Typically, a master’s degree in counseling and work experience as counselor is required before you can pursue a doctoral-level degree. That’s because colleges typically don’t offer associate degrees in Counseling – and even bachelor’s degrees are rare. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Some counselors deal with a certain type of patient. These programs focus on therapies and behavioral modification techniques. Professional counseling – B.A., M.A, M.S, Ph.D. Am J Public Health. Are you interested in working in an academic setting? After earning a bachelor's degree in psychology, some students choose to go on to earn a master's in counseling. in counseling often work as school counselors or career counselors, but they may also be employed in private practices, mental health clinics or hospitals. Malays J Med Sci. Pastoral counseling programs educate students in offering mental health services to members of faith-based communities. Where Can I Earn a Paralegal Studies Degree in Memphis, Tennessee? Substance Abuse Counseling Degree: Works to understand and rehabilitate issues stemming from substance abuse. Most programs require completion of several hundred hours or several semesters' worth of hands-on practice, which generally meets state requirements to become a licensed marriage and family therapist after graduation. Best Online Master's in Counseling Programs: Northwestern University - Evanston, IL. University of Massachusetts Boston What Do Those Abbreviations Mean After a Psychotherapist's Name? All rights reserved. School Counseling Jobs: Career and Salary Facts. Masters Degrees in Counseling: Overview Masters in Counseling Programs center on a range of counseling modalities, working with different patient populations, and even new and established best therapy techniques. Advancing social work education for health impact. 2008;15(2):1-2. You’ll have far more luck finding associate degrees in Psychologythan in Counseling. Most master's programs prepare graduates to work with children in kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12), but some programs focus on counseling college students. By using Verywell Mind, you accept our, What Is a Counselor vs. a Counseling Psychologist, Master of Arts (MA) vs. Master of Science (MS), 80+ Psychology-Related Careers to Consider. Earned a master's degree in counseling or a closely related mental health discipline; Completed a minimum of two years post master's clinical work under the supervision of a licensed or certified mental health professional; Passed a state-developed … Courses may touch on giving career advice; coping with tragedy, trauma, or loss; addiction, abuse, mental illness, or physical disability. What is the Employment Outlook for Addiction Counseling Careers? Master’s degree counselors are considered one of the highest types of counseling degrees. There are several types of counseling degrees available. The following MSN tracks are commonly offered at many different schools across the nation, although there may be specialty course programs available at select schools as well. Master’s Programs. School, clinical, family, and addictions counseling programs most common; vocational, genetic, and pastoral counseling programs less common, Master of Arts or Master of Science in counseling K-12 students or college students, Classes in diagnosis and treatment, internships at mental health facilities, Focus on intimacy, relationships, and family dynamics, Graduate certificates for current students or graduates of related master's programs, Different Types of Counseling Master's Degrees. There are many types of master’s programs available in counseling, depending upon your desired degree—whether it’s a Master of Science, Master of … or M.S. School Counseling Programs. Then a Master of Education in counseling would probably be a good choice. Degree Plan for Counseling A Master’s Degree in Counseling can take a specific emphasis, such as one of the following: school counseling, mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or addictions counseling. In most cases, Master of Arts of Master of Science degree programs meet state licensing requirements to work as a clinical mental health counselor, although requirements may vary from state to state. What Can I Do with a Doctorate (PhD) in Counseling? While not specifically a degree in counseling, the Master of Social Work allows graduates to provide counseling services. The MSW degree is perhaps the most popular option because it is recognized in all 50 states, and insurance companies are willing to reimburse those with an MSW degree and Clinical Social Worker (CSW) licensure for services. Marriage and Family: Marriage and family therapists help families learn to work better together. Become a Counselor: Education & Training. There are over 1,000+ Master's in Counseling Degree Programs in our directory, with a mixture of online programs and more traditional, campus-based Master's in Counseling Degrees. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. The most common types of master’s degrees in this field are: Mental health counseling: Offer mental health treatment to single people, families, groups and couples. Counseling is certainly not a "one-size-fits-all" option. Going Graduate: On- and Off-Line Opportunities for Your Counseling Master’s Degree Today, more educational opportunities exist for those seeking a graduate degree in counseling. Types of Counseling Degrees. 2017;107(S3):S229-S235. The Difference Between a Counselor and a Counseling Psychologist, The Fundamentals of a Master's Degree in Psychology, Career Options for People With a Graduate Degree in Psychology, 5 Psychology Degrees and What You Should Know About Them, What You Should Know If You Want to Work as a Counseling Psychologist, Counselor Specialties, Education, Salary, and Outlook. Because these programs prepare students to provide counseling services to so many different types of people as opposed to just one segment of the population, course options and requirements may vary widely. Types of Counseling. Requirements: Health counselors must complete a bachelor's degree program in nutrition, healthcare or counseling. © Copyright 2003-2021 Though exact course content varies by area of concentration, most programs educate students in theories and methods of counseling with a focus on mental health issues affecting the specific demographic they're studying. Master of Mental Health Counseling. Usually requires a Master's degree, but is available in Bachelor's. If you wish to pursue teaching, research and scholarship, supervision, and/or leadership and advocacy, you may need to earn a doctoral degree. In addition to factors such as cost, accreditation, reputation and flexibility, consider the type of counseling programs offered. Requirements vary by state, but most require at least a master's degree in counseling in addition to supervised experience in the field and the passage of a state licensing exam. Can Fam Physician. If you want to provide counseling to couples and families, you can enroll in a master's degree program in marriage and family therapy. Beyond the levels of degree such as Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate, there are also a number of specialty areas within the field of psychology which you could study. Completing an online master’s degree in counseling program is more popular than ever. 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