A fast online counseling master's can shorten the path to a new career - but only if its coursework, field placements, and credential requirements match your goal. This guide helps Pennsylvania applicants compare completion time with cost, clinical training, and career outcomes. It also features a 2027 Fastest Online Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Pennsylvania, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about which programs are worth considering. Use it to identify promising options and the questions to resolve before enrolling.
Key findings about online Counseling degrees in Pennsylvania
Speed depends on fieldwork: Many counseling master's students should plan for roughly two to three years, but an advertised online schedule may not include the time needed to secure local placements.
Career target changes the comparison: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a May 2025 national median of $59,350 and projected 2025-2035 growth of 18% for the occupational category covering mental health and addiction counseling; these are not Pennsylvania graduate earnings.
Check the credential before the calendar: Pennsylvania's licensed professional counselor, school counselor, and marriage and family therapist pathways have different requirements. A shorter degree is useful only if it supports the one you intend to pursue.
What can I expect from an online Counseling degree in Pennsylvania?
An online counseling master's combines graduate courses - often delivered remotely - with supervised work involving clients or students. "Online" describes the academic delivery, not an entirely remote clinical experience. Practicum, internship, and sometimes skills-intensive sessions may require scheduled attendance at approved sites (institution program descriptions; Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs).
The first decision is which credential you want. Clinical mental health counseling generally aligns with a licensed professional counselor (LPC) goal; school counseling is designed around school-based preparation and Pennsylvania Department of Education certification; marriage, couple, and family counseling may align with a distinct marriage and family therapist license. Similar course titles do not make these paths interchangeable (Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors; Pennsylvania Department of Education). For a broader comparison beyond speed, review the best counseling programs alongside each program's credential disclosures.
This investment makes the most sense for someone prepared to complete supervised work and, where required, pursue a credential after graduation. If you need an entirely self-paced, placement-free qualification, a counseling master's is unlikely to fit; if you already hold a qualifying master's, ask the relevant board whether targeted additional coursework is more appropriate than another full degree.
Where can I work with an online Counseling degree in Pennsylvania?
Clinical mental health graduates may seek roles in outpatient practices, hospitals, community behavioral health organizations, or substance-use treatment settings. School counseling graduates typically target public or private schools, while marriage and family counseling graduates may work in family-service settings or practices. Job title, employer rules, and authority to practice independently depend on the credential held - not merely the degree name (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Pennsylvania licensing board; Pennsylvania Department of Education).
Location matters even for online students: a placement near home can build relationships with potential employers, while site availability may constrain a proposed accelerated schedule. Applicants outside major metropolitan areas should ask how a school approves placements near them rather than assuming they can commute regularly to a partner site in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.
Pay varies by occupation, credential, employer, experience, and location. The table shows national occupational medians, not starting salaries or Pennsylvania-specific pay, alongside national growth projections. It is most useful for comparing career directions - not forecasting an individual return on a particular degree (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections; May 2025 wages and 2025-2035 projections).
Career direction
U.S. median annual pay, May 2025
Projected U.S. growth, 2025-2035
Clinical mental health or addiction counseling occupational category
$59,350
18%
School counseling occupational category
$64,330
3%
Marriage and family counseling occupational category
$66,940
14%
Rehabilitation counseling
$46,850
2%
The higher median for one occupation does not establish that its degree has a better payoff: training length, available jobs, credential costs, and your existing earnings also matter. Compare Pennsylvania job postings for your intended credential and region before treating a national median as a local salary expectation.
The programs below differ most clearly in the credential or client population they emphasize. These are program distinctions, not claims that every course is remote or that one option finishes faster; confirm current credits, placement rules, and completion schedules directly with each school (institution program descriptions).
Geneva College - graduate counseling: Geneva presents counseling as a graduate program rather than a school-counseling-only offering. Applicants considering it should identify the exact degree pathway in the program materials and ask how that pathway's fieldwork and Pennsylvania credential requirements affect their finish date.
Messiah University - school counseling: This dedicated school counseling master's is the clearest Messiah option for applicants targeting work with students in schools. Compare its school-based placement calendar with clinical programs rather than assuming their timelines are equivalent.
