"Easiest" should mean a counseling master's program you can realistically enter, afford, complete, and use toward your career goal - not one that skips clinical training. This guide is for Pennsylvania residents and working professionals comparing online options for licensure, school counseling, or a career change. It explains program fit, fieldwork, costs, and career prospects. The 2027 Easiest Online Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Pennsylvania, created by the Research.com team of data scientists, will help you identify programs worth considering and make a more informed choice.
Key findings about online Counseling degrees in Pennsylvania
For Pennsylvania clinical practice, an online master's is only the educational stage: applicants must also meet state requirements for supervised experience and examination before becoming licensed professional counselors (Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors).
The national median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025; employment is projected to grow 18% from 2025 to 2035. These are occupation-level figures, not graduate salary promises (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
The easiest program to attend may not be the cheapest or quickest: compare required campus visits, locally arranged clinical placements, full-program charges, and whether the degree matches your intended Pennsylvania credential.
What can I expect from an online Counseling degree in Pennsylvania?
Expect graduate coursework delivered partly or largely online, paired with supervised, in-person work with clients or students. "Online" describes how you take classes; it does not eliminate practicum, internship, or any required residency. Ask whether classes meet live, whether you must visit campus, and who secures and approves a placement near your home.
Your intended credential determines the right degree. Clinical mental health counseling generally points toward the licensed professional counselor (LPC) route; school counseling points toward Pennsylvania Department of Education certification; and marriage, couple, and family counseling may warrant comparing programs against licensed marriage and family therapist requirements. The Pennsylvania licensing board and Department of Education set different requirements, so a broad counseling title alone is not evidence that a program fits every path.
This degree is a sensible investment if you want work that requires graduate counseling preparation and can accommodate supervised practice. If you mainly want a nonclinical helping role, compare the cost and time commitment with positions that do not require a counseling license.
Where can I work with an online Counseling degree in Pennsylvania?
Career settings depend on specialization and credentials. Clinical mental health and addiction counselors may work in community behavioral health organizations, outpatient practices, hospitals, or substance-use treatment programs. School counselors work in educational settings, while rehabilitation counselors may work with disability-service providers or vocational rehabilitation programs (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Location affects the practical side of an online degree. A student near Philadelphia or Pittsburgh may have a different selection of potential placement sites than someone in a rural county. Before enrolling, ask whether the program has approved supervisors or placement relationships within commuting distance; a convenient online schedule will not help if required fieldwork is inaccessible.
Pay depends on occupation, employer, experience, location, and licensure - not simply possession of a master's. The figures below are U.S. occupational medians from May 2025, not Pennsylvania-specific starting salaries or outcomes for the featured schools (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook).
Career direction
National median annual wage, May 2025
How to use it
Clinical mental health or addiction counseling
$59,350
Compare with local employers and the cost of reaching licensure.
School counseling
$64,330
Check school-district salary schedules and certification requirements.
Marriage and family counseling
$66,940
Confirm the degree supports the credential and work you want.
Rehabilitation counseling
$46,850
Compare roles and required credentials before choosing a track.
To assess likely return on investment, compare your current earnings with plausible local jobs, then account for tuition, aid, borrowing, time away from work, completion likelihood, and any postgraduation supervised-experience period. A national median is a benchmark for research, not a forecast of your first offer.
The programs associated with this ranking point toward different credentials and client populations. Their clearest distinctions are often which career they prepare you to pursue, rather than a claim that one school makes counseling training easier. Confirm current online availability and any campus requirements directly with admissions.
Geneva College - counseling program: Its graduate counseling program is an option for students seeking counseling preparation in a Christian college setting. Compare its specific track requirements with your intended Pennsylvania credential before treating the general program title as a licensure match (Geneva College).
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania - clinical mental health counseling: The named clinical mental health program offers a more direct field-of-study match for prospective LPC applicants than a school-focused degree. Ask how its current course delivery and placement process accommodate students who work outside the campus area (Slippery Rock University).
