A Master's Degree in Counseling
A master’s degree in counseling is appropriate for those who want to become professional counselors. A master’s degree in counseling is different from a master’s degree in psychology in that the latter is taken as preparation for a doctorate degree in psychology, and the education is generally more training based than research based.
Requirements to Enter a Master's Degree in Counseling Program
Applicants for a master’s degree in counseling must have a bachelor’s degree. Your bachelor’s degree does not have to be in psychology, but undergraduate coursework in psychology will help. If you have never taken psychology courses, you may need to take credited prerequisite classes before beginning your master’s program in counseling. In general, students who enter master’s degree programs in counseling must have had a strong GPA, usually at least 3.0. In addition to possessing a bachelor’s degree, some master’s programs require applicants to submit GRE scores and/or perform an interview with program admissions staff before being accepted to the master’s program.
Duration of a Master's Degree in Counseling Program
A master’s degree in counseling generally takes two to three years, depending on your specialty, the number of credits taken per semester, and the length of time needed to write your thesis or complete your internship, if either or both are required for attaining the master’s degree. There are online counseling degrees and online psychology courses available if online education is a better option for you.
Choosing a Master's Degree in Counseling Program
When choosing a master’s program in counseling, which can be an online degree program or an on-campus degree program, consider enrolling in a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Accredited programs are those that are deemed established and meet the standards approved by the profession. Accredited counseling programs are the most tailored to providing you with the right skills and knowledge needed to pass a state licensing exam. Graduates of CACREP-accredited programs are also immediately qualified to acquire national certification from the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) upon passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE).
While it is not required that you attend an accredited school for your master’s degree in counseling, doing so will open up better employment opportunities, assist you with gaining state licensure, and make it easier for you to transfer your practice to a different state. Search the CACREP Directory, by state or region, for an accredited counseling program.
The Curriculum for a Master’s Degree in Counseling
Required topics in a master’s degree program in counseling include subjects such as these:
- Case management
- Counseling theories
- Current issues in counseling
- Diagnosis and treatment planning
- Ethical and legal issues
- Multicultural issues
- Research methodology
Depending on your counseling interests and your counseling specialty, elective courses may include topics such as these:
- Adult learning
- Career planning
- Counseling children and youth
- Emotional and cognitive development
- Grief and loss
- Human sexuality
- Marriage counseling
- Play therapy
- Psychopharmacology
Internship for Master's Degree in Counseling Students
To provide you with practical experience and the opportunity to apply what you have learned in your master’s program, master’s programs in counseling require candidates to complete an internship and/or a practicum. In the practicum or internship, master’s degree students counsel real clients with instructor supervision in a clinic, which can be on campus or somewhere in the community. A reputable master's in counseling program will have the appropriate resources and community connections to set you up with an internship at a credible clinic or community agency to give you the professional experience you will need to attain employment as a counselor after graduation.
Completion of a Master’s Degree in Counseling
For graduation from a master’s program in counseling, one or more, or all of the following may be required:
- Comprehensive exam
- Thesis
- Professional portfolio
This will depend on your program’s specific requirements, so check with your counseling program’s staff and plan your coursework, time, and resources accordingly.