12 Affordable CACREP Accredited Programs
Quality education doesn’t require a hefty price tag at the time you look for CACREP accredited programs. CACREP accredits over 900 total counseling programs. This includes 800+ master’s degrees and 100+ online CACREP-accredited counseling programs. These counseling programs ensure you receive standardized training that meets minimum standards in curriculum and faculty qualifications. You can streamline your path to licensure while keeping costs manageable by finding the cheapest CACREP accredited programs online. We’ve identified 12 affordable options that deliver quality counseling education without compromising your budget.
1. Adams State University – M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Program Overview and Highlights
Adams State University offers an online M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling designed for students who cannot attend campus-based programs due to distance or work schedules. The program delivers the same curriculum as their on-campus CACREP accredited counseling programs and provides human relations and therapeutic skills you need for professional counseling.
You’ll complete 60 credit hours through online coursework with two mandatory one-week campus residencies in Alamosa, Colorado. These on-campus labs occur during Pre-Practicum and Practicum courses. You develop interpersonal skills, interact with faculty, and receive tutoring and advising. Fall cohorts finish in 5 semesters and take 12 credit hours per semester. Spring cohorts complete the program in 7 semesters at 9 credit hours per semester.
Graduates pursue careers in mental health clinics, private practice, hospitals, social services, residential treatment facilities, and corrections. Internship placements let you begin specializing in community counseling areas that match your interests. The program gives you the intervention and diagnostic skills needed in clinical settings of all types.
Adams State University Tuition and Costs
Adams State ranks among the cheapest CACREP accredited programs online with straightforward pricing:
| Fee Type | Amount |
| Cost per credit hour | $562.80 |
| Technology fee per credit hour | $17.80 |
| Graduate application fee | $30.00 |
| Matriculation fee (one-time, online students) | $100.00 |
| Total program cost (60 credits) | Approximately $33,768 |
Additional course-specific fees apply: COUN 527 (Group Counseling) costs $12.00, COUN 528 (Career Development) costs $22.00, and COUN 546 (Assessment in Counseling) costs $24.00.
Key Features and Accreditation
CACREP accredited the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program in January 2011, with accreditation valid through March 31, 2027. The online delivery format received accreditation in July 2009. You meet one of three requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado after completion. The remaining requirements include passing a state-mandated examination and completing 2,000 hours of supervised post-MA experience.
The program accepts up to 12 credit hours from CACREP programs and 6 credit hours from non-CACREP programs as elective courses. Experiential courses like Pre-Practicum, Practicum, and Internships cannot transfer. Admission no longer requires GRE or MAT scores.
Financial Aid Opportunities
Federal student loans remain available to students enrolled at least half-time and maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Graduate students qualify for unsubsidized loans and may be eligible for Graduate PLUS loans depending on their budget. The FAFSA application deadline for financial awards is April 15. Then, additional funding options include fellowships, institutionally-sponsored loans, and graduate assistantships.
2. University of Louisiana at Monroe – M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Program Overview and What It Explains
The University of Louisiana at Monroe delivers a fully online M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with zero residency requirements. Your coursework combines synchronous and asynchronous formats across 20 courses needed for graduation. Six courses use synchronous delivery and 14 use asynchronous formats. The 60-credit hour program operates on a fall cohort model that sequences foundational content in year one and follows with advanced clinical training and internship experiences in year two.
You’ll participate in two three-day virtual residencies conducted over Zoom during summer terms. These sessions allow you to practice simple and advanced clinical skills from your coursework. You’ll attend specialized presentations from guest speakers and professors, along with practicing clinicians nationwide and current site supervisors. The program trains you in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders per DSM-5 standards. This qualifies you for LPC licensure.
Class sizes stay small and are capped at 15 students for content courses. Practicum and Internship courses limit enrollment to six students. Beyond counseling courses, you can select electives from psychology, gerontology, and education to create informal focus areas tailored to your clinical interests.
University of Louisiana at Monroe Tuition and Costs
ULM charges $550.00 per credit hour with no out-of-state tuition since the program operates online. The total program cost for 60 credits is $33,000.
The Counseling Program ranked 10th nationally for most affordable master’s in counseling programs in 2019.
Core Features and Accreditation
CACREP accredited both the Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling concentrations. Current accreditation remains valid through March 2028. The School Counseling concentration first achieved accreditation in 1987, whereas the Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration received accreditation in 2012. This makes ULM’s Counseling Program one of Louisiana’s oldest accredited counseling programs.
