An online counseling master's can make a career change possible without relocating - but the wrong program may not meet the requirements for the state where you intend to practice. This guide helps prospective students compare Northeast programs by career track, licensure fit, clinical placement, time, and total cost. It accompanies the 2027 Best Online Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in the Northeast, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about which counseling programs are worth considering.
Key findings about online Counseling degrees in Northeast
Start with the credential: CACREP's entry-level counseling standards specify at least 60 semester credits, but clinical mental health and school counseling lead toward different state-regulated roles (CACREP).
The U.S. median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025; BLS projects 18% employment growth for 2025-2035. Neither figure predicts an individual graduate's pay or job prospects (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Online coursework does not eliminate local fieldwork. Before paying a deposit, confirm that the program will approve a placement near you and that its degree aligns with the rules of the state where you plan to work (CACREP; relevant state licensing or education board).
What can I expect from an online Counseling degree in Northeast?
Expect graduate coursework in counseling theory and ethics, supervised skills practice, and an in-person practicum and internship. "Online" describes how much classroom instruction is delivered - not a fully remote route to clinical experience. CACREP's entry-level standards require at least 60 semester credits and specify supervised practicum and internship components (CACREP).
The first decision is the intended credential. A clinical mental health counseling degree is generally designed for a path toward a state-issued professional counseling license; a school counseling degree is generally designed for a state education credential. Marriage and family therapy, psychology, and social work are separate training and licensing routes. If you want to provide psychotherapy, do not assume a school counseling program is an interchangeable shortcut.
This degree makes the most sense for someone willing to complete supervised fieldwork and, where required, post-degree supervised experience and an examination. Someone seeking only introductory helping skills - or unable to arrange local placement hours - may be better served by a shorter, non-licensure option, provided it matches their career goal.
Where can I work with an online Counseling degree in Northeast?
Clinical mental health graduates may pursue roles in behavioral health agencies, hospitals, community clinics, or private practice, subject to the license and supervision rules for the job. School counseling graduates typically seek positions in public or private schools; colleges may have different qualifications for student-support roles. Addiction-focused work can involve treatment programs and community agencies, with credential rules varying by state (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; relevant state boards).
In the Northeast, a nearby job can be across a state line. That matters because a placement or eventual license in Pennsylvania, for example, should not be assumed to satisfy New York's or Connecticut's rules. Choose a likely practice state before comparing schools, then ask its licensing or education board which degree, coursework, fieldwork, examination, and supervised experience it requires.
Pay depends on the occupation, employer, location, experience, and license - not simply on holding a master's. The table gives comparable national occupational medians, not salaries promised to new graduates or Northeast-specific estimates. Figures refer to May 2025 wages in the latest BLS series identified as of October 2026 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook).
Potential occupation
U.S. median annual wage, May 2025
How to use it
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors
$59,350
Benchmark for clinical mental health or addiction-related roles, not starting pay.
School and career counselors and advisors
$64,330
Compare with the pay schedule of the school district or employer you would actually enter.
Rehabilitation counselors
$46,850
Use only if the program and intended job align with rehabilitation counseling.
A higher national median does not automatically make one track the better investment. For a realistic comparison, obtain local job postings or district salary schedules and separate salaries available immediately after graduation from those requiring full licensure.
These program-specific starting points show why a single ranking position cannot replace a track-by-track comparison. Delivery, curriculum, and state approval can change; verify the current catalog and placement policy before applying.
Sacred Heart University: Its advertised online master's is in clinical mental health counseling, making it a more direct track to investigate for prospective clinical counselors than the school-counseling options here. Connecticut residents - and applicants elsewhere - should ask how the degree and local placements map to their intended state's license (Sacred Heart University program page).
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania: The graduate program identifies clinical mental health counseling as its focus. Pennsylvania applicants can compare its coursework against that state's professional counselor requirements rather than evaluating it as a general counseling degree; confirm which courses and meetings are online (Slippery Rock University program page).
Lehman College, City University of New York: Its counselor education offering is specifically in school counseling, a consequential distinction for applicants seeking a New York school credential instead of clinical licensure. Ask whether its current delivery and field-placement arrangements work for your school district and schedule (Lehman College program page).
Waynesburg University: The university identifies an online Master of Arts counseling offering, making delivery a useful initial comparison point for working applicants. Confirm the exact track, any required live or campus sessions, and whether the university can approve your proposed internship site before treating "online" as a logistical solution (Waynesburg University program page).
