30 Cheapest CACREP-Accredited Programs Online for 2024-2025

Are you looking to become a professional counselor through an online program? Finding reliable information on mental health degrees can be challenging with so many resources online.

Choosing a CACREP-accredited program is crucial. The Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is the top accrediting body for graduate-level counseling degrees. While not the only accrediting organization, CACREP offers comprehensive resources for exploring counseling degrees and careers.

This article covers affordable CACREP-accredited online counseling programs, the importance of CACREP accreditation, funding tips for a CACREP-accredited degree, benefits of graduating from a CACREP-accredited program, and how schools earn CACREP accreditation.

Walden University : MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited, six specializations to choose from)

Walden University : MS in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Northwestern University : Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Liberty University : MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited) (Online with required intensives)

University of Denver : Master of Arts in School Counseling (No GRE required)

Mid-America Christian University (MACU) : Master of Science (MS) in Counseling (100% Online, No GRE Required)

Colorado Christian University : Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Online Curriculum (100% online, or hybrid format. )

Butler University : Master of Science in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Walsh University : Online Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (100% Online. Field Experience Support Services. Faith-based.)

Why Is CACREP Accreditation Important? 

Competency in counseling is demonstrated through knowledge, skills, and professional values. Furthermore, counselors must take an online counseling program that is regionally accredited to be eligible for ranking.

In most states, earning a Master’s in Counseling is the first step toward becoming a licensed counselor. On top of that, these states require that students obtain master’s-level degrees that CACREP accredits. This standard and preference for CACREP-accredited programs solidifies CACREP as the premier accreditation board for counseling degrees.

Even though CACREP is not the sole accrediting body for counseling degrees, CACREP accreditation ensures the professional standard that applies to all counselor programs. CACREP-accredited counseling degrees have similar program substance, classes, research, techniques, and processes. Employers know what can be expected from graduates who finished a CACREP-accredited program.

School and Program Information	Online Program? Entry Requirements	Course Information
Walden University MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online GRE scores not required	Mental health counselors play a valuable role in helping people cope with life’s challenges. Walden’s online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program can help you become the competent, compassionate counselor you know you can be. Learn More
Walden University MS in School Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online GRE scores not required	School counselors help students overcome obstacles and shape successful futures. Walden’s online MS in School Counseling program will give you a solid foundation in school counseling theories, approaches, and best practices while enabling you to gain hands-on experience. Learn More
Northwestern University Online MA in Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required	Prepare to pursue licensure in as few as 18 months Full-time, part-time, and accelerated track options available Learn More
Liberty University MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited) CACREP Accredited	✔ Online Online with required intensives	Our CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling degree online can help you become an ethical, well-trained mental health counselor with the knowledge, values, and skills you need to empower others to make positive changes in their lives. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. Learn More
University of Denver Master of Arts in School Counseling Designed to adhere to CACREP standards	✔ Online No GRE Required; Minimum GPA 2.5 Required	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. Complete in as few as 24 months. Learn More
Mid-America Christian University (MACU) Master of Science (MS) in Counseling Higher Learning Commission (HLC)	✔ Online 100% Online	Expand your impact with an online counseling degree rooted in faith-based practice. Mid-America Christian University offers the largest Master of Science (MS) in Counseling program in Oklahoma, with emphasis areas in addiction and substance abuse, applied behavioral science, clinical mental health counseling, and marriage and family therapy. Explore the online MS in Counseling at MACU. Learn More
Colorado Christian University Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Online Curriculum CACREP Accredited	✔ Online Bachelor's Degree	Optional program emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and Substance Use Disorders. Learn More
Butler University Master of Science in School Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online No GRE required.	Butler University's Master of Science in School Counseling features 60 credit hours of coursework. Immersive online classes, collaborative learning opportunities, and hands-on experience—including 100 practicum hours and 600 internship hours—will prepare you for school counseling licensure in Indiana. You'll be ready to succeed as a school counselor at the K-12 level. You can transfer up to 12 credit hours into the program. Graduate in 2.5-3 years. Check your state licensure requirements. Learn More
Walsh University Online Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP Accredited, HLC Accredited	✔ Online Bachelor's Degree Required	Walsh University’s online Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Development–Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree can give you the skills and knowledge you need to be the change you want to see in the world. Become a licensed clinical mental health counselor prepared to address psychological challenges among diverse populations and communities. Gain clinical mental health theory, process, and treatment knowledge to be successful in the field. Learn More

*Sponsored Counseling Programs

Cheapest CACREP Accredited Online Programs for 2024-2025

Graduate degrees in mental health and counseling can be expensive. Finding a CACREP-accredited program that fits your budget is essential.