CACREP accreditation streamlines the licensure process for graduates and qualifies them for governmental employment including Veterans Affairs and military positions. It makes shared military insurance reimbursements through Tricare possible. You’ll complete your Practicum and Internship at sites near where you live.
Financial Aid Opportunities
Financial aid counselors help you with FAFSA applications and financial planning decisions, along with cost calculations. Students attending Fall 2026, Spring 2027, or Summer 2027 must complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA. The priority FAFSA deadline falls on April 1st. Federal financial aid requires complete admission as a degree-seeking student before the awards process begins.
3. Lindsey Wilson College – M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Program Overview and Features
The School of Professional Counseling at Lindsey Wilson College operates at 25 sites that span Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Tennessee. The school brings CACREP accredited counseling programs right to your community. The M.Ed. in Counseling and Human Development with Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization requires 60 semester hours. The structure includes 39 hours across nine core areas and 21 hours of specialty mental health requirements.
Classes meet on a weekend format every Friday night and Saturday. The schedule was designed for working adults. You complete 30 hours that cover human growth and development, social and cultural foundations, helping relationships, group work, career and lifestyle development, appraisal, research and program evaluation, professional orientation, and abnormal psychology. The nine-hour clinical instruction component combines with specialty coursework in counseling techniques and practice areas. The prescribed program of study guides you to graduation within two years.
Graduates qualify for positions in community mental health centers, correctional departments, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, residential foster care agencies, hospice programs, psychiatric hospitals, rape crisis centers, vocational services and private practice. You become eligible for provisional or temporary licensure in your state upon graduation under most circumstances.
Lindsey Wilson College Tuition and Costs
Lindsey Wilson’s tuition per credit is $540. It also has a technology fee of $66 and a graduation fee of $90. Both fees are per credit hour. The university charges the same rate for students from any state. Courses run in eight-week formats that accelerate degree completion.
Key Features and Accreditation
CACREP accredited the Mental Health Counseling program in April 1996. The program maintains continuous accreditation through March 31, 2029. The program transitioned to Clinical Mental Health Counseling designation in January 2012. This accreditation meets academic licensure requirements for Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Each extended program site has on-site enrollment counselors. They provide individual pre-enrollment counseling and financial aid information. Resident faculty supervisors handle academic advising throughout your program.
Financial Aid Opportunities
More than 95% of Lindsey Wilson students receive some form of financial aid. Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans require completion of online Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note. Graduate students access Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans up to cost of attendance minus other aid received. Kentucky residents may qualify for Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG) and College Access Program (CAP) grants that the Commonwealth funds. Complete the FAFSA each year with a priority deadline of October 31.
4. Wayne State College – M.S.E. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Program Overview and Highlights
Wayne State College structures its M.S.E. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling around a low-residency model requiring only four campus visits per year. You can choose between 8-week and 16-week terms with multiple start dates, making the program manageable for working professionals. Most full-time students complete the 60-credit program in 2.5-3 years, though you have up to 10 years from your start date to finish.
The curriculum covers core counseling theories and techniques while teaching you to cooperate with others for the benefit of self, school, community and the profession through counseling, social justice and advocacy. You can pursue specialized fields including trauma-informed counseling and substance use counseling. Wayne State’s partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center provides access to counselor training opportunities and professional development through the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska.
Wayne State College Tuition and Costs
Wayne State ranks among the cheapest CACREP accredited programs online with rates determined by course delivery method and state residency:
| Cost Component | Amount |
| Total program cost | $20,889 – $26,945 |
| Credit hours required | 60 |
| Cost per credit hour | $252.40 – $504.70 |
The pricing reflects 2025-26 tuition rates and does not include fees.
Key Features and Accreditation
CACREP accredited the Clinical Mental Health Counseling MSE program through March 31, 2033, providing assurance that the program meets standards of excellence. Wayne State’s clinical counseling program earned recognition as the No. 2 Best Value School in the Plains States Region for offering a high quality program at an affordable price. Wayne State College’s counseling program ranked among Nebraska’s top programs for 2026 based on clinical training, licensure preparation and educational quality.
The program holds Military Friendly School status, earning the Silver Award for 2026-2027, placing it among top-performing colleges nationwide for supporting veterans, active-duty service members and military families.