Lebanon Valley College - clinical mental health counseling: Its degree is explicitly focused on clinical mental health counseling, making it more directly relevant to an LPC-oriented comparison than a school counseling degree. Ask how the program arranges approved clinical placements close to where you live.
Thomas Jefferson University - community and trauma counseling: The program's community-and-trauma focus offers a more specific practice lens than a general counseling title. It merits attention if you want that emphasis, provided its curriculum and supervised training meet the credential requirements you intend to pursue.
Messiah University - marriage, couple, and family counseling: This is the Messiah pathway centered on relationship and family work, rather than its school or clinical mental health pathways. Confirm which Pennsylvania license its coursework is designed to support before comparing completion times.
Messiah University - clinical mental health counseling: This pathway focuses on clinical mental health rather than the university's school or family counseling options. It is the more relevant comparison for an applicant exploring the LPC route, subject to verification of current curriculum and placement requirements.
Pennsylvania Western University - school counseling: PennWest provides a public-university school counseling option. For Pennsylvania residents comparing it with private institutions, obtain a complete tuition-and-fee quote and verify whether the offered schedule fits local school placements.
Gwynedd Mercy University - online school counseling: Its program is expressly presented as online school counseling, making delivery format a useful first distinction for working applicants. Confirm any live meetings, in-person activities, and school-site requirements before treating "online" as fully location-independent.
A practical planning range is roughly two to three years for a counseling master's, with actual time shaped by enrollment intensity, course sequencing, and supervised placements. An accelerated course calendar does not necessarily accelerate a school-year internship or make clinical sites available sooner (institution program descriptions; Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs).
Ask each program for the shortest documented start-to-graduation schedule for your chosen track, including fieldwork and any required campus visits. Then compare that schedule with a part-time plan you could realistically sustain while employed. Finishing slightly later may cost less overall if it lets you retain earnings and avoid an overloaded term.
The substantive distinction is where and when you attend classes, not whether counseling can be learned without supervised practice. Online courses can reduce commuting and widen the choice of Pennsylvania schools; campus courses may offer a more predictable face-to-face schedule. Both formats can still require in-person fieldwork and evaluations of counseling skills (institution program descriptions; Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs).
Choose online study if the program can approve placements in your area and its live-session times work with your job. Choose campus study if you need regular in-person instruction or a nearby program offers easier access to required activities. For either format, get written answers about synchronous classes, residency dates, placement responsibility, and support when a site falls through.
There is no single Pennsylvania-wide counseling master's price that reliably describes the programs in this comparison. Total cost depends on required credits, per-credit tuition, mandatory fees, enrollment pace, and whether a public institution charges different rates by residency or delivery format. Institutional graduate tuition averages may include unrelated disciplines, so they are a weak substitute for a counseling-specific quote (National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS; institution tuition schedules).
Calculate required credits × the applicable per-credit rate, then add program and technology fees, books, travel, placement-related costs, and any extra terms needed to finish. Ask whether tuition changes during the program and whether approved prior graduate credits can reduce both cost and time. Compare those written totals with the most affordable counseling programs; the lowest advertised rate may not produce the lowest final bill.
Eligible students can explore federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, institutional scholarships or assistantships, employer tuition benefits, and any Pennsylvania aid program for which their specific graduate enrollment qualifies. Submit the FAFSA and request the school's graduate aid offer; eligibility depends on the student, institution, program, and applicable aid rules (Federal Student Aid; Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency).
Check borrowing rules before relying on Graduate PLUS. Under federal changes effective July 2026, new graduate borrowers generally cannot use that loan program; limited transition provisions may apply to students who meet the prior-borrowing and program-continuation conditions. Confirm your status and current federal loan limits with the school's financial aid office and Federal Student Aid. Compare net cost after aid - not the scholarship headline - and account for income you might give up during fieldwork (Federal Student Aid).
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
Expect to document a bachelor's degree and follow each school's application rules, which may include transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, and an interview. Psychology coursework is useful preparation, but do not assume every counseling program requires a psychology major or accepts the same prior graduate credits (institution admissions requirements).
Before applying, request a program-specific transfer-credit evaluation and ask whether transferred courses replace requirements or merely count as electives. Also check prerequisite courses, background-clearance requirements for placements, and application deadlines. If admissions flexibility is a priority, the easiest counseling programs can be a starting point - but easier entry does not resolve credential fit or fieldwork feasibility.
