Counseling Degrees

There are a wide range of master’s in counseling programs offered online and through traditional on-campus colleges and universities. We cover the major degrees in-depth here. For quick reference, here are 20 of the most common masters in counseling programs, along with a few of the leading counseling careers associated with that degree.

1. Master of Science in Counseling Psychology: A degree that focuses on psychological theories and interventions for individuals and groups.
   • Common Careers: Career Counselor, Rehabilitation Counselor, Private Practice Counselor.
2. Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: A degree that prepares students to provide therapy for individuals with mental health issues.
   • Common Careers: Mental Health Counselor, Substance Abuse Counselor, School Counselor.
3. Master of Education in Counseling and Development: A degree that emphasizes career and personal development counseling for individuals and groups.
   • Common Careers: Career Counselor, Academic Counselor, Youth Counselor.
4. Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling: A degree that trains students to work with individuals with disabilities or illnesses.
   • Common Careers: Rehabilitation Counselor, Vocational Counselor, Substance Abuse Counselor.
5. Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy: A degree that focuses on systemic interventions for couples and families.
   • Common Careers: Marriage and Family Therapist, Couples Therapist, Family Counselor.
6. Master of Arts in Christian Counseling: A degree that integrates Christian values and theology with counseling theory and practice.
   • Common Careers: Pastoral Counselor, Christian Therapist, Marriage and Family Therapist.
7. Master of Science in Addiction Counseling: A degree that trains students to help individuals overcome addiction.
   • Common Careers: Substance Abuse Counselor, Rehabilitation Counselor, Behavioral Disorder Counselor.
8. Master of Science in School Counseling: A degree that prepares students to work as counselors in K-12 schools.
   • Common Careers: School Counselor, Academic Counselor, Career Counselor.
9. Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance: A degree that focuses on career, personal, and academic counseling for individuals.
   • Common Careers: Career Counselor, Academic Counselor, Youth Counselor.
10. Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy: A degree that prepares students to provide systemic interventions for couples and families.
    • Common Careers: Marriage and Family Therapist, Couples Therapist, Family Counselor.
11. Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling: A degree that focuses on counseling for individuals in various human services settings.
    • Common Careers: Social Worker, Human Services Counselor, Family Counselor.
12. Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling: A degree that trains students to provide therapy for individuals with mental health issues.
    • Common Careers: Mental Health Counselor, Substance Abuse Counselor, Private Practice Counselor.
13. Master of Education in School Counseling: A degree that prepares students to work as counselors in K-12 schools with a focus on academic, career, and personal development.
    • Common Careers: School Counselor, Academic Counselor, Career Counselor.
14. Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling: A degree that integrates theology and spirituality with counseling theory and practice.
    • Common Careers: Pastoral Counselor, Christian Therapist, Marriage and Family Therapist.
15. Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and Counseling: A degree that combines behavior analysis and counseling to treat individuals with behavioral and emotional disorders.
    • Common Careers: Behavior Analyst, Mental Health Counselor, Rehabilitation Counselor.
16. Master of Science in Art Therapy Counseling: A degree that combines art therapy and counseling to help individuals express themselves and process emotions.
    • Common Careers: Art Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, Rehabilitation Counselor.
17. Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling: A degree that emphasizes systemic interventions for couples and families.
    • Common Careers: Marriage and Family Therapist, Couples Therapist, Family Counselor.
18. Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling: A degree that focuses on counseling individuals with disabilities or illnesses and mental health issues.
    • Common Careers: Rehabilitation Counselor, Mental Health Counselor, Substance Abuse Counselor.
19. Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Depth Psychology: A degree that integrates depth psychology theories and interventions with counseling practice.
    • Common Careers: Private Practice Counselor, Psychotherapist, Depth Psychologist.
20. Master of Science in Community Counseling: A degree that focuses on counseling for individuals and groups in community settings.
    • Common Careers: Community Counselor, Mental Health Counselor, Substance Abuse Counselor.

Advantages of getting a master’s degree in counseling online:

1. Flexibility: Online masters in counseling programs offer greater flexibility in terms of when and where coursework can be completed, which can be particularly beneficial for students who have work or family obligations.
2. Lower cost: Online masters degree in counseling programs may be less expensive than on-campus programs, as they typically do not require students to pay for room and board or other fees associated with attending a physical campus.
3. Improved Technology: Online masters in counseling programs often make use of various technology tools to facilitate learning, such as virtual simulations, online discussion forums, or online library resources which can provide a unique learning experience, and in some cases allow students to go to a greater depth of learning on specific subjects in which they’re interested.

