Is an Online Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Right for You? | Mental Health Counseling Program Accreditation | CACREP Accreditation | Online Student Support Services | Clinical Experience Placement Assistance | Curriculum | Concentrations | Is a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Worth It? | FAQs

An online counseling degree is just one of the many graduate degrees available via distance learning. But is an online master of mental health counseling degree right for you? If you’re asking yourself that question, it might be helpful to start with some of the traits and characteristics of online students:

Does this sound like you? If so, you may be a fit for an online master of mental health counseling degree program.

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Mental Health Counseling Program Accreditation

For any online degree in the helping professions, accreditation offers the mark of approval for meeting career standards in best preparing future professionals. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Programs (CACREP) and the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) set standards for online master’s in mental health counseling programs that meet the needs of clients and the changing landscape of the profession, and incorporate research trends in mental health.

Course titles and descriptions vary by program. When comparing master’s degrees in mental health counseling, be sure to look at the required and elective coursework and consider how the curriculum will prepare you to become an effective mental health practitioner. Does the curriculum integrate theory, philosophy and technical skills that are consistent with the competencies of professional counselors?

You might also evaluate a graduate program’s curriculum on how well it aligns with education requirements for licensure in the state where you wish to practice as a mental health counselor. For example, CACREP requires mental health counselors to complete graduate courses in the following content areas:

You may be able to tailor your degree and focus your education to the clients you plan on serving after graduation. Specializations and focus areas may include:

People who successfully complete a master’s degree in mental health counseling can help individuals and families across different cultures, backgrounds and circumstances. Not all counseling jobs require a master’s degree; the value in earning a graduate-level degree in mental health counseling is the skill set and knowledge it will provide. A master’s degree in mental health counseling may signal to potential employers that you are serious and deeply knowledgeable about how to help people live happier, more functional lives.

Counselors work in different facilities, depending on their specialty. Settings may include hospitals, schools, prisons and private practices. Your specific counseling concentration is up to you to decide. What are you most passionate about?

Here are some of the careers students can pursue after earning a master’s degree in mental health counseling.

Mental health counselors help people navigate their struggles with mental and emotional health, developing personalized therapy sessions that examine the roots of their problems and provide solutions to help people overcome them.

The median salary for counselors is $48,520 per year as of May 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Advanced degrees and professional certifications may increase earning potential for mental health counselors.

Learn more about how to become a mental health counselor.

School counselors look after the well-being of students in the education system, ranging from elementary schools to colleges and universities. They develop programs to help students deal with emotional difficulties they experience as a result of school-related stress.

One of the most important responsibilities of the school counselor is to make life easier for students with behavioral and mental illnesses. Students with learning disabilities or autism aren’t always suited for traditional learning environments, and counselors help create settings in which they can thrive.

The BLS has two important statistics about school counselor jobs that people in this field may wish to consider: The median annual salary for school counselors was $60,150  a year in 2021, and employment is expected to increase by 11% from 2020 to 2030.

While a master’s in mental health counseling may help prepare you for a career as a school counselor, some states have counseling certification standards that require a master’s degree in school counseling to become a school counselor.

Learn more about how to become a school counselor.

Substance abuse counselors help people struggling with drug and alcohol misuse. This means spotting the mental and emotional turmoil that people with addiction experience and helping them push past it. Helping clients better manage their distress also reduces the likelihood of a relapse.

Another part of the substance abuse counselor’s job is measuring clients’ road to recovery and sobriety. The goal of treatment is to ensure that clients never relapse back into addiction or the behaviors that result from it.

The BLS reports the median annual salary for substance abuse counselors was $48,520 a year in 2021. Education requirements depend on where you work: In some states, the minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or other related fields. However, counselors with a master’s degree can provide more services and potentially earn more as a substance abuse counselor.

Learn more about how to become a substance abuse counselor.

A marriage and family therapist helps married couples and family members solve their differences and form healthier, stronger relationships. They encourage families and couples to talk about their problems with one another in the open during sessions. This is the key to helping the therapist develop a solution that helps all parties better understand each other.

According to the BLS, here are the salary and projected employment growth for marriage and family therapists:

Note: while you can become an MFT with a master’s in mental health counseling, you can also choose a different degree path, such as an online MFT degree.

Learn more about how to become a marriage and family therapist.

A geriatric counselor provides services to seniors who suffer from problems related to aging. Counselors in this field help clients cope with the realities that come with old age, such as:

Geriatric counselors also look for signs of depression and anger in seniors. Mental health counselors can help seniors understand depression as a real illness for which they can provide treatment.

Information last updated April 2022