Pennsylvania Western University: Its highlighted graduate option is school counseling, not clinical mental health counseling. That distinction is particularly important for Pennsylvania applicants comparing education certification with professional counselor licensure; check current online availability and the applicable certification pathway (Pennsylvania Western University program page).
Geneva College: Its graduate counseling offering merits comparison by concentration rather than institution name alone. Request the current program plan and identify the exact degree track, delivery format, and state-license alignment before comparing its price with a school-counseling-only option (Geneva College program page).
Gwynedd Mercy University: Its advertised master's combines online delivery with a school counseling focus. It may fit a working prospective school counselor who can secure local school-based fieldwork, but applicants seeking clinical licensure should not treat the track as equivalent (Gwynedd Mercy University program page).
Southern Connecticut State University: Its identified graduate degree is a school counseling MS. For Connecticut-focused applicants, the key comparison is its fit with the state's educator-credential route and a workable school placement - not its similarity to a clinical counseling program (Southern Connecticut State University program page).
Messiah University: Its graduate offering identifies a school counseling MA, giving applicants another school-focused option to assess against their intended state's certification rules. Verify current online-course requirements and whether fieldwork can be completed in your local school system (Messiah University program page).
Lebanon Valley College: Its master's is explicitly in clinical mental health counseling, so it belongs on a clinical-license shortlist rather than a school-counseling one. Ask for its current course sequence, delivery requirements, and placement support when comparing it with other clinical options (Lebanon Valley College program page).
These are distinctions supported by program descriptions, not claims that one school has better graduate outcomes than another. Request current credit totals, published costs, placement arrangements, and licensure disclosures in the same format from every finalist.
Plan on roughly two years of full-time study for many counseling master's programs; part-time enrollment commonly extends the schedule to around three years or more. The precise timeline depends on the program's credit requirements, course rotation, and when you can complete supervised fieldwork. CACREP's entry-level counseling standards set a minimum of 60 semester credits, which helps explain why a licensure-oriented master's is rarely a brief online credential (CACREP).
An accelerated calendar helps only if its placements and live-session requirements fit your work schedule. Use the fastest counseling programs as a shortlist, then ask for a term-by-term plan showing the earliest realistic graduation date with practicum and internship included. Graduation is also distinct from any post-degree supervision required for independent practice.
The main difference is where and when coursework happens, not whether counseling skills must be practiced with people. Online programs can reduce commuting and expand the schools available to someone in a rural area or with a full-time job. On-campus study may make scheduled skills practice and contact with local placement partners easier. Either format can involve live meetings, residency requirements, and in-person supervised fieldwork (CACREP; individual program requirements).
Choose online study if its meeting times, approved placement geography, and supervision arrangements work where you live. Choose campus-based study if its local clinical or school relationships solve a placement problem that online flexibility cannot. Neither format is inherently more licensure-ready: compare the specific curriculum with your intended state board's requirements and verify the program's current accreditation status.
There is no single published Northeast-wide price that reliably describes these programs. A useful estimate is the school's current total program cost: required credits multiplied by the applicable per-credit charge, plus mandatory fees, travel or residency expenses, books, and costs associated with an unpaid placement. Published tuition can differ by residency, institution, and academic year; verify the figures with the institution rather than applying a national graduate tuition average to a specific counseling degree.
Compare the most affordable counseling programs using written, program-specific cost estimates. Ask public institutions whether online students qualify for resident tuition and private institutions about program-level grants; a private institution can also be nonprofit. The cheapest tuition is not necessarily the lowest-cost route if a schedule delays completion or requires leaving paid work.
Start with the FAFSA and each school's aid office. Eligible students may be considered for federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans; assistantships, employer tuition benefits, institutional grants, and state-specific programs depend on the student and program. Ask whether the online degree is eligible for federal aid and whether a part-time course load changes eligibility (Federal Student Aid; individual institutions).
Graduate PLUS requires particular attention for a 2027 entrant. Federal changes effective July 1, 2026, generally end new Graduate PLUS borrowing for new graduate students, while limited transitional eligibility may apply to qualifying existing borrowers. Do not build a financing plan around that loan without confirming your individual eligibility with Federal Student Aid and the school (Federal Student Aid). Also compare likely borrowing with the pay available in your intended occupation and location - not with an advertised maximum salary.
