An affordable online counseling master's can widen your options, but the lowest tuition will not help if the degree misses a Texas licensing requirement or requires fieldwork you cannot complete locally. This guide helps prospective students compare cost, clinical training, timelines, and career fit. It accompanies the 2027 Most Affordable Online Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Texas, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about programs worth considering. Use it to identify what to verify before you apply.
Key findings about online Counseling degrees in Texas
For a prospective Texas licensed professional counselor, verify that the degree and supervised training meet Texas board requirements before comparing tuition; "online" and "counseling" do not establish licensure eligibility. Source: Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.
Compare the full price of required credits, fees, travel, and local fieldwork - not just the advertised per-credit rate. A less expensive program may cost more if placement or residency requirements disrupt paid work.
The U.S. median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025, with employment projected to grow 18% from 2025 to 2035. That national occupation-wide figure is context for a career decision, not a starting-salary forecast. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What can I expect from an online Counseling degree in Texas?
Expect graduate coursework delivered partly or largely online, paired with supervised, in-person practice. A counseling master's is preparation for a particular role - not a single credential that qualifies graduates for every counseling job. Clinical mental health, addiction, rehabilitation, and school counseling programs can lead toward different licenses, certifications, and employers.
For Texas applicants, the first question is which credential the curriculum is designed to support. A clinical program should be evaluated against Texas licensed professional counselor requirements; a professional school counseling program should be evaluated against Texas Education Agency certification rules. An addiction-focused degree deserves a separate check against the credential required by the intended employer or licensing authority. Sources: Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors; Texas Education Agency; Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Online delivery can make coursework accessible from outside a university's city, but it does not remove practicum, internship, supervision, or possible campus-attendance obligations. If you are comparing academic quality as well as price, the best counseling programs offer another lens on the decision.
Where can I work with an online Counseling degree in Texas?
Work settings depend on the credential you ultimately obtain. Clinical mental health counselors may work in community behavioral health, hospitals, group practices, or private practice when their license and experience permit it. Rehabilitation counselors may work in vocational rehabilitation and disability services; addiction counselors may work in substance-use treatment; school counselors work in educational settings. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors; Texas Education Agency.
Location matters even with an online degree: fieldwork must be available where you live, and employers in different settings may expect different supervised experience. Before enrolling from a rural area or a city far from campus, ask who finds placements, which supervisors qualify, and whether the school has approved sites within a realistic commute.
A national wage figure can help you compare occupations, but it should not be mistaken for a Texas graduate's expected pay. The U.S. median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025; school and career counselors and advisors had a $64,330 median. These are occupation-wide medians that include workers at different career stages and in different locations. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 wage data.
Use the occupation matching your intended job, then compare current Texas postings for the settings and cities where you could actually work. In particular, distinguish an associate-level role requiring supervision from an independently licensed position. A useful investment test compares your likely post-degree earnings with your current earnings, borrowing costs, time away from work, and the time needed to become fully licensed - not with a national median alone.
The programs associated with this ranking differ most meaningfully by the profession they prepare students to enter. The following program-specific distinctions can help you build a shortlist; confirm current delivery format, credit requirements, placements, and licensure alignment directly with each university before applying.
University of North Texas - M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling: Its online rehabilitation counseling focus centers the decision on disability, access, and employment-related practice rather than general mental health counseling. It is a useful comparison for applicants targeting rehabilitation services, but prospective Texas LPC applicants should separately verify the program's clinical and board alignment. Source: University of North Texas program information.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center - M.S. in Addiction Counseling: This is the clearest substance-use-focused option among the listed health sciences programs. Choose it for a defined interest in addiction treatment, and ask which Texas credentials its curriculum and supervised experience support. Source: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center program information.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center - M.S. in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling: The program explicitly combines clinical and rehabilitation counseling in one degree title, a different emphasis from addiction counseling or rehabilitation counseling without "clinical" in the title. That distinction may matter if you want to work with disability-related needs alongside mental health concerns; verify the intended licensure path. Source: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center program information.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center - M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: This option targets clinical mental health rather than the university's addiction or clinical rehabilitation specializations. It fits applicants who want to evaluate a health-professions-based path toward mental health practice, subject to confirmation of Texas board requirements. Source: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center program information.
