Earning an advanced degree in counseling provides graduates with the tools to embark on a rewarding career in a broad field. The opportunities for employment are great in the current market, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting strong growth for several counseling roles. As a result, new counselors are not tied to one career path.

Career versatility is just one of the many benefits of a master’s degree in counseling.

The goal of counseling is to help people improve their well-being, either generally or in a specific area of their lives. Those who pursue an advanced degree in the field have a number of advantages as they embark on their careers. There are many different areas of focus open to counselors upon graduation, all offering the ability to engage in a rewarding and challenging career. Consider the following benefits.

Students pursuing a degree in counseling will likely ask themselves, “What will my job prospects be when I graduate with this degree?” It’s an important question. While all college students hope to gain knowledge through the process of earning a graduate degree, being able to land a job is a practical concern for all.

For students working toward a master’s degree in counseling, their job prospects look promising. The BLS breaks down the counseling profession into different branches, and each branch is projected to see strong growth over the next several years.

For instance, the projected employment growth for school and career counselors between 2021 and 2031 is 10%, double the 5% growth rate projected for all professions. For substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors, the BLS projects a growth rate of 22%, creating nearly 80,000 new jobs.

What can you do with a master’s in counseling? Plenty. Students can choose from many different types of counseling specialties when considering their desired career path. The diversity of counseling roles allows individuals to choose a career based on their personal interests and strengths.

Depending on the type of role they pursue, individuals may have the opportunity to work with specific client populations. For example, they could be a counselor for the armed forces, helping men and women returning from overseas transition back into civilian life.

Aspiring counselors who are interested in helping children may want to consider the field of child abuse counseling. This is a crucial specialty that involves helping children overcome traumatic experiences. For those interested in helping individuals develop coping strategies to deal with mental health challenges, a career in mental health counseling may be ideal.

These are just a few of the dozens of counseling roles master’s graduates can pursue.

Arguably the greatest benefit of obtaining a master’s degree in counseling is gaining the ability to help people live better lives. This is the fundamental reason people become counselors. Counselors help people cope with challenges on a one-to-one basis and often see the results of their work firsthand.

For instance, counselors who help children deal with the aftereffects of physical, sexual or emotional abuse help these children have a chance at a normal life. Without the support of counselors, abused children might not have the opportunity to grow into emotionally mature adults with meaningful relationships. The importance of this work cannot be overstated.

Working as a marriage counselor is another prime example of how an individual can gain a sense of accomplishment through counseling. A popular field choice for graduates with a degree in counseling, helping married couples gain perspective on their relationships and work through issues that are causing conflict can be very rewarding.

The degree’s versatility is one of the major benefits of a master’s in counseling. Graduates can pursue any of several different specialties, each of which has distinct work settings, pay levels and patient demographics.

A school counselor is an important member of the education team. Although the responsibilities of a school counselor vary from school to school, some of their broader responsibilities include:

• Helping students manage their emotional health and behavior
• Working with students to develop effective study habits
• Helping develop students’ academic and career goals
• Collaborating with teachers and parents to help students succeed
• Teaching classes on important topics, such as bullying, drug abuse and college preparation
• Identifying neglect and abuse
• Providing parents with outside referrals so students can receive additional support

School counselors work in both private and public schools with a variety of grade levels. They generally work full time, and receive extended vacation time in the summer months or when school is not in session. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for school counselors as of May 2021 was $60,510.

Mental health counselors help clients manage and overcome mental and emotional disorders. They do so by asking questions, helping clients understand their problems, and developing strategies to help their clients cope and improve their day-to-day lives.

Depending on the setting, mental health counselors’ day-to-day duties can include:

• Diagnosing and treating mental and emotional disorders
• Developing strong bonds with their clients, allowing them to feel safe enough to share their emotions and experiences
• Helping clients process their emotional responses to big life changes, such as death, divorce, unemployment or marriage
• Guiding clients while they make decisions about their future
• Referring clients to additional support systems in the community, such as support groups or treatment facilities

Mental health counselors can work in various settings, such as their own private practice or at a hospital, substance abuse treatment center, or a college or university. Generally speaking, mental health counselors work full time, and may work evening and weekend hours to accommodate clients’ schedules. Some work with specific populations, such as people in the LGBTQ community, children or college students. The median annual salary for mental health, substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors as of May 2021 was $48,520, according to the BLS.

Couple and family counselors help partners and families who are experiencing issues in their relationships and need outside advice. They may work individually or in group settings to accomplish this goal. Some of the common problems couple and family counselors help resolve are:

• Counseling couples through affairs
• Jealousy issues
• Intimacy issues
• Financial strains and concerns
• Disagreements on raising children

Due to the highly confidential nature of this kind of therapy, most couple and family counselors have their own practice. Others are employed in a combined practice with other counseling specialists. The BLS includes these counselors under the umbrella category of marriage and family therapists, and reports a median annual salary of $49,880 as of May 2021.

A substance abuse and addiction counselor helps clients reform their behavior and overcome substance abuse issues and addictions by offering support, rehabilitation and guidance. This treatment can happen in an individual or group setting, and their responsibilities can encompass:

• Developing treatment plans to help clients cope and recover
• Finding out the root cause of the client’s behavior, and helping them to avoid situations that trigger a relapse
• Recognizing additional barriers that may hinder a client’s ability to recover
• Helping clients recognize signs and symptoms of a potential relapse

Substance abuse and addiction counselors can work in various settings. Employment in state institutions is common, meaning that these counselors work in prisons, hospitals and drug treatment centers, as well as health departments. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors was $48,520 in 2021.

Because a wide range of career options fall under counseling’s umbrella, advanced counseling degree programs often offer multiple specializations.

Some different types of counseling degrees include:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling: a branch specializing in helping people with mental and behavioral health challenges
• School Counseling: a branch specializing in guiding students through the social and academic challenges of the educational environment
• Military Counseling: a branch specializing in assisting active military, veterans and their families cope with the unique challenges of military life
• Marriage Counseling: a branch specializing in helping couples reconcile a wide range of issues and build stronger bonds

While earning a master’s degree in counseling, students develop the skills to help clients of all ages and backgrounds cope with life’s challenges. While a counselor’s day-to-day responsibilities and the type of clients they work with can vary depending on their chosen specialty, all counselors have the opportunity to have a positive impact on their clients’ lives.

Earning an online Master of Arts in Counseling from Wake Forest University can prepare you to make that impact. Our CACREP-accredited program offers both Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling concentrations, allowing you to choose your path and develop specialized expertise. Find out how Wake Forest University can help you make positive change in the world.