Master's in Counseling Degree Options and Career Paths

After earning a bachelor's degree in psychology, some students choose to continue their education at the graduate level to become a counselor. Most states require you to obtain a master's degree and state licensure to be a counselor. A Master's degree in counseling can be a good alternative to a master's in psychology, depending on your career goals. This article will review some of the master's degrees that are available for counseling.

Types of Degrees

Counseling is certainly not a "one-size-fits-all" option. If you are interested in entering this field, it is important to think about the kind of counseling that you want to perform. There are over 20 different specialties in the field of counseling, including school counselors, career counselors, addiction counselors, rehabilitation counselors, and community mental health counselors. You may also be interested in marriage and family therapy or social work.

Once you have chosen which type of counseling you are interested in, you will need to apply to a graduate program that offers the coursework and experience you desire, and earn your Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Education, or Master of Social Work degree.

Keep in mind, to obtain a license to practice, most states require that you have graduated from a CACREP-accredited program (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs).

There are a lot of similarities between the different Master's degree programs and they often lead to similar outcomes. However, you will want to be familiar with the unique features of each degree to make the choice that best fits your interests.

Master of Arts vs. Master of Science

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling degree is a great choice for someone who has an undergraduate degree in humanities, but not necessarily psychology. You may have a bachelor's degree in literature, history, philosophy, ethics, etc. The focus of coursework in the M.A. of Counseling program will be related to understanding the theoretical foundations of counseling, human development, various counseling techniques, professional ethics, and more.

A Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling degree is going to be more rooted in the sciences emphasizing research methods, psychometrics, and evidence-based practices. Students will be best prepared if they have a bachelor's degree in psychology and have strong math and logic skills. The M.S. in Counseling programs offer similar foundational classes as the M.A. programs in the theory and application of counseling, ethics, and the various areas of specialization.

Both M.A. and M.S. degrees will require you to complete a master's thesis or research project, as well as a certain number of fieldwork hours. For both degrees, you will take classes in your area of interest, such as childhood disorders, behavioral analysis, addiction, school counseling, or family systems. There are usually clusters of classes that are required for state licensing in each specialized field of counseling.

There are employment opportunities in mental health clinics, alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers, autism programs, schools, hospitals, private practice, and so on.

Master of Education (MEd)

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling is offered through an institution's school of education. This degree is a great choice for those interested in working in academic settings, where you will be specifically trained in K-12 school counseling (otherwise known as the guidance counselor). This can involve academic challenges, career counseling, and some behavioral and mental health counseling. These programs take two years of graduate study to complete.

If you want to have the option to provide mental health counseling, be sure the program meets the criteria to prepare you for state licensing.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

While not specifically a degree in counseling, the Master of Social Work allows graduates to provide counseling services. The MSW degree is perhaps the most popular option because it is recognized in all 50 states, and insurance companies are willing to reimburse those with an MSW degree and a License in Clinical Social Work (LCSW) for services.

Other good news is that MSW graduates are generally in high demand in many different locations, particularly as the need for mental health services continues to grow. They work in hospitals, mental health clinics, government agencies, schools, and more.

Master in Counseling Psychology

Another option is a master's degree in counseling psychology. This degree is similar to the M.A. or M.S. in counseling; however, the core classes are more intensely focused on the science of psychology, including psychopathology, psychological research, psychotherapy, etc. People who pursue this degree can also specialize in a variety of counseling fields like addiction, child and adolescent therapy, crisis counseling, and more, and will have a stronger foundation in psychology than other counseling degrees.

In some states, this degree allows graduates to gain limited licensure to practice psychology like the master's in clinical psychology. In both cases, most states require them to practice under the direct supervision of a licensed doctorate-level psychologist.

Job Options

As you can see, licensed professional counselors can work in a variety of jobs including:

• Career counselors
• Crisis counselors
• Marriage and family therapists
• Mental health counselors
• Psychosocial rehabilitation counselor
• School counselors (k-12)
• Social Work
• Substance abuse counselors
• Rehabilitation counselors (working with physical disabilities)

State Licensure

Each counseling specialty has its own licensure requirements that may vary depending on the state you live in. For instance, you may seek a license in school counseling (LSC), alcohol and drug counseling (LADC), professional counseling (LPC), or professional clinical counseling (LPCC).

There are additional certifications that can be earned if you want to be a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) or certified career counselor (CCC), for example.

Those with a Master's in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) may become Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) and need state licensure in order to work specifically with developmental disorders (such as the autism spectrum) and other behavioral health conditions.

If you are interested in opening your own private practice, you will need to gain state licensure. You may find that many states and insurance companies have limited reimbursement options even though mental health service coverage is required by law. You may be required to work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

Licensing requirements can vary by state, so be sure to check with your state's Department of Labor to learn more about the specific educational, licensing, and certification requirements to work in particular professions.