Quick Highlights:
- A master’s in counseling opens paths in clinical settings, social services, education, and more.
- Counseling requires a master’s degree, state-specific licensure, and often a substantial number of supervised clinical hours.
- Specializing in areas such as substance abuse, marriage, or family therapy can enhance your skills and job prospects.
- Make sure and compare the costs of education against potential earnings and explore financial aid options like scholarships and grants.
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Some people decide to pursue a master’s in counseling because they are empathetic and care deeply about helping other people. Other individuals want to conduct research in the field or teach others. No matter what you want a counseling graduate degree for, there are many ways you can use it for your career goals.
If you are contemplating a master’s degree in counseling, it is important to research the impact it can have on your life and the lives of everyone around you. Depending on your specialization areas, you can get a job helping families, couples, or people who suffer from substance use. If you enroll in the most affordable master’s in counseling program, you can enjoy getting a decent return on your investment. More importantly, you can take the next step in achieving your own personal fulfillment.
Related:
- Top 10 Masters in Counseling Degree Programs Online
- 35 Best Counseling Master’ s Degree Programs
- What Can You Do With a Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling?
- What are the Challenges Facing Mental Health Counselors?
The Essentials of a Master’s in Counseling
To decide whether a masters degree in counseling is worth it or not, you first have to understand the time commitment involved. If you are going to become a professional counselor, you will need to complete a significant amount of coursework. You may need to take extra courses if you want to specialize in a specific subject. As you complete your coursework, you will also need to work on your practicum.
Coursework
Each school is different, so the classes that you have to take during your master’s in counseling can vary. In general, you will have to take courses on human development and ethics. The following list includes some of the most common course requirements.
- Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethics
- Counseling Theories
- Substance Abuse and Addiction Disorders
- Group Theory and Skills
- The Counseling Relationship
- Abnormal Psychology
- Counseling Diverse Populations
- Human Development
- Foundations of Counseling
- Marriage Counseling
- Family Therapy
Practicum
While each state has different requirements, you will generally have to complete a practicum in order to graduate. The requirements can vary, but you will typically need around 3,000 hours of counseling work under direct supervision. Fortunately, your counseling graduate degree program will normally arrange for a practicum supervisor or help you locate one in your area.
Specialization
You don’t have to choose specialization areas when you get a master’s degree in counseling. However, it is one of the options you have if you want to become better at supporting your clients. One of the most common options is to specialize in marriage and family therapy. Other counselors focus on substance use disorders.
In addition to these options, you can try exploring one of the following specialization areas.
- Play Therapy
- Crisis Intervention
- Eating Disorders
- Forensic Counseling
- Career Counselor
- School Counselor
- Rehabilitation Counseling
- Music Therapy Counseling
- Counselor Educator
Licensing Exams
No matter what type of specialization you choose, you will likely need to take an exam after you complete a master’s degree in counseling. Each state is different, but you will typically need to complete a degree, finish supervised counseling hours, and take an exam to get your license. Additionally, you will be expected to pass a background and criminal record check.
The Skills You Will Learn
As you progress through your master’s in counseling, you will get to learn new skills that will help you be successful in your counseling career. Depending on where you go, you can expect to learn some of the following skills.
- Emotional Intelligence
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Empathy
- Cultural Competency
- Analytical Thinking
- Communication Abilities
- Critical-Thinking Skills
- Conflict Resolution
Career Opportunities and Advancement
After finding the most affordable master’s in counseling, there are a number of career paths that will open up to you. While most people immediately think of working as a mental health counselor, there are many more jobs in academic and corporate settings.
- Wellness Coach: Some people use a master’s in counseling to work in employee assistance or wellness programs. In other cases, they create their own wellness business for clients.
- Mental Health Advocate: Once you have a counseling graduate degree, you can work with policymakers to create laws that support mental healthcare. Depending on the specialization areas you work in, you may also work on policies related to families, domestic violence, or substance use.
- Health Educators: Health educators work in community settings to teach people about mental wellness and similar topics.
- College Professor: Once you have completed a master’s in counseling, you can get hired as a college professor. Other than teaching students, you may also work in research settings.
- Conflict-Resolution Specialist: Many international organizations and nonprofit groups hire conflict-resolution specialists to help when there are potential disputes.
Financial Considerations
If you are trying to determine if a master’s degree in counseling is right for you or not, it is important to consider the cost of school. Even if you find the highest paying therapist jobs, it can still take years to pay back the money you borrowed for your education. Before you enroll in the most affordable master’s in counseling, think carefully about the costs you will pay.
Tuition, books, and potential lost income are the main expenses you will have to pay to get a master’s degree. If you decide to live on campus, you will have to pay extra for your room and board. The average cost of a master’s degree in any subject is $59,684 according to the Educational Data Initiative. At public institutions, the average student also spends $410 on textbooks.
However, these amounts can vary significantly based on where you go to school. You may be able to obtain a discount on tuition if you are an in-state student or if you get a graduate assistantship. In addition, some programs provide scholarships and grants. Certain states will also repay your student loans if you work as a counselor in a high-need area.
While there is an added cost involved in getting a master’s degree, this cost typically pays off in the long run. Someone who has a master’s degree in counseling will get a median wage between $59,500 and $80,000 per year based on information from ZipRecruiter. Meanwhile, the average entry-level counselor with a bachelor’s degree typically earns between $41,879 and $54,739 according to salary.com.
Licensing and Certification
Following your master’s degree in counseling, the next step is getting your license. Typically, you will have to apply with your state’s licensing board. They will normally require some type of background check or criminal record search. Additionally, you will need to show proof that you have completed your master’s degree and your practicum.
In order to qualify for a license, you must attend a program that is accredited. Accreditation demonstrates that a program is academically rigorous and has taught you everything you need to know to be a successful counselor. If the program isn’t accredited, you won’t be able to get your counseling license.
Once you have obtained your license, you will still have to keep going to school. Most states require continuing education credits each year. These classes help you stay updated on the latest changes in the industry, which allows you to become a better counselor for your patients.
The Impact on Job Satisfaction
Getting a master’s in counseling is important if you want to have a fulfilling job. If you have spent your entire life dreaming about being a counselor, then a counseling graduate degree is worth the investment.
Once you work as a counselor, you can enjoy having a positive impact on your clients’ lives. Counselors often operate with some degree of autonomy, which is useful if you like to be in charge of your professional decisions. Plus, the additional knowledge you gain can be personally fulfilling because you will be better able to help others.
Making the Decision
Is getting a master’s degree in counseling worth it for you? This type of decision is highly personal, so there is no right or wrong answer. Before you invest your time and money in an education, consider your answers to the following questions.
- What do you want to do for your career?
- How much money and time can you invest in your education?
- Are you able to study online or in person with your current schedule?
- Do you enjoy helping other people?
- Will you be able to complete all of the requirements to get your license?
- Are you interested in gaining additional skills?
If you want to work as a counselor, you will most likely have to get a master’s degree in counseling. In addition, you will need to complete a practicum and fulfill all of your licensing requirements. All of these activities take a significant amount of effort, so you should take some time to carefully consider whether this career path is right for you before you apply.
Find Out More Information About Counseling Degrees
Before you enroll in a counseling graduate degree, you should research the most affordable master’s in counseling and your state’s requirements. Each state has different expectations for getting a counseling license, so you need to know if your master’s in counseling will qualify before you invest your time and money in a specific program.
There are many benefits involved in getting a master’s degree in counseling. From choosing specialization areas to completing a practicum, this degree involves a significant amount of effort. Before you start your master’s in counseling, take some time to assess the value of the degree and how relevant it is for your career path.