Online Counseling Degree Programs

Counseling is a broad field, so much so that those who pursue it as a career are generally identified less as counselors than by their particular area of specialization. Academic or scholastic counselors work with students on a variety of issues, including identifying learning disabilities and providing referrals when necessary. They may also perform career counseling and help with the college admissions process, which includes applying for financial aid and scholarships. Substance abuse counselors work with addicts and the families of addicts to help them overcome addiction and acclimate to a life without drugs or alcohol.

Marriage and family counseling is another popular specialty. These counselors help couples and families improve communication and build healthier relationships. Mental health counselors help mentally ill patients find the resources they need to recover. They are often part of a team that includes psychiatrists and psychologists to help patients deal with mental illness and incorporate new coping skills and strategies into their everyday lives. Working conditions vary by facility, and you should consider that when choosing your specialty. School counselors, for example, may get summers and school holidays off, while self-employed counselors might work more evening hours when their adult patients aren't at work.

Counseling: You'd Better Like School

A master's degree is the minimum educational requirement to open a clinical practice in most states. But the degree is just the first step. To become licensed, you typically must also have two years or 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience and pass a state licensing exam.

School guidance counselors generally need to have completed at least some graduate course work, and most states require a master's degree. Some states also require guidance counselors to obtain teaching certification. Degree programs in counseling are typically found in schools' psychology or education departments.

There are also many accredited online counseling degree programs. Counselors in certain specialties may face less rigorous requirements; for example, some substance abuse counselors or behavior disorder counselors may only need a high school diploma and some focused education (such as an online degree program) to pass a certification exam. Because requirements vary considerably from state to state, you should check with your state agencies about qualifications required for the various counseling specialties.

Earnings for Counselors

Counselors with the right qualifications--generally defined as a master's degree or higher--will enjoy high demand, as job growth is expected to significantly increase over the next decade. According to the Department of Labor, demand for qualified counselors will grow at two to four times the rate of job market as a whole over the next decade. Counselors' annual earnings vary tremendously, from about $27,000 to more than $75,000 depending on the type of employer and counseling specialty. Highly-qualified and well-established counselors with private practices typically bring in the most money, while less-qualified practitioners in residential facilities earn the least.

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• Psychology & Mental Health