Traditional vs. Online Programs

• Traditional Programs: On-campus with face-to-face lectures and discussions.
• Online Programs: More cost-effective, especially post-COVID-19. Online programs save on meals, transportation, and provide flexible scheduling.

Explore our range of CACREP-accredited online counseling programs to find an affordable option that aligns with your career goals.

The following schools are ranked and organized based on net tuition data for 2024-2025 stored in the IPEDs Database. Analysis took place June 2024

Tips for Funding a CACREP Accredited Degree

Now that you understand the importance of choosing a CACREP-accredited program and have browsed the cheapest CACREP-accredited online counseling programs, the next step is funding.

Considering funding options while looking at the cheapest CACREP-accredited online programs will help you decide which is best for you. Finding the money for a counseling degree is hard, but it doesn’t have to be impossible.

You can fund your way to a CACREP-accredited degree in two ways:

Scholarships

Scholarships are financial aids that are usually based on merit, such as exemplary academic, athletic, or creative achievement. It usually covers partial or full funding to students, typically sponsored by corporations, universities or colleges, non-government organizations, private foundations, philanthropists, and other organizations with certain backgrounds or passions.

The National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation (NBCCF) recognizes that supporting counselors in training is integral to their organization’s mission. The Foundation offers the following scholarships to “increase the number of counselors committed to helping priority underserved communities”:

• Rural Scholarship
• Military Scholarship
• Dr. Nicholas Vacc Scholarship (Doctoral)

Grants 

Like scholarships, grants are also awarded by individuals or groups that support certain causes and interests. However, grants are awarded based on the student’s financial need and are usually sponsored by the federal government, state colleges and universities, and non-profit organizations.

Changing the face of counseling, the NBCC has helped increase diversity in the counseling profession since 2012 with the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP). 

Walden University - MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Walden University - MS in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Northwestern University - Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Liberty University - MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited) (CACREP Accredited)

University of Denver - Master of Arts in School Counseling ( Accredited)

Mid-America Christian University (MACU) - Master of Science (MS) in Counseling (Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Accredited)

Colorado Christian University - Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Online Curriculum (CACREP Accredited)

Butler University - Master of Science in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Walsh University - Online Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (HLC Accredited)

What are the Benefits of Graduating from an Affordable CACREP Accredited Program? 

You can look at the benefits of graduating from an affordable CACREP-accredited program from two points of view: as a student and as a program administrator.

Graduating from an affordable CACREP-accredited program combines quality education with cost-effectiveness, offering distinct advantages:

For Students: Accreditation ensures the program meets rigorous standards, providing a well-rounded education at a reasonable price. You gain critical skills recognized by employers, while keeping tuition affordable.

Accreditation in the United States is a unique peer review system of quality assurance. So when a counseling program conducts self-assessment, it shows that the program’s administrators have clearly defined the program’s objectives and thought about the strategies they are employing to achieve them. Prospective students, employers, and other educators can access the mission statement, goals, and objectives. With this information accessible to the general public, the program shows that it wants to be held responsible for its educational activities and helps prospective students choose the best counselor education program.

How Do Schools Become CACREP Accredited? 

Institutional and specialized accreditation are both available in the United States. Institutional accreditation considers the entire organization. Inside such institutions, professional preparation programs are examined by specialized accreditors like CACREP.

To become accredited, CACREP requires a counselor education program to “fulfill certain requirements or standards regarding institutional settings, program mission, and objectives, program content, practicum experiences, student selection, advising, faculty qualifications and workload, program governance, instructional support, and self-evaluation.” 

It is also important to remember that CACREP accredits the degree-specific program and not the department or college it is housed.