10 Types of Counseling Master's Degrees & Careers

Becoming a licensed counselor means that you can empower individuals, families, and communities to overcome challenges and achieve personal growth. With various specialized master's in counseling degrees available, you can tailor your education to align with your passion and career goals. You don't have to wonder what you can do with a counseling degreewhether it's supporting children in schools, helping individuals recover from addiction, or guiding veterans through life transitions, you'll be able to make a difference as a licensed counselor.

Below, we explain some of the most popular counseling degree programs, providing an in-depth look at the coursework, skills you'll develop, and the career paths available. From marriage and family therapy to forensic counseling, each specialization offers opportunities to serve specific populations and meet critical needs.

Master's Degrees and Careers in Counseling

Once you have earned your bachelor's degree, it's time to enroll in a counseling master's degree. However, there are several different types that all lead to different careers. Keep reading to figure out which master's degree in counseling is the best fit for you.

1. Addiction Counseling

If you're passionate about making a meaningful difference in people's lives, a master's degree in addiction counseling offers the tools you need to support those battling substance abuse. The program explores how addiction impacts the brain and examines the psychological and social factors that contribute to it. You'll study topics such as:

• addiction assessment
• counseling ethics
• pharmacology of substance abuse
• relapse prevention strategies

An important focus of a substance abuse and addiction counseling program is co-occurring disorders, helping you understand how mental health challenges like anxiety or depression often accompany addiction.

Practical experience is a vital part of most programs, with internships or supervised clinical work in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, or outpatient clinics. These experiences allow you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings and develop the empathy and skills needed to guide individuals toward recovery.

If you pursue a master's degree in addiction counseling, you could pursue the careers listed below.

Substance Abuse Counselor

As a substance abuse counselor, you'll work directly with individuals struggling with addiction, creating personalized treatment plans to help them achieve sobriety. In rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, or private practices, you may provide one-on-one or group therapy sessions, offering emotional support and teaching coping strategies to prevent relapse.

Addiction Counselor

Addiction counselors focus on uncovering the underlying psychological factors that contribute to addiction. By using evidence-based therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), you'll help clients identify triggers, change destructive behaviors, and rebuild their lives.

Behavioral Health Counselor

Behavioral health counselors address both addiction and its underlying mental health challenges. You'll work with clients to manage conditions such as anxiety or depression that often co-occur with substance use disorders. These counselors frequently collaborate with psychiatrists, social workers, and other healthcare providers in hospitals or integrated care settings.

2. Career Counseling

If you enjoy helping people discover their strengths and navigate life's career decisions, a master's in career counseling is ideal. This program focuses on understanding individuals' unique goals, skills, and interests to guide them toward fulfilling careers. Coursework often includes:

• career development theories
• vocational assessments
• counseling ethics
• strategies for fostering career readiness

You'll also explore the psychological and social factors that influence career decisions, such as workplace challenges, cultural considerations, and personal values.

Many programs emphasize hands-on learning through internships in career centers, universities, or corporate settings. These experiences allow you to work directly with clients, gaining practical skills in career planning and coaching. Whether you're guiding a student in choosing their first job or an adult making a career change, you'll be equipped to help people create meaningful professional paths.

With a career counseling master's degree, you are qualified to begin the careers listed below.

Career Counselor

Also known as a vocational counselor, you'll work one-on-one with individuals to help them identify and achieve career goals. Using tools like vocational assessments and career development plans, you'll guide clients through job searches, workplace transitions, or long-term career planning. Career counselors often work in colleges, high schools, or private practices.

Academic Career Advisor

In this role, you'll work at colleges or universities, guiding students through major selection, internships, and career opportunities. Advisors often help students develop resumes, practice interview skills, and connect with industry professionals.

3. Christian Counseling

If your faith is central to your life and you feel called to help others through their emotional and spiritual challenges, a master's degree in Christian counseling will help you make a meaningful impact in your community. These programs blend biblical teachings with traditional counseling techniques to address mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

You'll take courses in theology, biblical interpretation, and counseling ethics, along with foundational topics like psychology, family therapy, and crisis intervention. The curriculum emphasizes how faith and spirituality can play a transformative role in the healing process, offering a holistic approach to mental health care.

