An independent directory of US counseling schools and degrees
Editorial selections
Each selection answers a different question. Every one is built from verified facts on the schools' own pages and the official CACREP directory, against published criteria; entries are unnumbered, listed alphabetically and never sold. Pick the list that matches your decision, then compare programs side by side.
50 schools selected of 59 considered · reviewed October 12, 2026
Use it if: You are choosing a school and want one with more than one verified counseling program, matched CACREP accreditation and documented clinical training — not a single strong program.
Schools with at least two verified counselor-preparation programs in this directory. Counseling psychology programs do not count toward a school's inclusion.
146 programs selected of 198 considered · reviewed October 12, 2026
Use it if: You want a counseling master's in any specialty or format and care about CACREP accreditation, stated licensure or certification purpose, documented practicum and internship, published tuition and clear admissions.
Master's degrees whose official program is counselor preparation in a named specialty (MA, MS, MEd and equivalents are treated as one degree level). Counseling psychology and standalone MFT degrees are not eligible.
33 programs selected of 98 considered · reviewed October 12, 2026
Use it if: You need online coursework and want programs that state their campus-residency rules, how practicum and internship placements work near you, and their cost.
Master's and doctoral counselor-preparation programs whose verified delivery is online. Hybrid programs with regular in-person classes are not eligible for this list.
69 programs selected of 86 considered · reviewed October 12, 2026
Use it if: You plan to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC, LMHC or your state's title) and want a CMHC program that documents its clinical training.
Master's programs whose official title or description names clinical mental health counseling and whose stated purpose is clinical counselor preparation.
51 programs selected of 64 considered · reviewed October 12, 2026
Use it if: You plan to work as a PK–12 school counselor and want a school counseling program that states its certification purpose and documents school-based fieldwork.
Master's programs whose official title or description names school counseling and whose stated purpose is school counselor preparation.
11 programs selected of 26 considered · reviewed October 12, 2026
Use it if: You already hold (or are finishing) a counseling master's and want a CACREP-accredited doctorate in counselor education and supervision with published support.
Doctoral programs whose official title or description names counselor education and supervision. PhD and EdD are labelled separately on each entry.
The directory pages (for example all master's programs) list every eligible program we have verified, alphabetically, so you can filter by specialty, state, delivery, CACREP status, cost or GRE policy. The selections apply an editorial bar on top: a program appears only when its own official pages and the CACREP directory document the features the criteria ask for. Each entry explains why it was included, its strengths and tradeoffs, the applicants it suits, and the evidence behind each criterion.
No acceptance rates, licensure-exam pass rates, completion or job-placement rates, salaries, reputation surveys or institutional rankings — programs report outcomes for different periods and cohorts, and we have not verified comparable figures. A university's prestige in other fields does not carry over to its counseling programs, and being selected says nothing about licensure eligibility in your state.
Searches for the best or top counseling programs land on these pages. There is one selection per question — not separate “best” and “top” lists with different titles and the same content.