Midwestern State University - Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Its clinical mental health focus makes the relevant comparison its approved training and placement arrangements, not rehabilitation or school-counselor coursework. Applicants near Wichita Falls should ask whether local supervision is feasible and which portions, if any, require campus attendance. Source: Midwestern State University program information.
Sam Houston State University - M.A. in Counseling: The degree is housed in counselor education, so applicants should identify the exact track and its fieldwork requirements rather than assume that a broadly titled counseling M.A. serves every credential. Request the current degree plan and Texas credential-alignment statement before comparing its price with a specifically named clinical program. Source: Sam Houston State University graduate catalog.
East Texas Baptist University - M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: This is a clinical mental health degree at a Baptist university, making institutional setting an especially relevant fit question alongside licensure preparation. Ask how the curriculum, supervision, and any faith-informed expectations would affect your training and preferred practice setting. Source: East Texas Baptist University program information.
Texas A&M University-Victoria - Clinical Mental Health Counseling: This program names clinical mental health as its professional destination, unlike the university's separate professional school counseling option. It is the more relevant of those two routes to investigate if your goal is community-based clinical practice rather than school certification. Source: Texas A&M University-Victoria program information.
Texas A&M University-Victoria - Professional School Counseling: Its school-specific focus distinguishes it from clinical mental health programs in the set. Prospective students should confirm Texas Education Agency certification alignment and school placements instead of assuming it also provides the coursework needed for an LPC application. Source: Texas A&M University-Victoria program information; Texas Education Agency.
Stephen F. Austin State University - M.A. in Professional Counseling: The professional counseling designation merits a close look at its available pathways and the credential attached to each one. Ask for the current concentration-specific degree plan so you can compare the route you need, rather than the general degree title, with other programs. Source: Stephen F. Austin State University program information.
Many students should plan on roughly two to three years of full-time study for a counseling master's, with longer timelines possible when attending part time. The exact duration depends on required credits, course scheduling, and when approved fieldwork can begin. Texas LPC applicants must pay particular attention to the board's graduate education and supervised-practice rules; finishing classes is not the same as completing the path to independent licensure. Source: Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.
An accelerated schedule makes sense only if you can also secure supervision and meet fieldwork hours without sacrificing employment you need to fund school. Compare published sequencing - not just the shortest advertised finish date - when reviewing the fastest counseling programs.
The main difference is where and how you complete classes, not whether you need supervised practice. An online student may attend live video sessions or complete coursework asynchronously, but clinical skills work, placements, and supervision must still satisfy the program and any applicable Texas credential rules. Sources: Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors; Texas Education Agency.
This comparison highlights the format questions most likely to affect cost and completion:
Factor
Online program
On-campus program
Course access
May reduce regular travel to campus; live meeting times can still constrain work.
Requires regular attendance at the teaching location.
Clinical placement
May allow a placement near home if the school approves the site and supervisor.
May offer easier access to established nearby placement relationships.
True cost
Compare online fees, travel for any residencies, and lost work time.
Compare commuting or relocation expenses as well as tuition.
Neither format is automatically easier to enter, cheaper overall, or preferable for licensure. Request a written explanation of attendance and placement obligations before treating an online label as a promise that you will never travel.
There is no single defensible average price for the programs on this page without comparing the same academic year, required credits, residency classifications, and mandatory fees. Institution-wide graduate tuition figures are not the same as a counseling program's total cost. A Texas resident considering a public university should also verify eligibility for the resident rate; an online format does not itself establish residency. Source: National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS tuition definitions; individual university tuition and residency policies.
