Online Counseling Certificate Program Guide
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Counseling degree-holders interested in state licensure and national certification or delving into specialties can pursue short-term certificates in counseling. Online certificates offer a flexible, cost-saving, and relatively quick route to building expertise in a subfield of counseling. Enrollees can complete some programs in less than a year.
Learn about counseling certificate specializations and careers, potential salaries, and admission requirements.
What Is an Online Certificate in Counseling?
6-30
Required Credits
6-12 months
Program Length
An online certificate in counseling is a graduate-level program designed for professionals who already hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in counseling. A certificate is not required to become a counselor, nor is it a replacement for an academic degree required for practice. Licensed counselors may optionally pursue these programs to boost their credentials, satisfy continuing education requirements, or explore new areas of interest.
In a counseling certificate program, you’ll build skills in therapeutic techniques, client management, and psychological assessment. You may be able to add a specialization such as addiction counseling, marriage and family counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or school counseling. Some programs have in-person requirements; others are 100% online.
Although an online certificate alone will not prepare you for licensure, in many states, it can help you meet the requirements to become a licensed professional counselor or certified school counselor. You could complete a certificate program while working toward your master’s degree. Or, after becoming a licensed counselor, you could earn a certificate to meet continuing education requirements.
What Can You Do With a Graduate Certificate in Counseling?
A graduate certificate in counseling can complement your bachelor’s or master’s degree and build your expertise and credentials in a counseling subfield, such as the following:
Trauma Counseling
Trauma counseling certificate programs foster an understanding of the effects of trauma on clients’ behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and neurological systems. Topics may include complex trauma, grief, and self-care, along with culturally and gender-appropriate assessment and interventions.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), mental health counselors earned a median salary of $59,190 in 2024. The BLS projects this career group to grow by 19% from 2023-2033. Trauma counselors work in settings that include residential treatment centers, outpatient treatment centers, hospitals, and correctional facilities.
Addiction Counseling
Addiction counseling students learn about the theories, techniques, and core functions of substance misuse counseling. Courses and clinical experiences emphasize best practice standards and evidence-based research.
According to the BLS, addiction counselors earned a median salary of $59,190 in 2024. These counselors work with clients individually and in groups, teaching people how to deal with stressors in healthy ways. They also help clients with their relationships with family and friends. These counselors might also work with professionals such as social workers, physicians, and psychologists to develop treatment plans. Careers for substance abuse counselors are projected to grow 19% from 2023-2033.
Education Counseling
Education counseling certificate programs train school administrators, advisors, staff, teachers, and tutors, along with non-education professionals who support students and families. Coursework covers lifespan development; professional counseling, identity, and ethics; and counseling theories and techniques.
The BLS projects that jobs for school counselors and advisors will grow as fast as the national average — 4% between 2023-2033. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for this career group was $65,140 in 2024.
Rehabilitation Counseling
Rehabilitation counseling certificates prepare professionals to help clients with cognitive, developmental, emotional, physical, and psychiatric disabilities to live independently, hold jobs, and function as part of communities. The largest employers of rehabilitation counselors include vocational rehabilitation services, state governments, and residential care facilities.
The BLS reports that rehabilitation counselors earned a median annual salary of $46,110 in 2024. Rehabilitation counseling jobs are projected to grow 2% from 2023-2033, a rate slower than the average for all occupations, according to the BLS.
Marriage and Family Therapy
Depending on state regulations, completing marriage and family therapy (MFT) certificates may qualify graduates for MFT licensure. This program trains students in assessment, intervention, and evidence-based systemic theory. MFTs help couples, families, and individuals work through relationship issues and challenges.
Marriage and family therapy is a fast-growing career. The BLS projects 12,300 new jobs in this field between 2023-2033 — a 16% increase. The median annual salary for marriage and family therapists was $63,780 in 2024.
How Much Can You Make With a Counseling Certificate?