Financial Aid Opportunities
Graduate students become eligible for financial assistance after completing the FAFSA verification process and application. Wayne State offers graduate teaching assistantships in each major graduate field of study. These assistantships provide a stipend for the academic year plus tuition while allowing enrollment for no more than 9 credit hours of graduate coursework.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans remain available to students enrolled at least half-time. Military members access tuition assistance through the Military Tuition Assistance Program, G.I. Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program. File the FAFSA as early as October 1, 2025 for the 2026-27 school year, with a priority deadline of April 1.
5. University of West Alabama – Online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Program Overview and Highlights
Licensed mental health counselors serve as faculty for the University of West Alabama’s online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and bring practical expertise to your education. The 60-credit hour program spans 2-3 years and delivers coursework through combined synchronous and asynchronous formats. Courses run in 8-week terms. The next cohort starts June 29.
You’ll attend classes online while completing a residential training experience at the UWA campus in Alabama. This on-campus residency provides face-to-face interaction with professors and classmates through intensive study and competency-based skill training. The residency concludes with a clinical interviewing assessment that acts as a prerequisite for your clinical fieldwork.
Practicum and internship placements occur in your home community. You gain supervised experience without relocating. UWA assists students in finding suitable field placements and provides ongoing support throughout the experience. Supervision combines on-site mentorship at your placement with online faculty guidance.
Graduates pursue positions in private practice, hospitals, managed behavioral health care organizations, community agencies and substance abuse treatment centers. The program prepares you to work with individuals, couples, families and children in a variety of populations.
University of West Alabama Tuition and Costs
UWA positions itself among the most affordable institutions in Alabama for online graduate education:
| Cost Component | Amount |
| Cost per credit hour | $429 |
| Application fee | $30 |
| Online Tiger One Technology Fee | $75 |
| Total program cost (60 credits) | $25,740 |
Key Features and Accreditation
CACREP accredits the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and ensures you receive industry-standard instruction. The University of West Alabama holds regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
UWA participates in the National Board for Certified Counselors NCE Graduate Student Administration. Students can take the National Counselor Examination or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam during their final internship term. Note that enrollment is now limited based on available space due to increased applications and commitment to high-quality instruction.
Financial Aid Opportunities
About 80% of UWA students receive some type of financial aid through grants, scholarships and loans. Graduate students qualify for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans up to $20,500 per year, with a maximum of $8,500 in subsidized loans. Students should submit the FAFSA by March 1st for priority consideration for need-based campus financial aid.
6. Bellevue University – M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Program Overview and What It Expresses
Bellevue University’s CACREP-accredited Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires 60 credit hours delivered entirely online. Fall term classes begin in September and allow you to earn your degree on your schedule. The program models national licensing standards if you have plans to deliver direct mental health services and pursue mental health licensure.
You’ll complete 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of clinical internship under a licensed counselor’s supervision. Two required residencies provide face-to-face experiences. MCC 698 Residency I and MCC 699 Residency II each charge a flat rate of $350.00. Bellevue launched Private Practice Certificate (9 credit hours) and Telemental Health Certificate (12 credit hours) programs for Fall 2026, starting September 7.
Student coaches stay with you throughout your whole enrollment and provide proactive support from enrollment through graduation. Regular outreach at key transition points helps identify challenges early before they become barriers to persistence.
Bellevue University Tuition and Costs
| Cost Component | Amount |
| Cost per credit hour | $680.00 |
| Total program cost (60 credits) | $40,800 |
| MCC 698 Residency I | $350 |
| MCC 699 Residency II | $350 |
| Graduate application fee | $75 |
| General college fee per term | $300 |
Key Features and Accreditation
CACREP accreditation provides recognition that program content and quality meet standards set by the profession. The Higher Learning Commission accredits Bellevue University. Courses receive regular reviews and updates that reflect changes in practices, ethical codes and treatment approaches.
Financial Aid Opportunities
Financial aid funds disburse 14 days after term start once your class participation is verified and you meet Satisfactory Academic Progress. Submit your FAFSA with Bellevue University School Code 002538. The annual priority deadline to renew your FAFSA is March 30th.
7. Central Connecticut State University – M.S. in Counselor Education
Program Overview and Highlights
Central Connecticut State University’s Clinical Professional Counseling program trains a diverse student population as multiculturally competent practitioners. The program uses systemic clinical counseling arranged with CACREP’s eight common core professional counseling standards and nine content areas from the National Board of Certified Counselors. The 60-63 credit program offers both full-time and part-time attendance with evening courses scheduled for working adults.
