collageMost counselors begin their career with a bachelor’s degree in counseling or psychology. From there, you’ll be required to receive a graduate degree, either a master’s and/or doctorate, the a specific area of counseling you’d like to specialize in. Mental health counselors are required to hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in counseling, psychology, sociology or a related field to practice.
One of the first steps to becoming a licensed counselor is completing a bachelor’s degree. Most states require a graduate degree in counseling for licensure. Right here on Collegelearners, you can rest assured to obtain all the relevant information you need on can you be a counselor with a BA in psychology, can I be a guidance counselor with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, bachelor’s degree in counseling online, and so much more. Be sure to visit our catalog for more information on related topics.
Can I Become a Licensed Therapist with a Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling
Individuals wanting to become a licensed therapist often wonder about which is the best path to achieve that career goal. While possessing only a bachelor’s degree in counseling will not qualify you to be a licensed therapist, it will still be of much benefit because it is a prerequisite for a master’s program which you will have to complete to obtain your licensure.
Where do Licensed Therapists Work
Licensed therapists are provided the opportunity to gain employment in a variety of settings, including the following places:
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Substance abuse centers
- Mental health facilities
- Private practices
- Health clinics
Becoming a Licensed Therapist
No matter the type of licensed therapist you are wanting to become, you will have to obtain at least a master’s degree in counseling or a related field. In addition, you will have to take part in supervised clinical practice. You will need great listening and communication skills to be successful in this line of work as well as superb organizational skills.
Earning Your Bachelor’s Degree
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in counseling, you can go ahead and apply to a master’s program. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, you need to get this out of the way first. Earning your bachelor’s degree will take about four years. Your degree major can be in counseling or some type of related field, such as psychology or sociology.
While you are earning your bachelor’s degree, this will be a great time for you to obtain a part-time job working in a therapy setting. For example, you could become a secretary for a therapist running his or her own private practice. Any experience that you can get in the therapy industry will prove to be extremely valuable.
Earning Your Master’s Degree
Now that you have earned a bachelor’s degree, it is now time to start your master’s program. This program will probably take anywhere from one to three years to complete, with the longevity depending on the type of therapy that you are wanting to specialize in. One of the best types of master’s programs to take part in to become a licensed therapist is the Master’s of Social Work program. After graduating from this program and obtaining the appropriate licensure, you will be able to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
No matter the master’s program you decide to take part in, you will have to take part in field work before you will be allowed to graduate. This fieldwork is extremely important because it will provide you with hands-on experience related to working as a licensed therapist. Also, the fieldwork will count towards your ability to apply for licensure.
Licensure
Depending on the state you live in, you may have to pass state exams in addition to professional examinations to obtain your licensure. After you earn your licensure, to maintain it, you will be required to take part in continuing educational courses.
The requirements for becoming a licensed therapist are pretty standard, although your own personal interests and field experience will make your specific path to becoming a licensed therapist unique.
study how people relate to each other and to their environments. They do this by examining the cognitive processes and emotional factors that contribute to human behavior. They help improve patients’ well-being by conducting research, diagnosing common disorders, and offering effective treatment plans.
The job outlook for professionals in counseling and psychology remains encouraging. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that occupations in psychology will increase by 14% between 2018 and 2028. The BLS projects jobs in mental health and substance abuse counseling to grow by 22% in this same time period. Both careers enjoy salary prospects well above the national median wage.
In order to qualify for these positions, learners must satisfy the proper counseling and psychology job requirements, such as earning a graduate degree in the field, obtaining state licensure, and pursuing a doctorate (in some cases).
This guide helps prospective degree-seekers make sense of this process. This page highlights counseling and psychology licensure, education requirements, and possible degree options. Readers can review common courses of study, differences between degrees, and possible coursework offerings.
Professional Licensure
All working professionals must obtain counseling and psychology licensure before they can practice. Professional licensure requires graduate training in the discipline.
