An online master’s in counseling provides you with the knowledge base and educational requirements to pursue or advance your career in counseling professions. Busy counseling professionals can earn the education they need online to advance their careers, without disrupting their lives.
Finding a master’s in counseling in Texas helps Texans find the most affordable programs at colleges and universities they and employers know and trust.
An online master’s in counseling prepares students for advanced positions in professional counseling in a variety of settings, including mental health counselor, substance abuse counselor, family and marriage therapist, Christian counselor, and school counselor. Students in these programs typically have existing professional experience, whether through employment or through practicums; they may be required to complete more as part of the program. Courses in these programs cover advanced counseling topics, such as professional ethics and law, group counseling, private counseling, practice and theory, human development, substance abuse, and conflict resolution.
Counselor and therapist salary information varies by area of practice. Private practitioners, and practice directors tend to earn more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse and mental health counselors earn a median annual salary of $46,630, and rehabilitation counselors earn $35,630. Generally speaking, 50% of counselors in Texas earn at least $58,000 annually, and enjoy a job growth rate of over 21%, much faster than the national average of 5% for all.
To practice, counselors must obtain professional licensure, which varies by state. Professionals in Texas must earn licensure through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. Additionally, some counselors need to earn specific certifications to their area of practice, through organizations such as the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards.
| Job Growth by 2026 | 17% |
| Annual Job Growth | 2.4% |
| Average Wage (Mean): | |
| Entry Level Wage: | |
| Median Wage: | |
| Experienced Wage: | |
| Sources: the Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Labor Market Information Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages Report and the Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Labor Market Information Employment Projections 2016-2026 Report |
Find your online masters degree in counseling in TX
Study confidently at a quality institution in Texas where you know you will receive training relevant to Texas laws and regulations, and with attention to current affairs in Texas. Finding an online degree at a regionally accredited college or university will help ensure not only the acceptance of your degree by hiring professionals, but it will enable you to pursue an advanced degree should you someday want to take your education to the next level.
Here’s our list of online master’s degrees in counseling offered by regionally accredited colleges and universities in Texas. Sort to find the best, most affordable, and best value online colleges for counseling degrees.
-
LeTourneau University
Longview, TX
Program Score
99
TX Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 3,150 (45% fully online) Public or Private Private Non-Profit Number of Online Programs 40 Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $31,270 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards
#2 Best Texas Online CollegeA Best Value Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly SchoolExperienced Online SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly School
See LTU’s full list of online degrees!Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1 MA - Clinical Mental Health Counseling 66 3-4 years -
Abilene Christian University
Addison, TX
Program Score
91
TX Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 5,292 (27% fully online) Public or Private Private Non-Profit Number of Online Programs 75 Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $36,300 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards
#6 Best Texas Online CollegeA Best Value Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly SchoolExperienced Online SchoolDisability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolMilitary Friendly School
See ACU’s full list of online degrees!Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1 MMFT - Marriage and Family Therapy: General 60 3-4 years MMFT - Marriage and Family Therapy: Medical Family Therapy 60 3-4 years MMFT - Marriage and Family Therapy: Treatment of Trauma 60 3-4 years MMFT - Marriage and Family Therapy: Child and Adolescent Therapy 60 3-4 years -
University of North Texas
Denton, TX
Program Score
90
TX Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 39,336 (10% fully online) Public or Private Public Number of Online Programs 63 Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $11,044 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards
#3 Best Texas Online CollegeA Most Affordable Texas Online College #6 Best Value Texas Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly SchoolExperienced Online SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly School
See UNT’s full list of online degrees!Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1 MS - Rehabilitation Counseling 60 3-4 years -
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Waxahachie, TX
Program Score
89
TX Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 2,050 (53% fully online) Public or Private Private Non-Profit Number of Online Programs 69 Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $19,834 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards
#7 Best Texas Online CollegeA Most Affordable Texas Online College A Best Value Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly SchoolExperienced Online SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolMilitary Friendly School
See SAGU’s full list of online degrees!Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1 MS - Clinical Mental Health Counseling 60 3-4 years MS - Clinical Mental Health Counseling 30 2-3 years -
West Texas A&M University
Canyon, TX
Program Score
86
TX Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 9,970 (34% fully online) Public or Private Public Number of Online Programs 59 Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $8,135 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards
#10 Best Texas Online College#6 Most Affordable Texas Online College#5 Best Value Texas Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly SchoolExperienced Online SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly School
See WTAMU’s full list of online degrees!Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1 MA - Counseling 60 2-3 years MEd – Counseling 60 2-3 years MEd – School Counseling 48 2-3 years -
Lubbock Christian University
Lubbock, TX
Program Score
85
TX Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 1,770 (4% fully online) Public or Private Private Non-Profit Number of Online Programs 2 Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $23,330 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards
Adult Student Friendly SchoolExperienced Online SchoolDisability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly School
See LCU’s full list of online degrees!Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1 MA - Clinical Mental Health Counseling 36 2-3 years -
Southwestern Adventist University
Keene, TX
Program Score
85
TX Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 687 (6% fully online) Public or Private Private Non-Profit USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 18 Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $22,188 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards
Top Texas Online College A Most Affordable Texas Online College A Best Value Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly SchoolExperienced Online SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
See SAU’s full list of online degrees!Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1 MS - Clinical Mental Health Counseling 60 3-4 years -
Dallas Baptist University
Dallas, TX
Program Score
85
TX Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 4,487 (15% fully online) Public or Private Private Non-Profit Number of Online Programs 97 Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $30,320 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards
#4 Best Texas Online CollegeA Best Value Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly SchoolExperienced Online SchoolDisability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly School
See DBU’s full list of online degrees!Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1 MA - Professional Development: Counseling 36 2-3 years -
Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX
Program Score
82
TX Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 2,974 (33% fully online) Public or Private Private Non-Profit USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 8 Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $29,218 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards
Adult Student Friendly SchoolExperienced Online SchoolDisability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
See OLLU’s full list of online degrees!Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1 MA - Counseling 48 3-4 years -
University of Houston–Victoria
Victoria, TX
Program Score
81
TX Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 4,506 (57% fully online) Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 102 Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $6,781 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards
#8 Best Texas Online College#2 Most Affordable Texas Online College#1 Best Value Texas Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly SchoolExperienced Online SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
See UHV’s full list of online degrees!Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1 MA - Counseling Psychology 60 3-4 years
