Our team of educational experts has thoroughly reviewed CACREP counseling accreditation compared to other accreditation agencies in order to provide you with detailed information you can use to determine whether or not you are choosing the right program.
Here is an overview of CACREP accredited counseling programs:
- 866 counseling programs that are currently CACREP accredited
- 784 Master's of Counseling degrees that are CACREP accredited
- 82 CACREP-accredited Doctor of Counseling programs
- 75 Online CACREP-accredited counseling programs
- There are 78 counseling programs that are currently in process of being reviewed for CACREP accreditation
Before you dive deep into some of the popular accredited programs, you should consider what type of programs you might be looking for in a degree program. Some students may choose to pursue their degree through traditional, campus-based programs. Others may have a stronger attraction to counseling programs that can be completed entirely online.
Luckily, there are options. CACREP accreditation can be found in both traditional and online programs, making this decision an easier one to make for upcoming professionals that may wish to become licensed in the future.
In order to make you journey towards the perfect degree program a little easier, our team of educational experts has reviewed the list of CACREP accredited degree programs through this website on each state page, and we have provided a list of entirely online CACREP accredited counseling programs on this page. Likewise on each state page you will find online counseling programs in that state or that are accepting applicants.
Consider a Featured Online CACREP Accredited Counseling ProgramClick the university name for information on admissions, courses, status of accreditation, and more
| School and Program Information | Online Program? | Entry Requirements | Course Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University Online MA in Counseling  CACREP Accredited | ✔ Online GRE Not Required | Earn a CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling online top-10 ranked Northwestern University in as few as 18 months. GRE not required. Bachelor's required. Learn More | |
| Our Lady of the Lake University Online MA in Counseling Designed to adhere to CACREP standards | ✔ Online No GRE required. | Three specializations in Clinical Mental Health, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, or School Counseling. Learn More | |
| Malone University Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP Accredited | ✔ Online Holistic approach to mental health counseling | Does not require student residency. Learn More |
Consider Other Featured Online Master of Counseling Degrees
| School and Program Information | Online Program? | Entry Requirements | Course Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accredited Counseling Programs Designed to Adhere to CACREP Standards | |||
| University of Denver Online MA in School Counseling Designed to adhere to CACREP standards | ✔ Online | No GRE required. | Learn from doctoral-level faculty in live classes and gain experience through mock counseling and in-field training. |
| More Accredited Online Counseling Programs | |||
| New York University Online Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness MPCAC Accredited | ✔Online | GRE scores are not required for admission. | Weekly live classes taught by distinguished NYU Steinhardt faculty. |
| University of Southern California Online Master of Education (ME) in School Counseling Can be completed in less than 2 years. | ✔Online | No GRE requirement | Classes led by USC Rossier faculty who are experts in school counseling, educational leadership and family therapy. |
| Vanderbilt University Online Master's with School Counseling Specialization SACSCOC Accredited | ✔Online | Bachelor's Required | Live, online classes every week led by Vanderbilt faculty |
What is the CACREP?
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is an accreditation agency that focuses on the need for improvement and innovation in counseling and related fields.
The CACREP is the leading accreditation organization for educational programs in counseling, so it should be a familiar agency for you if you plan to pursue a degree within this field. Any campus-based or online counseling programs that have been accredited by this agency should reflect the CACREP logo on their online program page and also be listed on the CACREP's approved provider's list.
Accreditation agencies such as the CACREP may be geared towards consistent reviews of educational programs all over the country. There may be certain qualifications for upcoming programs seeking accreditation, some of which can likely be easily achieved through the creation of a thorough curriculum, qualified instructors, and up-to-date ethical and legal recommendations for upcoming counseling professionals. Take a look at some of the standards that may be reviewed during the accreditation process below.
- Program Faculty and Staff Evaluation
- Core Curriculum Review
- Clinical Practice Requirements - Internship, Practicum, Supervisors
- Student and Program Assessment
- Specialty Areas
Finding CACREP Accredited Counseling Programs
Finding a degree program that contains the right type of accreditation does not have to be a daunting task. Upcoming students that are seeking reliable degree programs can use different methods for achieving this goal. If you currently have a certain university in mind for your program, you can review the degree program's page on your school's website.
Most degree programs that contain accreditation may list this information on the main page, or through a section pertaining to specific program accreditation. A quicker alternative for finding accredited programs in your area may be through the CACREP's search tool on the agency's website.
Visiting the CACREP's website is a start that will of course have information about the full, actual process of accreditation, resources for upcoming professionals in the field, and lists of accredited institutions that may be offering online degree programs.
Counseling Degrees Online has also created state pages that include all CACREP accredited counseling programs, and this was updated in the spring of 2020.
The online Master of Arts in Counseling Program at The Family Institute at Northwestern University allows students to earn their degree in as little as 18 months. Preparing the next generation of clinical mental health counselors, this CACREP-accredited program offers a comprehensive curriculum combined with extensive hands-on training. No GRE Required.
Click for more admissions info.
Earn a Master's degree in School Counseling online from the University of Denver. Learn from doctoral-level faculty in live classes and gain experience through mock counseling and in-field training. No GRE required.
Click for admissions information.
NYU Steinhardt's online MA in Counseling and Guidance, Counseling @ NYU, prepares aspiring school counselors to become transformative leaders and critical resources for pre-K-12 students in public and private schools across the country.