University of Scranton - clinical rehabilitation counseling: Its clinical rehabilitation focus is particularly relevant to students interested in counseling alongside disability and rehabilitation services. That focus warrants a closer look than a general mental health track if those are your intended clients and workplaces (University of Scranton).
Messiah University - school counseling: This is the option to investigate for a school-based career rather than private clinical practice. Verify Pennsylvania educator-certification alignment, school-site internship expectations, and any required in-person activities (Messiah University; Pennsylvania Department of Education).
Neumann University - clinical mental health counseling: Its named clinical mental health degree fits a search centered on clinical counseling preparation. Prospective students should compare its supervised-practice arrangements and actual online course schedule with other clinical programs, rather than assuming the degree title establishes convenience (Neumann University).
Waynesburg University - online Master of Arts: The program's explicitly online graduate offering makes delivery a useful first comparison point for working adults. Confirm the counseling concentration, live-meeting expectations, and fieldwork arrangements before relying on the online label (Waynesburg University).
Geneva College - graduate counseling options: The broader graduate counseling offerings merit a track-by-track comparison if you have not yet settled on a practice setting. Identify the exact degree and curriculum you would enter before comparing its cost or credential fit with a single-track program (Geneva College).
Messiah University - marriage, couple, and family counseling: Its relationship- and family-focused degree presents a different professional direction from Messiah's school counseling option. Check the Pennsylvania marriage and family therapist education rules if that license, rather than LPC or school certification, is your goal (Messiah University; Pennsylvania licensing board).
Messiah University - clinical mental health counseling: This track provides a clinical alternative for applicants who do not intend to work primarily in schools or family counseling. Compare its curriculum and placements against the state's LPC education requirements, not just against Messiah's other tracks (Messiah University; Pennsylvania licensing board).
Program titles establish a useful shortlist, but they do not establish current credit totals, prices, outcomes, accreditation status, or licensure eligibility. Request those details in writing for your specific track and entry term.
Plan for roughly two to three years of graduate study for many full-time counseling master's pathways, with part-time study often taking longer; the actual schedule depends on credits, course rotation, and fieldwork. Licensure can take additional time after graduation because the degree and supervised postdegree experience are separate requirements (Pennsylvania licensing board).
An accelerated calendar can reduce time enrolled but compress the period available to arrange practicum and internship. If finishing sooner matters most, compare the fastest counseling programs and ask for a term-by-term plan showing when you can complete every required placement. Working students should compare that plan with the hours they can realistically devote to clients.
Both formats can include counseling skills practice and supervised fieldwork. The consequential difference is where you complete classes and how readily you can access instructors, peers, and approved placement sites - not whether client-facing training exists.
Online study may be preferable if you need to remain employed or live far from campus, provided the school can support placements near you. Campus study may be preferable if you want face-to-face instruction and access to nearby training sites. Neither format, by itself, determines Pennsylvania credential eligibility: compare the specific curriculum and state requirements (Pennsylvania licensing board; Pennsylvania Department of Education).
There is no single reliable Pennsylvania-wide average that describes what an individual will pay for an online counseling master's. Published graduate tuition may be quoted per credit or per term and may exclude mandatory fees, residencies, travel, background checks, and expenses associated with unpaid fieldwork. Public-university residency rates may also differ from rates charged to other students; check the school's rules for your particular online program (institutional tuition schedules; NCES IPEDS).
For a comparable estimate, request the required credit total and a full-program price for your entry term, including fees and expected annual increases. Then compare the most affordable counseling programs against your likely time to completion and placement-related costs. A lower tuition rate is less useful if the schedule requires you to leave paid work earlier than planned.
Start with the FAFSA and your school's graduate financial-aid office. Depending on eligibility and enrollment, funding may include federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, institutional scholarships, assistantships, employer tuition benefits, and relevant Pennsylvania-based aid. Ask which awards actually apply to graduate, online students; an institution's general scholarship page may include undergraduate-only funding (Federal Student Aid; Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency).
