Counseling Degrees & Certificates

You’ve decided you want to help others create meaningful and positive change, now make your passion a reality with an online degree program in counseling or human behavior.

Gain the theoretical knowledge and job-ready skills you need to impact your clients and your career. As one of the few online universities offering both CACREP- and COAMFTE-accredited degree programs in the counseling field, Capella University makes it possible to fit high quality education into your busy life.

Make a difference with skills you build in Capella’s counseling and human behavior programs. Our curriculum, designed around professional standards, focuses on knowledge you can use immediately to help clients overcome their challenges.

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The Higher Learning Commission is among the six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Regional bodies accredit colleges and universities; national bodies accredit trade and vocational schools.

.

“There are two primary benefits from graduating from a program that holds specialized accreditation. First, programs that hold specialized accreditations have met stringent standards that attest to the program’s quality. Therefore, graduating from a CACREP- and/or COAMFTE-accredited program lets future employers, colleagues, and the public know that the education attained meets the standards established by these specialized accrediting bodies.

Second, specialized accreditations in programs that lead to professional state license (such as CACREP and COAMFTE) are often included in the language of individual state statutes, and many states’ licensing agencies/boards specifically mention specialized program accreditation as meeting their education requirements for state licensing.” — Anna Hultquist, Dean of Counseling/Human Behavior Programs in Capella’s Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Capella counseling programs are academically rigorous, but you’ll be prepared to reach your goals with the help of our responsive support teams—including those dedicated to licensure and fieldwork requirements.

Capella’s licensure team is up-to-date on the unique licensing requirements in all 50 states, and will support you through the license application process – during your program, after graduation, and throughout your career.

Thanks to Capella’s high quality fieldwork management system, you’ll be able to apply, track, and maintain your fieldwork-related records and provide documentation of your client work.

All of Capella's faculty in the Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences counseling department have a doctoral degree and many work as licensed practitioners, school psychologists, school counselors, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, alcohol and drug abuse counselors, registered play therapy supervisors and psychologists.

Our instructors have expertise in child and adolescent development, and family and geriatric issues. They are also proficient in designing programs to meet state and national accreditation standards, and have experience consulting with privately held businesses with a focus on succession planning, organizational development, executive development, and coaching.

View all counseling & psychology faculty

Capella counseling programs are targeted to deliver the skills you need to create meaningful outcomes for your clients. A number of our degrees include a credit-bearing residency, making them eligible for financial aid. Residencies allow a closer link between classroom theory and practical application and take you a step closer towards your professional goals.