The CACREP-Accredited Online Master of Arts in Counseling

The Family Institute at Northwestern University offers an online counterpart to its on-campus Master of Arts in Counseling. Counseling@Northwestern is the CACREP-accredited online Master of Arts in Counseling Program from The Family Institute at Northwestern University.

The program prepares you to become a self-reflective clinical mental health counselor who applies various counseling theories and evidence-based practices to help people in need. You will focus on the following three core components during your time in the program: self-reflection, diversity, and clinical training.

Upon completion, you will earn the same degree as on-campus master’s degree students, and graduate prepared to pursue licensure and provide high-quality behavioral health services in their communities.

Careers for Licensed Counselors

While the exact scope of practice varies from state to state, most licensed counselors diagnose and treat mental health concerns. They may work in agencies, private practice, and other settings. Many accept third-party insurance reimbursement and they also provide mental health consultation and supervision.

After earning an MA in Counseling, counselors must become licensed to practice. The requirements for a counseling license are state-specific and include additional post-master’s supervised clinical hours and examination.

Graduation from a CACREP-accredited program is the first step but does not guarantee eligibility for licensure in all states. Licensure requirements vary from state to state, with some requiring more clinical field placement hours and/or coursework than CACREP standards. Graduates will need to meet their state’s licensure requirements which typically include a national exam and postgraduate supervised clinical hours to be fully licensed to practice independently. Once you have enrolled in the program, Counseling@Northwestern will work with you to meet your field placement hour requirements and discuss any postgraduate coursework requirements in your resident state. Every effort is made to help you meet licensure requirements in your state(s) of practice.

Licensure requirements differ from state to state, but some state licensing boards require a master’s degree from a CACREP- or CORE-accredited program. We encourage you to research the requirements specific to each state.

Counseling@Northwestern Accreditation

Northwestern University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Northwestern University’s on-campus Master of Arts in Counseling Program and the Counseling@Northwestern online program received an eight-year accreditation in 2015 from CACREP¹. The CACREP accreditation renews in 2024. A CACREP-accredited program allows you to be license-eligible in most states. Some states require more clinical field placement hours and/or coursework than the CACREP standards. Once you enroll in the program, Counseling@Northwestern will work with you to meet your field placement hour requirement and discuss any postgraduate coursework requirements in your resident state.

¹University Accreditation. (2023). Office of the Provost. Retrieved April 18, 2023. Return to footnote reference