An online Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling leads to one of the most significant careers for people who have the genuine intention to provide valuable help to others. Professional counselors who have acquired knowledge and training from the best academic institutions are skilled in reaching out to families, individuals, and communities.
Depending on their specialization, counselors can aid patients in overcoming any form of addiction, pursuing appropriate careers, unlocking their highest potential, coping with a physical disability, or handling psychological trauma.
Online Bachelor’s in Counseling degree programs are suitable for adult learners and professionals because of their flexible study hours. As professionals, counselors help patients cope with financial stress, depression, the loss of a loved one, and other short-term and long-term concerns. Counselors work in various settings such as schools, private clinics, hospitals, mental health facilities, and rehabilitation centers.
They also depend on fundamental psychological theories and methods and assess multiple variables to determine the appropriate counseling strategy with the desired outcome.
An online Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling may result in career advancements and educational opportunities. The program curriculum delivers strong foundational knowledge in counseling psychology and develops students’ critical thinking, comprehension, communication, and research skills at the same time.
An undergraduate degree in Counseling is vital in pursuing specialized areas of study like Family Therapy and Addictions Counseling.
METHODOLOGY
Our list of Best Online Schools for Bachelor’s in Counseling contains some of the country’s top recommended colleges and universities offering the degree program. Located in various places across America, these online academic institutions are in a league of their own.
While several others provide the distance learning option for earning the degree, the online schools on this list stand out in their coursework and curricula as their most robust program features.
Our list highlights, in random order, the online Counseling undergraduate degree programs with required and elective courses, as well as specializations or program concentrations, that are essential in molding students into becoming future leaders in the field.
Counseling degree programs vary regarding the quality of instruction—a category in which these duly accredited online schools stand out based on the following:
- Offers a variety of degree concentrations,
- Online or Hybrid degree formats,
- Affordable options with Financial Aid through Grants, Scholarships, and Military Discounts,
- Comprehensive studies in Counseling, such as drug and alcohol addictions, grief counseling, spiritual crisis counseling, behavioral and psychology, as well as, family and teen counseling, among others,
- Focuses on psychological and philosophical theories and concepts,
- Designed to assist students working towards a professional degree and certifications within the field of Counseling,
- Encourages service within your own community, through counseling or ministry,
- Properly accredited.
A Bachelor’s in Counseling degree program is a comprehensive and multidisciplinary program that prepares students for a career in the field of mental health and human services. It provides students with a strong foundation in theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and ethical principles, allowing them to effectively support and guide individuals and communities towards emotional and psychological well-being.
Please see our Methodology page for a deeper understanding.
Best Online Schools for Bachelor’s in Counseling
The Baptist College of Florida
Online BS in Christian Counseling
The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville, Florida features an online Bachelor of Science in Christian Counseling degree program. It involves coursework in counseling and psychology to teach students how to establish and verbalize their counseling theory and allow full integration of the Christian worldview.
The 120-credit coursework consists of general education classes and biblical foundation classes. General education classes may also include subjects such as English, mathematics, and science.
The biblical foundation classes provide a fundamental working knowledge of biblical figures and lessons that are deemed applicable to present situations. Courses also focus more on diagnostic skills and interpersonal research for the preparation of students to pursue a master’s degree in psychology or counseling.
The academic institution is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Oral Roberts University
Online BS in Christian Caregiving and Counseling
Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma offers an online Bachelor of Science in Christian Caregiving and Counseling degree program. Graduates are expected to pursue careers as chaplains, missionaries, researchers, teachers, or certified counselors.
To become a certified counselor, students are required to complete a graduate-level program. The 128-credit coursework consists of classes in natural science, theological studies, and social sciences.
Senior students are required to take an internship or capstone project to show the students’ growth for the whole program. There are also two various graduate-level Christian counseling options. The university is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Higher Learning Commission.
Central Michigan University
Online BS with a Major in Psychology
Central Michigan University offers its students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology through an online format; however, some on-campus attendance is required.
Your program will focus on Behavior Analysis, Human Development, Research Methods, and an Introduction to Psychological Statistics, plus more. You will also learn about personality, cognition, and cultural awareness.
120 credit hours are required to complete the program. Depending on your career goal, earning an online BS in Psychology degree from CMU will further your efforts for preparing you for a successful career in counseling, social work, human resources, teaching, human services, or nursing, to name a few. CMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Aspen University
Online BA in Psychology and Addiction Counseling
Located in Denver, Colorado, Aspen University features an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Addiction Counseling degree program. It is ideal for students interested in psychology or counseling and also for well-experienced professionals seeking career advancement. The program also emphasizes individual and family therapy, healthcare ethics, and substance abuse treatment.
