Online Degree Programs by Subjects

Online Counseling Degree Programs

Professionals involved in counseling are trained to help people deal with various emotional issues in personal, family, social, and educational relationships. These professionals are employed in elementary and high schools along with professional and medical fields. They can range from career counselors, marriage counselors or counselors who work with the disabled, mentally ill, or those overcoming drug or alcohol addiction.

Students interested in pursuing a career in counseling fulfill educational as well as state licensure requirements. When completing the courses they can begin to formulate ideas on their chosen work environment, occupation, specialty, and employer. While accessing information about various counseling degree programs from state and local governments, prospective employers or volunteer organizations students can become better informed.

Online Counseling Degrees

There are about 17 degrees offered online in this area which range from Associate, Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate. Some of the prominent online counseling degrees offered by established colleges are:

  • Master of Science (MS) in Human Services - School Counseling by Capella University which has become quite popular due to the growing demand for qualified school counselors.
  • M.S. in Mental Health Counseling (CACREP accredited) by Walden University.
  • Ph.D. in Human Services - Counseling by Walden University which specializes in areas like healthy life adjustment, bio-psychosocial stress, human diversity as well as a synthesis of social, behavioral, and developmental approaches to human growth.
  • Ph.D. in Psychology - Counseling Psychology (Licensure) by Walden University
  • Master of Science (MS) in Psychology - Counseling Psychology by Capella University offers a basis for Counseling Psychology which is a general interventional approach to psychology

After completion of any of these thorough online degree programs on counseling, students need to acquire a license. Before applying for a license, students need to complete a Masters Degree program followed by about 2,000 hours of supervised clinical internship, eligibility scores on state-administered examinations as well as completion of continuing career education requirements.

The topics which need to be covered under a course in counseling include eight core areas:

  • Human growth and development
  • Social and cultural diversity
  • Relationships
  • Group work
  • Career development
  • Assessment
  • Research and program evaluation
  • Professional identity

Job prospect after completion of an online Counseling Degree

Based on the data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of counseling professionals is likely to grow 21 percent by 2016 with that of behavioral disorder counselors increasing by 34 percent and that of vocational and school counselors increasing by 13 percent. This increase is predominantly because of the increase in enrollment in secondary schools leading to more demand for school counselors.