Do not build a financing plan around Graduate PLUS without checking your eligibility. Federal rules limit new graduate access to that loan beginning July 1, 2026, while certain students with an existing Graduate PLUS loan for the same program before that date may qualify under transition rules. Confirm your status and current borrowing options with Federal Student Aid and the school before accepting an offer (Federal Student Aid).
Compare aid as a reduction in total program cost, not just the first term's bill. Also ask whether a scholarship renews during internship terms, when your capacity for paid work may change.
View the chart data as a table
Programs by specialization (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
8
School Counseling
4
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
2
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
1
Addiction Counseling
1
Programs generally require a bachelor's degree and an application that may include transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, and an interview; particular prerequisites and minimum grades vary by school. Some applicants will also need to show that they can attend live online sessions or complete in-person training. Use each program's current admissions page for binding requirements (institutional admissions offices).
Admission is not the same as placement eligibility. Before committing, ask when background checks, clearances, or site-specific health requirements become necessary, especially for school placements. Applicants with prior graduate coursework should request a written transfer-credit review: accepting credits is a school decision, and transferred courses must still satisfy the relevant program and credential requirements (institutional program policies; Pennsylvania Department of Education).
Common subjects include counseling theories, ethics, assessment, human development, multicultural counseling, research, and supervised practicum and internship. Clinical mental health tracks commonly add diagnosis and treatment planning; school tracks focus on counseling within educational systems; rehabilitation tracks address disability and vocational concerns. Specific course and fieldwork requirements depend on the program and intended credential (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; Pennsylvania credentialing authorities).
Read the course sequence, not just the catalog descriptions. If an essential fieldwork course is offered only at certain times, missing its prerequisite could extend your degree and increase costs.
The featured options illustrate four consequential choices: clinical mental health, school, clinical rehabilitation, and marriage, couple, and family counseling. Addiction-focused coursework may also be available within broader clinical preparation. These are not interchangeable labels: they direct your training toward different clients, settings, and potentially different state credentials (institutional program descriptions; Pennsylvania licensing board; Pennsylvania Department of Education).
If you are undecided, identify the work setting you want before choosing a specialization. A school-focused degree may be a poor shortcut to private clinical practice, while a clinical mental health degree should not be assumed to satisfy educator-certification requirements.
Start with the credential you need, then test whether the program is feasible where you live. The best counseling programs can help you build a shortlist, but a higher-ranked option is not automatically the right choice for your intended license, budget, or schedule.
Ask each finalist for written answers to these questions before paying a deposit:
Which Pennsylvania license or certification is this specific track designed to support, and which requirements remain after graduation?
What is the program's current accreditation status, and how can I verify it with the accreditor and state credentialing authority?
Who identifies and approves local practicum and internship sites, and what happens if a placement falls through?
What are the full charges, required campus visits, expected completion schedule, and available aid for my entry term?
What recent program-specific completion, placement, and applicable exam results can you share, with their reporting periods?
A common mistake is choosing the lowest advertised tuition or fewest campus visits without checking the placement plan. The better comparison is the entire path from enrollment to the credential and job you actually want.
View the chart data as a table
Pay vs projected growth by counseling career path (U.S., BLS) (Source: BLS)
Name
Median annual wage (USD/year)
Projected growth (%)
Mental Health Counselors
59,350
18
School & Career Counselors
64,330
3
Rehabilitation Counselors
46,850
2
Marriage & Family Therapists
66,940
14
Psychologists
99,110
6
Postsecondary Teachers
85,330
7
A graduate might pursue school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, addiction treatment, rehabilitation counseling, or marriage and family counseling, depending on their coursework and subsequent credential. Some graduates begin in supervised roles while completing licensure requirements; independent clinical practice is a later possibility, not an automatic outcome of graduation (Pennsylvania licensing board; Pennsylvania Department of Education).