You’ll learn theories and techniques for individual and group counseling modalities that promote recovery and resiliency. A mindfulness-informed theoretical orientation integrates throughout the coursework. The curriculum qualifies you for entry-level work in mental health and addiction treatment agencies. A clinical counseling laboratory boosts your practical training.
Matriculated students begin each fall semester. Admission no longer requires GMAT or GRE scores. Minimum GPA requirements include 2.70 for undergraduate courses and 3.00 for graduate coursework. Applications must arrive by February 1.
Central Connecticut State University Tuition and Costs
| Student Type | Per Credit | Registration Fee |
| Connecticut Resident | $809.00 | $65.00 |
| Non-Resident | $825.00 | $65.00 |
Total program cost ranges from $52,440 for Connecticut residents to $53,400 for non-residents based on 60 credits.
Key Features and Accreditation
The program holds dual CACREP accreditation in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling specializations. This prepares you for Connecticut Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) requirements, though additional post-master’s training applies.
Financial Aid Opportunities
Complete the FAFSA to access federal Direct Loans and Federal Work-Study, along with graduate assistantships. The Pell Promise Initiative covers remaining tuition and fees for qualifying students after federal and state help applies. Priority financial aid deadline falls on March 1.
8. Emporia State University – M.S. in Clinical Counseling
Program Overview and Highlights
Emporia State University’s M.S. in Clinical Counseling provides three specialized concentrations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Addictions Counseling, and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling. The 60-credit hour hybrid program combines online coursework with on-campus classes and prepares you to provide individual and group therapy in substance abuse, crisis intervention, and marriage and family counseling settings.
You participate in 700 clock hours of practical experience in counseling settings of all types, including addiction facilities, emergency shelters, and residential organizations. Licensed instructors provide clinical supervision each week during these experiences. The program’s reputation stems from low student-to-faculty ratios and ESU’s legacy as a counseling education leader.
Emporia State University Tuition and Costs
| Student Category | Total Program Cost |
| Kansas Residents & Corky Plus | $23,600.00 |
| Online NEARR/MSEP | $32,005.40 |
| Online Non-Residents | $32,005.40 |
These estimates reflect 2025-2026 rates for the Clinical Counseling online program and do not account for all fees or tuition reduction programs.
Core Features and Accreditation
CACREP accredited the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program in November 1997. Current accreditation remains valid through October 31, 2030. Emporia became the first mental health program in Kansas to receive CACREP accreditation. Graduates qualify for NAADAC addiction counseling certification, NBCC national certification, and CRCC rehabilitation counseling credentials depending on the concentration they complete.
Financial Aid Opportunities
Several scholarships target counseling students. The Harry J. & Helen Rude Waters Scholarship supports graduate counseling majors. Most scholarship applications require submission by February 2. Federal student aid requires FAFSA completion, and graduate assistantships provide additional funding options.
9. Texas A&M International University – M.A. in School Counseling
Program Overview
Texas A&M International University distinguishes its M.S. in School Counseling through a cultural competence emphasis designed to serve K-12 Texas schools. The 48 semester hour program is completed entirely online. You learn counseling theory with practical experience through practicum and internship requirements. Admission requires a valid Texas Teacher Certificate, two years of teaching experience, and a 3.0 GPA in your last 60 credit hours. Your application needs official transcripts, a FERPA form, and a purpose statement with a 700-word maximum.
The curriculum covers counseling theories and techniques that address academic and emotional challenges. It emphasizes age-appropriate and culturally sensitive practices. You explore family issues, crisis intervention, and addiction without completing a thesis. Students achieve a 99% pass rate on the TExES 152 for School Counselors exam.
Texas A&M International University Tuition and Costs
| Student Category | Per Credit Hour | Total Program Cost |
| In-State | $367.00 | $17,616.00 |
| Out-of-State | $1,030.00 | $49,440.00 |
Key Features and Accreditation
The Texas State Board for Educator Certification accredits TAMIU’s College of Education, and the program meets CACREP standards[371]. Graduates can take the TExES School Counselor exam, meet Texas Education Agency certification requirements, and pursue Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credentials.
Financial Support Opportunities
Financial support functions through federal, state, and local programs to help meet your educational costs. TAMIU Fund$Finder connects you with institutional and external scholarship opportunities. Contact financialaid@tamiu.edu for general questions or scholarships@tamiu.edu for scholarship information.