Disadvantages of getting a master’s degree in counseling online:

1. Limited interaction: Online masters in counseling degrees typically don’t provide the same level of in-person interaction with faculty and peers, which for students who learn best in a face-to-face setting can impact the quality of learning and in addition impact the development of professional relationships.
2. Self-motivation: Online masters degrees in counseling require a high degree of self-motivation and discipline to stay on top of coursework, which may be challenging for some students.
3. Limited networking opportunities: Online counseling programs may not provide as many networking opportunities as on-campus counseling degree programs, which can be very important for career development and initial job placement after graduation. Many online masters in counseling programs have improved in this regard by offering virtual and in-person career days and networking opportunities, but there may still be a difference.

How Long Does a Masters Degree In Counseling Take?

• Accelerated Online Masters Degree in Counseling Programs: Accelerated online masters in counseling programs are now offered for almost every masters in counseling degree. Typically these accelerated programs can be completed in 12 to 18 months, however, they require that students be self-motivated and capable of taking on a higher than average course load.
• Accelerated Campus Masters in Counseling Programs: Most campus based accelerated masters degree in counseling programs can be completed in as little as 18 months.
• Traditional Masters In Counseling Programs: A traditional on-campus masters degree in counseling program takes 24 months or two years to complete your degree, assuming the student is attending full-time with 15 credit hour per semester course load.

What is the Common Course Curriculum for a Masters Degree in Counseling?

• Counseling Theories and Techniques: This course provides an overview of the major counseling theories and techniques, including psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and systemic approaches.
• Human Development: This course focuses on the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development of individuals across the lifespan.
• Ethics and Professional Issues in Counseling: This course covers the ethical and legal issues that arise in counseling, including confidentiality, informed consent, and boundary issues.
• Group Counseling: This course explores the theory and practice of group counseling, including group dynamics, leadership, and facilitation skills.
• Assessment and Diagnosis: This course covers the assessment and diagnosis of mental health disorders, including the use of diagnostic tools and techniques.
• Multicultural Counseling: This course examines the impact of culture and diversity on the counseling process and explores strategies for working effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Career Counseling: This course focuses on the theory and practice of career counseling, including assessment, decision-making, and job search strategies.
• Practicum and Internship: These courses provide opportunities for students to gain supervised counseling experience in a clinical setting.

How many college credits does a masters in counseling degree require?

It depends on your specific degree. Most master’s in counseling degree programs require students to complete between 48 and 60 credit hours of coursework.

Most colleges offer transfer credits for any previously completed masters level courses, and increasingly, many colleges, particularly online colleges, will offer life experience credits based on a student’s previous work history. These transfer or life experience credits count toward your 48 to 60 credit hour requirement for a masters in counseling degree.

How much tuition does a masters in counseling degree cost?

The cost of a master’s degree in counseling varies significantly based on the college, the format of the degree (online vs. on-campus), the location, and if you have any transfer or life experience credits.

• On-Campus Masters In Counseling Degree Cost: The cost of an on-campus master’s degree in counseling program can range from approximately $20,000 to $60,000 or more, depending on the institution and program. This cost typically includes tuition, fees, and other expenses such as books and supplies but does not include room and board.
• Online Masters In Counseling Degree Cost: While there is a broad range among online colleges, an online master’s degree programs in counseling may be less expensive than on-campus programs, with costs ranging from around $10,000 to $30,000 or more. In addition to lower tuition rates than traditional on-campus programs, online masters in counseling degrees also typically offer additional savings in the form of commuting and housing costs.

Finally, note that these are just general estimates and that the cost of a master’s degree in counseling varies widely based on your individual circumstances and specific college. It’s always a good idea to research a number of programs and colleges to get a more accurate picture of the cost range for you. Additionally, note that financial aid and scholarship opportunities, which are not uniformly offered across all colleges and universities may offset the cost of tuition and other expenses, and therefore should be factored in to a calculation of the net cost of a masters degree in counseling program.