View the chart data as a table
Best score distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
70–74
1
75–79
1
80–84
3
85–89
16
90–94
16
95–99
1
Applicants generally need a bachelor's degree and must meet the individual program's academic and application requirements. Schools may request transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, an interview, or prerequisite coursework; clinical placement sites can impose additional screening requirements. Obtain the current admissions checklist from each school rather than assuming a psychology undergraduate major - or a particular test - is universally required (individual institution admissions offices).
If you need an accessible entry route, the easiest counseling programs can help focus an admissions comparison. "Easier to enter" does not mean easier fieldwork or automatic license eligibility. Ask admissions and the program director separately about transfer-credit limits, placement geography, and written disclosures for the state where you intend to practice.
Licensure-oriented curricula commonly cover counseling relationships and techniques, ethics, assessment, human development, group work, multicultural counseling, and research or program evaluation. Clinical mental health tracks emphasize assessment and treatment in mental health settings; school tracks apply counseling skills to students, families, and school systems. Practicum and internship connect that coursework to supervised practice (CACREP).
Course titles alone are a weak way to assess license fit. Request a curriculum map showing which required courses satisfy your intended state board's education rules, including any state-specific topics. An elective that looks attractive is less valuable if the degree leaves a required licensure subject uncovered.
The most consequential distinction in this program set is clinical mental health versus school counseling. The former targets clinical counseling work under state professional-licensure rules; the latter targets counseling roles in schools under state educator-credential rules. Some counseling schools also offer addiction, rehabilitation, or other emphases, but an emphasis within a degree is not necessarily a separate qualifying credential (CACREP; relevant state boards).
Choose the track by the work you want to perform and the state credential it requires, not by the appeal of an elective list. If you want to counsel students in a public school, ask about school certification. If you want to diagnose or treat mental health conditions in a clinical setting, investigate professional counselor licensure. If marriage and family therapy is the goal, compare that profession's separately regulated degrees before committing.
Build a shortlist around the license and location you actually need. Accreditation and federal aid eligibility deserve separate checks: institutional eligibility concerns access to federal aid, while CACREP recognition applies to a particular counseling program and can matter differently under different state rules (Federal Student Aid; CACREP; relevant state boards). Then compare completion risk and cost, not ranking position alone.
Use the following sequence to turn a shortlist into an enrollment decision:
Identify your intended job and practice state; obtain that state board's current degree, fieldwork, examination, and post-degree supervision rules.
Ask each program for written confirmation of its accreditation status, curriculum-to-credential alignment, online meeting requirements, and policy for placements near you.
Request a full program cost and term-by-term schedule, including fees, possible travel, placement hours, and any credit-transfer decision.
Compare likely aid, borrowing, lost work time, probability of finishing, and realistic local earnings over the years you expect to use the credential.
The most valuable counseling programs provide another comparison lens, but value is personal. A sound return-on-investment estimate accounts for duration, opportunity cost, aid, debt, completion probability, earnings before and after the degree, and the time horizon - not institution type or tuition alone.
View the chart data as a table
Wage range - Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (U.S., BLS May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
10th percentile
38,940
Median
59,350
90th percentile
97,590
A clinical mental health track can lead toward supervised counseling work and, after meeting the applicable state's requirements, independent professional licensure. A school counseling track can lead toward a state school-counselor credential and school-based roles. Addiction and rehabilitation positions may have their own credential expectations, so read job requirements before assuming a general counseling degree qualifies (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; relevant state boards).
The degree and the license are different milestones. Graduates may still need examinations and supervised experience, while school positions may require state education approval. For applicants considering later doctoral study or supervision roles, ask whether the master's offers the preparation needed for that next step; a doctorate is a separate educational commitment.
View the chart data as a table
Median wage by U.S. state - Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
State
Value
AK
80,770
AL
47,310
AR
51,580
AZ
65,300
CA
59,250
CO
62,390
CT
63,590
DC
60,450
DE
56,020
FL
56,790
GA
58,960
HI
60,090
IA
60,880
ID
63,360
IL
60,730
IN
53,760
KS
59,470
KY
54,190
LA
37,910
MA
59,890
MD
59,530
ME
59,970
MI
61,690
MN
58,780
MO
56,910
MS
46,990
MT
59,000
NC
55,490
ND
68,630
NE
63,770
NH
54,840
NJ
62,820
NM
74,100
NV
57,210
NY
59,450
OH
58,360
OK
59,350
OR
74,590
PA
52,010
PR
46,790
RI
65,120
SC
52,370
SD
53,650
TN
49,580
TX
62,630
UT
63,890
VA
59,880
VT
61,810
WA
68,910
WI
62,220
WV
49,430
WY
62,980
National demand is strongest among the counseling occupations represented by substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors: BLS projects 18% employment growth from 2025 to 2035. For school and career counselors and advisors, the corresponding national projection is 3%. These are occupation-wide U.S. projections, not forecasts of openings for graduates of a particular Northeast program or evidence that every city has the same demand (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections).
