Online Counseling Degrees

Grand Canyon University’s online counseling degrees can prepare you to counsel clients from diverse backgrounds. Designed to ensure you are academically prepared to meet the requirements for licensure, our programs from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences can provide a pathway toward pursuing a career that enables you to make a positive difference in the lives of others who are struggling with behavioral and mental health issues.

71,500

Estimated number of new jobs to open for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors from 2022 to 20321

Empower Your Clients To Overcome Life Challenges

As a counselor, you will work with clients who are impacted by psychological, social, behavioral and emotional issues. Your mission is to help your clients understand their issues better, acquire effective coping skills and overcome the challenges that may be holding them back in life. Thorough academic preparation for the field may help you to better help your clients.

Choose from a variety of online programs at GCU, from our Bachelor of Science in Counseling non-licensure degree to our master’s in counseling degrees, which include the clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, addiction counseling and Christian-focused counseling emphasis areas.

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Counselors talking to family

Explore Online Counseling Programs at GCU

We are pleased to educate the next generation of counselors. If you have a passion for helping others achieve better wellness, you can find your purpose at GCU. Earn your degree online by choosing from one of the following options.

Undergraduate Counseling Majors

GCU invites you to begin your academic journey by joining our supportive online learning community. Our undergraduate counseling programs include:

BS in Addiction Counseling

Pursue your calling with a BS in Counseling with an Emphasis in Addiction, Chemical Dependency and Substance Abuse. Examine the foundations of addictive disorders, family dynamics, ethics, counseling theories and more.

BS in BHS Degrees

The Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science (BHS) takes a deep dive into the research, trends, techniques and best practices in this subfield. After exploring core competencies in behavioral health, cultural diversity, information technology and professional networking, you will be expected to complete a capstone project. The BS in BHS is available with multiple emphases, including childhood and adolescent disorders, family dynamics, substance use disorders and trauma.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Cultural competence, advocacy and professional ethics and leadership are at the heart of the Bachelor of Social Work degree program. Examine topics as diverse as social justice and human behavior, social welfare policy and case management. This degree program requires the completion of field experience/practicum hours.

Find an Online Master’s in Counseling That Fits Your Goals

If you’ve already completed your undergraduate education, GCU can help you continue to pursue your goals with our master’s degree programs. A variety of degree options and emphases are available so you can choose the program that best fits your aspirations.

Options for Specializing in Addiction Counseling

Prepare to counsel those with substance use and addiction disorders by exploring coursework on counseling theory, ethical practice, assessment and group counseling skill development. Or, choose a Christian counseling-focused program to develop a strong biblical foundation to apply in the counseling field.

Earn Your MS in CMHC

The degree in clinical mental health is a licensure track program ideal for students seeking ways to promote mental well-being. With multiple emphases to choose from, you have the opportunity to develop expertise in your preferred area of study. You will be taught how to help people from diverse backgrounds find mental health and emotional healing.

MEd in School Counseling

Do you connect well with children and adolescents and have a passion for helping them thrive, despite their challenges? You may be interested in the Master of Education in School Counseling. Examine best practices in advocacy for pre-K-12 students, thereby empowering the young leaders of tomorrow to pursue their full potential.

Discover Mental Health and Wellness Emphases

From marriage and family therapy to child and adolescent counseling, there is a wealth of specializations to consider pursuing based on your interests. Wherever your talents lie, you can find a mental health and wellness emphasis program that aligns with your professional passion. GCU invites you to explore our master’s degree emphases designed to focus on specializations within this area.

Master's in Social Work

A Master of Social Work degree program teaches you how to become a competent and ethical social work practitioner who applies evidence-based practices and techniques when working with diverse individuals, families and communities. Through program and practice evaluation, advocacy and counseling, you will be expected to empower those whom you serve to overcome both individual challenges and social injustices.

Button to play video: Go to College Online at GCU!

