Online Master of Counseling
Offered through the School of Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Arizona State University's online Master of Counseling will prepare you to provide culturally responsive, clinical mental health services to clients across the lifespan. With a combination of coursework and supervised field experiences, you’ll graduate prepared to take the next steps to become a licensed professional counselor.
Quick facts
Next start date: 01/12/2026
Total classes: 20
Weeks per class: 7.5–15
Total credit hours: 60
Prepare for a career as a licensed counselor
This Master of Counseling online will prepare you to become a licensed professional counselor in Arizona and other states with comparable licensure requirements. Upon graduation, you can work in a range of settings from small clinical private practices to large agencies and hospitals.
In this program, you’ll focus on growing your ability to counsel clients of all ages and backgrounds. You’ll learn how to promote mental health within individuals, families, groups and organizations in a multicultural society. Additionally, you’ll gain clinical and non-clinical skills to apply in your counseling practice, such as:
- Assessment (intake, crisis, personality and diagnostic)
- Basic trauma response
- Case management
- Clinical counseling (individual and group counseling, couples counseling, family therapy and counseling children and adolescents)
- Clinical documentation
- Cultural responsiveness
- Research
Who’s a good candidate for this Master of Counseling?
Candidates from a variety of educational and occupational backgrounds are encouraged to pursue this program. To succeed, you should have an interest in providing clinical counseling services to diverse client populations, as well as managing a range of psycho-social-emotional challenges. You must also demonstrate your commitment to personal growth and reflection, multicultural awareness and an openness to supervisory feedback.
Additionally, this counseling master’s program is designed for those looking for opportunities to learn hands-on. You’ll complete three semesters of in-person, supervised field experiences in your geographic region. As a required component of the field experiences and state licensure, you’ll also participate in a live, virtual group supervision session weekly. These opportunities will allow you to develop your skills in providing counseling services, case management, crisis and risk assessment, clinical documentation and diagnosis.
Professional Licensure
ASU's academic programs that prepare you for professional licensure or certification are designed to meet Arizona's requirements. Completing an ASU program may not fulfill educational requirements for licensure or certification in other states. For additional information, visit the professional licensure webpage.
Will my diploma say ‘online’?
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”
Online counseling master’s courses
This program covers a range of topics from multicultural counseling and psychotherapy to human development across the lifespan and psychological tests. You’ll also have the opportunity to take elective courses in your interest areas such as neuropsychology, substance abuse and addiction, personality assessment and more.
Additionally, you’ll participate in three semesters of field-based clinical practice, which will provide you with a foundation for success during the licensure process. You’ll complete a practicum and two internships at a site you identify and that is approved by the program. This, combined with weekly live, virtual group supervision experiences, will allow you to practice providing clinical services in an array of mental health settings.
Become a licensed professional counselor (LPC)
After gaining licensure, you can seek clinical roles in settings from community agencies and hospitals to private practice and university counseling centers. As a graduate of the online Master of Counseling program, you’ll also be prepared to continue to doctoral-level studies in areas such as clinical and counseling psychology. Types of practice you may pursue include, but aren’t limited to:
Learn from leading counseling practitioners in the field
Faculty in the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts are committed to research and exploration in their fields of work. Many of our faculty and staff are recognized nationally and internationally for their achievements from psychology to writing.
- American Educational Research
- Association Fellows
- American Psychological Association fellows
- Fulbright scholars
Learn from leading counseling practitioners in the field
Faculty in the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts are committed to research and exploration in their fields of work. Many of our faculty and staff are recognized nationally and internationally for their achievements from psychology to writing.
- American Educational Research
- Association Fellows
- American Psychological Association fellows
- Fulbright scholars
How to apply
Applicants to the Master of Counseling program must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts.
This program has a highly competitive admission process. Please note that the fall application deadline is Feb. 1 and the spring application deadline is Aug. 1.
Study at a globally recognized university
ASU is a global university recognized for its commitment to innovation, research and high-quality academic programs. Our university is repeatedly awarded peer-reviewed honors from U.S. News & World Report and other respected organizations.
#1
in innovation for 10 consecutive years, ahead of Stanford and MIT
Top 10
best online bachelor’s programs
Top 10%
best global universities
80%
of graduates reported their experiences at ASU inspired them to explore new career opportunities
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