Request a term-by-term estimate covering tuition, program and distance-learning fees, required campus visits, materials, background checks, and placement-related expenses. Then subtract confirmed grants or assistantship support and compare likely borrowing. The most valuable counseling programs provide a complementary view, but return on investment also depends on completion probability, lost earnings while studying, your current income, future earnings, and the time horizon over which you repay debt.
Eligible students can submit the FAFSA to be considered for federal graduate loans and school-administered aid. Also ask each university about graduate assistantships, employer tuition support, and aid restricted to particular programs or enrollment levels. State-funded assistance has its own eligibility rules; confirm whether a specific Texas award covers your degree and online enrollment. Sources: Federal Student Aid; Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; university financial aid offices.
Graduate PLUS requires special caution for 2027 planning. Under the federal rule effective for new graduate borrowing beginning July 2026, a student newly entering a program should not build a budget that depends on Graduate PLUS availability. Transitional eligibility may apply to certain continuing students who met the federal enrollment and prior-borrowing conditions for the same program; confirm individual eligibility with the school's financial aid office. Source: Federal Student Aid, Graduate PLUS guidance.
Compare aid offers by net cost and resulting debt, not by the total aid amount: a loan makes school payable now but does not reduce its price. Ask how a slower, part-time schedule changes aid eligibility before choosing it to preserve work hours.
View the chart data as a table
Projected job growth 2025-2035 by counseling career path (U.S., BLS) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
Mental Health Counselors
18
Marriage & Family Therapists
14
Postsecondary Teachers
7
Psychologists
6
School & Career Counselors
3
Rehabilitation Counselors
2
All occupations
3
Typically, applicants need a bachelor's degree and must satisfy the university's graduate admissions requirements. Programs may also request transcripts, references, a statement of purpose, an interview, or evidence of readiness for supervised practice; prerequisites and admissions tests vary by school. Confirm requirements on the current program admissions page rather than assuming that a related undergraduate major is mandatory. Source: individual university admissions policies.
Admission is separate from professional eligibility. Before paying an application fee, send the program your intended Texas credential and ask for its current written explanation of curricular alignment, accreditation status, and placement support. CACREP is a programmatic accreditor to check, but accreditation claims should be verified for the specific program, not inferred from the university's institutional accreditation. Sources: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.
Credit-transfer policies deserve the same early check: a school may limit graduate credits accepted from another institution or decline to substitute prior coursework for clinical training. Applicants comparing admission requirements can consult the easiest counseling programs, but an accessible admissions process does not reduce licensing or fieldwork requirements.
Clinical counseling curricula commonly cover counseling theories, helping skills, assessment, ethics, diagnosis, research, and supervised practicum or internship. A rehabilitation curriculum adds disability and vocational topics; addiction coursework emphasizes substance-use assessment and treatment; school counseling focuses on work in educational settings. The precise course plan matters because similarly named degrees may prepare students for different credentials. Sources: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; individual university program catalogs.
Compare the catalog's required courses with the Texas rules for your intended credential, then ask how the program documents clinical hours and qualified supervision. A red flag is a school that describes licensure preparation broadly but cannot explain which requirements its curriculum addresses and which remain the graduate's responsibility.
The listed programs illustrate four useful directions: clinical mental health, addiction, rehabilitation or clinical rehabilitation, and professional school counseling. These are not interchangeable labels. Clinical mental health is the most direct category to investigate for community-based therapy goals; school counseling is aimed at educational practice; rehabilitation focuses on disability-related needs; and addiction focuses on substance-use treatment.
Choose by the work you want to do and the Texas credential an employer will expect, not by a specialization's apparent breadth. If your goal is undecided, compare required courses and placements across tracks before applying; switching later can mean additional coursework or a different supervised experience. Sources: Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors; Texas Education Agency; individual university program catalogs.
Start with the job and credential you want, then compare only programs that plausibly support that route. A low price is valuable when the program also fits your schedule, location, and professional requirements. These checks help prevent the costliest mismatches:
Identify your intended role and ask the relevant Texas board or agency - and the program - how the degree maps to its education requirements.
