Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) : MS Psychology with concentration in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology (Flexible. Affordable. And achievable.)
NYU Steinhardt : Master of Arts in School Counseling and Bilingual School Counseling (Accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) under the Masters in Counseling Accreditation Committee (MCAC) standards.)
Pepperdine University : Master’s Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor) (No GRE required) Pepperdine University : Master of Arts in Psychology (No GRE required)
University of Wisconsin – Superior : MSE Counseling - School Counseling Track (100% Online, No GRE Required)
Arkansas State University : MSE School Counseling - Crisis & Trauma Concentration (100% Online, No Teaching Experience Required) Arkansas State University : MSE School Counseling - Special Populations Concentration (100% Online, No Teaching Experience Required)
Southeastern Oklahoma State University : M.Ed. In School Counseling (100% Online, No GRE Required)
Our Lady of the Lake University : Online Master of Arts in Counseling (No entrance exam required to apply)Child Counselor Programs: An Overview
Child counseling is a growing field, offering mental health services to children and teens. College degree programs in this field are designed to prepare you to apply advanced approaches concerning the latest therapy techniques and practice models. Online programs are particularly convenient, offering flexible hours for busy students who cannot attend classes on traditional campuses.
To become a child counselor, students must start at the undergraduate level by earning a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or another field related to counseling. After completing their undergraduate degree, students should enter graduate programs in child counseling or a related field. A master’s degree is the minimum requirement for licensure in this field. Earning a graduate degree in child counseling and completing a supervised internship can help prepare you for licensure, although requirements may vary by state.
The information below gives insights into degree programs and options.
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements |
Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
MS Psychology with concentration in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology
NECHE Accredited |
✔ Online
No application fee or GRE/GMAT scores required |
In the master's in child psychology online program, you'll develop assessment, evaluation and treatment strategies that address the unique individual, cultural and psychological needs of children and families. Learn More |
| NYU Steinhardt
Master of Arts in School Counseling and Bilingual School Counseling
 MPCAC Accredited |
✔ Online
Bachelor's required. GRE scores are not required. |
Offered through the Department of Applied Psychology, NYU Steinhardt’s online master of arts in School Counseling and Bilingual School Counseling prepares students to work as certified or licensed school counselors in a variety of settings. Graduates are collaborative leaders and advocates in elementary, middle, and high schools across the country. You will experience a combination of real-world training, interactive online classes, and course work that can be completed based on your schedule. Complete in as few as 2 years. Study bilingual school counseling (optional). Minimum 2.5 GPA required. Learn More |
| 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 |
| Pepperdine University
Master of Arts in Psychology
Open to all undergrad majors |
✔ Online
No GRE Required |
Earn a Master’s in Psychology Online in 18 Months Learn More |
| University of Wisconsin – Superior
MSE Counseling - School Counseling Track
|
✔ Online
100% Online, No GRE Required |
Aligned to state law and accreditation standards, our programs equip you with the academic and professional development that will prepare you for the Wisconsin and/or Minnesota counseling licensure exams. Designed for teachers and nonteachers, this program provides the professional development and practical experience you need to enrich your counseling acumen and grow your impact on students' wellbeing. Learn More |
| Arkansas State University
MSE School Counseling - Crisis & Trauma Concentration
|
✔ Online
100% Online, No Teaching Experience Required |
Learn to foster the mental health wellbeing of K-12 students who have experienced life-changing traumatic events. Gain the specialized knowledge and tools you need to be fully qualified in supporting students from all backgrounds. Learn More |
| Arkansas State University
MSE School Counseling - Special Populations Concentration
|
✔ Online
100% Online, No Teaching Experience Required |
Designed to intentionally hone your expertise in specific subgroups, this master's program online equips you to counsel K-12 students facing distinctive challenges. Areas of focus include special education, gifted and talented, and English as a second language. Learn More |
| Southeastern Oklahoma State University
M.Ed. In School Counseling
|
✔ Online
100% Online, No GRE Required |
This counseling master's builds on your classroom teaching experience. You will learn the theories and strategies needed to serve as a guidance counselor, career advisor or in other school counseling positions. To be admitted you need a current teaching certificate. 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 |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
Online Master’s Programs
Many colleges offer online master’s-level child counseling degrees. For students who work full-time, have children or other commitments, online programs are considered an excellent choice, offering more flexible options to fit busy schedules.