Core courses include Psychology of Addiction Counseling, Assessment Procedures: Addiction Counseling, and Counseling Skills. Upon completion of this degree program, graduates are required to finish additional supervised counseling hours to attain state certification. The university is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
University of Cincinnati
Purely Online BS in Substance Abuse Counseling Program
Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the University of Cincinnati offers a purely online Bachelor of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling program. It mainly emphasizes issues that talk about chemical dependency.
The curriculum entails advanced studies of counseling strategies for preparation for national and state certifications. It also takes a detailed view of addiction and abuse treatments, and the degree itself continuously evolves since counselors establish new strategies for the evaluation of substance abuse issues.
Students benefit from well-experienced faculty in the areas of counseling and research. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Clarks Summit University
Online BS in Addictions Counseling / Online BS in Counseling Ministries
Clarks Summit University in South Abington Township, Pennsylvania features an online Bachelor of Science in Addictions Counseling degree program and an online Bachelor of Science in Counseling Ministries degree program. The goal of the counseling program is to educate online students about counseling and psychology topics from a biblical perspective.
Through this degree program, students can acquire counseling skills and promote spirituality in potential clients. It is highly ideal for students who what to pursue advancement in educational training.
The 123-credit coursework includes dynamics of discipleship, women counseling women, adolescent and adult psychology, building a biblical lifestyle, and personality theory. On the other hand, the counseling ministries program emphasizes the philosophical methods of biblical counseling and is designed for students who will be entering counseling careers in the ministry.
The 122-credit coursework of this program consists of courses in biblical studies, dynamics of discipleship, and pastoral counseling and marriage. Students who entirely concentrate on ministry become prepared to pursue church counseling after finishing the degree program.
Online classes are delivered in eight-week, asynchronous sessions and may be completed in four years. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MICHE) has accredited the university.
Crown College
Online BA in Psychology/ Counseling Degree
Situated in Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota, Crown College features an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/ Counseling degree program that integrates a biblical perspective.
Students have the opportunity to learn about psychological theories from a Christian perspective and join skills-based training. There is also a minor in drug and alcohol counseling available for students who wish to seek careers in addiction counseling and Christian rehabilitation.
The 125 to 131-credit coursework includes topics like human development and behavior, techniques for better listening, counseling theory, foundations of Christian thought, diversity issues in counseling, and methods of counseling and psychotherapy.
Graduates may pursue careers as addiction counselors, human resources and services workers, community relations workers, administrators, and church counselors. Crown College is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Hobe Sound Bible College
Online BA in Counseling
Hobe Sound Bible College in Hobe Sound, Florida, features an online Bachelor of Arts in Counseling degree program. The 129-credit coursework consists of topics such as the Bible, marriage therapy, crisis intervention, foundations of faith, family therapy general education, and major courses. Students may learn to use their psychology and religion to counsel people in many situations.
The degree program aims to demonstrate spiritual enhancement and equip students for various counseling careers. Hobe Sound Bible College is accredited by the Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE).
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Online BA in Counseling (Pre-professional)
Located in Waxahachie, Texas, Southwestern Assemblies of God University features an online Bachelor of Arts in Counseling (Pre-professional) degree program. Students may explore various theological and scripture concepts, aside from learning more about events, personalities, and improvements in Pentecostal and church history.
Students are required to do a philosophy of ministry, where they can explain the church’s mission, then take an exam to earn ministry credentials in their discipline of choice. Graduates are expected to understand the relationship between the Christian faith and psychology, as they are both utilized to counsel clients.
The 127-credit program includes 52 general education credits, 57 major credits, and 18 elective credits on topics like strategies for addictive behavior and recovery, the psychology of selfhood and the Christian faith, human sexuality marriage, and family counseling, and the theories of personality. Online students may have access to resources like the career center, the wellness center, and the counseling center.
The coursework is in an asynchronous format and may be completed at an accelerated pace, with resources accessible through Blackboard. They may also take a three-hour experiential learning credit course for the proper demonstration of past work experience and knowledge.
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
Liberty University
Online BS in Psychology with an Emphasis on Christian Counseling Degree Program
Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University features an online Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an emphasis on Christian Counseling degree program. The degree program aims to teach students the proper approaches and strategies with regard to counseling from the Christian point of view.
Students can learn Bible-based counseling methods and assess theoretical strategies and psychotherapy methods. It also has a goal of training students for counseling and psychology positions in non-clinical environments.
The 120-credit coursework is composed of general education courses or major foundational courses such as composition and rhetoric, social psychology, issues in Christian counseling, behavioral modification, communication, math, technology, and Christian life and thought. It also includes a three-credit-hour internship and the degree can also be taken in an accelerated format.
