Masters in Mental Health Counseling

For those students pursuing a Master's in Mental Health Counseling, classes often touch on a variety of subjects including family counseling, substance abuse counseling, crisis counseling, group methods of counseling, professional, and ethical issues, theories and techniques, and measurement and appraisal in counseling. For those that want to specialize in clinical situations, they can add additional courses in clinical mental health counseling as well as grant writing and program management. Most programs require a course of studies as well as doing fieldwork for practical experience. These courses take two years full-time.

For people that do not have the extra time to attend traditional university classrooms, online degree programs open up many professional opportunities. Mental Health Counseling Master’s Programs offered online provide the same professional strength as degrees obtained by going to class and traditional classrooms. Tuition usually costs less for online classes. For students attending online classes, the convenience level is exceptional. Students can do their assignments when they have the time instead of scheduling their personal and professional lives around attending traditional classes. Students can study at the end of the day, on the weekend or early morning at their convenience. It keeps life in balance.

In current economic times, more and more people are dealing with mental health issues. That means more chances for professionals to get into mental health counseling. Even when the economy picks up again, there will be a continuing need for counselors to help people get through life's difficulties. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, experts expect job growth to be almost 20% over the next decade for mental health counselors. Most counselors starting salary is between $30,000 and $40,000. Those counselors in private practice generally make more than counselors working for public agencies do. Salaries vary according to geographical locations as well.