Your virtual counseling education can enable you to meet your academic goals regardless of geographic location. GCU’s curriculum and coursework cover the breadth of counseling, advocacy and social justice competencies expected for the field. Our biblically rooted degree programs examine counseling theories and practices through the Christian worldview, with a focus on professional ethics and legal standards.

Our Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degrees have maintained accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation (CSWE). The National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC) has granted accreditation to the Master of Science in Addiction Counseling, and the Master of Science in Christian Counseling of Substance Use and Addictive Disorders has received conditional accreditation.

GCU is pleased to be an institutionally accredited university that prioritizes educational quality, instructional expertise and the student experience. The Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Humanities and Social Science shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.

All U.S. states require a master’s degree in counseling to become licensed as a counselor.2 You will need to work with the appropriate board in your state to ensure that courses meet the requirements for licensure or certification. Our graduate-level counseling programs were developed to meet the academic requirements established by the National Board for Certified Counselors and/or Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

To gain entry into any of our programs, you must first fulfill certain admission requirements. Learn more about GCU's admission requirements and your options for transferring credits to one of our programs.

Embrace further opportunities to develop transferable skills and subject-area understanding across various fields and disciplines by enrolling in a minor. Choose from minors in psychology, foreign language and cultural studies, family and social services, communications and more. Explore insights into the populations you may serve in your professional practice.

Career Opportunities in the Counseling Field

A career in counseling can be a great choice for those who want to help people achieve mental health wellness. Furthermore, counseling is a career worth considering if you’re interested in a field that demonstrates job growth. According to the BLS, job growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors is projected to grow by an estimated 18% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 71,500 jobs in the field.1

Counselors are needed in a wide range of fields and settings, including:4

  • Hospitals
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Doctor’s offices
  • Residential mental health treatment facilities
  • Correctional facilities, including juvenile detention facilities
Counselor talking to patient

Frequently Asked Questions

Before applying to a counseling program, it can be helpful to learn more about the field and your career and degree options. GCU has compiled the following information to assist you in your decision-making process.

Web-based counseling degrees from accredited schools offer a thorough preparation in counseling theories and competencies. Earning your degree online can be an excellent choice and can enable you to work toward your degree regardless of your location and on a schedule that fits your needs. The curriculum and coursework available are designed with the needs of both future counselors and their clients in mind.

Yes, earning your counseling degree in an online format is an option. GCU’s online counseling programs allow you to earn your degree around your busy schedule. Maintain work-life balance while benefiting from quality instruction and the diverse perspectives of peers from near and far. Some degrees may require field experience/practicum hours, which are designed to be completed locally.

Holding a relevant bachelor’s degree in areas such as counseling, psychology or social work may give you an opportunity to help others in some capacity. Depending on state and employer requirements, some may choose to work as academic or career counselors in schools. However, in order to practice as a licensed counselor, you will need to earn a master’s degree in counseling to meet the educational requirements.2 Review your state-specific requirements for more information.

To open a private practice, you will first need a master’s degree, either online or in person, to become licensed as a counselor.2 Once you are licensed by the state board as a counselor, you may be able to practice in areas that comply with your license or certification, including opening a private practice. Before opening your private practice, however, it is recommended that you gain experience in a professional counseling setting.

An online counseling degree can be well worth the investment for those looking to enter into this field. Online degrees that are earned from an institutionally accredited school are held to the high standards of the accrediting body, presenting you with the opportunity to feel qualified and prepared for a career in the field. Additionally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors had a median annual salary of $53,710 as of May 2023.3

Online Student Resources and Support

GCU strives to promote critical thinking with applied practice to help prepare you for today’s evolving workforce. All our students, including our online learning community, receive support services designed to facilitate their academic progress. To that end, our online students have access to a robust menu of student resources at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

1COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors, retrieved May 23, 2024.

2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). How to become a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, or mental health counselor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved May 23, 2024.

3 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors as of May 2023, retrieved June 10, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc., against a pool of candidates.

4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors: Work environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved May 23, 2024.

Find the counseling program that fits your career goals and apply online today.