Counseling is a highly rewarding profession. Highly trained professionals can help others manage emotional turmoils by working with patients to identify their goals and find potential solutions. Generally, counseling is conducted to improve communication and develop the coping skills that promote a positive behavioral change and a healthy mental state.
For those who want to be counselors or explore the said field, an easier route can be achieved by earning a counseling certificate program. Most of these programs can take one year or more to complete. It provides professionals the ability to vamp their qualifications for a specific counseling area or meet licensure requirements. For licensed counselors, a certificate program helps earn a dual license or even pursue continuing education.
Specializations include mental health, rehabilitation, family therapy, educational, and behavioral disorder. These options impact the wage levels and career advancements that you can gain from earning a counseling certificate. Indeed, these fields vary and pose different challenges that require unique skills and knowledge!
With a certificate in counseling, one can earn a higher salary and heftier benefits. Career advancement and post-graduate opportunities are often on the agenda, too. Some of the most common counseling careers that one can explore include marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and rehabilitation counselors, among many others.
Earning a Counseling Certificate Program
While most counseling certificate programs can be earned through traditional means, modern technology and evolving needs gave way to online education. This method allows counseling professionals to earn their certificates without having to attend face-to-face classes. It is very helpful for working professionals who need to juggle their time between professional demands, personal responsibilities, and educational pursuits.
Online certificate programs in counseling are pretty common nowadays. Most universities offer a certificate program or two in counseling, which is very handy for those who want to earn a certificate without compromising other aspects of their life, be it personal or professional. These online counseling programs follow the same curriculum as their brick-and-mortar counterparts, often with the same prestigious faculty. It will provide the same benefits as a traditional certificate program.
Enhancing your Counseling knowledge and skills toward greater career pathways is always a good idea! OnlineSchoolsCenter.com has put together 12 Best Online Counseling Certificate Programs that ultimately accommodate learning around your professional and personal schedules.
On our list are online higher education institutions and their Counseling Certificate programs that impress with these features:
- 100% online or hybrid classes for convenient learning,
- An online curriculum that imparts a blend of theory and practical knowledge to expand students’ understanding of the principles of Counseling,
- Some programs may apply credits to a graduate degree for students planning on enrolling in a Counseling graduate program,
- A faculty of highly qualified experts in the field of Counseling,
- Enables students to access coursework and study resources virtually through the distance learning platform,
- Offers scholarships, grants, and other financial aid options,
- Officially recognized by accrediting agencies and well-regarded by counseling organizations.
Would you like more information on our selected programs and institutions? Please see our Methodology page.
Anyone wanting to earn an online counseling certificate program can consider the following schools. Use these quick jumps to explore these 12 Best Online Counseling Certificate Programs in 2021!
- Capella University
- University of South Dakota
- Campbellsville University
- Lamar University
- Johns Hopkins University
- University at Buffalo
- California University of Pennsylvania
- Liberty University
- North Carolina State University
- Regent University
- Grand Canyon University
- Cornell University
Capella University
Tuition: Varies Per Credit Unit
Compassion and empathy are at the very core of Capella University’s Online Counseling Certificate program. This program offers several areas of focus, including addiction, family therapy, mental health services, and school-based services.
Those who want to up their knowledge on counseling and earn master’s level credits can find a flexible and affordable way to do so by earning this certificate program. They offer the right blend of theory and history to help students understand human behavior, which is integral in many counseling areas. The online format allows working professionals to work through their coursework to fit their demanding schedules, made possible by the 24/7 online access on any device. Some of the specializations on offer include Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Systemic Couple and Family Therapy, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy. Each specialized certificate is composed of four core courses and one elective.
The program is also headed by commended faculty whose knowledge and experience in counseling are valuable. The tuition cost is often tailored and personalized, making it affordable to most students.
Admission Requirements:
- Admission application
- Transcripts
- English proficiency
- Acknowledgment agreement
- Minimum GPA
Accreditations: Higher Learning Commission
Find more information on Capella University’s online Counseling Certificate Programs.
University of South Dakota
Tuition: Varies Per Credit Unit
The University of South Dakota runs a 100% online certificate program in Mental Health Counseling. The program is designed to provide additional coursework for counseling professionals with a master’s degree and 48-hour community service to meet their mental health licensure requirements, specifically in the state of South Dakota.
The counseling program offered at the University of South Dakota provides the courses for this certificate. Since it is fully online, practicing professionals are provided with the flexibility to work around their schedules. The courses include Childhood Through Adulthood Psychopathology for Mental Health Professionals, Psychopharmacology for the Nonmedical Mental Health Professional, Clinical Supervision Training and Ethics, and Foundations of Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders for Professional Counselors.
