An affordable counseling master's degree is only a good investment if it prepares you for the work you actually want to do. In Ohio, that means checking clinical licensure or school-counselor requirements alongside tuition and online flexibility. This guide explains those trade-offs for career changers and working professionals. It also features the 2027 Most Affordable Online Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Ohio, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about which programs are worth considering.
Key findings about online Counseling degrees in Ohio
Ohio's lowest-priced online option is not necessarily its lowest-cost route to practice: compare total credits, fees, placement travel, and whether the degree meets the requirements for your intended credential.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a May 2025 national median annual wage of $59,350 for the occupational group covering mental health and substance use counselors; its 2025-2035 employment projection is +18%. These are occupational figures, not Ohio graduate salary outcomes.
Online coursework does not eliminate in-person clinical or school placements. Ask where you can complete supervised training before treating any program as workable from your Ohio location.
What can I expect from an online Counseling degree in Ohio?
Expect graduate coursework in counseling theory, assessment, ethics, and supervised practice, with a substantial amount of reading, discussion, and skills-based work completed online. An online program may still require scheduled live classes, campus visits, or in-person practicum and internship hours. Those requirements matter particularly if you work full time or live far from the school.
Start with the intended occupation. Clinical mental health counseling is the relevant route for someone seeking Ohio professional-counselor licensure; school counseling is designed around work with students in schools and the state's educator-licensure rules. A program in one track should not be assumed to qualify you for the other. The Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce are the authorities to check for the respective credentials.
A useful program comparison starts with its published curriculum and fieldwork plan, not its degree title alone. Ask whether the school helps arrange placements near your home, who approves supervisors, and whether the program documents eligibility for the exact Ohio credential you seek.
Where can I work with an online Counseling degree in Ohio?
Clinical mental health graduates may pursue roles in community mental health agencies, hospitals, substance use treatment programs, or private practices, subject to the license and supervision required for the position. School-counseling graduates generally look to public or private schools and other education settings. The employer's credential requirements - not the fact that a course was delivered online - determine which jobs are open to you.
Location can shape the first job search. A student near a large Ohio health system may have different placement options from someone in a rural area; a school-counseling student is also tied to districts with available supervised placements and openings. Before enrolling, ask a program for examples of approved placements within commuting distance and clarify whether it will help if your first site falls through.
Pay depends on the occupation, license, setting, and experience - not simply on having a master's degree. The table uses the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' national May 2025 occupational medians and 2025-2035 projections. These benchmarks help compare career directions but should not be read as Ohio starting salaries or promised post-graduation earnings.
Career direction
National median annual wage, May 2025
Projected U.S. job growth, 2025-2035
Clinical mental health or addiction counseling occupational group
$59,350
+18%
School and career counseling occupational group
$64,330
+3%
Rehabilitation counseling
$46,850
+2%
The stronger projected growth in mental health and substance use counseling may broaden job-search options, but it does not establish what an individual graduate will earn. To judge affordability, compare the pay typical of your intended setting with your current earnings, expected borrowing, and the time needed to reach independent practice.
The most useful distinction among Ohio options is often which credential and placement setting a program prepares you for, followed by its actual online attendance requirements. The program-specific features below provide a starting point for comparison; confirm current credits, costs, accreditation status, and fieldwork arrangements directly with each school before applying.
Ohio University - online school counseling: The program is explicitly offered as an online school-counseling route. It is a more direct shortlist choice for someone committed to school settings than for someone seeking a clinical mental health license; confirm how local school placements are arranged.
Heidelberg University - Master of Arts in Counseling: Heidelberg presents counseling as an MA program. Compare its available counseling paths and required attendance with the explicitly school-focused and clinical-focused options before assuming it fits your intended credential.
Wright State University - MEd in School Counseling: The MEd is specifically a school-counseling program. Its education-focused degree is worth examining if your goal is school practice; ask whether any campus attendance would change the cost of studying from home.
Wright State University - MS in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health concentration: Unlike its school-counseling MEd, this MS identifies clinical mental health as its concentration. That distinction makes it the relevant Wright State option to investigate for professional-counselor licensure, subject to confirmation with the Ohio licensing board.
