What Is Counseling?
Counselors help clients relieve stress and resolve daily and long-term mental health conditions. They may specialize in providing support for individuals seeking career or guidance counseling or living with a condition such as substance misuse. Most professionals need a master's in counseling and state licensure.
Featured Programs in Counseling
Counseling in the Classroom and Workforce
Counseling can be a fulfilling career for people who have compassion, patience, active-listening skills, and a desire to help others. Fortunately, earning a counseling degree can lead to long-term careers, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 23% job growth for counselors from 2020-2030. This growth exceeds the national average of 8% for all occupations.
Types of counselors and their respective job requirements vary by state. However, mental health counselors and addiction counselors typically need a master's degree and supervised field experience to earn a license and practice in any state.
Most counselors work in outpatient facilities, but they can also work in hospitals, schools, and community centers. Guidance counselors may specialize in grief counseling or Christian counseling or become marriage and family counselors or children's therapists.
Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling
Yes. Counseling degrees are a natural career path for people aspiring to a helping profession. A master's in counseling provides the core coursework and field experience counselors need to prepare for licensure. Students may also earn a bachelor's degree to gain work experience on the path toward a master's in counseling or qualify for entry-level social work or community leadership positions.
Aspiring counselors can also explore their desired area of specialization through a counseling degree.