The program is offered every fall, summer, and spring. Students need to complete the required 12 credit hours to earn the certificate program.
Types of Aid: Private Educational Loans, Scholarships, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- Completed graduate application
- Non-refundable $35 application fee
- Official proof of English proficiency
- Official transcripts
- Official admission test scores
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
Accreditations: Higher Learning Commission
Find more information on the University of South Dakota Online Counseling Certificate Program.
Campbellsville University
Tuition: $299
Campbellsville University offers a 12-credit hour online counseling certificate program for counseling professionals looking to put their Master of Arts in School Counseling education into practice. In this program, they will learn and develop skills and tools that are important to education administrators when selecting new school leaders. Unlike most traditional graduate programs, the counseling certificate’s focus is to provide more advanced learning that helps those who want to earn standard certification.
It is specially created by doctorate-holding faculty members who make up the university’s master’s in school guidance counseling program. The focus of this certificate program is on areas that are fundamental to school counseling. This includes law and ethics. One can also expect to tackle school counselor accountability, crisis prevention and intervention practices, and many more. Theories, methods, and techniques that are integral in counseling and psychotherapy with children and adolescence are also at the heart of the curriculum. Other required courses include The Child and Adolescent, as well as the Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Counseling.
The online certificate allows even those who do not have a teaching certification. Just like other fully online programs, flexibility and convenience are expected when completing coursework. The program can be earned anytime and anywhere in the world.
Types of Aid: Private Educational Loans, Scholarships, Grants, Military Benefits, Yellow Ribbon Program
Admission Requirements:
- Complete online application
- Official transcript
- 2.75 overall GPA
- Master’s degree
- Copy of teaching certificate
- One-page rationale essay
Accreditations: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Find more information on Campbellsville University’s Online Counseling Certificate Program.
Lamar University
Tuition: $5,400 Per Program
Students with a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, and other related disciplines can consider earning the online certificate in mental health counseling program on offer at Lamar University in order to meet their requirements for the Texas state Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC) certification exam.
The program requires 18 credit hours to be completed. Most students earn the certificate program in as few as 12 months. Students can expect to gain supplementary knowledge and experience from award-winning counseling faculty. They will explore and examine advanced topics like counselors’ professional roles and responsibilities, client relationships, and how they impact the behavioral healthcare system in general. The program focuses on helping students identify the etiologies, diagnoses, and treatment plans by applying the latest research while meeting the required ethical and legal standards.
The program’s online nature means working professionals are free to complete the coursework at their own pace. Some of the certificate program courses are Psychopathology and basic Psychopharmacology, Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Advanced Ethics in Mental Health Counseling.
Types of Aid: Private Educational Loans, Scholarships, Grants, Third Party Billing
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- Master’s in Counseling, Psychology, or related disciplines
- 3.0 Graduate GPA
- Transcripts
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Residency
Accreditations: National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Find more information on Lamar University’s Online Counseling Certificate Program.
Johns Hopkins University
Tuition: $833 Per Credit Hour
Johns Hopkins University offers a Post-Master’s Certificate Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. It is specially designed for those who hold a master’s degree and plan to delve deep into the specialized area of practice. It will help them complete their required academic requirements as they seek a license as professional clinical counselors.
The program is offered in an online, part-time format. It required 15 credit units to be completed. Most students can complete the program within one to three years. Students are free to develop their individualized programs of study with specialized concentrations with faculty advisers’ assistance. While the courses can be completed online, students must still follow the required timeframe to complete them.
Types of Aid: Private Educational Loans, Scholarships, and Grants, Federal Graduate Plus Loan
Admission Requirements:
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Evaluated academic records (international students who earned their degrees from a non-U.S. institution (except for Canada)
- Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for non-native speakers
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Find more information on Johns Hopkins University’s Online Counseling Certificate program.
University at Buffalo
Tuition: $5,655 Per Program
Under their graduate school of education, the University at Buffalo offers a certificate program in mental health counseling that is fully available online. The program’s primary focus is on developing counseling knowledge and skills, including the support of research and other empirical evidence. It is based on a philosophy emphasizing personal and professional growth, social justice, and ethical responsibility, among many others.
Students can expect to learn the necessary skills that will help them transform their future clients’ lives and advance their career goals. The four required courses to complete the program include Introduction to Mental Health Counseling, Assessment in Mental Health Counseling, Psychopathology and Evidenced-Based Interventions, Human Growth and Development, and Legal and Ethical Concerns in Counseling. An internship option is also available to those who did not complete the clinical internship experience’s minimum hours.
