Counseling Degrees & Online Subject Guide

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Counseling is a relatively new invention that has risen in prominence as a result of the modern and sometimes hectic world we live in. Students wishing to earn a degree in counseling will be expected to incorporate stress, conflict and emotional management into their coursework.

Online Journals

A helpful resource for academic research and counseling studies are journals, which can be found and studied online.
Your school library will most likely have a lot of useful information regarding counseling journals.

Recommended Counseling Journals

Research Tools and Databases

In some cases, information on a specific counseling subject will be required. Your school's library should have access to information databases. In addition to your school's general library database, you can find some of our recommended resources for counseling research here.

 

Books

In order to advance in counseling, students must study a variety of texts. Here are a few recommended books:

You can probably find these books and more by searching your school's library catalog, often accessible from the school's home webpage. If you do need to purchase a book, you should check if Gov Bookstore has it in stock. Gov Bookstore sell used books, great for those interested in saving a few pennies.

Multimedia

 
Lecture: Facilitating Counseling

Resources & Organizations

Online Counseling Degree FAQs

What Can I Do With a Counseling Degree?

Individuals who earn a counseling degree online have a variety of career paths available to them. Many graduates go on to work as elementary school or high school counselors.

Others may prefer a career in the corporate sector, serving as career counselor or in a human resources department. Counselors also work as private practice personal, family or marriage counselors. Social work is another major career path, with graduates finding positions in drug rehab programs, mental hospitals and nursing homes.

What Skills Are Needed to Excel in a Counseling Degree Program?

Counseling is a career centered on helping others. As such, those considering enrolling in an online counseling degree program should be passionate about listening to and mentoring people.

Counselors deal with emotional topics, such as stress, mental health and depression. As such, a strong interest in human interaction and the science behind behaviors is also beneficial.

What Is the Job Outlook for Counselors?

The main employers of students who earn a counseling degree online are schools, government facilities and hospitals. Many counselors also go on to become self-employed. The expected salary of counselors varies depending on the area of specialization. Educational counselors working in elementary and secondary schools tend to earn the most, with an estimated median salary of $53,750 annually. Counselors offering personal, family and career services earn approximately $32,000 per year.

Online Counseling Degree Programs

Online counseling degrees are offered at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral level. While certification requirements vary by state, a master's degree in counseling is typically required to become a licensed counselor. As such, students seeking a career that requires licensure should enroll in an accredited program that properly prepares graduates to obtain a license.

Graduate level programs offer students the option to specialize in a particular area of study. Online counseling degrees can be earned with a focus on school counseling, college student affairs, family therapy, substance abuse, community counseling, gerontology counseling and more.

Currently, distance learning counseling degrees at the graduate level are limited. Students may consider studying a related topic to broaden academic opportunities. Counselors often earn upper level degrees in psychology, social work and education.