Malone University - School Counseling: Malone identifies a separate school-counseling program rather than treating school practice as interchangeable with general counseling. Prospective students should confirm its delivery schedule and school-placement support before comparing its price with online alternatives.
Malone University - Counseling: This is the program to examine separately from Malone's school-counseling route if your interest is counseling outside schools. Request its current track description and Ohio licensure disclosures so the comparison rests on the credential it actually supports.
University of Toledo - School Counseling: Toledo lists school counseling within its counselor-education programs. For applicants focused on Ohio schools, the important comparison is its educator-licensure preparation and fieldwork logistics, including any attendance that an online learner would need to budget for.
Walsh University - online school counseling: Walsh explicitly offers an online school-counseling option. Compare its live-session and school-placement expectations with Ohio University's online route if flexibility around a current job is your deciding factor.
Walsh University - online clinical mental health counseling: This explicitly online clinical track serves a different professional goal from Walsh's school option. It belongs on the shortlist for aspiring mental health counselors who need remote coursework, provided its supervised-placement model works locally.
Capital University - counseling program listed in its academic bulletin: A bulletin entry is useful for checking official curriculum rules rather than relying on a marketing summary. Confirm the specific track, current online availability, and credential alignment with Capital before counting it among fully online choices.
These distinctions identify questions to investigate, not an independent ordering by price or outcomes. Readers who want a broader comparison alongside affordability can consult the best counseling programs ranking.
A counseling master's commonly takes about two to three years of full-time study; part-time enrollment can take longer. Your actual finish date depends on course sequencing, the school's fieldwork calendar, and whether you can secure approved practicum and internship sites when needed. An accelerated coursework schedule is of limited value if supervised placements cannot be completed on the same timeline.
Ask for a term-by-term plan showing when fieldwork starts and whether required courses run every term. If finishing sooner is a priority, compare that plan - not just the advertised graduation date - with the fastest counseling programs. Include any reduction in working hours in your cost comparison.
The central difference is where and when academic instruction happens, not whether students must practice counseling in person. Both formats can require supervised work with clients or students. For an Ohio resident choosing an out-of-town school, the decisive question is whether the program can approve placements and meet credential requirements where the student intends to work.
Online study may make coursework easier to fit around employment, but live classes, residency visits, technology requirements, and placement travel can narrow that advantage. Campus study may be preferable if you want regular face-to-face skills practice or access to a school's established local placement relationships. Ask both types of program how they teach and assess counseling skills, how often attendance is synchronous, and who is responsible for finding a field site.
There is no reliable single Ohio program-level average that captures every online counseling master's degree. Published institutional graduate tuition, such as figures in NCES IPEDS, is not necessarily the price of a particular counseling track; credit requirements and program fees also differ. Treat any quoted price per credit as an input, not a total-degree estimate.
To compare offers, obtain each school's current written estimate for all required credits, mandatory fees, possible residency travel, books and technology, and placement-related costs. Check whether a public institution charges different rates by residency or online status, and whether a private nonprofit school offers aid that changes its net price. The most valuable counseling programs comparison can add an outcomes perspective, but your own return also depends on aid, debt, completion likelihood, foregone earnings, expected career pay, and how long you plan to work in the field.
Eligible graduate students can submit the FAFSA to be considered for federal student aid, including Direct Unsubsidized Loans, subject to federal rules and school eligibility. Schools may also offer graduate assistantships, scholarships, or employer-supported tuition benefits. Ask whether an assistantship requires on-campus work; it may not be practical for an otherwise online student.
Federal graduate borrowing rules have changed for students beginning programs in 2026 or later. Under Federal Student Aid's rules, Graduate PLUS is generally unavailable to new graduate borrowers after June 30, 2026, although limited transition protections may apply to qualifying existing borrowers continuing the same program. Confirm your individual eligibility with the school's aid office and Federal Student Aid rather than assuming a loan will cover any gap.
Compare net cost after grants and employer support before borrowing. Ohio state aid programs have their own eligibility rules and may not fund graduate study or every online program, so ask the financial aid office which awards actually apply to your enrollment.
