The Chicago School Online Counseling Programs (Master’s & PhD)
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The Chicago School offers three online counseling programs: the MA in marriage, couples, and family therapy, the MA in clinical mental health counseling, and the PhD in counselor education and supervision. These programs are designed for students and professionals who want to build careers in counseling, therapy, counselor education, supervision, research, leadership, and advocacy.
The Chicago School delivers its online programs through flexible learning formats supported by practitioner faculty, student advisers, and career services. Students can complete coursework online while gaining practical experience through supervised fieldwork. The programs emphasize ethical practice, multicultural competence, professional development, and the ability to serve diverse communities.
The online MA in marriage, couples, and family therapy (MA MCFT) prepares students to work with individuals, couples, families, children, and groups through a systemic and relational approach. The program usually takes three years and includes 60 credits. Important courses include systems theory and family therapy; couples therapy, theory, and techniques; diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders in family systems; sexual issues in marriage and family therapy; and recovery, trauma, and crisis counseling within the community.
Students in the MAMCFT program complete eight credits of practicum across four semesters and must complete at least 300 supervised face-to-face clinical hours in a mental health setting. At least 100 hours must involve couples and families. Online students also complete two in-person residencies in Southern California, one during the first year and one during the second year. The program prepares graduates to pursue Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) registration and later Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licensure in California.
The online MA in clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) is a 60-credit program that can be completed in less than four years. It prepares students in ethics, diagnosis, assessment, research, career counseling, counseling theory, intervention, multicultural practice, prevention, and trauma-informed care. Important courses include theories of counseling and psychotherapy; diagnosis of mental health issues; diversity and multiculturalism; treatment planning; and clinical mental health counseling.
The CMHC program includes 100 practicum hours, 300 hours of Internship 1, and 300 hours of Internship 2, for a total of 700 supervised clinical hours. Fieldwork takes place at approved sites in the student’s community. Students also receive telehealth preparation through live labs and the Virtual Clinical Training Center (VCTC), and may complete a telebehavioral health elective. Graduates may pursue counseling licensure such as the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential or its equivalent, depending on state requirements.
The online PhD in counselor education and supervision prepares experienced counselors for advanced roles as counselor educators, supervisors, scholars, leaders, advocates, researchers, and advanced practitioners. The program includes 60 credits and combines live online classes, asynchronous coursework, faculty mentorship, research training, and technology-supported practice. Important courses include advanced counseling theories; teaching and learning in counselor education; professional identity, leadership, and advocacy in counselor education and supervision; telebehavioral approaches in counseling and supervision; and advanced research methods.
Doctoral students complete 100 practicum hours and 600 internship hours. Internship work includes teaching, supervision, leadership, advocacy, and research. Students must also attend two mandatory three-day in-person residencies at the Chicago campus, complete a dissertation, and meet the program’s coursework and fieldwork requirements. Telehealth is integrated throughout the curriculum, including telebehavioral supervision, ethics, assessment, evidence-based practice, and risk management.
The PhD program primarily considers applicants with a counseling master’s degree from a CACREP-accredited institution who are licensed or license-eligible, generally with a graduate GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants must also submit graduate transcripts, a resume or curriculum vitae, three recommendation letters, a proctored admission essay, and complete an interview. One to two years of counseling experience is preferred for doctoral applicants.
The Chicago School is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Its flagship location is in Chicago, Illinois, with additional locations in Anaheim, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. The MA in marriage, couples, and family therapy is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). The MA in clinical mental health counseling and the PhD in counselor education and supervision are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
The Chicago School Online Programs
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Online MA – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Online MA – Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy
Online PhD – Counselor Education and Supervision
325 N Wells StChicago, Illinois
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No
2 – Two in-person residencies required
60
Spring, Spring II, Summer, Summer II, Fall, Fall II
Can be completed in less than four years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0 or higher
CA, LA, TX
Program Tuition
60
$1,458.00
$87,480.00
$1,458.00
$87,480.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy
No
2 – Two in-person residencies required
60
Spring, Spring II, Summer, Summer II, Fall, Fall II
Complete in as few as 3 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0 or higher
CA, LA, TX
Program Tuition
60
$1,458.00
$87,480.00
$1,458.00
$87,480.00
Program Essentials
Doctoral Degree
Counseling: Education & Supervision
No
2 – Two in-person residencies required
60
Spring, Spring II, Summer, Summer II, Fall, Fall II
Can be completed in as little as 3 years or up to 7 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0 or higher
CA, LA, TX
Program Tuition
60
$1,815.00
$108,900.00
$1,815.00
$108,900.00
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.