The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
Trinity College of the Bible and Graduate School
BA in Biblical Counseling, BA in Christian Counseling, BA in Counseling Ministry, and BA in Nouthetic Counseling
Trinity College of the Bible and Graduate School in Evansville, Indiana has four online counseling-related degree programs, Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Counseling, Bachelor of Arts in Christian Counseling, Bachelor of Arts in Counseling Ministry, and Bachelor of Arts in Nouthetic Counseling degree programs.
Students will have the opportunity to counsel and guide other Christians through their difficult times, and they may pursue jobs in religious organizations and churches. Since the college has a wide range of online degrees, students may have access to various services like its virtual library.
The university is accredited by The Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE).
Johnson University
Online BA in Pastoral Care and Counseling
Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, Johnson University features a purely online Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling degree program. The goal of the program is to prepare students for tasks such as pastoral care, godly counsel, and efficient leadership in pastoral ministry settings.
Online students can gain conceptual and practical knowledge in real-world environments through professional internships. The degree can be completed in four years. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Toccoa Falls College
Online BS in Counseling Psychology
Situated in Toccoa Falls, Georgia, Toccoa Falls College features an online Bachelor of Science in Counseling Psychology degree program. It is a combination of Christian principles and counseling strategies. The 126-credit coursework consists of 69 general education requirements, 15 elective credits, 54 major credits, and a service and outreach requirement.
Courses include Christ-centered counseling, family therapy, crisis and trauma therapy, and foundations of spiritual formation. Students need to take at least 72 credits of general education prerequisite subjects such as the Bible and theology, as well as social sciences.
Professors are experts in adventure-based counseling, human sexuality, and gender identity. Practical experience can be gained from a counseling internship and a service and outreach project to help students find security even after graduation.
Coursework is taught in an asynchronous format. Online resources also allow access to an academic advisor, counseling, and career services.
Toccoa Falls College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the possible career paths of graduates of Bachelor’s degree in Counseling?
Counseling graduates may pursue various career paths like the following:
- School counselor
- Substance abuse counselor
- Ministry counselor
- Psychologist
- Mental Health Counselor
What is the typical coursework of the Bachelor’s degree in the Counseling curriculum?
The typical coursework for this degree program involves the following topics:
- Introduction to psychology
- Introduction to substance abuse
- Physiology of substance abuse
- Individual counseling
- Group and family counseling
- Psychopharmacology
- Laws and ethics
- Individual counseling methods
- Family therapy
- Problem and compulsive gambling
- Ethics/confidentiality in addiction and prevention
- Christian Counseling
- Human and Spiritual Development Theory
How long will it take to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Counseling online?
A bachelor’s degree program in counseling can be completed in two to five years.
What will make me successful in the field of Counseling?
Success in the field of counseling requires a combination of personal characteristics, skills, and knowledge.
Some important factors that can contribute to success in this field include:
- Empathy and compassion: The ability to empathize with and understand the feelings and experiences of others is crucial in counseling. This allows you to build strong relationships with clients and help them feel heard and supported.
- Active listening skills: Effective counseling involves actively listening to clients without judgment. This enables you to fully understand their concerns and needs and respond in a way that makes them feel heard and understood.
- Communication skills: Good communication skills are essential for counseling, as you will need to effectively convey information, listen to clients, and build rapport with them. This includes both verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Cultural competence: In a diverse society, it is important to have an understanding and appreciation of different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs. This allows you to provide effective counseling to clients from different backgrounds and to avoid imposing your own values and beliefs onto them.
- Clinical knowledge and training: A solid foundation of knowledge in the theories, methods, and practices of counseling is crucial for success in this field. This includes understanding mental health issues, human development, and different approaches to therapy.
- Self-awareness and self-reflection: To be an effective counselor, it is important to have a good understanding of your own thoughts, feelings, and biases. This will help you to avoid projecting your own issues onto clients and to maintain a professional and ethical stance.
- Boundaries and self-care: Counseling can be emotionally demanding, so it is important to have strong boundaries and a good self-care routine. This will help you to maintain your mental and emotional well-being and avoid burnout.
- Continuing education and professional development: The field of counseling is constantly evolving, and it is important to stay updated on the latest research, techniques, and best practices. This can be achieved through attending conferences, workshops, and additional training courses.
- Networking and collaboration: Building relationships with other professionals in the field can provide opportunities for collaboration, learning, and growth. This can also help expand your client base and provide support and guidance from colleagues.
- A genuine desire to help others: Ultimately, the most important factor for success in counseling is a genuine desire to help others. This means being dedicated, patient, and committed to providing clients with the best possible care and support.
Additional Information:
- BEST ONLINE SCHOOLS FOR BACHELOR’S IN APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAMS
- THE BEST ONLINE SCHOOLS FOR BACHELOR’S IN FAMILY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
- THE BEST ONLINE SCHOOLS FOR BACHELOR’S IN THEOLOGY