Are Online Clinical Psychology Degrees Respected? What Future LPCCs Should Know
If you are considering an online degree that can prepare you to pursue a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) career, you may wonder whether mental health employers will take your education seriously.
The answer is yes—an online master’s degree can be respected when the program provides rigorous coursework and clinical learning, supervised experience that aligns with state licensure requirements.
To explain the value of an online master’s degree for an LPCC career, we spoke with Professor Helen Marlo, dean of the School of Psychology at Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU).
“The determining factor of the quality of a program is not the online format in which the education is being delivered. Online learning is the vehicle, just like the classroom was a vehicle.”
Dr. Helen Marlo
Dean, School of Psychology
Licensed clinical psychologist and certified psychoanalyst member of the C.G. Jung
Institute of San Francisco
What Do Employers Think About Online Counseling Degrees?
Answer: Employers don’t automatically view online psychology or counseling degrees as less credible. They are more likely to evaluate the institution, curriculum, clinical training, and graduates’ professional readiness than the program format.
Professor Marlo noted that perceptions toward online degrees have evolved in the past few years. As remote work and telehealth become more prevalent, mental health employers increasingly recognize that students can receive a strong education online, just as professionals can perform meaningful work virtually.
However, that does not mean every online program will receive equal respect. Employers and clinical organizations may consider:
- Whether the institution is accredited
- Whether the curriculum meets applicable licensing requirements
- Whether students complete rigorous clinical coursework
- Whether the program includes live interaction and real clinical practice
“What employers want to know is: What is the overall quality of the program?” Professor Marlo said. “What kind of support is there for clinical training?”
A weak program may be viewed poorly, whether it is online or in person. Likewise, attending classes on campus does not automatically guarantee active learning, strong instruction, or meaningful clinical preparation.
What Do Mental Health Employers Look for in LPCC Candidates?
Answer: Employers assess your competency beyond the credential requirements; candidates must also demonstrate clinical skills and ethical judgment.
According to Professor Marlo, employers’ concerns are highly practical. If an organization places a counselor-in-training in a room with clients, supervisors need to know that the person understands professional ethics, possesses foundational clinical skills, and recognizes when to seek consultation.
Three areas are especially important to employers:
- Relevant clinical knowledge: Having a strong foundation in areas such as psychopathology, assessment, law and ethics, human development, cultural diversity, addictions, trauma, and therapeutic approaches.
- Supervised clinical experience: Demonstrating that you understand documentation, consultation, professional boundaries, and the responsibilities involved in serving clients.
- Professional and ethical judgment: Demonstrating strong communication skills, reliability, empathy, self-awareness, and the ability to work with people from different backgrounds.
Can an Online Degree Meet LPCC Licensure Requirements?
Answer: Online coursework may meet licensure-related educational requirements when the institution is accredited and the program fulfills the requirements of the state where you plan to practice.
In California, the Board of Behavioral Sciences recognizes online psychology degrees designed to meet California requirements. Applicants must also satisfy additional requirements related to associate registration, supervised experience, examinations, and the licensure application process.
Because counseling licensure is regulated at the state level, requirements can differ. Before enrolling in any online counseling program, review the licensing board requirements in the state where you intend to practice.
For individuals evaluating an online counseling or clinical psychology master’s degree program, Professor Marlo recommended ensuring the institution is accredited and that the degree meets the applicable licensing board requirements.
Notre Dame de Namur University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The 67-unit NDNU Master of Science in Clinical Psychology - MFT/LPCC is designed to meet the California Board of Behavioral Sciences educational requirements. Completing the degree does not automatically grant either license; graduates must still complete all additional requirements.
What Makes an Online LPCC-Focused Program Credible?
Answer: A valuable and respected online program should help you develop the knowledge, clinical abilities, and professional judgment expected of a future counselor.
Learn more about what makes a clinical psychology program “licensure exam-ready.”
Curriculum Alignment
Carefully review the educational requirements in your intended state and compare them with the program curriculum. State-approved programs in California must cover 13 core content areas, such as counseling and psychotherapeutic theories and techniques; human growth and development across the lifespan; career development theories and techniques; group counseling theories and techniques; and more.
Live Learning Opportunities
A strong online clinical psychology program for an LPCC career should offer more than just recorded lectures and discussion board assignments. “The really good online programs provide active faculty engagement, mentoring, live discussions, group learning, and experiential activities,” Dr. Marlo said.
Meaningful Practicum Placement Support
Supervised clinical training is one of the most important parts of a counseling program. It is also an area where the quality of student support can vary significantly.
