Best Bachelor's Degrees in Counseling

1. James Madison University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$12,206	77%	84%	62%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

2. Worcester State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10,161	66%	58%	85%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

3. Western Connecticut State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11,344	76%	52%	85%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

4. Point University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$21,185	29%	28%	100%	No	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

5. Grace College and Theological Seminary

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$24,078	80%	69%	98%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

6. Wayne State College

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7,205	No Available Data (2019-2020)	51%	95%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

7. Lesley University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$28,875	75%	60%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

8. Indiana State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9,236	90%	41%	92%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

9. University of Arizona

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$12,379	85%	65%	91%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

10. University of Wisconsin-Stout

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9,463	91%	60%	83%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

11. Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$27,296	67%	71%	100%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

12. Southern University and A & M College

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9,141	35%	41%	98%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

13. Emporia State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$6,797	85%	50%	98%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

14. Metropolitan State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8,114	56%	34%	86%	No	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

15. Western Washington University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8,343	90%	68%	86%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

16. North Central University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$25,090	90%	51%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

17. Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8,768	82%	44%	97%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

18. Texas A & M University-College Station

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11,361	58%	82%	76%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

19. Southern University at New Orleans

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7,169	60%	21%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

20. Northern Illinois University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$14,610	48%	49%	97%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

21. Johnson University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$16,920	53%	63%	97%	No	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

22. University of Holy Cross

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$14,720	32%	40%	79%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

23. Faulkner University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$22,310	78%	33%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

24. New Mexico State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7,087	55%	48%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page.

Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

There are significant overlaps between counseling and psychology. They draw on many of the same principles, and are both used to help people improve their mental and emotional wellbeing. But the scope of these programs differs, each providing the foundations for corresponding career paths. The most prominent difference is the amount of attention devoted to research. Counseling programs utilize published research to shape and inform their instruction and techniques. While earning a degree in counseling, you will learn how to metabolize innovative research, and apply those lessons to your practice. A psychology degree, meanwhile, incorporates a higher concentration of research-based classes, so those students not only learn how to consume research, but how to carry it out themselves in an effective and ethical manner.

The day-to-day experiences in the workplace may differ for a counselor and a psychologist. Because of their research background, a psychologist often focuses on carrying out tests, evaluations, and research. They can prescribe therapies based on those findings. A counselor, on the other hand, often works directly with their clients to implement strategies, coping skills, and therapies. Earning a degree in either field qualifies you to do both assessments and provide counseling, but you can elect to focus on one or the other if you'd like.

A successful counselor is driven to help others. If you want to help people, have an interest in psychology, and you can listen and problem-solve, counseling may be right for you. It's a growing field that does vital work to benefit individuals and communities. While there are some counseling jobs that are attainable without a degree, you do need to earn a master's degree to qualify for a state license. The work is challenging, but rewarding, and you'll be making a difference in people's lives.

Counseling degrees exist from the associate level all the way up to the doctorate level. Earning a degree in counseling will provide you with the technical and interpersonal knowledge you need to be a successful counselor. The programs may offer specializations, and may include experiential learning alongside traditional classroom settings. You can earn a counseling degree at a physical campus or through an online program.

Associate Degrees in Counseling

Sometimes called a social service degree, an associate degree in counseling lays the groundwork for a career in counseling. Examples include a human and social service associate degree, or an Associate of Applied Science in Mental Health, Social Service, and Addiction Counseling. These programs are generally offered online, and they're designed to help you identify the needs of your clients and select the appropriate resources that may address their needs. An associate degree may be enough education to pursue placement for certain counseling positions, usually as an assistant. Other careers in the counseling field require additional education. These standards are usually set by the state in which you are working.

Bachelor's Degrees in Counseling

A bachelor's degree in counseling includes coursework to strengthen your interpersonal skills, as well as your understanding of human behavior though a psychological and sociological lens. In a counseling program, you will learn how different cultural backgrounds inform interactions. By learning about other cultures, perspectives, biases, and strategies to communicate across differences, you will be more prepared to navigate conversations with diverse clients. You will also learn about human development and behavior, a variety of mental health issues, and strategies for case management. You can earn a bachelor's degree in counseling on-campus or online. Some examples of programs include Bachelors of Science in Counseling and Community Psychology, Bachelors of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling, or a Bachelors of Science/Arts in Human Service.

Master's Degrees in Counseling

You can earn a master's degree in counseling through on-campus or by completing online courses in counseling psychology. A Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling covers advanced theories and principles, including ethics, relationships, and professional practices. These programs will prepare you to obtain a license to provide counseling services in your state. They may include practical requirements, such as completing internship hours, in addition to regular classes. Some schools offer options for concentrations, such as school counseling or substance abuse counseling.

Doctoral Degrees in Counseling

A Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling offers extensive and thorough education in all aspects of the profession. Courses cover advanced practices and strategies of counseling, in-depth ethical standards, cultural competency, and the history and science of psychology. There may be practical and/or research requirements, such as an internship or dissertation. While many programs are offered in person, some schools may have online options.

Certificates in Counseling

Adding a certificate to your degree allows you to focus on a particular community or need. Certificate programs may be offered to undergraduate or graduate students as an addition to their degree program, and are frequently online. Some examples of certificate programs at the undergraduate level include violence prevention, substance abuse prevention, substance abuse counseling. An example of a certificate program at the graduate level is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Advanced Certificate.