Most candidates also need to accumulate a certain number of work hours and pass a standardized exam. This process typically takes place at the state level, although national options remain available for counselors. Specific requirements vary by location, and most states make a distinction between psychology and counseling credentials.
In California, for example, the Board of Psychology licenses psychologists, while the Board of Behavioral Sciences credentials counselors. In each case, candidates must satisfy initial requirements and maintain licensure renewal periodically as they work. Most states stipulate continuing education or professional development requirements for licensure renewal. Many states also keep reciprocity agreements for actively licensed professionals considering relocation.
Licensed professionals sometimes pursue additional counseling and psychology certifications. These optional credentials further validate areas of focus and expertise. For instance, those interested in education development may obtain certification in school counseling, while others focusing on mental health, addiction, or substance abuse pursue different credentials.
High School Courses of Study
High school learners interested in psychology and counseling can start early by studying each discipline and enrolling in relevant college preparatory courses. A strong background in science and mathematics helps lay the groundwork for analytical problem-solving and focused research. Some high schools may offer advanced placement courses in psychology that can give aspiring professionals a good start and may even count for future college credit.
Other considerations at this level include solid preparation for undergraduate study, such as earning good grades, participating in relevant extracurricular activities, and preparing for potential entrance exams or standardized tests.
College Courses of Study
Counseling and psychology education requirements begin in college. A relevant bachelor’s degree is required for all advanced education opportunities. College forms the first major step in professional development, and while counseling and psychology job requirements generally welcome degrees in other fields, motivated individuals can use this time to lay a firm foundation.
Undergraduate learners should bear in mind that most four-year institutions do not offer programs in counseling, but they do administer degrees in psychology. Earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field in the social sciences or liberal arts provides learners with a good background. This route also begins to develop core skills in analytical reasoning and scholarly research.
Most jobs and graduate programs do not list college classes required for counseling and psychology. However, learners interested in getting a head start can prioritize courses like those listed below.
Introduction to Psychology
This course provides degree-seekers with an overview of the field, including its history, major figures and developments, and prominent methodologies. Learners also begin to develop skills in critical analysis and experimentation. The class lays important groundwork and is often a prerequisite for upper-level classes.
Statistics and Research Methods
Learners in this course receive a solid introduction to the main research methods psychologists and social scientists use to organize and interpret information. Degree-seekers learn to apply statistical methods to research material and psychological experiments. They also gain a practical understanding of hypothesis testing, correlation, and standardization.
Theories of Personality
Pertinent for learners interested in counseling, this course provides an introduction to the main theoretical approaches to understanding personality. Degree-seekers examine and evaluate key theorists and case studies, applying their findings to personal and social issues. Possible theories include psychoanalysis and humanistic psychology as well as biological and behaviorist approaches.
Abnormal Psychology
This course surveys neurotic and psychotic behaviors, examining their origins, classification, and symptoms. Learners study methods of diagnosis and look at techniques for therapy and behavioral prevention. The course also weighs social, cultural, religious, and familial factors that often contribute to abnormal behaviors. Degree-seekers assess current research and work to generate new findings.
Psychology and Physiology
Degree-seekers in this class examine relationships between psychology and physiology, focusing on how the two interact and affect mental health and behavior. The course develops working knowledge of the human nervous and sensory systems as well as the physiological seat of certain behaviors. Learners also study the development of learning and memory.
Graduate Degrees in Counseling and Psychology
Most learners at the graduate level begin by enrolling in a relevant master’s program with the aim of pursuing counseling and psychology licensure or earning a doctorate. These programs typically offer areas of concentration in subfields like mental health counseling, child psychology, substance abuse, and rehabilitation counseling.
Most programs expect applicants to provide recent GRE scores. The GRE is a standardized test that evaluates prospective learners’ aptitudes in verbal and quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking. Most admission committees require scores from tests taken within the last five years.
Some learners continue their graduate study by earning a doctorate. Many do this in order to satisfy certain professional requirements, while others enroll to further refine their skills and knowledge. Professional psychologists, for example, need either a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. in order to practice. A Ph.D. prepares learners for academic pursuits such as teaching and research. A Psy.D. qualifies degree-seekers for work as clinicians and other leadership roles.