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At Our Lady of the Lake University's online Master of Arts in Counseling, you can learn to help students navigate the emotional terrain of primary or secondary school, empower people of all ages to overcome mental health challenges, or support someone recovering from addiction as they seek to rebuild their lives with the flexible Master of Arts in Counseling from OLLU. There are multiple specializations in School Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling.
Click for admissions information.
Subset of Online CACREP Accredited Masters in Counseling Programs
- Bellevue University: Online Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Bradley University: Online Masters in School Counseling
- The College of William and Mary: Online Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Messiah College: Online Masters in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
- North Carolina Central University: Online Masters in Career Counseling
- North Carolina State University: Online Masters in Student Affairs and College Counseling
- Thomas University: Online Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
What About CACREP Accreditation and Counseling Licensure
The desire to obtain a career in counseling may say a lot about your personality and your drive to help others. In order to meet this goal, there are certain requirements that must be met in order to become licensed to work with clients in the field.
Master’s Degrees in Counseling Are Required
A Masters in Counseling – in most states – should be the first step towards becoming a licensed counselor. Accreditation comes into play at this stage. Students that are seeking educational programs to take part in should review whether or not their program has received the right type of accreditation and whether or not that program could help you be eligible for licensure after graduation.
Many States Require CACREP-Accredited Degrees
Most states require that students obtain masters-level degrees that have ALSO been accredited by the CACREP. When you graduate from a counseling program and have completed your supervised work experience requirement, you may then be responsible for filing your application for licensure.
During this process, you may be required to submit proof of degree acquisition so that your state department can review your achievement in order to deem you eligible for testing. If you want to ensure that your program can help you at this step, you should review your programs page on the school’s website or contact your universities enrollment specialist for more information.
What About State Counseling Licensure?
One of the biggest concerns for upcoming counseling students may be whether or not their program meets the minimum standards of their state licensure agency. This can be a valid concern for new masters-level students, since there are numerous for-profit educational programs that promote counseling programs that do not current contain the right type of accreditation to support licensure. View state-by-state counseling licensure requirements.
CACREP FAQs
Accreditation can be a complex task that requires effort from both the university seeking accreditation and the accreditation agency. As a student, your concerns with accreditation should be solely in whether or not your chosen degree program has received adequate accreditation and whether or not it can help you in obtaining your licensure. If you might be interested in learning more about what type of information a university must provide in order to become accredited, take a look at some of the frequently asked questions listed beneath this section.
How is a program reviewed for accreditation?
The CACREP has a specialized method for determining whether or not a program in counseling should be deemed accredited. Universities that may be seeking accreditation can create a comprehensive report of their degree program, provide evidence as to why their program meets the minimum standard, and submit this information to the CACREP for review. The CACREP then reviews the application, assigns an on-site reviewing to visit the location, and awaits results. After an initial visit and review of curriculum and course work on-campus, a reflective report is then sent back to the CACREP for comparison. Review of these final documents can determine whether or not a program can receive accreditation.
How long does accreditation last?
The CACREP currently accredits university’s degree programs for a period of 8 years. Programs that have applied for accreditation but still require additional information to meet the standards of the 8-year approval can receive a temporary accreditation status for 2 years. During that time-frame, universities are required to provide the additional information in order to remain accredited beyond the 2 year cycle.
Is accreditation required for licensure?
In the U.S., all states require licensure before providing counseling services to the public. One main requirement for licensure of new counselors is proof of completion of a Masters degree in Counseling that currently holds accreditation with the CACREP. Degree programs that do not have proper accreditation at the time they were acquired may not be accepted during the licensure process.
Considering an Online Master’s in Counseling Program
Master’s degrees in Counseling may be some of the most preferred options for upcoming college students interested in providing a needed service to their community.
A Master’s in Counseling can provide students with higher knowledge and understanding of the human mind, emotions, and behaviors that can result as a combination of these factors.
In order to provide people with support with emotional and behavioral issues, students must take part in an accredited degree program, become involved in 2-3 years of supervised experience, and complete a national test in counseling before becoming licensed.
One of the most common questions about these steps may be concerning the accreditation of degree programs in counseling. Read more in the guide below to learn more about leading accreditation agencies in the U.S. and how they can assist you in getting the job you have always dreamed of.
Top Masters in Counseling Programs
- Masters in Counseling
- Online Masters in Counseling
- No GRE MA in Counseling
- Online Master of Arts in Counseling
- Schools with an Online Master of Counseling
- Accelerated MA in Counseling
- Hybrid MA in Counseling
- Dual Masters in Counseling Degrees
- By Online Counseling Program Specialization:
- Online Masters in Behavior Analysis
- Online Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Online Masters in Counseling Psychology
- Online Masters in Mental Health Counseling
- Online Master of Rehabilitation Counseling
- Online Masters in School Counseling
- By Accreditation:
- Online CACREP Accredited Masters Programs
- Online MPCAC Accredited Programs
List of Programs
Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
University of Denver 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
NYU Steinhardt 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Our Lady of the Lake University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
University of Southern California 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Vanderbilt University's Peabody College 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
University of West Alabama 🗹 Online 🗖 Bachelors 🗗 Masters
East Central University 🗹 Online 🗖 Bachelors
Regis College 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
St. Joseph's University 🗹 Online 🗖 Bachelors 🗗 Masters
