Counseling Degrees

Most entry-level counseling jobs require at least a master's degree.

Below are the types of counseling education available. Link through for more information on each degree:

• Online counseling degrees
• Masters degrees in counseling
• PhD and doctorate counseling degrees

If you know what type of work you want to do after graduation, you're a step ahead of most counseling students. Choosing a specialty before choosing a counseling program, however, is not a necessity.

You may already have an idea of the people with whom you'd like to work:

• Children, teens, adults or the elderly
• Couples and families
• Disabled persons
• Groups or individuals
• High school or college students
• People suffering from depression, emotional problems
• Substance abusers

If you know the people you want to help, you can find a counseling degree program focused on that specialty. Most people choose a general mental health counseling program and then intern in a particular area of interest. The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is another customizable counseling degree that is recognized in 50 states.

Questions for Counseling Schools

• How long will it take to complete my counseling degree?
• Does your program lean toward any specific area of study (i.e., school counseling, mental health, marriage and family counseling)?
• Does your counseling school offer assistance with internship placement?
• How versatile is the degree - is it recognized in multiple states?
• Can I customize the program if I want to focus on a particular area of mental health?

Bachelor's Degree in Counseling

There are bachelor's programs in counseling, social services and mental health, however, in most states, professional counselors are required to have a higher degree of leaning before working unsupervised with the public. A bachelor's degree in counseling or psychology can be a good starting point for an undergrad student who wants a career in counseling.

If you do not currently have a bachelor's and believe that counseling is your ultimate career goal, getting your bachelor's degree in counseling, social services or mental health may give you a leg up when you're ready to pursue your master's program.

In other words, people with bachelor's in non-related fields may have to take some prerequisites before engaging in a master's counseling program. The right bachelor's degree can satisfy those prerequisites so that you can move into your master's degree more easily.