The program is designed to help counseling professionals meet the New York State licensing exam eligibility requirements in mental health counseling.
Admission Requirements:
- Completed online application with $50 non-refundable application fee
- Graduate record exam score (optional)
- Recommendation Letters
- Academic transcripts
- Statement of intent
Accreditations: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Recommended Schools
Find more information on University at Buffalo online counseling certificate program.
California University of Pennsylvania
Tuition: Varies Per Credit Unit
The California University of Pennsylvania offers an online certificate program that focuses on spiritual, ethical, and religious counseling. It is perfect for enhancing your professional background in ministry, counseling, social work, and other related counseling fields.
In this program, students are expected to learn theories that they can apply to the specialized field. They will be able to learn the ropes involved in grief and loss counseling and care. They also gain a better understanding of contemporary spiritual perspectives. The courses are applicable toward continuing education units. They can also help counseling professionals meet the academic requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) credentials. The program’s three courses are worth three credit hours, namely Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling, Grief and Loss Counseling, and Applied Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Counseling Therapy. The courses can be completed in 15 weeks.
Those who earned this program can consider working in various counseling and ministry settings, including hospitals, community agencies, shelters, churches, other faith-based centers, and even military facilities.
Types of Aid: Loans, Scholarships, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree with GPA 2.90 or higher
- Official transcripts from accredited colleges and universities
- Interview
- Resume of work and education
- Complete graduate school application with a non-refundable fee of $35
Accreditations: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Find more information on the California University of Pennsylvania’s Online Counseling Certificate Program.
Liberty University
Tuition: $565 Per Credit Hour
Designed for those committed to helping communities find healing and hope, the online graduate certificate in pastoral counseling equips interested students to develop their Christian counseling skills, pastoral leadership, and biblical studies. This will greatly help and prepare them to take on a variety of ministry-related roles.
In this program, they will take an in-depth look at and understand counseling practices rooted in research that can be applied to many situations. The area of counseling they focus on offers a unique approach to human suffering and counseling where the spiritual aspect is significantly considered, as opposed to most mental health counseling purely focusing on the mental and emotional needs of the clients. Pastoral counseling is guided by the biblical teachings that allow them to address mental or emotional issues.
The benefit of earning this certificate program from Liberty University is the convenience that the online format offers. Students can go through their coursework when and where it suits them. Those with personal and professional responsibilities can simultaneously pursue academic advancements without sacrificing one over the other. It is a good alternative to a full-length master’s degree, allowing counseling professionals to hone their skills and prepare for ministry-related careers at a more affordable cost and less rigorous experience. Some of the courses on offer for this program include Introduction to Pastoral Counseling and Integration of Psychology and Theology.
Types of Aid: Private Educational Loans, Scholarships, Grants, Military Discounts, First Responder Tuition Discount, Corporate Advantage Affiliate
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree with 2.0 or above cumulative combined GPA from regionally and nationally accredited institution
- Complete admission application
- Application fee of $50
- Official college transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency (for non-native English speakers)
Accreditations: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Find more information on Liberty University’s Online Counseling Certificate Program.
North Carolina State University
Tuition: $5,135 Per Program
North Carolina State University offers a graduate certificate in counselor education to help prepare working professionals like school teachers, staff, advisors, human service workers, and administrators in counseling work.
The program’s online format means that students can learn in a flexible environment without campus schooling complexities. Each week, they must render 90 minutes for an interactive discussion with instructors and classmates, allowing them to stay connected even in distance learning. In this program, students will learn the current practices in the counseling field, develop and apply essential skills, and understand the challenges posed by multicultural counseling. Some of the expected courses include Introduction to Counseling, Theories, and Techniques of Counseling, Career Counseling and Development, and Cross-Cultural Counseling.
It is good to note that the program does not prepare students for professional counseling work. Instead, it is a good foundation that assists licensed professional counselors in paraprofessional counseling. The credits from this program apply to a master’s degree in counseling, should students choose to pursue one.
Types of Aid: Private Educational Loans, Scholarships, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- Complete online graduate school application with an admission fee
- Resume that outlines education and work experience
Accreditations:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Find more information on North Carolina State University Online Counseling Certificate Program.
Regent University
Tuition: $710 Per Credit Hour
Professional counselors who wish to continue their education or take a licensure exam can consider earning a Certificate of Graduate Studies in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling to meet some of the additional state required credentials for professional practice. This program is offered by Regent University!