10. East Carolina University – M.S. in Clinical Counseling
Program Overview and Highlights
East Carolina University’s Clinical Counseling program emphasizes addictions treatment among mental health counseling. This distinguishes it among CACREP accredited programs. The 62-credit hour curriculum operates through hybrid flexible course delivery and combines online and on-campus components. You complete the degree in 2 years and benefit from a 12:1 student-faculty ratio.
The program requires a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship where you receive hands-on supervised practice. You can participate in clinical activities within the Navigate Counseling Clinic, a faculty-directed, student-run facility that serves the local community. Graduates achieve a 95% detailed exam and licensure exam pass rate. The job placement rate reaches 97% within six months.
East Carolina University Tuition and Costs
| Student Category | Tuition & Fees | Total COA |
| Graduate Resident Distance Education | $5,662.00 | $28,245.00 |
| Graduate Non-Resident Distance Education | $19,882.00 | $42,465.00 |
Key Features and Accreditation
CACREP accreditation confirms the Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization. Graduates qualify for both Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS) credentials. They receive a one-year reduction in LCAS experience requirements.
Financial Aid Opportunities
Graduate students access Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans up to $20,500.00 annually. Three program-specific scholarships ease financial burden: The Dr. Shel Downes Scholarship and The Jennifer Elizabeth Lambeth Memorial Scholarship.
11. Fort Valley State University – M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
Program Overview
Fort Valley State University’s Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling program assists people with disabilities in living full, independent and meaningful lives. The program is fully online and spans 61 semester hours. It prepares you to work with people who have physical, mental, developmental or emotional disabilities in hospitals, schools, federal agencies, private rehabilitation centers and youth guidance organizations.
The program requires a 100-hour practicum with 40 hours of direct consumer service. A 600-hour internship follows with 240 hours of direct service. Both experiences involve working with people who have various disabilities. Students must maintain a 3.00 GPA. Those who fall below this threshold receive two semesters to improve before dismissal. You must also pass a Final Written Examination using a paid proctoring service. Graduates achieved an 85% completion rate and 88.9% placement rate.
Fort Valley State University Tuition and Costs
| Cost Component | Amount |
| Per credit hour | $181.00 |
| Total program cost (61 credits) | $11,041.00 |
Features and Accreditation
CACREP accredits the Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling program. Graduates with 75% of coursework completed qualify to sit for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC) credential. Best Counseling Degrees ranked Fort Valley State #1 among affordable online rehabilitation counseling programs.
Financial Aid Opportunities
Complete the FAFSA using school code 001566. Priority deadlines include March 1 for fall enrollment and November 1 for spring enrollment.
12. St. Cloud State University – M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
Program Overview and Highlights
St. Cloud State University’s Rehabilitation Counseling program currently operates under suspension with intent to close upon final students graduating in spring 2026. The program is not accepting new applications. This 60-credit hour M.S. prepared students to become counselors who work with people with disabilities and varied client populations. Students got professional knowledge and skills needed to assist adolescents and adults with disabilities in achieving maximum independence and functioning.
The on-campus program at the St. Cloud Campus gave students the cultural fluency to work in a global society.
St. Cloud State University Tuition and Costs
St. Cloud’s tuition cost is the same for in-state and out-of-state students at $8,812.
Key Features and Accreditation
CACREP accredited the program under 2016 standards beginning July 1, 2017, with accreditation expiring May 12, 2026. CORE had previously accredited this program since 1976 before the transition to CACREP through the merger.
Financial Aid Opportunities
The program earned a five-year $1.1 million federal Rehabilitation Long-Term Training grant that provides $200,000 annually from 2020-2025 for tuition assistance. Graduate assistantships offered stipends up to $10,560 with tuition remission for up to nine graduate credits. Students submitted the FAFSA using school code 002377 to consider federal aid.
Next Steps
Finding quality counseling education doesn’t require draining your savings account. These 12 CACREP accredited programs show that affordability and excellence can coexist. Costs range from about $11,000 to $53,000 for complete degrees. You might prioritize low-residency formats or specialized concentrations in rehabilitation and addiction counseling. Perhaps flexible online delivery matters most to you. At least one program on this list will match your budget and career goals. Take Wayne State College at under $27,000. Fort Valley State costs about $11,000. Both deliver CACREP-quality training without crushing debt. Research your top choices and submit your FAFSA early. Take the first step toward your counseling career today.