Online Counseling Master’s Degree (M.A. in Counseling)
Faith-Integrated, CACREP-Accredited Graduate Counseling Programs
Are you looking to advance your career as a clinical mental health counselor; marriage, couple and family counselor; or school counselor? With a program and faculty reflecting Messiah’s reputation for Christian academic excellence, Messiah University’s CACREP-accredited master's in counseling prepares you to work in a variety of professional settings.
Messiah University’s online counseling master’s degree (M.A. in Counseling) prepares you to become a licensed professional counselor while integrating biblically informed, Christian counseling with evidence-based practice. Choose from CACREP-accredited tracks in clinical mental health counseling, marriage, couple and family counseling, or school counseling, and complete most coursework online with short on-campus intensives in Pennsylvania.
- No-fee tuition. With Messiah’s graduate programs, the cost per credit is what you pay – there are no hidden fees for labs, courses, services or technology.
- Program completion time frames ranging from two to six years - select the one that is right for you.
- Flexible, affordable, and convenient with the majority of courses conducted online combined with just the right amount of traditional classroom and practical experience for your busy life and active schedule.
- Designed to prepare you to sit for your professional counseling licensure exam (LPC), your marriage, and family therapy licensure exam (LMFT), or become a certified school counselor.
- All advising is completed by full-time faculty - experienced counselors and nationally recognized scholars who will take time to mentor you in your education, faith and career.
- Small class sizes ensure personalized attention and meaningful interaction with professors and classmates.
- Rolling admission Messiah accepts graduate program applicants year round allowing you to enter the program at multiple points throughout the year.
All of Messiah's M.A. counseling degree tracks are nationally accredited by CACREP. The university's CACREP accreditation has been extended until 2028. (Why is CACREP accreditation important?)
If you already have a master's degree in an appropriate counseling-related field, Messiah offers a CAGS in counseling to help you continue to meet education goals and to meet state requirements for licensure or certification.
Why Choose a Counseling Graduate Program at Messiah?
Messiah University offers a counseling graduate program that is both spiritually grounded and professionally rigorous. Our counseling degrees are CACREP-accredited and designed to prepare you for LPC, LMFT or school counseling certification while integrating Scripture, theology and spiritual formation into compassionate, ethical counseling practice. You’ll study with faculty who model Christ-centered counseling and mentor you as you prepare to serve in churches, ministries, schools and community agencies.
More FAQs
How do I become a counselor, and is it worth it?
To become a counselor, you typically need to complete a counseling master’s degree, gain supervised clinical experience, and meet your state’s licensure requirements (such as LPC or LMFT). For many, it is worth it: graduates integrate biblical wisdom with evidence-based counseling to serve in churches, ministries, clinical settings and community agencies.
Can I earn my counseling degree online?
Yes. Our M.A. in Counseling is a predominantly online counseling degree, with most coursework online plus short, required on-campus intensives.
Is the program accredited for counseling?
Yes. Our counseling master’s degree is CACREP-accredited and meets educational requirements for licensure in Pennsylvania and many other states.
Does Messiah offer biblically integrated counseling training?
Yes. Courses such as spiritually integrated psychotherapy and trauma counseling support the development of biblically informed Christian counseling skills.