Verify the specific program's accreditation status, required courses, clinical hours, and any in-person attendance.
Ask who arranges placements, whether sites near your home are eligible, and what happens if a placement is delayed.
Obtain a full written cost estimate for your residency and enrollment status, then compare aid, likely debt, and time away from paid work.
Request program-level completion, placement, and applicable exam-outcome information with reporting dates; do not substitute university-wide figures for program results.
For some readers, a lower-cost program with a longer schedule will preserve earnings and be the better investment. For others, nearby supervision or a clearly documented credential pathway will justify a higher price. Avoid committing on the strength of a ranking, tuition headline, or "fully online" claim alone.
A master's can support a path into clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or addiction treatment, depending on its curriculum and the credential subsequently earned. Graduates may initially need supervised practice, examinations, certification, or licensure before performing certain roles independently. Degree completion alone does not confer a Texas professional license or school counselor certificate. Sources: Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors; Texas Education Agency; Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
The degree is most compelling for someone committed to a role that requires graduate-level preparation and willing to complete its supervised pathway. If your goal is a support position that does not require that credential, compare its actual hiring requirements first; a shorter or employer-funded route may meet your objective with less debt.
View the chart data as a table
Reported total program cost distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
$20,000-$39,999
12
$40,000-$59,999
3
$60,000-$79,999
0
$80,000-$99,999
1
National projections indicate meaningful demand in some counseling occupations, but they do not predict openings in your preferred Texas city. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 18% employment growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors from 2025 to 2035. That supports investigating the field, not assuming a particular graduate will secure a clinical position or qualify for independent practice immediately. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025-2035 Employment Projections.
For a local decision, review current vacancies in your intended setting and note which Texas license, supervision status, specialty, and work location each requires. Compare those requirements with the program's placement network. An online degree offers geographic flexibility while studying, but the strength of your local training options and the jobs you are willing to travel to or relocate for still shape its practical value.
2027 Most Affordable Online Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Texas
Investing in a counseling degree is a consequential financial and career decision. Research.com created this ranking to make program comparisons more credible and useful, drawing on established education datasets and checking factors that matter beyond an advertised tuition rate.
Research.com's counseling rankings consider graduate outcomes, licensure-exam pass rates where applicable, accreditation, federal Title IV eligibility, and program cost. The Most Affordable ranking orders programs by cost. In the separate Best ranking, a graduate-outcomes-and-accreditation score considers completion, employment or doctoral admission, applicable exam results, CACREP recognition, and Title IV eligibility; cost has a smaller role. Criteria that do not apply to a program are excluded and the remaining shares are adjusted. The methodology applies to online and on-campus programs.
These sources were used to create the ranking; comparing them helps distinguish a program's published price from its institutional characteristics and reported outcomes:
IPEDS database - institutional enrollment, completion, and pricing data.
The ranking is a starting point, not a substitute for a current, individualized price quote or a licensing review. Readers can find further detail on Research.com's methodology.
# 1 position
University of North Texas
Master
Rehabilitation Counseling, M.S.
Delivery mode: online
96.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.3 years (full-time)
Specialization
Rehabilitation Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2023-24)
Application deadline
Fall: March 15; Spring: October 20
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
University of North Texas earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 96.4/100, supported by $21,167 total tuition and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 2 position
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Master
Master of Science in Addiction Counseling
Delivery mode: online
94.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years estimated time to completion
Specialization
Addiction Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.70 - 4.00
Program completion rate
84.93% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2025-26)
Application deadline
Spring 2027: October 22, 2026; Fall: May 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; related field preferred, others considered. Recommended GPA 2.7 overall or in last 60 semester hours; lower GPAs considered with 3+ years of relevant addiction or human services work.
Additional requirements
Online SHP application, $75 application fee, official transcripts, and two recommendation letters. Selected applicants complete a web-based interview. International transcripts require a course-by-course evaluation.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 94.2/100, supported by $24,116 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-03-31.
