Online Master of Counseling

Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00* cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of their bachelor's program. Alternatively, applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in an applicable master's program.

*The program committee reviews applications holistically. While the minimum cumulative GPA required is 3.00, it’s preferred that an applicant has an undergraduate GPA of 3.50 and at least one year of work or volunteer experience in a helping setting. The committee emphasizes multicultural knowledge, awareness and skills, and the applicant’s strengths may offset an area of weakness.

All applicants must submit:

• Graduate admission application and application fee
• Official transcripts
• Personal statement
• Resume
• Two to three letters of recommendation

Recommendations should come from academic and professional references. Recommenders should be able to speak to an applicant’s academic potential (e.g., faculty member) and/or professional or volunteer experience (e.g., supervisor).

The purpose of the personal statement is for applicants to share their qualifications, such as professional experiences and personal attributes, as well as express their interest in the Master of Counseling online program. Your statement will also be used to assess your written communication abilities.

Your statement should be two to three pages and double-spaced. Document specifics also include using 12-point, Times New Roman font and one-inch margins. For the admission committee to appropriately review your statement, you must address the following prompts:

• Explain how your education and training, as well as your volunteer and professional experiences, inform why you want to pursue the Master of Counseling program.
• Outline how the Master of Counseling will help you meet your future career goals.
• Discuss your ability to work with and be sensitive to the needs of a multicultural and diverse society, including but not limited to members of diverse racial and ethnic groups and sexual minority individuals.

Applicants must have permanent residence in an authorized state in the U.S. to be eligible for admission.

• An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.
• The review committee may invite finalists to provide additional materials to supplement their application.

We strongly recommend you visit our state authorization page to learn how ASU is authorized to operate in your state, policies for out-of-state students and program exceptions.

This degree can prepare you to pursue LPC licensure and support clients in a variety of mental health settings. With licensure, you can provide individual, group, couple and family counseling in community agencies, hospitals, private practices and university counseling centers. Some graduates continue their education through doctoral programs in counseling or psychology-related fields.

Requirements for LPC licensure vary by state, but most include earning a graduate counseling degree, completing supervised clinical experience and passing a licensing exam such as the National Counselor Examination. ASU's master’s in counseling online program is designed to align with Arizona's LPC licensure requirements. If you're seeking licensure in another state, verify that state's specific requirements before applying.

You’ll complete your practicum and internship experiences through approved field placements within your own community — meaning you gain supervised clinical hours in a real-world setting. Weekly live virtual group supervision sessions connect you with faculty and peers to discuss cases, strengthen clinical skills and support your progress toward licensure.

This program is approved by the Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners and leads to licensure in Arizona. Graduates may pursue counselor licensure in states where they meet applicable licensure requirements. If you plan to seek licensure outside of Arizona, review your state's requirements before applying. Please note that this master's program is not accredited by CACREP or MPCAC.

The program consists of 60 credits and can typically be completed in approximately 2.5 years. The program admits students in fall and spring semesters.

If you’re interested in mental health and human behavior but are exploring paths outside counselor licensure, ASU also offers other online graduate programs in psychology-related fields. The online MS in addiction psychology focuses on substance use treatment, recovery and behavioral health, while the online MS in psychology emphasizes psychological research and human behavior. Students considering master's in counseling psychology programs may find these options helpful depending on their professional goals and areas of interest.

Students interested in beginning their education at the undergraduate level can also pursue the online BS in counseling and applied psychological science. This program provides foundational knowledge in counseling, mental health and human behavior that can support future graduate study in counseling, psychology or related mental health fields. You can also choose from online concentrations in counseling military members and veterans, sport and performance counseling and substance abuse addictions.