Liberty University Online Master’s in Counseling Programs
Liberty University offers five online counseling programs: an online master of education (MEd) program in school counseling, an online master of arts (MA) program in addiction counseling, an online master of arts (MA) program in marriage and family therapy, an online master of arts (MA) program in clinical mental health counseling, and an online PhD in counselor education and supervision. These programs span master’s and doctoral levels and prepare students for counseling roles in schools, community settings, private practice, and higher education.
All programs are offered online with an evangelical Christian foundation and emphasize ethically grounded, evidence-based practice. They include coursework in counseling theory, ethics, multicultural counseling, assessment, research, and field experiences. Some programs require intensives on campus, and practical training is delivered through practicum and internship placements near the student.
The MEd in school counseling is a 60-credit program designed for licensure as a school counselor in K-12 settings. It includes courses such as Human Growth and Development; Multicultural Counseling; Career Development and Counseling; Orientation to School Counseling; Counseling Techniques for School Counseling; Advanced School Counseling Interventions; Assessment and Evaluation in School Counseling; and Crisis Counseling in Schools. The program requires two intensives, one full-semester practicum, and two full-semester internships.
The MA in addiction counseling is a 48-credit program that prepares students for certification or licensure as addiction or substance abuse counselors. It includes orientation to addiction counseling; ethical and legal issues in addiction counseling; case management and relapse prevention in addiction counseling; assessment techniques in counseling; psychopathology; techniques in addiction counseling; group dynamics; and addiction counseling internship. Students may also pursue additional coursework for licensure as a Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Provider in Virginia.
The MA in marriage and family therapy is a 60-credit program aligned with COAMFTE standards that prepares students for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist. It includes courses such as introduction to marriage and family therapy; professional identity, ethics, and legal issues in MFT; family life cycle development; theoretical foundations of systemic therapy; marriage and family therapy I and II; Couples Therapy; Crisis Therapy; and a three-semester internship sequence.
The MA in clinical mental health counseling is a 60-credit CACREP-accredited licensure track program that prepares students to become Licensed Professional Counselors. It includes orientation to counselor professional identity and function; ethical and legal issues in counseling; human growth and development; multicultural counseling; counseling techniques and the helping relationship; group counseling; psychopathology; crisis counseling; clinical diagnosis and treatment planning; substance abuse diagnosis, treatment, and prevention; counseling practicum; and two counseling internships. The program includes two intensives, a 100-hour practicum, and a six-credit internship over two semesters.
The PhD in counselor education and supervision is a 60-credit CACREP-accredited program that prepares counselors for education, supervision, leadership, advocacy, and research roles. It includes courses such as advanced group counseling; supervision and consultation; advanced theory application and orientation; advanced research design; instruction in counselor education; qualitative research; counseling leadership and advocacy; a practicum; an internship; and dissertation work. The program includes residential intensive courses, a three-credit practicum, a nine-credit internship, and a nine-credit dissertation.
Admission requirements for all programs require a regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree, official transcripts, contact information for two professional recommenders, a statement of purpose, and agreement to the relevant mission and diversity statements. GPA minimums vary by program: the MEd in school counseling and the MA in marriage and family therapy require at least a 2.7 GPA, the MA in addiction counseling requires at least a 3.0 GPA, and the MA in clinical mental health counseling requires at least a 2.7 GPA. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL or an approved alternative. The PhD program requires clinical prerequisites and includes competitive admission.
Liberty University is a private evangelical Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia. It is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The MEd in school counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the MA in clinical mental health counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the MMFT program aligns with the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) standards, and the PhD in counselor education and supervision is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
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Online MA – Addiction Counseling
Online MA – Marriage & Family Therapy
Online MA – Professional Counseling
Online MEd – School Counseling
Ph.D. – Counselor Education and Supervision
1971 University BlvdLynchburg, Virginia
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Substance Abuse & Addiction
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
48
Spring, Spring II, Summer, Summer II, Fall, Fall II
Complete in as few as 2 years full-time or 3-4 years part-time
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
CA, HI, IA, IL, KY, NH, NJ, OK, OR, WY
Program Tuition
48
$645.00
$30,960.00
$645.00
$30,960.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy
No
2 – Students in the 60-hour MFT program are required to take CEFS 505 and CEFS 512 in residence (on campus)
60
Spring, Spring II, Summer, Summer II, Fall, Fall II
Complete in as few as 3 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
2.7
AK, AL, AR, CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NE, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Program Tuition
60
$645.00
$38,700.00
$645.00
$38,700.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No
2 – Two in-person intensives required
60
Spring, Spring II, Summer, Summer II, Fall, Fall II
Complete in as few as 3 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
2.7
CA, PR
Program Tuition
60
$645.00
$38,700.00
$645.00
$38,700.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: School Counseling
No
2 – Two in-person intensives required
60
Spring, Spring II, Summer, Summer II, Fall, Fall II
Complete in as few as 3 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
2.7
IL, KY, MO, NC, OH, UT
Program Tuition
60
$645.00
$38,700.00
$645.00
$38,700.00
Program Essentials
Doctoral Degree
Counseling: Education & Supervision
No
3 – This program is intensive-based with most courses available in an online, synchronous format. Students are required to attend 3 of these courses in person in Lynchburg, Va.
60
Fall, Spring
Complete in as few as 4 years full-time or 5-7 years part-time
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.25
OusideUS
Program Tuition
60
$675.00
$40,500.00
$675.00
$40,500.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Farheen Gani
WriterFarheen Gani has researched degree programs and salaries in counseling since 2020. She has written about topics such as genetic counselor salaries and family and human development bachelor’s degrees. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.