Which Master’s in Counseling Program Is Right for You?

All counselors have one thing in common – a shared drive to help people overcome challenges and thrive. However, there are several different types of counseling careers you can pursue.

Each type of counselor uses specialized knowledge and skills to serve a different population. As you decide which counseling graduate program to pursue, it’s important to explore the differences between programs to determine which counseling specialty is appropriate for your interests and career goals.

Guide to Different Types of Counseling

There are many counseling specialties that involve working to meet the needs of different populations. Some of the most common types of counseling include:

  • Marriage Counseling: Help people improve their relationships by overcoming issues such as marital conflicts to ensure that each individual feels supported.
  • Family Counseling: Work through challenges including emotional issues, mental disorders, and adolescent behavior problems that impact all members of a family.
  • Addiction Counseling: Help individuals overcome dependence on drugs, alcohol, and destructive behavior.
  • Mental Health Counseling: Offer guidance to individuals dealing with issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and more that affect their health and well-being.
  • School Counseling: Help students navigate academic and personal challenges.
  • Rehabilitation Counseling: Work with disabled people to help them overcome specific challenges and lead more productive lives.
  • Suicide and Depression Counseling: Offer guidance to people experiencing serious depression and help them develop coping strategies.
  • Grief Counseling: Help people cope with loss – usually the death of a loved one – when grief is interfering with their daily activities.
  • Behavior Analyst: Study how human behavior affects motivation, and work with caretakers to develop plans for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, and behavioral disorders.

How to Choose a Counseling Master’s Program

When you are applying to counseling graduate programs, you should research a variety of programs to choose the best possible one for you. Below are some questions you should ask that will help you find a counseling graduate program that meets your needs.

Do You Want to Earn a Counseling Master’s on Campus or Online?

There are numerous counseling master’s programs, both on campus and online, that provide a quality education.

First, you’ll need to determine if you want to attend an online or on-campus master’s program. Online programs in particular are an excellent option for individuals who want to complete a program on a part-time schedule or attend a non-local university without relocating. There are several online options that offer similar curriculum and field training opportunities as on-campus programs, such as Counseling@NYU, with increased flexibility.

Do Counseling Programs Require Field Training?

Though the exact number of hours varies by state, you must complete supervised clinical placement hours in order to become an LPC. It’s important that the master’s program you choose includes a field training requirement that provides hands-on learning opportunities that may help prepare you for licensure.

Learn about Counseling@NYU’s field training experience.

Who Do You Want to Help as a Professional Counselor?

There are many different types of counselors. While considering what programs to apply to, you will want to narrow down the clients you want to work with and help. Some counseling programs may offer specializations or courses that will prepare you to work with specific populations.

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Mental Health Counseling

Counseling@NYU offers a master of arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness.

Educational Requirements

To become a mental health counselor, you must earn a master’s degree in mental health counseling and complete academic course work and field training to gain experience working in the setting of your choice.

Counseling Skills and Techniques

Mental health counselors are likely to use techniques such as attentive listening, empathy, reflection, and affirmation. In addition, mental health counseling professionals should be aware of counselor self-disclosure, only sharing personal information with clients that is relevant to the therapeutic process.

Populations You Will Serve

As a mental health counselor, your client base will depend on your work setting. For example, you may choose to work with individuals or in group counseling. Counseling@NYU graduates have chosen to work in mental health programs, university counseling centers, substance abuse treatment centers, and more.

Additional Responsibilities

As you work with individuals, families, and groups to improve their mental health, you may also:

  • Consult with other mental health professionals to create comprehensive treatment plans for your clients
  • Refer clients to psychologists and other services
  • Introduce a holistic (mind and body) approach to mental health care

Opportunities for Professional Development

Some mental health counselors choose to pursue a doctoral degree, or will advance by moving into supervisor or administrative roles. Opening a private practice may also afford you a broader range of career opportunities.

To expand your professional network, you could attend the AMHCA Conference, an opportunity for mental health counselors to connect on personal and professional issues and discuss advances in the field.

Take the Next Step in Your Professional Counseling Career

Learn how Counseling@NYU, the online counseling graduate programs from NYU Steinhardt, can help you reach your goals and make a difference in the lives of people in your own community.

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FAQs

  • Mental health counselors can specialize in a variety of areas to serve specific populations or address particular concerns. Some common specializations include school counseling, substance abuse counseling, marriage and family counseling, and rehabilitation counseling. These specializations allow professionals to tailor their practice to a specific field, such as working with students in an educational setting or helping individuals in recovery from addiction.

  • Counseling may be the right career for you if you have a strong desire to help others, possess empathy and excellent listening skills, and can remain calm and objective in challenging situations. The profession is both rewarding and demanding, requiring continuous personal and professional development. A career in counseling is ideal for individuals who are interested in human behavior and are committed to supporting clients through life’s challenges.

  • A Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and a master’s in counseling are both degrees in the helping professions, but they have different focuses. An MSW program typically emphasizes social justice, community-based work, and policy advocacy. A counseling degree, on the other hand, focuses more on direct client care and therapeutic techniques.

  • Becoming a licensed counselor typically takes six to eight years, which includes a four-year undergraduate degree, a two-year master’s degree, and two years of post-graduate supervised clinical experience. The exact timeline can vary based on your state’s specific requirements, your program’s length, and any delays in completing your clinical hours or passing licensing exams.

  • The primary difference between a master’s and a Ph.D. in counseling is the degree’s focus and career outcome. A master’s degree qualifies you to practice as a licensed, entry-level counselor, with a strong focus on direct client care. In contrast, a Ph.D. offers a more advanced, research-focused education and is designed for leadership roles in academia, supervision, or specialized areas like counselor education and advocacy.