At its core, a career in counseling is well-suited for those with a genuine desire to help others overcome personal challenges. Whether in a school setting or in a clinical environment, counselors play a pivotal role in improving quality of life for individuals, families, and communities.
But is pursuing a master’s degree in counseling worth it? From access to increasing employment opportunities to eligibility for advanced roles in the field, there are certainly many benefits.
#1 Qualified School and Clinical Counselors Are In Demand
The demand for qualified counseling professionals is growing as society becomes increasingly aware of the short-term and long-term benefits of addressing mental health challenges and supporting well-being in both our schools and communities.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow by 19 percent from 2023 to 2033. This rate of growth is much faster than the national average for all occupations. Similarly, the need for marriage and family therapists is expected to increase by 16 percent during the same period.
#2 An Advanced Counseling Degree Can Open Doors to Licensure and Certification Opportunities
One of the most significant benefits of a master’s in counseling is the pathway it can provide to licensures and certifications, which are important for employment in most professional counseling settings.
For example, to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), candidates typically need to demonstrate completion of a master’s program that includes a certain number of counseling theory and practice hours, as well as a period of post-graduate supervised clinical work. Specific prerequisites can vary from state to state, but a CACREP-accredited program will ensure that the curriculum meets or exceeds the core requirements of most states.
Additionally, advanced certifications often require a combination of education, supervised experience, and an examination. Certifications can lead to specialty recognitions in areas such as addiction, school, and clinical mental health counseling.
By aligning closely with both national and state standards, most credible counseling graduate programs will prepare students for both licensure and certification opportunities.
#3 A Master’s in Counseling Means You’ll Be Eligible for More Advanced Jobs
A master’s degree in counseling can prepare you to advance in a variety of professional environments — from public and private schools to behavioral health agencies and private practice.
For instance, with a graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling, you might pursue a position as a:
- Clinical mental health counselor
- Clinical psychotherapist
- Mental health therapist
- Mental health clinician
- Resident counselor
- Director of outpatient services
Similarly, with a graduate degree in school counseling, you might pursue a role as a high school counselor, a middle school counselor, a counseling department chair, a college or career support counselor, an assistant director of student affairs, or even a child and adolescent therapist.
Why Choose JHU’s Graduate Program in Counseling?
At the Johns Hopkins School of Education, faculty continually drive innovation in counseling and human development research, focusing on modern topics from school and community engagement to ethical practice and adverse experiences.
Our CACREP-accredited counseling program offers two distinct, in-demand concentrations: clinical mental health counseling and school counseling. Incorporating didactic experiences, small-group projects, and applied learning, both concentrations are designed to lead to specific state licensure opportunities as well as various advanced professional opportunities.
“As I was deciding on a master’s program, it was important to me that I’d be learning from experts in the field — and the Johns Hopkins School of Education was obviously the right choice.”
— Dantavious Hicks, MS ’20, Professional Counselor
Across the board, our graduate students tend to share a common goal: the desire to make a measurable difference in their communities. Whether you want to work in dynamic school settings or make an impact in the clinical mental health field, the Johns Hopkins School of Education’s master’s program in counseling provides a solid foundation to support your next step. Visit our webpage and register for the next virtual information session to learn more.
