Online Degree in Counseling

Counseling Degree Online Programs

Online graduate degree programs in counseling with concentrations in marriage and family therapy, school counseling, pastoral care, school guidance, mental health counseling and rehabilitation counseling

Featured Schools

There are many specialty areas in counseling including, mental health counseling, school counseling, community counseling, rehabilitation counseling, substance abuse counseling, guidance counseling, and vocational counseling. For example:

Mental Health Counselors help people cope with emotional and mental trauma such as depression, stress, addictions and substance abuse.
Rehabilitation Counselors help people deal with the personal, social, and vocational effects of disabilities.
School Counselors are trained to facilitate the academic, personal/social, and career development of children and young adults in school settings.

Counseling professionals help people deal with personal, family, social, educational, and emotional problems. To qualify as a counselor, you must successfully complete courses in psychology, therapy, medicine, or education.

Requirements to Qualify for Counseling

Counselors, other than those working for schools, must be licensed.
Although a bachelor's degree is a good start, most states and employers require master's degrees plus licensing. Master's programs typically last two years and require an additional 600 hours in a supervised clinical internship.
Associate's degree holders can gain entry into the field as aides.

Career In Counseling

Many graduates find jobs easily because demand is so high, and there aren't enough certified counseling professionals to cover all of the openings available. This is especially true in areas such as substance abuse, behavioral disorders, and probation rehabilitation.

Counselors generally divide their time between counseling patients, researching mental health issues and analyzing patient conditions. They work with people who are suffering from a wide variety of conditions ranging from career and stress management issues to more serious conditions like chemical addiction and suicidal depression.

Marriage and family therapists use therapeutic techniques to treat individuals, family groups, or couples. They are concerned with modifying behavior and enhancing communication and understanding among all family members. Some MFTs use psychotherapy of a non-medical nature, referring patients to psychiatrists for medication.