Master's Degrees in Counseling

Why would I want a counseling degree?

A degree in counseling will give you the knowledge and skills you need to have a fulfilling career by helping others work through their questions and problems, not to mention that jobs in this field are plentiful. If you enjoy getting to the root of problems and decision making, like helping others, and are patient and a good listener, then a degree in counseling may be a good fit for you.

What do people with counseling degrees do?

A large majority of people who get their degrees in counseling go on to become professional counselors who specialize in one of a variety of areas. These counselors seek to help families and individuals with a variety of issues and problems ranging from mental health disorders to disability and employment needs. Some of the most common careers and specialties that counseling graduates go into are listed below.

• Educational and School Counselors: They provide advice and direction to students of all levels (from elementary school to university). Their main responsibilities lie in evaluating students’ abilities, interests, talents, and personalities to develop realistic academic and career goals, but they may also provide other counseling on a more personal level, especially the ones counseling children and teenagers.
• Rehabilitation Counselors: People who are going through rehab due to physical or emotional problems need counseling as a part of their rehab. Rehabilitation counselors help these patients get through rehabilitation by offering emotional support, giving advice, and giving them resources they can draw from to help get them through the rehab process.
• Mental Health Counselors: They are trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques to help their patients work through a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, suicidal impulses, stress, trauma, low self-esteem, and grief.
• Substance Abuse Counselors: They help people overcome unhealthy dependencies. Some of these dependencies include substance abuse problems (alcohol and drugs), gambling, and eating disorders. Therapy may include individual and group sessions, as well as working with family members who are affected by the addictions.
• Marriage and Family Therapists: They work with individuals and families to help promote healthy family relationships. In doing so, they help to modify people’s perceptions and behaviors and enhance communication and understanding among family members.

How much do professional counselors make?

The median salaries for the most common careers and specialties in counseling are listed below. This data was taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and is based on surveys which were taken in 2019.

The median annual salary for educational and school counselors was $57,040. The middle 50 percent earned between $44,010 and $74,430. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,380, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $96.090.

The median annual salary for rehabilitation counselors was $35,950. The middle 50 percent earned between $28,140 and $48,110. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,820, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $63,790.

The median annual salary for mental health counselors was $42,840. The middle 50 percent earned between $33,560 and $55,440. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,950, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $70,100.

The median annual salary for substance abuse counselors was $46,240. The middle 50 percent earned between $35,960 and $59,650. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,520, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $76,080.

The median annual salary for marriage and family therapists was $49,610. The middle 50 percent earned between $37,740 and $64,630. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,070, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $87,700.

Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/marriage-and-family-therapists.htm.

How popular are professional counseling jobs?

Jobs in counseling are quite popular, and they will continue to be popular into the foreseeable future. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the growth rate among all counseling professions is expected to grow by 22% through the year 2028, which is faster than the average growth rate among all jobs. Aside from the growing need for professional counselors of all specialties, another thing that is spurring the growth in this field is the growing recognition of the effectiveness of their work.

How do I become a professional counselor?

Certification and licensing requirements vary from state to state. One thing that is quite standard, though, is that most positions require at least a master’s degree in counseling or psychology in order to become a licensed counselor or therapist. Some positions actually require a doctorate degree in counseling or psychology in order to become licensed.