Online Counseling Degree Choices

Being a good listener and thinker is essential to gain a rewarding career in counseling. Applying these qualities to an education can be rewarding and life changing. A degree in counseling is available through online education. Online degree choices provide students with a large amount of career opportunities by giving an in depth study into the profession.



The goal of this education is to teach students how to help patients cope and overcome problems they have encountered in their lives. Procedures implemented will depend on what specialization a student chooses. Every specialization gives students the same foundational principles while providing students with different techniques based on what type of patients they will treat. Trained professionals will help patients who suffer from anxiety, depression, substance abuse, sexual abuse, and more. Counseling is extremely diverse and a student can step into a section of the industry they have the most passion for. Planning ahead for a desired career will help students not only stay on track, but also choose the right degree program.

Almost every state and employer requires a counselor to hold a graduate degree in order to practice. A bachelor degree program is the first step in gaining a graduate degree. All graduate programs require a student to have earned a bachelor degree prior to enrollment. Since a specific counseling degree cannot be earned at the bachelor level students can enter a program in psychology, education, sociology, or social work to prepare them for graduate level coursework. The focus of the bachelor degree is to provide a student with the fundamental knowledge needed to succeed in a graduate degree program.

The next step would be to enter a master degree program, where students will need to choose a specialization before beginning courses. Programs at this level of education on average take two years to complete. Students can focus their training on a certain population group, health issue, or organizational framework. Focused study includes gerontological counseling, marriage therapy, substance abuse, rehabilitation, school counseling, and Christian counseling. The overall basic study for a master degree includes topics on psychology, interpersonal communication, and health education. Training in gerontological counseling will include specific coursework to prepare students to work with elderly patients and aide them with social, emotional, and physical challenges. Coursework for an academic counseling degree will teach students how to help their clients by offering educational advice. Counselors in this line of work help individuals plan for their futures. A master degree will train students to enter the industry or equip them with the knowledge needed to gain further education.

PhD training is for individuals who want to enter leadership positions within their specializations. Degree programs offered include doctor of psychology, doctor of education, and counselor education. A doctor of education degree will prepare students to teach or work in the administrative section of the education industry. Length of a program will depend on what specialization a student wants to enter and what online college or university is offering the degree. The educational options will train students to enter a broad industry and attain their preferred career.

Earning a degree at the graduate level is central to career success. Prepare for online education today by critically analyzing what area of the industry you want to work in. Many career options exist in this field and you can find a degree path that fits your strengths. Once you've decided on the education that best suites you, search out accredited online counseling programs to start on the path to a new career.