Counseling and psychology degree requirements at this level usually involve courses like those listed below.
Developmental Psychology
Learners typically take this course in a master’s program, although many Ph.D. or Psy.D. options extend similar offerings. The course examines the psychological factors that contribute to human development across the lifespan, from fetal development and childhood, through young adulthood, middle age, and end of life.
Behavioral Assessment
This course prepares degree-seekers for work as clinicians. Students explore the tools and techniques used to diagnose, assess, and treat common behavioral issues exhibited by patients. Topics include descriptive and functional analysis, interviewing tactics, and data collection. Most Psy.D. programs offer some version of this course.
Psychophysiology Research Methods and Lab Analysis
Commonly designed for Ph.D. learners in a research-based course of study, this class provides a high-level overview of the main procedures and analytical frameworks used by professional psychologists. Degree-seekers look at psychophysiology methods like impedance cardiography and skin conductance in a laboratory environment.
What’s the difference between “curing” and “healing” someone? It’s an interesting distinction, particularly to those who feel drawn to the field of counseling.
Pharmaceuticals can “cure” an illness, and yet without the proper support or the ability to deal with loss and trauma, an individual may be far from “healed.” It’s into that world — the one in which there’s a profound difference between a life that is “safe” and one that is truly thriving — that counselors step.
Those with counseling degrees work in a variety of settings and with almost every demographic known to man. That’s because as a society we need counselors, badly. And for the right type of person, they need to play the role of a counselor.
Is that you? Check out DegreeQuery’s coverage of what it means to be a counselor, and how to become a counselor with a counseling degree below!
General Counseling Degree FAQs
- What can I do with a degree in School Counseling?
- What is the difference between a Counselor and a Therapist?
- What degree do I need to be a Holistic Counselor?
- What can I do with a degree in Rehabilitation Counseling?
- What are my degree options to work in Counseling?
- Do I need a degree to be an Addiction Counselor?
- Where can I work with a degree in Addiction Counseling?
- What makes a good Mental Health Counselor?
- What are the best cities to work as a Mental Health Counselor?
- Where can I work as a Mental Health Counselor?
- What is a typical curriculum for a degree in Mental Health Counseling?
- Do I need to be Certified as a Professional Counselor?
- What is the difference between a Psychologist and a Counselor?
- What can I do with a degree in Counseling?
- What degree do I need to be a Mediator?
- What degree do I need to be a Community Psychologist?
- What degree do I need to be a Mental Health Counselor?
- What degree do I need to be a Genetic Counselor?
- What degree do I need to become a Case Manager?
- What degree do I need to become a Probation Officer?
- How do I become a Marriage and Family Therapist?
- What degree do I need to be a counselor?
- What degree do I need to be a therapist?
- What degree do I need to be a school counselor?
What is a Counseling Degree
So what is a counseling degree? Many of us know some of what counselors do in their work, but many are not exposed to the academic side of counseling.
First off, there are not many degrees with “counseling” specifically in the title before the graduate level. Those seeking to enter counseling fields will often pursue related degrees at the undergraduate levels. Related degrees include criminal justice, human services, health degrees, or psychology degrees.
Associates Degrees in Counseling
For graduates looking to get in on the ground floor, some entry-level roles in counseling fields may be gained with only an associates degree. In this case, a related degree such as an associates degree in psychology or human resources may help one to get into a support role in a counseling setting. With on-the-job training, time, and potentially certifications or further education, one can move into bona fide counseling roles.
Associates degrees can typically be completed in 1.5-2 years. They often require 60 credit hours (half of a bachelor’s-level degree) including a majority of coursework in general education, and a handful of major courses. Many colleges offering associates degrees have transfer agreements with four-year colleges and universities meaning that students that complete their associates degree can then transfer to a four-year program.