The general principles of counseling are widely applicable, but some challenges are best addressed with specialized, corresponding strategies. Following a concentration within your counseling degree equips you to respond to the unique needs of those in your chosen field. For example, you can specialize in addictions counseling to help those who struggle with an addiction to substances or behaviors. Other areas of focus include mind and behavior, clinical psychology, school counseling, and organizational/business psychology. Concentrations are not offered at all programs, so make sure to find a program that fits your interests.

Each school will have their own requirements for general education and major-specific courses. Some of the common courses that make up a counseling degree include:

• Introduction to counseling
• Addiction counseling
• Ethics
• Abnormal psychology
• Families and relationships
• Cultural competency or global perspectives

A bachelor's degree in counseling usually requires 120 credit hours. Each school sets standards for the proportion of general education courses to major-specific courses. Some schools may require that a certain number of those major-specific courses be of an advanced level. Traditionally, a full-time student learning on campus completes their degree in four years. If you arrive on campus with an associate degree, you may be able to transfer in credits and shorten the time it takes to earn your bachelor's degree. If you are a part-time student, it will take additional semesters to complete all of the credit hours. Online programs frequently offer more flexibility, so you can choose how many credits to take at one time, and therefore adjust your graduation timeline to your preference.

There is no specific accrediting body for counseling degrees at the undergraduate level. The Council for Standards in Human Service Education maintains accreditation for human service degrees, of which counseling is a part, so some schools with counseling degrees may hold an accreditation by them. But there is no particular institution that does accreditations exclusively for counseling degrees. Instead, the school as a whole may be accredited through a federally-recognized agency. This ensures that the school maintains reliable standards of education and training. To check if a school is accredited, you can use this database by the U.S. Department of Education.

Accreditation by the American Psychological Association or by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs are required at the master's and doctoral level.

A license is required to offer counseling services and each state sets its own requirements for licensure. These requirements generally pertain to education and experience; you must have a master's degree as well as some amount of practical experience offering counseling services. You must pass an exam to demonstrate competency. You may be required to go through a period of supervision before you can work with clients independently.

You may also pursue board certification through the National Board of Certified Counselors. This is a voluntary process, and its successful completion demonstrates that you meet the rigorous standards set by the NBCC. This can build trust with your clients. To earn board certification, you must have a master's degree and 3,000 hours of counseling experience. You must sit for the same exam used for state licensure. You may choose to pursue a specialty certification (addictions, school counseling, or clinical mental health), though you will have to sit for an additional examination to earn this certification.

Some examples of entry level counseling jobs include:

• Rehabilitation counselors
• Genetic counselors
• Substance abuse counselors
• Behavioral disorder and mental health counselors
• Marriage and family therapists

Depending on your state's requirements, you will need a master's or doctoral degree to be an independent counselor. Counselors are needed in a variety of situations, so you can find a work environment and need population that is meaningful to you and focus there. If you want to advance in the counseling field, you can pursue higher education or licensure.

How to Become a Counseling Psychologist

A counseling psychologist is a professional with a deep understanding of psychology who can offer interventions, therapies, and strategies to a variety of clients. They may work as professors or service providers at educational institutions; in private practice to provide counseling and consultation to clients; or as part of a team in other institutions, such as hospitals and medical facilities, rehabilitation agencies, mental health centers, or even businesses.

To work as a counseling psychologist, you need to earn at least a master's degree (if not a doctorate) in counseling or psychology and obtain a license. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the career field of psychologists is growing at an average pace. In 2019, the median pay for all psychologists was around $80,000 per year, or approximately $39 per hour. The highest paying states for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists are Oregon, California, Washington, D.C., New York, and Louisiana.

How to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor

A rehabilitation psychologist is a professional who works with people living with chronic illnesses or disabilities to help them cope with the unique challenges that they face and create adaptation strategies to foster wellness. They will meet with their client and interview them to establish their needs, then work with the patient to provide therapies, identify a support network, and collaborate on goals. They may work in a hospital, at a medical facility such as a rehabilitation center, or at a long-term care facility. They may focus on a certain population, such as cancer patients or those with sports injuries. Some rehabilitation psychologists work as professors at universities, carry out evaluations for insurance companies, or provide expert testimonies in legal trials and proceedings.

For a career in rehabilitation psychology, you must earn a master's degree and do training in health care settings. You will also need to earn your state license. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for rehabilitation psychologists is quickly increasing as demand for care of the elderly population grows. This is in addition to the needs of other populations, such as veterans and the disabled. In 2019, the median salary for a rehabilitation psychologist was approximately $35,000 per year, or around $17 per hour. The highest paying states for rehabilitation counselors are New Jersey, Rhode Island, Colorado, Washington, D.C., and Vermont.

The first step in securing financial aid for schooling is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). By submitting your FAFSA on time, you can be matched with the appropriate grants, scholarships, and loans offered by the government and your school.

There are scholarships offered by outside organizations that may also help you pay for school. These awards may be offered on the basis of your field, your identities, or both. Behavioral Health Academic Scholarship Program is one example of an award for undergraduate students pursuing a career in counseling with an annual award of up to $5,000. Sometimes memorial funds are set up as one-time gifts, so it's worth researching the scholarship offerings in your area every year.