Essential Information
Master's degree programs in child counseling enable students to provide support and counseling services to youth suffering from social, mental, physical and/or emotional distress. Core subject topics include childhood development, family and child therapy and group counseling. Many institutions allow students to choose a concentration, such as child program administration or exceptional child counseling. A thesis paper or project and supervised field experience are requirements for completion of these programs.
As all states mandate child and adolescent counselors to hold a master's degree, such as a Master of Arts (M.A.), many programs are specially designed to meet state licensing requirements. Certificate programs are not adequate to gain licensure and are not offered in this field of study.
For admission, applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in counseling with an emphasis in child and adolescent counseling and have appropriate Graduate Records Exam (GRE) scores. They also must submit academic transcripts, statements of interest and letters of recommendation. An educational or professional background in social work, psychology, education or health sciences is recommended.
Master's in Child Counseling
In addition to fundamentals like child counseling techniques and ethics, students will also learn how to work with children who are considered gifted or suffer from learning and developmental disabilities, such as autism. Consisting of a total of 60 credit hours, studies are typically composed of classroom lectures, seminars, supervised field experience and a thesis paper or project. Other required credits might include:
- Child counseling practices
- Counseling theory and practice
- Educational statistics
- Counseling research methods
- Issues in child development
- Play therapy
Popular Career Options
Graduates of a master's degree program in child and adolescent counseling can go on to work within mental health facilities, community outreach programs, hospitals, healthcare and counseling service centers. Some specific job titles include:
- Child counselor
- Mental health facility manager
- Director of child and teen support services
- Child counseling program administrator
- Child and adolescent therapist
Employment Outlook and Salary Info
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, school and career counselors were projected to see an 8% increase in employment growth from 2019-2029. In May 2020, clinical, counseling and school psychologists earned a median annual income of $79,820.
Certification Options
All 50 states require child counselors to have a license. While individual requirements may vary from state to state, most ask child counselors to complete a master's degree program before they are eligible. Supervised clinical experience and fieldwork are also a common prerequisite.
Master's degree programs in child counseling includes practical field work and the study of counseling theory, statistics and methods. A master's degree is required to practice as a child counselor in all states.