Associates degrees are often a very cost effective route to either directly moving into the work force or knocking out the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. In several states and large metropolitan community college districts, tuition is even free!
Bachelor’s Degrees in Counseling
At the bachelor’s level, entry-level jobs that include some actual counseling roles can be found. For students with degrees in sociology, psychology, neuroscience, criminal justice, social work, or human services, there are many entry-level jobs related to counseling.
Some “full” counseling jobs that can be achieved with just a bachelor’s degree include jobs as a school counselor, a career counselor, a social worker (in some settings), a liaison or mediator among others.
Bachelor’s degrees typically take 3-6 years to complete, with 4 years being the traditional length of study. They almost always include a wide array of general education courses, that help to build a well rounded thinker at the collegiate level. Once general education requirements are completed, students typically take 10-12 courses in their major.
In the case of students pursuing bachelor’s degrees that can lead to counseling careers, the following are common courses:
- Social Justice
- Abnormal Psychology
- Study of Addictions
- Criminal Justice
- Human Services
- Theory of Personality
- Multi-Cultural Psychology
among others.
If you think you might be interested in looking at some of the best online bachelor’s-level degrees that can lead to careers in counseling, check out our ranking of the best online bachelor’s in social work today!
For those looking to work as a specialty counselor, in supervisory roles, or in clinical counseling roles, a master’s degree is needed.
Master’s Degrees in Counseling
Master’s-level degrees are also the lowest level at which you generally see degrees with “counseling” explicitly in the title.
The most common master’s-level degrees in counseling include the following:
- Master of Arts in Counseling
- Master of Science in Counseling
- Master of Education in Counseling
- Master of Psychological Counseling
A number of related degrees may also help prepare you for clinical or supervisory counseling jobs. These may include the following.
- Master of Social Work
- Master of Arts in Psychology
- Master of Science in Psychology
- Master of Education
Master’s degrees typically require 45-60 credit hours of courses at the graduate level. Some master’s programs are part of larger doctoral programs, in which students are awarded a master’s degree around a third of the way into the program. Many, however, stand-alone and offer admittance to “just” a master’s degree.
Master’s degrees typically require a thesis, which is a 100+ page research paper showing your knowledge of and ability to think critically about current research in your field. Many master’s programs also include practicums, applied projects, or internships.
Interested in seeing what’s out there as far as master’s-level counseling degrees? Check out our rankings of academic programs below.
- The Best Online Master’s Degree Programs in Education & School Counseling
- The Best Online Master’s Degree Programs in Marriage & Family Counseling
- The Best Online Master’s Degree Programs in Mental Health Counseling
- The Best Online Master’s Degree Programs in Addiction/Substance Abuse Counseling
- The Best Online Master’s Degree Programs in Psychology
- The Best Online Master’s Degree Programs in Psychology
Doctoral Degrees in Counseling
Finally, for those looking to perform original research, teach at the university level, or prepare for leadership roles in counseling settings, a number of doctoral degrees help lead to careers in counseling.
There are a number of doctoral degrees that can lead to careers in counseling. They largely fall into two groups: research doctorates, and professional doctorates. The main difference between these two forms of doctoral programs is that research doctorates hold the primary aim of fostering an environment in which students can perform original research in their field. This research almost always culminates in a several hundred page document called a dissertation. To obtain a research doctorate, your dissertation should be theoretically publishable, should advance your current field of research, and must be defended in front of a panel of experts.
In professional doctoral programs, coursework is more applied and the central aim is not to craft a researcher out of the doctoral candidate. Rather, professional degrees often prepare students for professional licensure exams, or to move directly into leadership roles in the workforce.
In the case of counseling, the following are research doctorates that may be pursued:
- Ph.D. in Counseling
- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
- Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology
- Ph.D. in Social Work
Common professional doctorates that can be pursued to proceed to clinical or leadership roles in counseling include:
- Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
- Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – sometimes considered a research doctorate
Can You Get a Counseling Degree Online?