Median Salaries for Counseling Careers
$59,190
Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
$65,140
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors
$46,110
Rehabilitation Counselors
$63,780
Marriage and Family Therapists
Many counselors enter their careers with the desire to make a difference in their communities. According to the BLS, counseling careers earn close to the median salary for all jobs, which was $49,500 in 2024. Payscale data from April 2025 shows that licensed professional counselors with 20 years of experience earn an average of $71,000, and the top 10% of licensed professional counselors earn an average of $79,000 per year. While it’s not the highest-paying field, it can be a gratifying career.
How Much Does an Online Counseling Certificate Cost?
The average cost of a counseling certificate is $25,365 for a full-time online program and $33,250 for a full-time, on-campus program. Other factors can affect your total costs, including whether you choose to attend a private or public college and the total length of the program.
You could save more on a counseling certificate by attending an in-state public college or enrolling in an online program. Additionally, since a counseling certificate is an advanced certification, you may qualify for grants, scholarships, or financial aid. Your employer may even help pay for your program if you are employed.
How to Get Into an Online Counseling Certificate Program
Applying to an online counseling certificate program follows a typical admissions process. Depending on the program, you may be required to submit your academic records, standardized test scores, and prior experience, including internships or related counseling positions. Some counseling certificates require that you hold a minimum of a master’s degree.
You will also typically need to provide:
- Personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
- CV or resume
- Relevant test scores
Individual program requirements vary. In most cases, highlighting your unique strengths, professional experience, and career plans after earning the certificate can strengthen your application.
How to Choose the Best Counseling Certificate for You
1. Identify your goals.
Understanding your goals is the first step in deciding which counseling certificate is right for you. Carefully examine state licensing or certification requirements to determine whether you have the credits and experience to qualify for your counseling license without a certificate.
You might also be a licensed counselor exploring new specializations or looking to complete continuing education. Either way, consider the type of specialization you want to pursue with a counseling certificate to find the program that most closely aligns with your career goals.
2. Check for accreditation.
Choosing a school with institutional accreditation will make you eligible for federal financial aid and give you the ability to transfer applicable past credits. For certain counseling careers, you may also need to check for programmatic accreditation.
The relevant accreditation body varies by specialization:
- National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC) for addiction studies
- Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) for marriage and family therapy
- Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) for school counseling
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) for school counseling
3. Consider format and length.
Counseling certificate program lengths can vary from a few months for a six-credit certificate to an entire year or more for a 30-credit certificate. Most certificate programs range from 15-30 credits. Consider whether the program is full-time or part-time, on campus or online.
It’s important to check all program requirements to select a program that fits your schedule and other obligations. Online programs may be synchronous or asynchronous and may include a hybrid or evenings/weekends format. Some programs have internship requirements.
4. Review curriculum requirements.
Not all certificate programs qualify you for state licensure or a specialized field. For example, a general counseling certificate may not be sufficient to pursue marriage and family therapy or substance misuse counseling in some states.
Curriculum requirements and certificate outcomes can indicate whether you will qualify for your planned career with a particular certificate program. Reviewing the program’s curriculum helps ensure it aligns with your state’s licensing requirements and will lead you to your career goals.
5. Compare costs and financial aid.
Finally, you’ll want to compare tuition and financial aid packages once you’ve received your acceptance offers to choose a program that allows you to maximize savings. Even before applying, you can speak with admissions advisors to understand college or program-specific scholarships and financial aid.
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Beyond the Graduate Certificate
After earning a graduate certificate, you may qualify to take the state licensing exam or complete additional requirements such as an internship or practicum. Once you’ve earned your certificate in counseling, you can pursue additional certificates or credentials, such as the national certified counselor (NCC).
If your goal is to become a licensed psychologist, you could also pursue a doctorate in psychology. You could earn a counseling license in your state and start working as a counselor in private practice, clinics, schools, outpatient care centers, residential facilities, or the offices of other health practitioners.