# 3 position
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
Delivery mode: online
94.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2-3 years
Specialization
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.70 - 4.00
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: May 1; Spring: Oct 22
Application process
direct (TTUHSC SHP Application)
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in a related area such as psychology, sociology, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, social work, special education, or nursing (other areas also considered).
Additional requirements
Online SHP application, $75 application fee, official transcripts, resume, two (preferably three) letters of recommendation, essay, criminal background check.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 94.2/100, supported by $24,116 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-03-31.
# 4 position
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: online
94.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years estimated time to completion
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Licensure exam pass rate
96% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall 2027: May 1, 2027
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in a related area such as psychology, sociology, rehabilitation, social work, special education or nursing; others considered. Minimum GPA of 3.0 (or 3.0 in last 60 hours).
Additional requirements
Online SHP application, $75 non-refundable application fee, official transcripts, current resume, two (preferably three) letters of recommendation, admissions essay.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 94.2/100, supported by $24,116 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-03-31.
# 5 position
Midwestern State University
Master
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health
Delivery mode: online
91.90
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall 2027: August 1, 2027
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Additional requirements
Application to McAda Graduate School; Application Fee ($50 domestic / $75 international); Official Transcripts with Numeric GPA; Non-Advanced Certificate Form; Three Letters of Recommendation.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Midwestern State University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 91.9/100, supported by $27,397 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-10-31.
# 6 position
Sam Houston State University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
91.40
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Program completion rate
95% (2022-23)
Employment or doctoral admission
85% (2022-23)
Licensure exam pass rate
95% (2022-23)
Application process
direct (ApplyTexas + Office of Graduate Admissions Self-Service Portal)
GRE
no
Additional requirements
ApplyTexas graduate application and fee; official transcript from the institution conferring the undergraduate degree; two reference forms; personal statement; interview for top candidates after holistic review.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Sam Houston State University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 91.4/100, supported by $28,011 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 7 position
East Texas Baptist University
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: online
90.00
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.5-3.5 years (full-time)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
85% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
90% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Nine hours in the field of Psychology, three of which must be in a counseling-related area; deficiencies must be satisfied by taking appropriate undergraduate courses.
Additional requirements
Bachelor's with 2.75 GPA (or 3.00 last 60 hours); background check; interview; 9 hours of psychology prerequisites (3 counseling-related); TOEFL for foreign degrees if requested; GRE not required.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
East Texas Baptist University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 90.0/100, supported by $29,965 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-10-31.
# 8 position
Texas A&M University - Victoria
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
89.80
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Program completion rate
93% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
December 31
GRE
no
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Texas A&M University - Victoria earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 89.8/100, supported by $30,182 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-10-31.
# 9 position
Texas A&M University - Victoria
Master
Master of Science in Professional Counseling – Professional School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
89.80
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Program completion rate
67% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
December 31
GRE
no
Additional requirements
ApplyTexas graduate application by December 31; official transcripts of all non-A&M-Victoria coursework and degrees; criminal background check through the Texas Department of Public Safety;
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Texas A&M University - Victoria earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 89.8/100, supported by $30,182 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-10-31.
# 10 position
Stephen F Austin State University
Master
M.A. in Professional Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
89.80
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Degree map: Semester 1 Fall ... Semester 8 Spring (9 hours per long semester)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.80 - 4.00
Program completion rate
79% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
91% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
91% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: March 1; Spring: Oct 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Completed bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited institution; undergraduate 2.8 GPA or higher in final 60 hours of undergraduate work (2.5 overall for clear admission per handbook).
Additional requirements
Autobiographical letter of application (2-4 pages), three letters of recommendation from professional counselors with program recommendation form, résumé, and personal data form; also must be admitted to SFA Graduate School.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Stephen F Austin State University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 89.8/100, supported by $30,255 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 11 position
Nelson University
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
86.90
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.50 - 4.00
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE or MAT (Verbal and Analytical Writing) required if undergraduate GPA is below 2.5
Prerequisites
Minimum GPA of 2.5.