Below are online child counseling master’s programs that are currently accepting applications for new students.
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) - MS Psychology with concentration in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology
NYU Steinhardt - Master of Arts in School Counseling and Bilingual School Counseling
Pepperdine University - Master of Arts in Psychology (ABAI Accredited)
University of Wisconsin – Superior - MSE Counseling - School Counseling Track
Arkansas State University - MSE School Counseling - Crisis & Trauma Concentration
Southeastern Oklahoma State University - M.Ed. In School Counseling (CAEP Accredited)
Our Lady of the Lake University - Online Master of Arts in Counseling (SACSCOC Accredited)
Sample Courses for an Online Master of Child Counseling Degree
Students working toward a child counselor degree can enroll in courses that will provide extensive knowledge and skills that are relevant to the career. The courses offered in these degree programs were developed to empower students to work with children in a mental health capacity. Students can study childhood mental illness, the effects of trauma, and counseling methods. There are also many areas of specialization to consider. Alongside their graduate coursework, students may also have the opportunity to be directly trained by specialists in the field of therapy practices and childhood development.
Below are some of the course subjects graduates may be able to take in their study of child psychology.
- Child Development: Child counselor instructors in this course can provide educational information to students by studying real-life case studies of children and teens. The course will study the brain and the psychological stages of development throughout adolescence.
- Trauma and Crisis Management: Students can learn how trauma affects children and their brain development. This course offers information on how to react and respond to crisis situations and look at the best practices of de-escalation. Diagnosis and treatments, as well as childhood mental health disease and how it affects development, are some areas that may be covered in this course.
- Cognitive Neuropsychology: Students enrolled in this course are able to study the parts of the child and adolescent brain and what each section is responsible for. The focus will be psychiatric diagnoses versus behavioral diagnoses, as well as studying normal versus abnormal human development.
Where Do Child Counselors Work?
Child counselors can offer therapy and support services to children in various settings. They may work with children in schools, hospitals, clinics, or private practice.
A Typical Day for a Child Counselor
A typical workday consists of using knowledge and expertise to provide counseling, therapy, and support to patients and clients struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health disorders. Child counselors fill different roles on a day-to-day basis depending on where they work. For example, counselors are needed in mental health clinics to see patients who need outpatient therapy. Some child counselors may work in a hospital where children and teens are admitted for further evaluation.
Organizations to Know
There are numerous professional associations that help guide the child counseling field, including the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and the American Counseling Association (ACA). Effective professional counselors can stay up to date on the latest techniques by joining organizations such as these that specialize in their field of expertise. The Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (SCCAP) is another organization for professionals in this career.
Being part of a professional organization provides opportunities to interact with others who hold similar jobs, share clinical and career information, and learn more about the latest trends in child counseling.
Those pursuing or considering child counselor degrees should learn about the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC) and the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology (NCSPP). Both organizations can provide industry-specific knowledge and support for child counseling.
Source List:
Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling, “About Us”
American Counseling Association, “School Counselors”
American Counseling Association, “School Counselor Connection”
National Board for Certified Counselors, “Resources for NCCs”
The National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology, “About”
List of Programs
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
NYU Steinhardt 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Pepperdine University 🗹 Online
Pepperdine University 🗹 Online
University of Wisconsin – Superior 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Arkansas State University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Arkansas State University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Southeastern Oklahoma State University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Our Lady of the Lake University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Our Lady of the Lake University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Rivier University 🗹 Online