Common foundations include counseling theories, helping skills, ethics, assessment, research, and multicultural counseling. Clinical mental health curricula add preparation for clinical assessment and treatment; school tracks address counseling in educational settings; marriage and family tracks emphasize relationship and family systems. Supervised practicum and internship connect the classroom work to the intended setting (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; institution curricula).
Read the actual course sequence, not just the catalog description. A course offered only once a year or a placement that must follow prerequisites can determine whether an advertised accelerated timeline is achievable for your start term.
The consequential choices in this program set are clinical mental health, school counseling, marriage/couple/family counseling, and a community-and-trauma emphasis (institution program descriptions). These labels describe different educational aims; a trauma emphasis, for example, should not be mistaken for a separate Pennsylvania license.
Work backward from the people and setting you want to serve. If you want to work in schools, compare school certification preparation first. If independent clinical practice is the goal, ask specifically how the proposed curriculum supports the relevant Pennsylvania license. Switching tracks late can require additional courses or different placements, erasing an apparent speed advantage (Pennsylvania Department of Education; Pennsylvania licensing board).
Start with the credential, then test speed and price against it. Institutional accreditation, programmatic CACREP status where relevant, and Pennsylvania board or education-department requirements are separate checks; neither an online label nor graduation alone establishes eligibility to practice (U.S. Department of Education; Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; Pennsylvania licensing board; Pennsylvania Department of Education).
Use these questions to turn a shortlist into a decision:
Which Pennsylvania license or certification is this exact track designed to support, and what requirements remain after graduation?
What is the documented fastest completion schedule from my intended start date, including practicum, internship, and any required visits?
Who secures and approves a placement near my home, and what happens if a site is unavailable?
What is my complete program cost after aid and accepted transfer credits, and how much paid work could I maintain?
Which program-level completion, exam, and employment outcomes can the school document, and for what reporting period?
A common mistake is treating the fastest advertised schedule as the best return. Compare debt, lost earnings, likelihood of completion, and the years over which you expect the career change to pay off. The most valuable counseling programs offer another lens, but your own costs and starting salary may differ substantially from any ranking's measures.
View the chart data as a table
Program length distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
24-25 months
8
26-27 months
0
28-29 months
0
30-31 months
4
32-33 months
0
34-35 months
1
A clinical mental health path may begin in supervised behavioral health work and progress toward an LPC; a school path leads toward school counselor roles after applicable Pennsylvania certification; a marriage and family path may lead toward that profession's separate licensing process. Rehabilitation and addiction counseling are additional career directions, but applicants should confirm whether a particular degree covers the coursework and credentials their desired employers require (Pennsylvania licensing board; Pennsylvania Department of Education; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
The degree is a foundation, not the final credential. Pennsylvania's board sets education, examination, and supervised-experience requirements for licenses under its authority, while the education department governs school certification. Ask prospective employers which credential they require for the role you actually want, especially if a job title sounds similar across settings.
View the chart data as a table
Programs by specialization (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
7
School Counseling
4
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
2
The national outlook differs substantially by specialty: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 18% growth during 2025-2035 for the occupational category covering mental health and substance-use counseling, compared with 3% for school counseling. These are U.S. projections, not Pennsylvania vacancy counts; they suggest where national demand may expand faster but cannot tell you how many openings exist near your home (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025-2035).
For a local reality check, search current openings by credential and setting in the Pennsylvania region where you expect to work. Note whether employers accept candidates completing supervised experience, require an independent license, or seek school certification. That distinction is more useful for choosing a degree than a broad counseling job count.
2027 Fastest Online Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Pennsylvania
Investing in a counseling degree is a consequential decision, so Research.com evaluates more than advertised speed. Its team checks program information against education datasets and considers graduate outcomes, applicable licensure-exam results, accreditation, federal aid eligibility, and cost. The fastest ranking orders eligible programs by its named dimension - time to completion - while readers should still verify that a shorter schedule supports their intended credential.
The ranking draws on these data sources, which provide complementary checks on institutions, programs, and outcomes:
IPEDS database - institutional reporting on programs, enrollment, completion, and costs.