The practical Northeast question is where you can be credentialed and work. Compare postings in the states and commuting areas you would accept, noting whether employers require an associate or full license, a school credential, or a specific placement background. If opportunities span a state border, investigate both states' rules before enrollment; geographic mobility is useful only when your training supports the relevant credential.
2027 Best Online Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in the Northeast
Education is a consequential investment, so Research.com designed the ranking to give readers a more credible starting point than tuition or reputation alone. The team evaluates reported outcomes, accreditation, eligibility for federal aid, and cost; readers should still confirm current program details directly with each school.
For the Best ranking, a graduate-outcomes-and-accreditation score combines program completion (40%), employment or doctoral admission (20%), licensure exam pass rates where applicable (20%), CACREP programmatic accreditation (16%), and federal Title IV eligibility (4%). Inapplicable criteria are removed and the remaining shares renormalized. Cost contributes a smaller component - about 7% of the final score. The method applies to online and on-campus programs; rankings named for another dimension order programs by that dimension.
The following databases were used to create the ranking. Together, they help readers compare programs using more than a single published price or promotional claim:
IPEDS database - institutional enrollment, completion, and cost reporting.
See Research.com's methodology for more on how its rankings are created. A ranking can narrow a shortlist; it cannot establish that a particular degree meets your state board's requirements or that its schedule fits your life.
# 1 position
Sacred Heart University
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
95.50
/ 100
Final score
Program length
A full-time student will finish the program in two years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
96% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Spring 2027: 12/07/26
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree
Additional requirements
Online application, official transcripts (GPA 2.75+), two professional recommendation letters, state acknowledgement form, personal statement, online-readiness assessment, video interview, and two 1-week in-person residencies.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Sacred Heart University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 95.5/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 96% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 2 position
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Arts (MA)
Delivery mode: hybrid
93.49
/ 100
Final score
Program length
First Year Fall/Spring ... Third Year Fall/Spring (12-12-12-12-6/9-3/6 credits)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
90% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2025)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Official transcripts; minimum 3.0 GPA for unconditional admission; personal statement of interest, experience and career goals; two recommendation forms from faculty or a supervisor; interview. No prerequisite courses beyond a bachelor's.
Additional requirements
Official transcripts, minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA for unconditional admission, personal statement, two recommendation forms from faculty or a recent employer/supervisor, online application and fee, and an interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 93.49/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 90% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 3 position
Lehman College, City University of New York
Master
Master of Science in Education: School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
93.35
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: March 15
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Completed bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited institution
Additional requirements
Official transcripts; 3.0 GPA; two letters of recommendation; 5 essay questions; resume; group interview; TOEFL for certain international applicants
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Lehman College, City University of New York earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 93.35/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-03-31.
# 4 position
Waynesburg University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling
Delivery mode: online
92.84
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Addiction Counseling
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2023-24)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college
Additional requirements
Graduate and Professional Studies application; bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college with a minimum 3.0 GPA; official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions; current resume; personal statement; writing sample;
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Waynesburg University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.84/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 5 position
Pennsylvania Western University
Master
Counseling, MS - School Counseling
Delivery mode: online
92.68
/ 100
Final score
Program length
full-time (including the summer months) ... 2 ½ years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE required if undergraduate GPA is below 3.0
Prerequisites
12 semester hours (4 courses) of undergraduate psychology including abnormal psychology/psychopathology; Prerequisite Form; two professional letters of recommendation and assessment rubric; 750-1,000 word admissions essay in APA 7th format.
Additional requirements
3.0 undergraduate GPA (preferred); two professional letters of recommendation and student assessment rubric; Admissions Essay – Goals and Objectives; current Resume/CV; transcript (most recent degree); GRE if UG GPA below 3.0
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Pennsylvania Western University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.68/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 6 position
Geneva College
Master
M.A. in Counseling - Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
92.66
/ 100
Final score
Program length
two years for a full-time student
Specialization
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree with GPA of 3.0+ expected (provisional admission possible below 3.0); basic statistics competency via CNS 504, an approved statistics course (B- or better within 5 years), or 80%+ on a statistics exam.
