Online Counseling Degrees

Enrolling in one of Walden University’s online counselor education programs is a streamlined and supportive journey designed to let you focus on your education—instead of complex paperwork. 

Walden’s online counseling degree admissions process is built for accessibility and convenience:

• Admission does not require SAT, ACT, or GRE scores.
• There is no fee to submit your application.
• You will be paired with an Enrollment Specialist who will walk you through your document requirements and help you understand how your past credits might transfer.

The first step to enrolling in one of our counseling degree programs is completing an application. For a personalized consultation and a faster start, fill out the Request Information form or call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286 or 844-666-3360.

Prerequisites for Admission

Below is a general breakdown of admission requirements by degree level:

Master’s Programs – MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in School Counseling, MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling

• You must have a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, from an accredited school.
• You must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale in bachelor’s degree coursework or a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in master’s degree coursework. Conditional admission may be available for specific programs.
• You must submit a signed Acknowledgement Statement regarding the counseling degree program’s requirements and clinical expectations.
• No essay or GRE scores are required.
• Other requirements:
  • Faculty review of admissions file
  • Professional Goal Statement
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae

See a full list of master’s program admission requirements.

Doctoral Programs – PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision

• You must provide an official transcript of a master’s degree in counseling, or higher, from a U.S. school accredited by a regional, professional/specialized, or national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education, or from an appropriately accredited non-U.S. institution. Coursework must meet the minimum number of prerequisite courses, totaling 39 credits.
• You must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in post-baccalaureate degree coursework.
• It’s preferred that you have three years of professional/academic experience related to the counseling degree program you’re applying to.
  • Other requirements:
  • Faculty review of admissions file
  • Professional Goal Statement
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • Acknowledgment Statement on Licensure
  • Three (3) professional recommendation forms

See a full list of doctoral program admission requirements. 

Total tuition costs in Walden’s online counseling degree programs are impacted by your transfer credits, chosen program and specialization, and individual progress.

To help make your education costs more manageable, Walden offers several options:

• Scholarships and grants: Options include the Believe & Achieve Scholarship^®, which provides significant tuition savings as you reach key milestones in your online counseling degree master’s program.
• Federal financial aid: As an accredited institution, Walden is approved to participate in a variety of federal grant and loan programs. Our financial aid team assists students in navigating federal grants and loans (available to those who apply and qualify).
• Partner savings: You may be eligible for exclusive tuition reductions through Walden’s partnerships with hundreds of employers and organizations.
• Military benefits: Service members, veterans, and their spouses receive a 10% tuition reduction, which can often be combined with other institutional scholarships for those who are eligible.¹

¹A 10% tuition reduction combined with Walden’s Believe & Achieve Scholarship is available for new students who are service members, veterans of the U.S. armed forces, or employees of the Veterans Administration who enroll in programs eligible for the Believe & Achieve Scholarship. For programs not eligible for the Walden’s Believe & Achieve Scholarship, the tuition reduction is 10% for the life of the program. This tuition reduction is also available if you are a spouse of a service member, veteran, or employee of the Veterans Administration. This tuition reduction cannot be retroactively applied. Tuition reductions are applicable to tuition only and do not apply toward books, materials, and other supplies or fees needed for a course. It may not be combined with other tuition reductions, unless specified in another offer.

Becoming a licensed counselor is a rewarding journey that involves a combination of specialized education, supervised experience, and professional examinations. Since licensure is granted by individual state boards, the specific requirements vary significantly by state.

Here is the high-level path to becoming a licensed counselor:

• Earn a master’s degree: You must complete a master’s degree in counseling from an accredited institution. Many states require an online counselor education program to be accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), like Walden’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in School Counseling, and MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling, which meets CACREP requirements for granting two distinct degrees—MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MS in School Counseling—at the same time.
• Complete clinical hours: During your master’s program, you will complete a practicum and internship to gain hands-on experience under the supervision of a licensed professional.
• Accumulate post-degree supervision: After graduating from a counseling degree program, most states require a specific number of supervised clinical hours (often ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 hours ) before you can move from an associate license to full licensure.
• Pass national examinations: You will need to take and pass required state or national exams, such as the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
• Apply for state licensure: Once all education, experience, and testing requirements are met, you submit your application to your specific state’s licensing board.

For detailed information on state-specific requirements and how Walden’s online counselor education programs align with them, please visit Walden’s Professional Licensure page.

To become a licensed therapist, you generally need a master’s degree in a counseling-related field (such as clinical mental health counseling) from an accredited program like Walden’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or MS in School Counseling. Walden’s MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling also meets CACREP requirements for granting two distinct degrees—MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MS in School Counseling—at the same time.

Therapists help individuals, families, and groups navigate emotional, mental, and lifestyle challenges. Their core work involves:

• Diagnosing and treating mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.
• Developing personalized treatment plans and helping clients learn coping strategies.
• Providing a safe, confidential space for clients to process trauma or life transitions.

A counseling degree at the master’s level provides the formal foundation required for professional practice:

• Clinical training: Includes supervised practicums and internships (often 700+ hours) that provide real-world experience under expert guidance.
• Specialized knowledge: Coursework covers human development, ethics, and counseling theories essential for effective treatment.
• Licensure preparation: Online counseling degree programs at Walden are designed to meet the educational requirements needed to sit for state licensing exams, a mandatory step to practice legally as a therapist .