What Can I Do with a Bachelor's Degree in Counseling?
Job seekers who hold undergraduate counseling degrees might be eligible to work as research or administrative assistants to psychologists. They might also choose to gain employment in other areas such as sales, customer service or management. This article discusses career paths for those who have bachelor's degrees in counseling.
What Can I Do with a Bachelor's Degree in Counseling?
<p>Some graduates of bachelor's degree counseling programs might work in entry-level positions in community health centers and vocational rehabilitation offices, which could enable them to gain valuable experience. In short, the employment opportunities for job candidates who only hold undergraduate degrees in counseling are limited.
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<p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, people who hold undergraduate degrees in counseling might eventually go on to become school counselors, counseling psychologists, developmental psychologists or industrial-organizational psychologists. However, these professions require that applicants possess advanced graduate degrees. Many practicing counselors and psychologists also need to be licensed.
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<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupation">Important Facts About This Occupation</h3>
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<table border="1"><tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $48,520 (<i>for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031) </td><td> 22% (<i>for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Entry-Level Education</td><td> High school diploma or equivalent</td></tr>
<tr><td>On-The-Job Training</td><td> Moderate-term on-the-job training</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---PostBaccalaureateCertificateOptions">Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Options</h3>
<p>Through the careful selection of a counseling certificate program, students could raise their levels of professionalism and build upon their existing expertise. Students who complete qualifying certificate programs might become eligible to sit for certification examinations in various counseling areas. Below you will find an example of a counseling certificate program that is designed to help introduce undergraduate counseling-degree holders to the field of counseling.
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<h3 id="section---AlcoholAndDrugCounselingCertificate">Alcohol and Drug Counseling Certificate</h3>
<p>An alcohol and drug counseling certificate program may emphasize various addictive substances. These could include alcohol, cocaine, PCP, methamphetamine, and heroin. Some of the courses may include introduction to alcoholism, introduction to counseling techniques, perspectives on drug abuse and counseling the individual.</p>