Your Guide To Masters In Counseling Programs

What is a Masters In Counseling Degree?

A Master’s in Counseling degree is a graduate-level degree program that typically requires 60-credit hours of coursework and supervised clinical experience. This degree equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide counseling services to individuals, couples, families, and groups. The curriculum covers topics such as counseling theories and techniques, ethics, assessment, and diagnosis. Masters of counseling graduates can pursue careers as licensed professional counselors, school counselors, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and substance abuse counselors, among others. They often work in settings such as mental health clinics, private practice, hospitals, schools, and community agencies.

Selecting a college or university that is accredited, is an important part of the counseling program selection process. That is true for four primary reasons:

1. Educational Quality: Accredited colleges are reviewed by an independent accrediting agency to make sure they meet certain educational standards, including the quality of instruction, curriculum and faculty, thus better ensuring you’ll receive a quality masters in counseling education.

2. Professional Credibility: Employers, particularly in institutional settings like hospitals and schools, highly value accreditation in weighing the quality of the school that a job applicant has attended. Accredited masters of counseling programs provide a level of professional credibility for those employers that cannot be discounted.

3. State Licensing: In many states, you cannot be licensed as a counselor unless the masters program you attended was accredited. In others, the requirements for a licensed counselor are higher if the college you attended was not accredited.

4. Board Certification: Many board certification bodies only permit applicants for board certification who have attended accredited masters in counseling programs.

There are a few categories of degree options when it comes to masters degrees in counseling. Which one you choose depends largely on your interests and what you plan to do with your degree after you graduate.

The following are the most common categories of counseling degrees and where they can lead:

• Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling: MA programs often focus on theoretical understanding and include seminar-style classes and advanced level reading and writing.
• Master of Science (MS) in Counseling: MS programs focus more on the technical and hands-on aspects of the counseling practice.
• Master of Education (MEd) in Counseling: MEd programs are typically designed to develop skills relevant to a wide range of careers in social service and mental health agencies, as well as preparing graduates to become certified as school counselors.
• Masters of Counseling Psychology: Counseling psychology programs prepare graduates for research, teaching and/or counseling in a variety of settings with an emphasis on causes, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.

Of note, when doing your research, it is important to understand that each of these different degrees has it’s own unique curriculum and program structure depending on where it is offered. So look at each college or university’s program closely before enrolling.

Yes. Almost every type of masters in counseling degree is offered in a fully online and hybrid format. Due to their potential for increased flexibility and cost savings, online masters in counseling programs are increasingly popular.

Of note, whether you’re considering enrolling at traditional brick-and-mortar institution or at an online university, you should look at every degree program with a critical eye. It is crucial to know if the program is accredited by a National Accreditation Agency, if it properly prepares students for licensure and certification exams, and if it offers a specialization/focus aligns with your career goals.

Getting a Master’s degree in Counseling online has both advantages and disadvantages, and so you need to know both before making a decision.

Pros to an Online Masters in Counseling Program:

One of the primary benefits of getting a master’s degree in counseling online is the flexibility it offers. Students can learn at their own pace, from anywhere and at any time, allowing them to balance their studies with other commitments like family or career. Additionally, online programs can be less expensive than traditional in-person programs, as there are no transportation or housing costs associated with attending classes on campus.

Cons to an Online Masters Degree in Counseling Program:

There are some drawbacks to getting a Master’s degree in Counseling online. Although online learning platforms have improved dramatically, online counseling programs can still lack the personal touch and interaction that comes with a traditional classroom setting, which can make it difficult for some students to feel connected to their classmates and instructors. Additionally, online programs may not offer the same level of hands-on experience that in-person programs can provide, such as in-person counseling sessions, which are essential for gaining practical experience in the field.

Another potential disadvantage of online programs is that they may not be accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), which is a requirement for licensure in some states. It’s vital to research online masters of counseling programs carefully, to ensure they’re fully accredited before enrolling.

How To Become A Counselor

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to become a licensed counselor:

1. Get a Bachelor’s degree: The first step in becoming a licensed counselor, (whether school, mental health, clinical, family or other) is to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in counseling, psychology, or a related field. This degree takes, on average, four years to complete.
2. Obtain a Master’s degree in Counseling: After completing your Bachelor’s degree, the next step is to obtain a Master’s Degree in Counseling. This degree typically takes an additional two years of coursework (shorter for online programs) and includes supervised clinical experience.
3. Complete a practicum and internship: As part of the Master’s program, you will need to complete a practicum and internship in a school setting under the supervision of a licensed school counselor. This experience allows you to apply the skills and knowledge you’ve learned in a real-world setting.
4. Pass the licensing exam: Once you have completed your Master’s degree and clinical experience, you will need to pass your state’s licensing exam. To qualify for the exam, non-US citizens should check NBCC requirements or seek an EB-5 Investment program to obtain legal status. This exam tests your knowledge of counseling theories, ethics, and legal issues.
5. Obtain state licensure: After passing the licensing exam, you can apply for state licensure as a school counselor. Each state has its own licensing requirements, so it’s important to research the specific requirements in your state. Once licensed, you can begin working as a counselor.

Note: You can also choose to pursue a board certification in your counseling speciality (e.g. school, family, clinical, mental health, geriatric, etc.). These board certifications are typically optional, however, in some states being board certified will exempt you from having to complete a licensing exam, and in most situations improves your employability and potentially your salary.

Licensure requirements for counselors depend largely on your career focus, as well as the location in which you’d like to practice. Licensing requirements for counselors vary by state, and each state requires applicants to earn an accredited degree, complete a specific number of post-graduate supervised hours, and pass an exam to be fully licensed. If you wish to practice in specialized field such as substance abuse or family therapy, you might need additional certification or a license.

To help you better understand how licensing and certification works, we’ve broken down both state and national requirements for counselors who wish to practice in the US: The following table offers a useful overview of licensure rules and certification requirements:

There are many different educational and professional paths you can take to have a fulfilling career in the counseling field. The table below lists the most common careers, as well as degree programs that are relevant to those careers. Counseling is a diverse field, encompassing several specialties. If you’re unsure of what kind of degree you should get, our guide will help you better understand your options.

There are literally dozens of counseling sub-specialties, but the majority of counselors work in one of the 15 or so most common counseling related fields. Here are the most common types of counselors in the United States ranked in order of the number of people employed in each field (BLS 2021):

1. Social and Human Service Assistants – 414,660
2. Child, Family, and School Social Workers – 311,820
3. Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists – 307,460
4. Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors – 324,820
5. Healthcare Social Workers – 195,790
6. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers – 133,920
7. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors – 120,860
8. Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists – 91,090
9. Rehabilitation Counselors – 86,330
10. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors – 73,270
11. Health Educators and Community Health Workers – 66,700
12. Social Workers, All Other – 40,810
13. Counselors, All Other – 28,750
14. Rehabilitation Counselors, Residential – 28,260
15. Marriage and Family Therapists – 25,780

Of note, these are the fields that this grouping of counselors works in, the specific job title of an individual counselor might work in, will vary by state and employer.