[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Whether you want to work as a mental health, substance misuse, career, or [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/career-guide/school-counselor-overview/”]school counselor[/hen-ui-link], there’s a counseling degree to suit your goals. Depending on your degree specialization, you may work with individuals, couples, families, or groups.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]But picking the right degree can be tough. Here, we’ll explore six types of counseling degrees to help you find the best fit for your career goals and interests.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /]
[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base uppercase” tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Reality Check: What Degree Does a Counselor Need?[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While you can earn a bachelor’s degree in counseling, it won’t lead to a traditional, clinical role where you can provide individualized services to clients. To become a clinical or licensed professional counselor, you need a [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-masters-counseling/”]master’s degree in counseling[/hen-ui-link] or psychology.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With a [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/best-online-bachelors-counseling/”]bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-link], however, you can work in supportive roles alongside psychologists and licensed counselors.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]6 Types of Counseling Degrees[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A counseling degree opens up many career options. A bachelor’s degree gives you foundational knowledge and qualifies you for entry-level jobs. In many states, substance misuse counselors can qualify for entry-level roles with a [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/best-online-bachelors-addiction-recovery/”]bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-link]. However, their scope of practice may be limited.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A master’s in counseling, on the other hand, helps you become an advanced counselor and prepares you for licensure. These degrees include specializations that lead to specific [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/counseling/”]counseling career paths[/hen-ui-link]. For example, a [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-masters-family-counseling/”]master’s in marriage and family counseling[/hen-ui-link] concentration prepares you to help couples and families improve their relationships.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Counseling Degree Types[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Counseling Degree[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Minimum Degree Required for This Counseling Path[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Ideal Degree Program[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career Counseling[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counseling Degree”]Master’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Minimum Degree Required for This Counseling Path”][hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-masters-counseling/”]Master’s in Counseling[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Clinical Mental Health Counseling[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counseling Degree”]Master’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Minimum Degree Required for This Counseling Path”]Master’s in Counseling[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Marriage and Family Counseling[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counseling Degree”]Master’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Minimum Degree Required for This Counseling Path”][hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-masters-family-counseling/”]Master’s in Family Counseling[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Rehabilitation Counseling[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counseling Degree”]Master’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Minimum Degree Required for This Counseling Path”]Master’s in Counseling[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]School Counseling[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counseling Degree”]Master’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Minimum Degree Required for This Counseling Path”][hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-masters-school-counseling/”]Master’s in School Counseling[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Substance Misuse Counseling[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counseling Degree”]Bachelor’s*[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Minimum Degree Required for This Counseling Path”][hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-masters-substance-abuse-counseling/”]Master’s in Addiction Counseling[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table]
*Limited scope of practice
[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Knowing where you’ll work and the type of clients you’ll be working with and supporting can help you decide on which counselling degree is best for you.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]1. Career Counseling[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]What You Do:[/hen-ui-text] Career counselors, also known as career coaches or college advisors, help people make informed career decisions. They often help with job searches, including resume writing, interview preparation, and networking, and they recommend career paths that align with clients’ strengths and goals.

[hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who You Work With:[/hen-ui-text] Students or working professionals needing guidance on educational and career choices[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Where You Work:[/hen-ui-text] Schools, colleges, universities, and vocational training centers[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]2. Clinical Mental Health Counseling[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]What You Do:[/hen-ui-text] Mental health counselors, also called clinical mental health counselors or licensed professional counselors (LPC), work with people with mental health diagnoses that align with the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5).

[hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who You Work With:[/hen-ui-text] Individuals, couples, families, and groups facing mental health challenges[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Where You Work:[/hen-ui-text] Mental health clinics, hospitals, private practices, and community health centers[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]3. Marriage and Family Counseling[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]What You Do:[/hen-ui-text] Marriage and family counselors focus on conflict resolution for couples and the family unit, which can include immediate and extended family members.

[hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who You Work With:[/hen-ui-text] Couples and families with relationship and communication issues[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Where You Work:[/hen-ui-text] Private practices, counseling centers, mental health clinics, and community agencies[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]4. Rehabilitation Counseling[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]What You Do:[/hen-ui-text] Rehabilitation counselors help their clients improve the quality of their daily lives. They teach life skills to clients of any age with disabilities or diseases like multiple sclerosis, autism, or spina bifida.

[hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who You Work With:[/hen-ui-text] People with disabilities or chronic health conditions needing help overcoming obstacles to employment, education, and independent living[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Where You Work:[/hen-ui-text] Rehabilitation agencies, hospitals, community health centers, and government agencies[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]5. School Counseling[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]What You Do:[/hen-ui-text] School counselors, once referred to as guidance counselors, work with children from Pre-K through 12th grade. School counselors see children with issues that impact their social interactions or academic achievement during school.

[hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who You Work With:[/hen-ui-text] Students needing support for academic, social, emotional, and career development[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Where You Work:[/hen-ui-text] Elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as colleges and universities[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]6. Substance Misuse Counseling (Addiction Counseling)[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]What You Do:[/hen-ui-text] Addiction counselors commonly work with clients with substance use disorders and their family members. They facilitate educational groups to teach clients tools for coping with stress or other addiction-related symptoms.

[hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who You Work With:[/hen-ui-text] People struggling with substance misuse, including alcohol and drugs[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Where You Work:[/hen-ui-text] Substance misuse centers, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, mental health clinics, and private practices[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Counseling Degree Overview: Bachelor’s vs. Master’s[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A bachelor’s and a master’s degree in counseling have key differences. Each offers unique roles, requirements, and opportunities.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Counseling Degree Comparison[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Counseling Degree Level[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Can Provide One-to-One Clinical Services[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Time Requirement to Work/Practice[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Licensure Required to Work/Practice[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Mean Starting Salary[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Bachelor’s in Counseling[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counseling Degree Level”]No[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Can Provide One-to-One Clinical Services”]4 years[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Time Requirement to Work/Practice”]No[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Licensure Required to Work/Practice”]$42,930[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Master’s in Counseling[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counseling Degree Level”]Yes[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Can Provide One-to-One Clinical Services”]4-6 years[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Time Requirement to Work/Practice”]Yes[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Licensure Required to Work/Practice”]$53,960[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Bachelor’s in Counseling Degrees[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A bachelor’s degree can open up opportunities for support roles and specific counseling services. Most of these roles — such as social skills, emotional support, and behavioral intervention counselors — require on-the-job training or extra coursework rather than a master’s degree.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Similar roles that don’t use the term “counseling” include home health aides and youth advocates. Some social services professionals with a bachelor’s degree can assist clients with mental health disorders, but with some restrictions.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Master’s in Counseling Degrees[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A master’s degree is the required credential for advanced counseling roles and licensure. It’s the key to getting an independent practitioner license, which allows you to assess, diagnose, and treat mental disorders professionally.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Common degree types include clinical mental health counseling, professional counseling, and school counseling. A master’s degree is required for all six counseling specialties covered in this guide.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Choose the Right Counseling Degree: 4 Questions to Ask Yourself[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Choosing the right counseling degree can be challenging. Consider these four questions to help clarify your goals and find the best fit for your future.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Who Do I Want to Work With?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Consider the type of client you want to work with as a counselor. If you enjoy working with kids, think about school counseling. If adults are more your focus, explore mental health or career counseling. You can also look into marriage and family counseling.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Where Do I Want to Work?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Think about your preference for a work setting. If you want to work in schools, look into school counseling. A preference for private offices may guide you toward clinical counseling. If hospitals interest you, think about rehabilitation counseling. Each setting offers its own opportunities and challenges.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Do I Prefer One-to-One Counseling or Group Counseling?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Your preference between individual or group counseling can help you choose your path. You might do well in mental health, career, or school counseling if you feel more comfortable in one-on-one settings. But if you enjoy group dynamics, you might specialize in substance misuse or couples and family counseling.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Will I Be Able to Separate Myself from My Client’s Issues?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Counselors face many reasons for burnout, but one key factor is focusing too much on a client’s well-being. This risk is greater in areas like substance misuse. Being able to separate yourself from a client’s issues is crucial in any field, but especially in mentally and emotionally demanding areas.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Types of Counseling Degrees[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to become a counselor​?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It usually takes 6-8 years to become a licensed counselor. First, you need 3-4 years for a bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years for a master’s degree. It can take 2-3 more years to finish the post-degree supervision needed for state licensure, but the hours required vary.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can I become a counselor without a degree?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]No, to [hen-ui-link href=”/counseling/how-to-become-a-counselor/”]become a licensed professional counselor,[/hen-ui-link] you need a degree. But some counseling support roles only require special training or certifications. For example, some substance misuse counseling positions only require a high school diploma and relevant certifications. You might also find opportunities in peer or life skills counseling. Just keep in mind that you will not be able to offer individual counseling services without a degree.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What degree do you need to be a guidance counselor?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To become a guidance counselor, you typically must earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in school counseling or a similar field with relevant coursework. You must also pass state-specific exams for licensure or certification.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How do I get a degree in counseling?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The first step to earning a counseling degree is enrolling in an accredited counseling program. Many universities offer online counseling degrees, which provide flexibility, accessibility, and potential cost savings. A counseling degree program includes coursework, an internship, and clinical hours.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]After you earn your graduate degree, you must pass exams in order to obtain licensure. Once you’re licensed, you’ll be ready for professional practice.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Discover More College Resources” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1398,1288″][/hen-ui-article-row]