Additional requirements
Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, a typed academic essay describing career goals and reasons for applying, three professional recommendations, and a resume
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Geneva College earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.66/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-04-30.
# 7 position
Gwynedd Mercy University
Master
M.S. in School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
92.25
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.5 years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE (combined 292+ plus analytical writing) required if GPA is below 3.0, unless applicant holds a graduate degree
Prerequisites
3 credits in General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Theory or another foundational course; 3 credits in Research Methods or Statistics
Additional requirements
Accredited bachelor's; transcripts; minimum 3.0 GPA (GRE 292+ required below 3.0 unless holding a graduate degree); two letters of recommendation (one academic, one professional); 3-5 page personal statement; group faculty interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Gwynedd Mercy University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.25/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 8 position
Southern Connecticut State University
Master
Master of Science in School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
92.08
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
63 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
94% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
89% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2023-24)
Class size
11
Prerequisites
This is an educator preparation program in the State of Connecticut with additional admission requirements (see Admissions to Educator Preparation Programs).
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Southern Connecticut State University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.08/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 94% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-03-31.
# 9 position
Messiah University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling – School Counseling
Delivery mode: online
91.95
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2-year completion
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
81.6% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
At least 6 credits in social, behavioral, applied, or life sciences courses with a grade of C or higher (e.g., psychology, human development and family science, sociology, anthropology, early childhood studies, social work).
Additional requirements
Messiah application; official transcripts; cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher (below 3.0 reviewed case by case); 300–500 word statement of purpose; contact for one reference; resume/CV; Zoom interview with faculty.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Messiah University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.95/100, supported by 81.6% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-10-31.
# 10 position
Lebanon Valley College
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
91.84
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years full-time
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Licensure exam pass rate
100%
Application deadline
Spring 2027: Nov 30, 2026; Fall 2027: Aug 2, 2027
Application process
direct
GRE
optional
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university (any bachelor's degree); no specific counseling prerequisite coursework stated.
Additional requirements
Online application; official transcript with minimum 3.00 GPA; 500-word personal statement on counseling goals; professional resume; 2 professional/academic references; GRE optional; personal interview by invitation.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Lebanon Valley College earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.84/100, with 100% licensure exam pass rate among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 11 position
Pennsylvania Western University
Master
M.S. in Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: online
91.76
/ 100
Final score
Program length
full-time (including the summer months) ... 2 ½ years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE required if undergraduate GPA is below 3.0
Prerequisites
12 credit hours (4 courses) of psychology including one course in abnormal/psychopathology; Prerequisite Form; two professional letters of recommendation and student assessment rubric; Admissions Essay (750-1,000 words, APA 7th edition format).
Additional requirements
3.0 undergraduate GPA (preferred); two professional letters of recommendation and student assessment rubric; admissions essay (goals and objectives); current resume/CV; transcript (most recent degree); GRE required only if UG GPA below 3.0
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Pennsylvania Western University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.76/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 12 position
Thomas Jefferson University
Master
Community & Trauma Counseling Master of Science
Delivery mode: hybrid
91.67
/ 100
Final score
Program length
two years (seven semesters)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Thomas Jefferson University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.67/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-03-31.
# 13 position
Springfield College
Master
M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
91.56
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2-3 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Program completion rate
95% (2022-23)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2022-23)
Application deadline
Domestic: rolling; International Fall: Apr 1; International Spring: Oct 1
Application process
direct
Additional requirements
Online application, essay (2-3 double-spaced pages), resume, two letters of recommendation, interview, official transcripts from each college/university attended.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Springfield College earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.56/100, supported by 95% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
# 14 position
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Master
MA in Counseling (MACO)
Delivery mode: hybrid
91.42
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Full-Time: 3 Years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
72 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2025-26)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2025-26)
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree (or prior graduate degree) from an accredited institution required; 9 semester hours in psychology and/or related disciplines recommended but not required; life experience considered as modification
Additional requirements
Online application form, two essays, résumé, transcripts, three references, and a face-to-face (or video) interview with two MACO faculty
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.42/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 15 position
University of Bridgeport
Master
M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: online
91.36
/ 100
Final score
Program length
as little as 2 years full time
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2025-26)
Employment or doctoral admission
85% (2025-26)
Application deadline
March 1 (priority); July 15 (fall semester)
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Accredited bachelor's degree; GPA of 3.0 or higher (lower considered if highly qualified); 9 credits of undergraduate psychology with B or higher (abnormal psychology recommended); volunteer or work experience in social service or mental health.