If your goal is a regulated role, compare the most valuable counseling programs using total debt and realistic career timing, not salary alone. A useful return-on-investment estimate includes your baseline earnings, aid, completion probability, time away from work, postdegree supervised experience, expected earnings over time, and the value of money received later rather than sooner.
View the chart data as a table
Projected job growth 2025-2035 by counseling career path (U.S., BLS) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
Mental Health Counselors
18
Marriage & Family Therapists
14
Postsecondary Teachers
7
Psychologists
6
School & Career Counselors
3
Rehabilitation Counselors
2
All occupations
3
National demand is strongest among the counseling paths shown here for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors: U.S. employment is projected to grow 18% from 2025 to 2035 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections). That projection describes a national occupation, not the number of Pennsylvania openings available to a new graduate.
For a local decision, examine current postings in the counties where you can work and note whether employers request LPC eligibility, school certification, addiction-treatment experience, or a different credential. Pennsylvania's mix of school districts, health systems, community providers, and treatment organizations creates distinct searches; a program is most useful when its placement training and credential path match the employers you intend to approach.
2027 Easiest Online Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Pennsylvania
Investing in graduate education is a consequential decision. Research.com created its counseling rankings to make program comparisons more credible and useful, drawing on education databases and checking factors such as graduate outcomes, accreditation, licensure-exam results where applicable, and cost.
The ranking uses these data sources:
IPEDS database: institutional enrollment, completion, and price information.
Peterson's database: program and institutional information used in comparisons.
Research.com's Best counseling ranking first combines program completion (40%), employment or doctoral admission (20%), applicable licensure-exam pass rates (20%), CACREP programmatic accreditation (16%), and institutional Title IV eligibility (4%). Shares are redistributed when a criterion does not apply. Cost then contributes about 7% of the final score. The approach applies to online and campus programs; other rankings order programs by the dimension named in their title. A ranking can narrow your search, but you should confirm current delivery format, total price, field-placement support, and Pennsylvania credential eligibility with each school. Read more about the approach on Research.com's methodology page.
# 1 position
Geneva College
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
51.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
two years for a full-time student
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
50% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2023-24)
Licensure exam pass rate
76% (2023-24)
Application deadline
Spring 2027: Nov 30, 2026
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Basic statistics competency
Additional requirements
Program requirement: one 5-day (one-week) residency in late August on the Beaver Falls, PA campus, year 1 (may postpone to year 2).
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 Admissions Accessibility Score of 51.4/100, supported by a minimum GPA of 3 and 50% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-04-30.
# 2 position
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Arts (MA)
Delivery mode: hybrid
51.40
/ 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 Admissions Accessibility Score of 51.4/100, supported by a minimum GPA of 3 and 90% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 3 position
University of Scranton
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
51.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.5 - 3 years
Specialization
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
81% (2021-22)
Employment or doctoral admission
83% (2021-22)
Licensure exam pass rate
86% (2021-22)
Application deadline
Priority: March 1; Regular: July 15 (for fall admission)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university (or international equivalent); undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (probationary acceptance possible below 3.0)
Additional requirements
Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions; two professional letters of recommendation; personal statement; resume; personal interview (group interview) with program faculty; no application fee
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).
University of Scranton earned a Research.com Admissions Accessibility Score of 51.4/100, supported by a minimum GPA of 3 and 81% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 4 position
Messiah University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling – School Counseling
Delivery mode: online
51.40
/ 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 Admissions Accessibility Score of 51.4/100, supported by a minimum GPA of 3 and 81.6% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-10-31.
# 5 position
Neumann University
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
51.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years (full-time)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
80% (2023-24)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited, degree-granting institution with a 3.00 GPA.
Additional requirements
Official transcripts from all institutions attended, graduate writing prompt, two (2) letters of recommendation, and graduate student application.