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
Applicants generally need a bachelor's degree and must meet the admitting school's academic and application requirements. A counseling bachelor's degree is not always required, but a program may expect prior coursework, recommend relevant helping-profession experience, or use interviews and references to evaluate readiness for supervised practice. Verify the current requirements on the specific program's admissions page.
Before paying an application fee, ask about prerequisite courses, transfer-credit limits, background checks for field sites, and any additional conditions for school placements. An apparently easier admissions route will not save time if the curriculum does not fit your intended license. Applicants comparing entry requirements can use the easiest counseling programs ranking as a starting point, then check each school's current policies.
Common subjects include counseling theories, helping skills, human development, assessment, research, ethics, multicultural counseling, and group work, followed by supervised practicum and internship. Clinical mental health curricula also address diagnosis and treatment planning; school-counseling curricula focus more on student development, school systems, and educational practice.
Course titles alone can hide consequential differences. Review the catalog for required fieldwork, the order of clinical courses, and any electives you would need for a particular population or setting. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, or CACREP, is a programmatic accreditor; verify a claimed program accreditation in its directory and separately confirm Ohio credential requirements with the appropriate state authority.
The two distinctions most likely to affect this decision are clinical mental health counseling and school counseling. Other programs may offer emphases related to addiction, rehabilitation, or work with couples and families. A concentration may shape electives and field experiences, but its name does not by itself establish eligibility for a separate license.
Choose by intended work setting first. Someone seeking to counsel students within a school should investigate the school credential and approved preparation route; someone seeking clinical practice should start with the Ohio professional-counselor pathway. If your goal is marriage and family therapy or another separately regulated profession, check that profession's Ohio licensing rules before substituting a general counseling degree.
Use affordability as a filter, then test whether each remaining program can get you to your intended occupation. The following checks address the mistakes most likely to turn a low tuition quote into an expensive detour:
Identify the exact Ohio license or school credential you want, and request written confirmation of how the program's curriculum aligns with its current requirements.
Verify institutional accreditation and any claimed CACREP programmatic accreditation with the accreditor; do not assume one substitutes for the other.
Request a full-program cost estimate and ask about residency pricing, fees, aid, and the policy for accepted transfer credits.
Get a sample completion plan and confirm who finds placements, which supervisors qualify, and whether sites near you have been approved.
Compare outcomes using the same definitions and reporting periods, then consider your likely debt, current income, completion prospects, and time to licensure.
A low-cost program is a strong choice when it fits your credential goal and you can complete its fieldwork without substantial extra expense or lost income. If a school cannot clearly explain its Ohio licensure alignment or placement process, pause before enrolling - even if its advertised tuition is appealing.
View the chart data as a table
Reported total program cost distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
$30,000–$34,999
1
$35,000–$39,999
0
$40,000–$44,999
3
$45,000–$49,999
7
$50,000–$54,999
0
$55,000–$59,999
1
A graduate might pursue supervised clinical counseling work, school counseling, substance use services, or related community-agency roles, depending on the degree and the employer's requirements. Independent clinical practice is a later-career possibility for those who meet the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board's applicable education, examination, supervision, and licensure requirements. A school position instead depends on the appropriate educator credential under Ohio rules.
This degree is most compelling if your desired role requires graduate counseling preparation and you can commit to supervised training after and, where required, during the degree. If you want a helping-profession role that does not require counselor licensure, first compare that role's actual entry requirements; a shorter or less costly credential may better serve your goal.
View the chart data as a table
Wage range - Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Ohio (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
10th percentile
39,010
25th percentile
47,660
Median
58,360
75th percentile
68,850
90th percentile
83,730
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +18% national employment growth from 2025 to 2035 for the occupational group covering mental health and substance use counselors. That signals a favorable national direction for clinical and addiction-focused job searches, but it is not an Ohio-specific vacancy forecast or a guarantee of employment. School-counseling applicants face a different market tied more closely to district hiring.
For a practical local test, review current openings in the Ohio communities where you would work. Note the license level employers request, whether they offer supervision toward advanced licensure, and whether the pay would support your expected loan payment. Matching those postings to a program's placement network and curriculum is more useful than choosing on a national growth figure alone.