Additional requirements
Application, official transcript for last degree earned, resumé demonstrating significant exposure to the counseling field, and an interview with the program review committee
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
University of Bridgeport earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.36/100, supported by 100% program completion rate and 85% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 16 position
Gwynedd Mercy University
Master
M.S. in Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
91.32
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.5 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE (combined 292+ plus analytical writing) required if GPA is below 3.0, unless the applicant holds a graduate degree
Prerequisites
3 credits in General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Theory or another foundational course; 3 credits in Research Methods or Statistics; baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
Additional requirements
Official transcripts; minimum 3.0 GPA (or GRE 292+ with analytical writing if below 3.0); graduate application; two recommendation letters (one academic, one professional); 3-5 page personal statement; group faculty interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Gwynedd Mercy University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.32/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 17 position
Messiah University
Master
M.A. in Counseling – Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
Delivery mode: online
91.26
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2-year completion
Specialization
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
72.6% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
At least 6 credits in social, behavioral, applied, or life sciences courses (e.g., psychology, sociology, social work) with a grade of C or higher
Additional requirements
Messiah application; official transcripts; cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher (below 3.0 reviewed case by case); 300–500 word statement of purpose; one reference contact; resume/CV; interview with faculty via Zoom
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Messiah University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 91.26/100, supported by 100% licensure exam pass rate and 72.6% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-10-31.
# 18 position
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Master
Rehabilitation Counseling MS
Delivery mode: hybrid
89.86
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Rehabilitation Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Acceptance rate
60%
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Application deadline
Summer: February 1 priority, April 15 regular; Fall: June 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Accredited bachelor's; minimum 2.75 GPA. Below 2.75 with disability-related experience may get provisional acceptance (B or better in first two courses). No specific background required; social sciences preferred. 4+1 applicants need 3.2.
Additional requirements
Graduate Admissions Portal application; three recommendations addressing suitability for counseling; statement of intent; faculty admissions committee phone interview. Application fee of $75, waived for eligible UMass Boston alumni and current students.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
University of Massachusetts-Boston earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 89.86/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 19 position
Monmouth University
Master
M.S.Ed. in School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
89.78
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
97% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
80% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Summer: May 1; Fall: Priority Deadline April 15, Late Deadline July 1 (space available); Spring: December 1 (Fall-start only for MSEd programs)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, with a competitive overall GPA (3.0 preferred, but not required) and an academic record that demonstrates success
Additional requirements
Online application, official undergraduate and graduate transcripts, two recommendation letters, a 500+ word essay on why social justice matters and how you would use this training as a school counselor, and a group interview if invited.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Monmouth University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 89.78/100, supported by 97% program completion rate and 80% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
# 20 position
Springfield College
Master
M.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling (Online)
Delivery mode: online
89.64
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Full time: Complete in about 2 years
Specialization
Rehabilitation Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Application deadline
Domestic: rolling; International Fall: Apr 1, Spring: Oct 1, Summer: Feb 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Additional requirements
Online application, essay (2-3 double-spaced pages), resume, two letters of recommendation, interview, official transcripts from each institution attended
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Springfield College earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 89.64/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about online Counseling degree in Northeast
Can an online counseling master's qualify me for licensure?
Potentially, but online delivery alone says nothing about eligibility. Match the exact degree, coursework, fieldwork, and accreditation status against the rules of the state where you intend to practice; graduation does not automatically confer a license (relevant state licensing board).
Will I have to complete an internship in person?
Expect supervised, real-world practicum and internship work even if courses are online. Confirm whether the school will approve a site near you and what supervision it requires (CACREP; individual program).
Should I choose school or clinical mental health counseling?
Choose school counseling if your goal is a school-counselor credential and school-based work. Choose clinical mental health counseling if your goal is the professional counselor licensure route for clinical practice; confirm either choice with the relevant state board.
Is CACREP accreditation required everywhere in the Northeast?
Do not assume a uniform regional rule. CACREP accredits individual counseling programs, while credential requirements are set by the state where you seek to work. Check that state's current rules and the program's current status (CACREP; relevant state board).
Is an online counseling master's worth the cost?
It may be if the degree fits your intended credential, you can complete its placements, and the total cost is reasonable relative to your likely career path. Compare aid, debt, time away from work, and local pay rather than relying on a national salary median.
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