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).
Neumann University earned a Research.com Admissions Accessibility Score of 51.4/100, supported by a minimum GPA of 3 and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
# 6 position
Waynesburg University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling
Delivery mode: online
51.40
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
82% (2024-25)
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 Admissions Accessibility Score of 51.4/100, with a minimum GPA of 3 among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 7 position
Waynesburg University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling
Delivery mode: online
51.40
/ 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 Admissions Accessibility Score of 51.4/100, with a minimum GPA of 3 among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 8 position
Geneva College
Master
M.A. in Counseling - Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
51.40
/ 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 Admissions Accessibility Score of 51.4/100, with a minimum GPA of 3 among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-04-30.
# 9 position
Messiah University
Master
M.A. in Counseling – Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
Delivery mode: online
43.90
/ 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 Admissions Accessibility Score of 43.9/100, supported by a minimum GPA of 3 and 72.6% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-10-31.
# 10 position
Messiah University
Master
M.A. in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: online
43.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2-year completion
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
70.3% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
90% (2024-25)
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
Application; official transcripts; cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher; 300–500 word statement of purpose; one reference; resume/CV; interview 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 Admissions Accessibility Score of 43.9/100, supported by a minimum GPA of 3 and 70.3% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-10-31.
# 11 position
Geneva College
Master
M.A. in Counseling – School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
43.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
two years for a full-time student
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
0% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2023-24)
Licensure exam pass rate
0% (2023-24)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree with GPA of 3.0+ (provisional admission possible below 3.0); basic statistics competency for CNS 505/512 via CNS 504, prior statistics course (B- or better within 5 years), or 80%+ exam score.
Additional requirements
Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, a typed academic essay on career goals and reasons for applying to a Christian faith-based counseling program, 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 Admissions Accessibility Score of 43.9/100, supported by a minimum GPA of 3 and 0% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-04-30.
# 12 position
Lebanon Valley College
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
43.90
/ 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 Admissions Accessibility Score of 43.9/100, with a minimum GPA of 3 among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 13 position
Gwynedd Mercy University
Master
M.S. in Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
43.90
/ 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 Admissions Accessibility Score of 43.9/100, with a minimum GPA of 3 among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 14 position
Pennsylvania Western University
Master
Counseling, MS - School Counseling
Delivery mode: online
43.90
/ 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 Admissions Accessibility Score of 43.9/100, with a minimum GPA of 3 among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 15 position
Pennsylvania Western University
Master
M.S. in Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: online
43.90
/ 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 Admissions Accessibility Score of 43.9/100, with a minimum GPA of 3 among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 16 position
Gwynedd Mercy University
Master
M.S. in School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
43.90
/ 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 Admissions Accessibility Score of 43.9/100, with a minimum GPA of 3 among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about online Counseling degree in Pennsylvania
What does "easiest" mean for a counseling master's?
It should describe practical accessibility - admissions fit, scheduling, placement support, and a manageable path to completion - not reduced clinical or credentialing standards.
Can an online counseling degree lead to an LPC in Pennsylvania?
Potentially. The specific education must meet state requirements, and graduates must complete additional supervised experience and examination requirements. Confirm the track with the Pennsylvania licensing board and the school before enrolling.
Can I complete the entire degree from home?
Usually not. Even where coursework is online, counseling programs generally require supervised in-person practicum or internship; some also require campus visits. Check the exact program schedule.
Is CACREP accreditation required for every counseling career?
No single accreditation rule covers every counseling career. CACREP status is a useful program-level comparison, but check the education rules for your intended Pennsylvania license or certification and verify current status with the accreditor.
Is a counseling master's worth the cost?
It may be if the degree supports a credential and career you want at a total cost you can manage. Compare full-program expense and likely time to credential against your current earnings and realistic local opportunities, rather than relying on a national median salary.
See What Experts Have To Say About Studying Counseling
