official transcripts
- Accreditation: CACREP; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
If school counseling is your focus, GetEducated also maintains a dedicated ranking of the most affordable online school counseling programs.
10. University at Buffalo: MS in Rehabilitation Counseling
The University at Buffalo, part of the SUNY system, offers a CACREP-accredited online Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. At 48 credits, it is slightly shorter than most programs on this list, which may help keep total costs down.
- Estimated Cost (In-State): $28,428 | Out-of-State: $30,631
- Credits: 48
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; statement of purpose, references, and transcripts
- Accreditation: CACREP; Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Check UB's tuition page for current in-state and out-of-state rates.
11. San Diego State University: MS in Rehabilitation Counseling
SDSU’s 100% online MS in Rehabilitation Counseling is a CACREP-accredited program through the College of Education that prepares graduates to support individuals with disabilities in achieving vocational and personal goals.
- Estimated Cost: $31,440 | Per Credit: $524
- Credits: 60
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; GRE required; interview, references, resume, statement of purpose, and transcripts
- Accreditation: CACREP; WASC Senior College and University Commission
- Note: Not available to residents of DC, GA, KY, MD, MN, MO, NV, NM, NY, OR, WV, GU, MP
See SDSU's program and tuition page for enrollment details.
12. University of Massachusetts Boston: MS in Rehabilitation Counseling
UMass Boston’s mostly online Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling is CACREP-accredited and offered through its College of Education and Human Development. It is a strong New England option for prospective rehabilitation counselors.
- Estimated Cost: $34,500 | Per Credit: $575
- Credits: 60
- Format: Mostly Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; GRE or MAT; interview, references, resume, and statement of purpose
- Accreditation: CACREP; New England Commission of Higher Education
Visit UMass Boston's program page for tuition rates and program details.
CACREP Accredited Online Counseling Programs FAQ
If you are just starting your research into online counseling master’s programs, these answers should help clarify the most common questions prospective students ask.
What does CACREP accreditation mean for a counseling program?
CACREP, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, evaluates and approves graduate counseling programs that meet its national standards. These standards cover curriculum content, faculty qualifications, clinical training hours, and program outcomes.
Many state licensing boards give preferential treatment to graduates of CACREP-accredited programs. In some states, graduating from a non-CACREP program may require additional coursework or supervised hours before you can apply for licensure.
Not sure how accreditation works in practice? GetEducated’s guide to college accreditation walks you through the differences between regional, national, and programmatic accreditation and explains why CACREP matters for counseling careers specifically.
Are CACREP-accredited online counseling programs respected by employers and licensing boards?
Yes. Employers in mental health, schools, and rehabilitation settings generally treat CACREP accreditation as a quality signal regardless of whether the program was completed online or on campus. What matters to most licensing boards is whether your degree is from an accredited school and whether your program covered the required content areas. Online delivery does not diminish that standing.
How much do CACREP-accredited online counseling programs cost?
Costs vary across programs. On this list, estimated totals range from around $16,000 at Fort Valley State University and Lamar University to around $34,500 at UMass Boston. Many programs charge the same rate for in-state and out-of-state online students, which can be a significant advantage for distance learners.
What can I earn as a counselor after completing a CACREP-accredited program?
Salaries depend on your specialty. According to 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for mental health counselors was $59,190, while school and career counselors earned a median of $65,140. The field is growing quickly: mental health counselor employment is projected to increase 17% through 2034, which is much faster than average for all occupations.
Do online CACREP programs include clinical training?
Yes. CACREP standards require all accredited programs to include supervised clinical experiences, typically a practicum followed by an internship. In most online programs, students complete these hours at approved sites in their own communities. This means you can do the academic coursework online while fulfilling your hands-on training requirements locally.
Ready to Find Your CACREP Accredited Online Counseling Program?
Whether you want to specialize in clinical mental health, rehabilitation, or school counseling, there are strong CACREP-accredited options at a range of price points. GetEducated makes it easy to browse verified program listings, compare costs, and find the accredited online counseling master’s programs that fit your career goals and your budget.