Capella University : Master's and PhD in Counseling (CACREP Accreditation. Master's and PhD options avaialble. )
Northwestern University : Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Pepperdine University : Master’s Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor) (No GRE required)
NYU Steinhardt : Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance: School and Bilingual School Counseling (Accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) under the Masters in Counseling Accreditation Committee (MCAC) standards.)
Our Lady of the Lake University : Online Master of Arts in Counseling (No entrance exam required to apply)
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology : M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Online Programs. CACREP Accredited.)
Lamar University : Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (100% Online, Affordable Tuition, Study on Your Time)
Liberty University : MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP) (Online with required intensives) Our Lady of the Lake University : Online Master of Arts - Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling (Earn a Master of Arts in Counseling – 100% Online)
How Much Do Counselors Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for counselors of all types was about $45,200. School counselors are the highest-paid counseling jobs on our list, with a 2021 median salary of about $63,500.
How Much Does Each Type of Counselors Make a Year?
Career Counselors
2021 Median Salary: About $40,000
Career counselors work one-on-one with clients in a professional setting. They offer guidance to adults seeking to start a new career or make a change. This could be a voluntary change by the client or the result of a layoff. In either case, career counselors assess clients’ skills to help match them up with local employers. You may also be tasked with helping clients enhance their resumes and teach them how to apply for jobs on their own. You’ll need to have a master’s degree for this role - fortunately, there are many great programs available.
Marriage and Family Counselors
2021 Median Salary: About $49,900
This is another of the highest-paid counseling jobs on our list, and for good reason. Whether working with individuals, couples, or families, counselors in this field are responsible for treating clients’ relationships, as opposed to the individuals themselves. Marriage and family counselors typically apply cognitive behavioral therapy to help replace negative behaviors with positive ones. They also need to be able to understand the systemic issues and individual roles within clients' relationships and how those roles can affect the mental well-being of everyone involved.
In addition to helping families work through difficult, emotionally-fraught situations, marriage and family counselors often run their own private practice. They're responsible for attracting clients through marketing and even dealing with insurance companies. You’ll need a postgraduate degree in marriage and family therapy for this role. In addition, many states require licensure, so make sure to check guidelines for your area.
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements |
Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| Capella University
Master's and PhD in Counseling
 CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required |
Choose from Addictions, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Human Behavior. Marriage and Family Therapy, or School Counseling specialties 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 Learn MoreFull-time, part-time, and accelerated track options available |
| Pepperdine University
Master’s Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor)
|
✔ Online
No GRE Required Bachelor's Degree Required |
Bachelor's holders can prepare to become a licensed professional counselor online. With no GRE scores required to apply, the 24 month online MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine allows you to advance your career and be a catalyst of change. Learn More |
| NYU Steinhardt
Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance: School and Bilingual School Counseling
 MPCAC Accredited |
✔ Online
Bachelor's required. GRE scores are not required. |
Prepare to become a school counselor with NYU Steinhardt’s online master’s in Counseling and Guidance program. The online MA degree gives you the knowledge and skills to pursue certification and employment in pre-K–12 schools nationwide in as few as 18 mos. Bachelor’s required: Learn more. GRE scores are not required. Learn More |
| Our Lady of the Lake University
Online Master of Arts in Counseling
|
✔ Online
No GRE required. |
Help students navigate the emotional terrain of getting an education, empower people of all ages to overcome mental health hurdles, or support someone recovering from drug addiction as they obtain or maintain a job, with the Master of Arts in Counseling from OLLU. Learn More |
| The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
Bachelor's Degree Required. |
This online CMHC program prepares students for a career offering mental health services in a variety of settings; helping diverse clients through issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, stress, relationship difficulties, and suicidal impulses. Learn More |
| Lamar University
Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
SACSCOC Accredited |
✔ Online
No GRE Required Minimum 3.25 Undergrad GPA |
This online degree program prepares you with knowledge, training and practical experience to guide persons coping with substance abuse, marriage, family, career and other emotional issues through difficulties by giving them tools and techniques to manage their lives and decisions. Learn More |
| Liberty University
MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP)
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 |
| Our Lady of the Lake University
Online Master of Arts - Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
|
✔ Online
|
Our Lady of the Lake University’s Master of Arts in Counseling – Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling specialization provides you coursework and experiential learning experience that addresses the scope of practice of clinical rehabilitation counselors, disability rights, independent living philosophy, and legislative acts to protect individuals with disabilities. Learn More |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
Rehabilitation Counselors
2021 Median Salary: About $38,600
People in this field help clients with various disabilities live as independently as possible. Some clients have physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities that have been present their entire lives, while others are facing these challenges for the first time. This latter group can include veterans coping with post-traumatic stress disorder or combat injuries as well as elderly people who have to adapt to the effects of age on their minds and bodies.
The majority of rehabilitation counselors work in community and vocational services, though many also work at residential care facilities or are employed by the government. You'll need a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling to enter this field, and a special certification or license for some roles.
School Counselors
2021 Median Salary: About $63,500
One of the highest paid counseling jobs on this list, school counselors work directly with students to help put them on the path to success. Sometimes that path is academic, such as choosing courses that align with career aspirations or helping get college applications in order. Other times, it may involve helping students work through personal issues or challenges preventing them from reaching their full potential. School counselors may work on a one-to-one basis or as part of a team focused on helping a student succeed. You’ll need a school counseling degree for this role, which is offered as a master’s degree or higher.
Capella University - Master's and PhD in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Northwestern University - Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Pepperdine University - Master’s Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor)
NYU Steinhardt - Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance: School and Bilingual School Counseling
Our Lady of the Lake University - Online Master of Arts in Counseling (SACSCOC Accredited)
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology - M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Lamar University - Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (SACSCOC Accredited)
Liberty University - MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP) (CACREP Accredited)
Counseling Careers
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
2021 Median Salary: About $48,500
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors work with a broad range of clients in a variety of settings and specializations. The majority of people in this often stressful but highly rewarding field work in outpatient mental health centers, but many also work in private practices or hospitals and residential facilities. Some work in prisons or juvenile detention centers.
The highest paid counseling jobs in this line of work require a graduate degree in counseling. In many cases, you’ll also need either a specialization or a certification in the specific field you’d like to pursue. Once you have your diploma, expect to complete a lengthy supervised work experience and pass a licensure examination before starting your career.
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors are also known as addiction counselors. They work with clients one-on-one or in groups to treat problems like eating disorders, alcoholism, drug addiction, and other issues. Some clients seek treatment voluntarily, while others come after intervention from family and friends. In some cases, treatment may be court-ordered. Familiarity with 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous is helpful, but the ultimate goal of treatment is to help clients develop positive coping mechanisms for life’s challenges in order to establish a pathway to recovery.
Mental Health Counselor
2021 Median Salary: About $48,500
Mental health counselors are trained to provide individualized mental health care services to individuals, couples, families, children, and adolescents throughout the lifespan, covering a wide range of concerns and issues. Many patients who see a mental health counselor struggle with depression, stress, anxiety, and other emotional health and relationship issues. Some mental health counselors choose to specialize in a certain area: pediatric counselors specialize in treating young children, while grief counselors use specialized techniques to provide services to patients who are dealing with a major loss. This can certainly be caused by the death of a loved one, but in other cases could be triggered by a lost job, a lost pet, or even changes in the home.
Ready for the Next Step?
Whether helping a client overcome an addiction, working with a couple to solve marital challenges, or charting a fulfilling educational course for a student, counselors make a difference in the lives of others every day. Take the next step today and learn about online counseling degrees or master’s programs for counseling.