Because counseling is such a “personal” field, many wonder if they can get a counseling degree online. The short answer is yes, you can gain counseling-related degrees at every level of study online.
The caveat to this answer is that some graduate-level counseling degrees will require you to complete in-person internships, practicums, or practical projects. Most schools, however, will facilitate your participation at a location convenient to you. If your online master’s program in counseling is based hundreds of miles away, there will almost always be the option of completing your internship right in your home town.
While online degrees have gained in popularity over recent years (almost a third of all students take some online courses), many who have not taken online courses wonder if there’s a difference in the quality of education. We can say that in our years of researching online education here at DegreeQuery, we’ve never seen a university that notes any difference on a diploma or transcript for courses taken online. Degrees taken online are identical in the eyes of the school and future employers to those taken in person.
If you’re interested in seeing our hand-selected top programs in counseling, check out our rankings of online programs below:
Online Counseling Degree Rankings
- Top 10 Online Master’s Degree Programs in Addiction/Substance Abuse Counseling
- Top 10 Online Master’s Degree Programs in Marriage & Family Counseling
- Top 15 Online Master’s Degree Programs in Education & School Counseling
- Top 20 Online Master’s Degree Programs in Mental Health Counseling
- Top 50 Degrees For Changing The World
- Top 50 Online Medical Degrees
What Jobs Can you Get With a Counseling Degree?
As you may have gleaned from the counseling degree section above, there are many, many types of counseling degrees leading to many different careers. Counselors hold roles in private practice, schools, governmental settings, the military, prisons, corporations, universities, research settings, and a host of other places.
The real answer to “what jobs can I get from a counseling degree?” comes from the answers to a few other questions. These questions include the following:
- Are there licensure requirements for the counseling role I want to perform?
- And, are there educational components to those licensure requirements?
Though the following vary by location and job type, the following can be expected:
- All clinical counseling jobs will require at least a master’s degree as well as supervised professional work experience.
- Work as school counselors generally requires graduate level work as well as supervised professional work experience.
- Some social work settings may be entered before licensure and with only a bachelor’s degree.
- Some substance abuse counseling roles may be entered a bachelor’s degree in a field related to counseling.
- Some support roles in social work or mental health settings may be entered with associates degrees.
In a broader sense, as long as you research the minimum degree required to enter into the counseling job you’re interested in, there are many jobs a counseling degree can prepare you for.
Some of the most common career specialization in counseling include the following:
- Career Counseling
- Children and Adolescent Counseling
- College Counseling
- Grief Counseling
- Mental Health Counselor
- Military Counseling
- Pastoral Counseling
- Rehabilitation Counseling
- Hospice
- Geriatrics
- Family Counseling
- Marriage Counseling
- School Counseling
- Substance Abuse Counseling
- Social Work
A wide variety of techniques may be used in therapy sessions; these often depend on how a therapist was trained. Common therapy techniques include the following:
- Art therapy
- Music therapy
- Grief counseling
- Eating disorder therapy
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
- Interpersonal therapy
- Behavioral Activation
- Debt Counseling
- Among others
Potentially include: https://onlinecounselingprograms.com/become-a-counselor/counseling-careers/
Most Common Settings For Counseling Work
When researching the possibilities of a counseling career, you may have a particular setting you would like to work in mind. Below we’ve gathered the most comprehensive data available detailing work settings for counselors.
Work Settings for School and Career Counselors
- Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private: 44%
- Junior colleges, colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private: 34%
- Healthcare and social assistance: 10%
- Other educational services; state, local, and private: 4%
- Self-employed workers: 3%
Work Settings for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers: 19%
- Individual and family services: 17%
- Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities: 11%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private: 11%
- Government : 9%
Work Settings for Social Workers
- Individual and family services: 18%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals: 14%
- Ambulatory healthcare services: 13%
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals: 13%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private: 12%
Work Settings for Rehabilitation Counselors
- Community and vocational rehabilitation services: 30%
- Individual and family services: 19%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals: 14%
- Nursing and residential care facilities: 12%
- Self-employed workers: 7%
Work Settings for Marriage and Family Therapists
- Individual and family services: 28%
- Outpatient care centers: 15%
- Offices of other health practitioners: 14%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals: 13%
- Self-employed workers: 8%
What earnings can counselors expect?