Peterson's database - program and institution information used in comparative research.
Across Research.com's counseling rankings, the Best score first combines completion, employment or doctoral admission, applicable licensure-exam pass rates, CACREP recognition where applicable, and Title IV eligibility; cost then contributes a smaller share. Criteria that do not apply are excluded and the remaining weights adjusted. Other rankings emphasize the dimension in their names. This approach helps readers compare options consistently, but no ranking replaces confirmation of a program's current schedule, total price, and Pennsylvania credential fit. See Research.com's methodology for more detail.
# 1 position
Geneva College
Master
M.A. in Counseling - Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
78.30
/ 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 Completion Speed Score of 78.3/100, supported by 2-year completion pathway and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-04-30.
# 2 position
Messiah University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling – School Counseling
Delivery mode: online
78.30
/ 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 Completion Speed Score of 78.3/100, supported by 2-year completion pathway and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-10-31.
# 3 position
Lebanon Valley College
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
78.30
/ 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 Completion Speed Score of 78.3/100, supported by 2-year completion pathway and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 4 position
Thomas Jefferson University
Master
Community & Trauma Counseling Master of Science
Delivery mode: hybrid
78.30
/ 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 Completion Speed Score of 78.3/100, supported by 2-year completion pathway and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-03-31.
# 5 position
Messiah University
Master
M.A. in Counseling – Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
Delivery mode: online
78.30
/ 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 Completion Speed Score of 78.3/100, supported by 2-year completion pathway and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-10-31.
# 6 position
Messiah University
Master
M.A. in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: online
78.30
/ 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 Completion Speed Score of 78.3/100, supported by 2-year completion pathway and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-10-31.
# 7 position
Geneva College
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
78.30
/ 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 Completion Speed Score of 78.3/100, supported by 2-year completion pathway and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-04-30.
# 8 position
Geneva College
Master
M.A. in Counseling – School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
78.30
/ 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 Completion Speed Score of 78.3/100, supported by 2-year completion pathway and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-04-30.
# 9 position
Pennsylvania Western University
Master
Counseling, MS - School Counseling
Delivery mode: online
65.20
/ 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 Completion Speed Score of 65.2/100, supported by 30-month completion pathway and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 10 position
Gwynedd Mercy University
Master
M.S. in School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
65.20
/ 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 Completion Speed Score of 65.2/100, supported by 30-month completion pathway and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 11 position
Pennsylvania Western University
Master
M.S. in Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: online
65.20
/ 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 Completion Speed Score of 65.2/100, supported by 30-month completion pathway and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 12 position
Gwynedd Mercy University
Master
M.S. in Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
65.20
/ 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 Completion Speed Score of 65.2/100, supported by 30-month completion pathway and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 13 position
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Arts (MA)
Delivery mode: hybrid
52.20
/ 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 Completion Speed Score of 52.2/100, supported by 3-year completion pathway and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about online Counseling degree in Pennsylvania
Can I complete an online counseling master's entirely from home?
Usually not. Online coursework may be remote, but supervised practicum or internship takes place in an approved professional setting. Confirm any additional campus or live-session requirements with the school.
What is the fastest realistic completion time?
It depends on the track, course sequence, enrollment load, and placement availability. Request a dated start-to-graduation plan that includes fieldwork rather than relying on an advertised minimum.
Will an online master's qualify me for a Pennsylvania LPC license?
Not automatically. The Pennsylvania licensing board determines applicable education, examination, and supervised-experience requirements. Ask the program to map its curriculum to current board rules before enrolling.
Is school counseling the same pathway as clinical mental health counseling?
No. School counseling prepares students for education-setting roles and applicable certification; clinical mental health counseling commonly targets a different practice setting and licensing path (Pennsylvania Department of Education; Pennsylvania licensing board).
Does the least expensive program offer the best return?
Not necessarily. Compare total cost after aid with completion time, foregone earnings, placement support, credential fit, and your likely career path. A low tuition quote cannot offset a degree that does not serve your goal.
See What Experts Have To Say About Studying Counseling
Geneva College - M.A. in Counseling - Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Official program page (curriculum, tuition, admissions). https://www.geneva.edu/graduate/counseling/