Some programs may expect students to identify and arrange training sites largely on their own. A stronger model combines student initiative with institutional guidance, community relationships, and personalized assistance.
Professor Marlo described the NDNU clinical training process as active and collaborative. Students receive individualized guidance from a dedicated director of clinical training and faculty members. The program maintains a database of sites and works with students to identify potential opportunities in their local communities.
Faculty Members Who Practice What They Teach
Clinical counseling programs should be grounded in scholarship and prepare students for the situations professionals encounter in the field.
Faculty members who remain active as clinicians can bring current professional insights into courses involving assessment, ethics, treatment, consultation, and client care. They can help students understand how academic concepts shape real clinical decisions.
Professor Marlo described the NDNU MS in Clinical Psychology as a scholar-practitioner program and said, “We are professors who practice what we teach.” That’s what distinguishes NDNU from other online learning institutions.
Can a Clinical Psychology Counseling Program Be Fully Online?
Answer: Academic courses may be delivered online, but licensure-focused education still requires live clinical skill development and supervised experience with clients.
Students in an online program may complete their academic courses remotely while participating in clinical training at an approved organization in their community.
Professor Marlo explained that NDNU students can complete the degree through a mix of synchronous and asynchronous courses, but their clinical training must take place in an appropriate professional setting.
This distinction is important when researching programs:
- Online describes where academic learning is delivered.
- Synchronous means students and faculty interact in real time.
- Practicum involves supervised experience applying clinical knowledge in the field.
A program that combines these elements can provide geographic flexibility without sacrificing the interpersonal and applied experiences future therapists need.
Are Online LPCC Programs Easier Than In-Person Programs?
Answer: An online program is not a shortcut to becoming a counselor. Flexibility changes how students access the program—not the competencies they must develop.
A credible online program still requires students to:
- Master complex clinical material
- Participate actively in class
- Practice counseling skills
- Collaborate with classmates
- Receive and apply feedback
- Complete supervised clinical training
- Prepare for professional licensure
Students can disengage in any educational setting. Simply sitting in a physical classroom does not guarantee meaningful participation.
Professor Marlo argued that the important questions are not only where a class meets but also what standards the program sets, how the courses are designed, and how students are held accountable for developing clinical skills.
How Can Online Counseling Programs Expand Access to Mental Health Careers?
Answer: Online programs make counseling psychology education and mental health careers more accessible to a diverse population.
Online education can create a pathway for future therapists who do not live near a suitable graduate program or cannot regularly commute to campus.
Geography, work schedules, family responsibilities, and other life circumstances can prevent qualified students from attending a traditional program. Online learning may allow them to complete academic coursework while remaining connected to their families, careers, and communities.
Students may be able to receive their academic preparation online, complete supervised training in their region, and eventually serve communities they already know and understand.
Do You Need a Psychology Background to Pursue an LPCC Degree?
Answer: Students from all walks of life are welcome to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology and an LPCC career.
Admission requirements may vary among schools. The NDNU program requires foundational coursework in General Psychology and Abnormal Psychology, but Professor Marlo encouraged applicants from different academic and professional backgrounds.
She has worked with students entering clinical psychology from fields such as engineering, marketing, human resources, education, and mortuary services.
Some career changers want to move from technical or corporate roles into work that allows them to connect more directly with people. Others already serve people as teachers or healthcare professionals but want the clinical preparation to address mental health needs more deeply.
“Who you are as a therapist is going to be influenced by your previous experiences and your previous training,” Professor Marlo said.
Conclusion: An Online Master’s in Clinical Psychology Can Be a Worthwhile Investment for Your LPCC Career
An online master’s degree can be a respected and valuable path toward an LPCC career when it provides the academic rigor and applied preparation expected of a clinical profession.
While the online format offers essential flexibility for working adults, your long-term career success ultimately depends on the program’s quality and credibility. Prioritize these key features to ensure your education effectively supports your professional development:
- Institutional accreditation
- Alignment with state licensure requirements
- The breadth and depth of the clinical curriculum
- Opportunities for live interaction
- Faculty clinical experience
- Practicum placement support
- Mentoring and professional connection
- Licensing exam preparation
Explore the NDNU Online MS in Clinical Psychology Program
The Notre Dame de Namur University Master of Science in Clinical Psychology - MFT/LPCC is a 67-unit online or in-person program designed to prepare students to pursue two California mental health licensure pathways. Through asynchronous courses, live engagement, practitioner-faculty, clinical training support, and flexible scheduling, students can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Learn more about the MS in Clinical Psychology - MFT/LPCC program today!