2027 Most Affordable Online Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Ohio
Investing in graduate education is an important decision, and a low advertised price does not tell the whole story. Research.com's team developed this ranking to help readers compare costs while considering the evidence behind program quality. The team draws on the following data sources to check institutional information and improve the ranking's credibility and accuracy:
IPEDS database - institutional enrollment, completion, and cost information.
Peterson's database - program and institutional information used in comparisons.
Research.com's counseling rankings consider graduate outcomes, applicable licensure-exam pass rates, accreditation, federal Title IV eligibility, and cost. The Best ranking first combines completion, employment or doctoral admission, applicable exam results, CACREP recognition, and Title IV eligibility; cost contributes a smaller share of its final score. The affordability ranking instead orders programs by its named cost dimension. The same underlying approach applies to online and on-campus programs. Readers can review the fuller explanation on Research.com's methodology page. Use the ranking to create a shortlist, then confirm each school's current price, delivery format, and fit with your intended Ohio credential.
# 1 position
Ohio University-Main Campus
Master
Online Master of Education in School Counseling
Delivery mode: online
88.50
/ 100
Final score
Program length
6-7 semesters
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.90 - 4.00
Employment or doctoral admission
97% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Spring 2027: November 2, 2026; Summer 2027: March 4, 2027
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE (Verbal and Quantitative) required if bachelor's GPA is below 2.9
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in any discipline
Additional requirements
Bachelor's degree; transcripts with 2.9+ GPA (GRE V+Q required if lower); two letters of recommendation; 3-5 page personal statement; resume/CV; English proficiency; interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Ohio University-Main Campus earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 88.5/100, supported by $31,980 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 2 position
Heidelberg University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
80.60
/ 100
Final score
Program length
approximately 2 calendar years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Additional requirements
Graduate application, transcripts, two recommendation letters, a 2–3-page personal statement of professional goals, and Ohio BCI and FBI background checks. Admission is conditional; a faculty interview after nine credits is required.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Heidelberg University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 80.6/100, supported by $42,900 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 3 position
Wright State University-Main Campus
Master
Master of Education in School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
80.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.5- 3.5 years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
67% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
90% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: December 1; Spring: August 1
Application process
direct (Wright State Graduate School application)
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Minimum 3.0 GPA (conditional admission possible with department approval); three letters of recommendation; statement of educational and professional goals; required group interview. GRE temporarily waived.
Additional requirements
Graduate School application; minimum 3.0 GPA; three letters of recommendation; statement of educational and professional goals; required 3-hour group interview
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Wright State University-Main Campus earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 80.2/100, supported by $43,477 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 4 position
Wright State University-Main Campus
Master
Master of Science in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Concentration
Delivery mode: hybrid
80.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.5- 3.5 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
56% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
90% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: December 1; Spring: August 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Additional requirements
Graduate School application; 3.0 GPA (conditional below with approval); three recommendation letters; goals statement; required 3-hour group interview; GRE not required (petition if below GPA minimum without GRE).
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Wright State University-Main Campus earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 80.2/100, supported by $43,477 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 5 position
Malone University
Master
Master's in School Counseling
Delivery mode: online
79.10
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2-3.5 years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
75% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
Additional requirements
Transcripts, recommendations, and resumes (materials required to meet application deadlines)
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Malone University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 79.1/100, supported by $45,000 total tuition (estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-10-31.
# 6 position
Malone University
Master
Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: online
79.10
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2-3 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
70% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
90% (2025-26)
Licensure exam pass rate
90% (2025-26)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
Additional requirements
Transcripts, recommendations, and resumes (per rolling admissions requirements); baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with minimum GPA.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Malone University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 79.1/100, supported by $45,000 total tuition (estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-10-31.