Additional requirements
Standardized test scores (GRE/MAT, required only if undergraduate GPA is below 2.5), a personal statement, and recommendations from a church or ministry leader.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Nelson University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 86.9/100, supported by $34,200 total tuition (estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 12 position
Sam Houston State University
Master
M.Ed. in School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
83.80
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2022-23)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2022-23)
Licensure exam pass rate
92% (2022-23)
Application deadline
Fall: May 1
Application process
ApplyTexas + Office of Graduate Admissions Self-Service Portal
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Applicants to the School Counseling program are required to hold a teaching certificate.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Sam Houston State University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 83.8/100, supported by $38,571 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 13 position
Our Lady of the Lake University
Master
Counseling: Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, MA
Delivery mode: online
75.30
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Duration: 40 months
Specialization
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
66%
Application deadline
Fall: June 15; Spring: October 15; Summer: March 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution (or one authorized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to grant bachelor's degrees).
Additional requirements
Completed application, non-refundable $40 application fee, official transcripts from all regionally accredited colleges/universities attended.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Our Lady of the Lake University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 75.3/100, supported by $50,270 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-10-31.
# 14 position
Our Lady of the Lake University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling – School Counseling
Delivery mode: online
75.30
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Duration: 40 months
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
20%
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Undergraduate degree with GPA of at least 3.0
Additional requirements
Completed application, official transcripts, current resume, background check ($10), personal statement, reference form
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Our Lady of the Lake University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 75.3/100, supported by $50,270 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-10-31.
# 15 position
Our Lady of the Lake University
Master
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: online
75.30
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Duration: 40 months
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
37.5% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution; undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0; English proficiency (TOEFL) for non-native English speakers.
Additional requirements
Application, bachelor's degree (GPA 3.0+), official transcripts, resume, background check ($10), personal statement and reference form. No entrance exams required.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Our Lady of the Lake University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 75.3/100, supported by $50,270 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 40-month completion pathway. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-10-31.
# 16 position
Dallas Baptist University
Master
Master of Arts in Professional Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
42.70
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Licensure exam pass rate
91% (2025)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
12 hours of undergraduate prerequisite courses including Introduction to Psychology or General Psychology (PSYC 1301 or equivalent)
Additional requirements
Application; official transcripts; statement of purpose; resume; case study; MBTI profile; 3.0 GPA; four psychology prerequisites; GRE not required.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Dallas Baptist University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 42.7/100, supported by $95,400 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about online Counseling degree in Texas
What is the cheapest online counseling master's in Texas?
The answer depends on your residency, required credits, fees, and aid offer. Compare current total-program estimates for degrees that meet your career goal rather than selecting the lowest advertised per-credit rate.
Can an online counseling master's lead to a Texas LPC license?
Potentially, but online delivery alone says nothing about eligibility. Check the program's coursework and supervised training against current Texas board rules, and confirm the additional post-degree requirements. Source: Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.
Can I complete the entire degree from home?
Do not assume so. Even when classes are online, supervised fieldwork takes place at approved sites, and some programs may require in-person attendance. Ask for the current attendance and placement policies before enrolling.
Is CACREP accreditation required for every counseling career?
No single accreditation rule applies to every role. Verify the specific program's CACREP status and the requirements of the Texas credential you want; institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation are different checks. Sources: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; relevant Texas licensing or certification authority.
Is a school counseling degree the same as a clinical mental health counseling degree?
No. They prepare students for different settings and potentially different Texas credentials. Confirm the degree plan and credential alignment before treating one as a substitute for the other. Sources: Texas Education Agency; Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.
Is an affordable counseling master's worth it?
It may be if it supports the credential you need and its total cost fits your expected career path. Weigh debt, aid, completion time, lost earnings, placement feasibility, and the steps remaining after graduation rather than relying on tuition or a national salary median alone.
See What Experts Have To Say About Studying Counseling