As you may have guessed from the wide range of counseling positions and settings listed above, there are many answers to “how much does a counselor make?”
Counted by the number of counseling-related positions in different settings, the most common counseling roles include social workers, rehabilitation counselors, and school and career counselors. Of those three, earnings differ by level of education and setting in which they work. Generally speaking, counselors teaching at the university level, conducting research, or in private practice make the most.
Average earnings for the most common counseling positions nationwide include the following:
- Social Workers: $47,980
- School and Career Counselors: $55,410
- Rehabilitation Counselors: $34,860
Social work is the largest counseling-related field “by the numbers” and offers a range of salaries. Depending on where you live and what type of social worker you are, salaries can vary greatly.
Child, Family and School Social Workers Salaries
- Los Angeles, CA: $62,000
- New York, NY: $59,410
- Chicago, IL: $59,420
Healthcare Social Workers
- Los Angeles, CA: $73,970
- New York, NY: $65,590
- Chicago, IL: $56,270
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Los Angeles, CA: $51,600
- New York, NY: $65,180
- Chicago, IL: $54,670
For counselors in private practice, numbers vary more but earnings can be much higher. Common private practice roles include:
- Private Practice Clinical Therapists: $150,000
- Clinical Psychologists: $72,220
How to get starting becoming a counselor today
If you’ve gotten this far into our guide, you’re likely interested in seeing what options you have for obtaining a degree in counseling. A few simple steps can help you to ascertain where to begin.
First off, you’ll need the proper degree. The proper degree will depend on exactly what type of counselor you want to become, and what licensure requirements there are for that career. Below we’ve listed some of the most common counseling positions as well as the educational paths needed to get the job.
For social work positions, you may be able to begin with a bachelor’s in social work. Though to specialize you will need a master’s or more.
We’ve researched a number of the best social work degree programs here at DegreeQuery. If you think you may want to go into social work, check out our rankings of the best online bachelor’s degrees in social work or the best online master’s degrees in social work.
For public school counseling, a path similar to that of teacher licensure may be pursued. Two common ways to enter into public school counseling include obtaining a bachelor’s degree as well as a bachelor’s in education (leading to state licensure).
Bachelor’s in education degrees are technically graduate professional degrees that are often tacked on to a traditional bachelor’s course of study. This course of study involves taking a handful of courses past a conventional bachelor’s degree, completing a supervised professional internship, and passing licensure tests.
Secondarily, licensure for teaching careers (including school counseling) may be gained through non-traditional routes that allow counselors to prepare for state licensing tests while working on the job.
If you think you might be interested in obtaining a master’s in school counseling, make sure to check out our ranking of the best online master’s in school counseling degrees.
Those with bachelor’s degrees in psychology, human services, or related degrees may be able to perform some roles in substance abuse, mental health, and rehabilitation settings. If you’re looking to work in clinical counseling roles where you perform one-on-one counseling and a greater range of services, however, you will likely need a master’s in psychology. Licensure in individual practice types is often required.
DegreeQuery has researched a number of academic programs related to mental health and substance abuse counseling, including the following three.
- The Top Online Master’s in Mental Health Counseling
- The Top Online Master’s in Addiction and Substance Abuse Counseling
- The Top Online Master’s in Psychology Degrees
For those looking to work as private family or individual counselors a master’s in counseling or counseling psychology is necessary as well as a supervised internship and licensure exams. Individual techniques within your counseling repertoire may also offer voluntary or mandatory licensure.
DegreeQuery has a number of rankings of programs for future family and individual counselors. If you think you may want to pursue a career as a private clinical counselor, make sure to check out our rankings of the best online master’s degrees in marriage and family counseling and the best online master’s in psychology degree programs.
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