# 7 position
University of Toledo
Master
Master of Arts in Counselor Education with a School Counseling Concentration
Delivery mode: online
77.80
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.5 to 3 years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2023-24)
Licensure exam pass rate
67% (2023-24)
Application deadline
Spring: September 15; Fall/Summer: January 15
Application process
direct (UToledo College of Graduate Studies application)
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Completed bachelor's degree; preference for 3.0 undergraduate GPA or better
Additional requirements
Graduate School Admissions Form, transcript, three letters of recommendation, 2-3 page paper on why becoming a School Counselor and personal suitability; interview
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Toledo earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 77.8/100, supported by $46,756 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 8 position
Walsh University
Master
M.A. in Counseling and Human Development – School Counseling
Delivery mode: online
77.50
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Just over three years (part-time)
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE or MAT required if cumulative GPA is below 2.75
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
Additional requirements
Online application, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, resume, notarized affidavit of good moral character, interview, writing sample. GRE or MAT scores required if cumulative GPA is below 2.75.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Walsh University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 77.5/100, supported by $47,265 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 9 position
Walsh University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Development – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: online
77.50
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Just over 3 years (part-time)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
88%
Employment or doctoral admission
100%
Licensure exam pass rate
82%
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE or MAT required if cumulative GPA is below 2.75
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, completed before CHD coursework begins. The online concentration is unavailable to residents of California and New York.
Additional requirements
Application; official transcripts; three recommendations; notarized affidavit of good moral character; resume; faculty interview and writing sample; 3.0 GPA preferred; GRE/MAT only if GPA below 2.75; TOEFL for international applicants; criminal-history disclosure.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Walsh University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 77.5/100, supported by $47,265 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 10 position
Capital University
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
76.50
/ 100
Final score
Program length
two years (full-time)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
64 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
96.4% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Priority Deadline: December 1; Final Deadline: March 15
Class size
31
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution, with a satisfactory GPA, usually a minimum of 3.0 (B); applicants below 3.0 are reviewed individually and, if admitted, placed on a probationary period.
Additional requirements
Online application; statement of intent; three professional references; resume or CV; official transcripts from all institutions; signed Statement of Assurance of Good Moral Character; in-person interview if invited. Fall admission only.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Capital University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 76.5/100, supported by $48,640 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 64 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 11 position
Capital University
Master
Master of Arts in Education in School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
76.50
/ 100
Final score
Program length
two years (full-time)
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
64 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
75% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Priority: December 1; Final: March 15
Class size
4
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution; no specific undergraduate major or coursework required.
Additional requirements
Writing sample/statement of intent, three letters of professional reference, current resume/CV, official transcripts from all institutions attended, and an admissions interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Capital University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 76.5/100, supported by $48,640 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 64 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 12 position
John Carroll University
Master
M.Ed. in School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
71.50
/ 100
Final score
Program length
as few as 2.5 years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Rolling; for best consideration - Fall: Aug 1; Spring: Dec 1; Summer: Apr 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
An undergraduate degree in a recognized area from an accredited institution; undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
Additional requirements
Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended; Resume/CV; Two letters of recommendation; Statement of Purpose (400-600 words); Faculty Interview
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
John Carroll University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 71.5/100, supported by $55,500 total tuition (estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about online Counseling degree in Ohio
What is the cheapest online counseling master's degree in Ohio?
The cheapest option depends on your total required credits, current tuition and fees, residency status, aid, and placement expenses. Compare full-program written estimates for programs that fit the same credential goal; the lowest per-credit rate may not produce the lowest total cost.
Can I become a licensed counselor in Ohio with an online master's?
Possibly, but online delivery alone establishes nothing about eligibility. Check the curriculum against the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board's current requirements, including applicable education, examination, and supervised-experience rules.
Can I complete an online counseling degree without in-person work?
Generally, no. Counseling preparation commonly includes supervised practicum or internship work with clients or students. Confirm any campus visits and the availability of approved placements near your home.
Is school counseling the same as clinical mental health counseling?
No. The tracks prepare students for different settings and credentials. Decide which work you want to do, then verify the relevant Ohio preparation and licensure rules before applying.
Is an affordable online counseling master's worth it?
It can be if the program fits your intended credential, you can complete its placements, and the likely career benefits justify your net cost and time away from work. Compare those factors against your current earnings and alternatives; neither a low price nor a national salary median guarantees a good personal return.
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