Students who can be admitted to this program must hold a master’s or doctorate in any mental health field. They must also present eligibility to pursue licensure in the state where they work. The certificate is also a way for mental health professionals to advance their careers in counseling. Apart from exploring the developmental stages of marriage and family, they will also tackle various addiction therapies, couples’ therapy, and sexual dysfunction therapy.
The courses on offer for this program include Models of Family Therapy, Theories of Human Sexuality, Expressive Approaches in Trauma Treatment, and Internship in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, among many others.
Types of Aid: Private Educational Loans, Scholarships, Grants, Yellow Ribbon Program
Admission Requirements:
- Complete online application with $50 non-refundable application fee
- Unofficial college transcripts
- Complete admissions questionnaire
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Find more information on Regent University’s Online Counseling Certificate Program.
Grand Canyon University
Tuition: $550 Per Credit Unit
Integrating the Christian worldview and the Bible into counseling, the online Christian certificate program offered by the Grand Canyon University aims to help students gain advanced learning, which is integral for pursuing a master’s degree in counseling.
In this program, they will tackle the boundaries and limitations faced by helpers. They will also explore the counseling theories and the relationship between healthy relationships and biblical concepts. Some of the curriculum courses are Spiritual formation: Becoming a Healthy Practitioner and Biblical Concepts – Healthy Relationships: Forgiveness and Healthy Spirituality. If you’re deciding on earning a master’s degree and practice as a licensed counselor, this program is for you.
Students who completed this certificate program can find work opportunities in churches and other helping fields. The program is also 100% online, which means more flexibility for working professionals. With a total of 12 credit units, the program can be earned in 8 weeks.
Types of Aid: Private Educational Loans, Scholarships, Grants, Military Discounts and Benefits
Admission Requirements:
- Complete online admission application
- Official transcripts
Accreditations: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Find more information on Grand Canyon University’s Online Counseling Certificate Program.
Cornell University
Tuition: Varies Per Credit Unit
Cornell University is one of the higher learning institutions in the country that offers 100% online programs. This includes the certificate program in client-directed counseling for nutritional professionals. It is specially designed for registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) who wish to learn proven techniques to refine their counseling skills. This will help them promote positive client behavior change.
The program can improve their clinical expertise, which in turn can lead to client satisfaction and success. Students of this program will learn counseling techniques that encourage open and productive partnerships. They will be able to enhance their knowledge and skills and advance their careers in the right direction. The courses included in this program are Understanding the Person, Understanding the Problem, Eliciting New Behaviors, and Blending the Art of Counseling with the Science of Nutrition. Graduates are expected to rely on the Social Cognitive Learning Theory to strengthen interactions with clients.
The program requires 3-5 hours a week for the needed coursework. It can be completed in as short as two months.
Types of Aid: Private Educational Loans, Scholarships, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- Complete online application form and enroll online
Accreditation:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Find more information on Cornell University’s Online Counseling Certificate Program.
What can I do with an online counseling certificate program?
Those with a passion for helping others are on the right track when choosing the field of counseling. While most counseling professions require an undergraduate degree for entry-level jobs, a certificate in counseling can also be a good starting point for career advancement. This will enhance one’s resume and qualifications, leading to possible promotions and better compensation.
Those who plan to pursue a graduate and post-graduate degree can also use a certificate program in counseling to meet their academic requirements. It is ideal for professionals seeking to sit for licensure examinations, although this may vary from state to state. For example, a school counselor must have a master’s degree in School Counseling or a related field.
How long is an Online Counseling Certificate Program?
Unlike four-year degrees, a certificate program can take as little as a year to complete. Some might take between 1 to 3 years, while others can be earned in as short as three months. However, earning the certificate online might take longer for those who choose to complete the requirements at their own pace, as often with online programs that offer schedule flexibility. Some schools allow students to work through their coursework without rigid timeframes, letting them go through the program to fit their schedules.
How can I choose the right Online Counseling Certificate Program?
Counseling comes in many forms, and so do the certificate programs that equip you with the job skills. Some of the specializations focus on mental health, family therapy, or schools. The choice, ultimately, lies in one’s passion. If one thinks that family therapy could be their forte, it is the best choice. It is important to know, however, what that specific field of counseling entails. Family counseling deals with family issues, including sibling conflict, parenting, and a major change that affects a family system.
Another important consideration is the benefit one can get from completing the certificate program. Is it applicable to pursue advanced degrees, like a master’s in counseling, for example? Does it help them meet certain academic requirements for licensure examinations?
