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1 Online courses exclude programs with residencies and field experience.
2 Dover, K.R. (2024, March 20). Future Trends in Teletherapy: Innovations and Evolving Practices. FHEHealth Restore. Retrieved Dec. 9, 2024.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How to Become a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, or Mental Health Counselor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Dec. 9, 2024.
4 Board of Behavioral Sciences. (n.d.). Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. State of California. Retrieved Nov. 4, 2024.
5 Licensure for becoming a school counselor can differ from clinical mental health counseling licensure. Students are responsible for understanding state licensure requirements for their chosen career path.
6 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2025, Feb. 13). 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Releases. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
Approved and verified accurate by the CMHC program chair of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences on Jan. 13, 2025.
Mental health counselors provide support to individuals who may be struggling with mental health issues ranging from depression to trauma, to substance use and beyond. Counselors can help their clients develop coping skills, embrace behavioral change and work on achieving life goals. If you feel called to serve others in need, perhaps a career as a counselor could be the right fit for you.
With Grand Canyon University’s online1 counseling programs in California, you can attend class and work toward your degree from almost anywhere. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences invites students in California and beyond to explore our range of counseling degree programs — from bachelor’s and master’s degrees to doctorate programs — as well as our graduate certificate programs.
Before enrolling in any online counseling programs in California, it’s important to understand that the licensure or certification requirements to become a mental health or substance use counselor can vary by state. Students in California, as well as those who reside in other states, should research their state’s current licensing requirements when planning their career pathway.3
Although these requirements are subject to change over time, California generally requires you to do the following in order to obtain a counseling license:4
All students are responsible for ensuring that their online counseling programs in California will meet state requirements for clinical licensure.3
GCU offers a wide variety of counseling degree programs at every level. You can also earn an online graduate certificate of completion in counseling if you aren’t quite ready to commit to a full degree program yet.
Do note that some online counseling programs in California have in-person internships and practicums, which must be completed in person locally.1,3 It's important to ensure that you fully understand the requirements for your chosen program before applying. If you have any questions about degree requirements, fill out the form on this page and one of our university counselors will be pleased to assist you.
Explore the following online1 counseling degrees available from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences:
If you’re just beginning your journey in higher education, you could apply for enrollment in the Bachelor of Science in Counseling with an Emphasis in Addiction, Chemical Dependency and Substance Abuse program. Over 46 million people aged 12 or older in the U.S. have a substance use disorder, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.6 As a counselor specializing in substance use disorders and addiction, you could work toward helping others overcome addiction and help them get their lives back on track.
GCU also offers several bachelor’s degrees that are closely related to counseling. It's important to note that while these bachelor's degrees are related, they may have different requirements and career outcomes. In some cases, they may not directly lead to counseling jobs but can provide a strong foundation for graduate studies or other roles in mental health and human services. That said, the following are a number of online bachelor’s degrees that you may want to explore:
View all Bachelor’s Degrees in Counseling
The state of California requires a graduate degree in counseling from an accredited school.2 As an institutionally accredited university, GCU is pleased to offer a wide range of counseling master’s degrees across various specialties. These include:
View all Master's Degrees in Counseling
Experienced counseling practitioners are invited to explore the opportunities available at GCU at the doctoral level. The Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision degree is a sound option for practitioners who aspire to step into leadership positions. This doctorate is designed for experienced counselors who would like to advance their counseling skills, supervise clinical counselors in practice and teach counseling students in higher education.
When you earn your doctoral degree online at GCU, you’ll have opportunities to conduct your own original research and contribute to the body of knowledge in the counseling field. Do note that all doctoral programs require in-person residencies, which take place on or near our campus in Phoenix, Arizona.
Several graduate certificate programs are available for students interested in developing advanced skills, such as the Graduate Certificate of Completion in Christian Counseling. This certificate examines how biblical principles can be applied in counseling contexts.
If you’ve already earned your master’s degree, then you might consider a post-master’s certificate. GCU offers the Post-Master of Science in Counseling programs with the following emphases:
Are you ready to start pursuing your career in counseling or begin preparing yourself with the tools needed to position yourself for potential career advancement? GCU welcomes online students in California and beyond. Explore our online counseling programs in California or our many other online degree programs in fields ranging from healthcare to business to technology.
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Online education can be a great fit for students who need both convenience and flexibility, and with a GCU degree program, you won't sacrifice academic quality. Explore the benefits of becoming an online counseling student at GCU.
Going to school as an undergraduate or going back to school as a working professional doesn’t have to mean putting the rest of your life on hold. Our online format allows you to continue meeting your existing commitments while working toward an online degree. Online classes tend to be more flexible than in-person classes, plus there is no need to commute to campus.
These days, many workplaces are partially or even entirely remote, even in the counseling field.1 In fact, some individuals may prefer to seek counseling services online because they can stay in the comfort of their own homes while receiving the help they need.2
As a graduate of an online counseling degree program, you may find that you can apply to remote work opportunities with greater confidence. Earning an online degree may help demonstrate that you have reasonable technological proficiency and can connect to others in the digital space.
As a Christian university, GCU strives to instill a sense of godly purpose and a calling to make a positive contribution to your field. Within our online learning community, you'll be able to connect with other like-minded Christians who are working toward pursuing a meaningful career in counseling. Our faith-integrated classes will encourage you to model a Christ-like character and cultivate the traits of servant leadership.