When you choose a certified Christian counseling program, make sure it provides opportunities to practice in real-world settings through practicums or internships in churches, faith-based organizations, or private practices. This hands-on experience allows you to strengthen your counseling skills while serving individuals and families in need.

Take a look at the following careers you can serve your community with.

Christian Counselor

As a Christian counselor, you'll work with clients to address emotional and spiritual challenges, integrating biblical principles with therapeutic techniques. You might guide individuals struggling with grief, anxiety, or relationship issues, helping them find healing through faith-based counseling.

Pastoral Counselor

In this role, you'll provide counseling services as part of a church or ministry. Pastoral counselors focus on supporting individuals or families through crises, such as divorce, loss, or spiritual doubts, by blending theological insights with counseling skills. This role allows you to minister to your congregation while addressing their mental and emotional needs.

Faith-Based Family Therapist

Faith-based family therapists specialize in helping families navigate challenges like conflict, parenting issues, or communication struggles. You'll guide families in building stronger, faith-centered relationships by using therapeutic techniques grounded in biblical values.

4. Childhood and Adolescent Disorders Counseling

A master's degree in childhood and adolescent disorders counseling equips you to make a meaningful difference as someone who is passionate about helping children and teens navigate life's challenges. This program focuses on understanding the unique mental health needs of young people, helping them navigate conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, and trauma. To gain insight into how mental health issues evolve during childhood and adolescence, you'll study key areas like:

• developmental psychology
• behavioral interventions
• trauma-informed care

One of the most important aspects of this program is its emphasis on family involvement. You'll learn how to collaborate with parents and caregivers to create treatment plans that address the child's needs in the context of their home and community environment.

Many programs also include supervised practicums in settings like schools, youth organizations, or pediatric clinics, where you'll work directly with young clients under professional guidance. If you're patient, empathetic, and driven to make a difference, this degree equips you with the tools to guide children and teens toward healthier, brighter futures.

Earning this counseling degree means that you are a great candidate for the following careers.

Child and Adolescent Therapist

As a child counselor specializing in children and teens, you'll provide individual or group counseling to address emotional and behavioral challenges. Using evidence-based approaches like play therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), you'll help young clients manage their emotions, develop coping skills, and overcome challenges.

Youth Behavioral Counselor

Youth behavioral counselors work with young people to address specific behavioral issues, such as aggression, defiance, or self-esteem struggles. You'll design interventions that encourage positive behaviors, often collaborating with families and schools to ensure consistent support.

School-Based Mental Health Counselor

In this role, you'll work directly in schools to provide mental health services for students. You'll address issues such as bullying, academic stress, and emotional regulation while collaborating with teachers and administrators to create a supportive learning environment.

Pediatric Mental Health Counselor

Pediatric mental health counselors work in hospitals or clinics, supporting children and teens with a wide range of mental health concerns. You'll collaborate with healthcare teams to provide integrated care that addresses both emotional and physical well-being.

5. Clinical Mental Health Counseling

For those motivated to help others manage psychological and emotional struggles, a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling offers a deeply rewarding opportunity. This program develops your skills and knowledge to tackle a wide range of mental health concerns within diverse populations.

Through courses in psychopathology, group therapy, diagnostic assessments, and counseling strategies, you'll acquire the tools needed to assess and address mental health challenges. The program emphasizes evidence-based approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused care, ensuring you're prepared to address complex client needs.

Ethical decision-making, cultural competency, and client advocacy are also core components, helping you work sensitively and ethically with individuals from all walks of life. Hands-on experience is a cornerstone of this degree, with supervised practicums or internships in mental health clinics, hospitals, or private practices. These placements allow you to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, building the confidence and skills needed to make a meaningful difference in your clients' lives.

Here are some of the career options you have as a clinical mental health counseling master's degree graduate.

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Mental health counselors provide one-on-one or group therapy to clients dealing with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or mood disorders. You'll use diagnostic assessments to identify problems and design personalized treatment plans that foster emotional well-being.

Psychotherapist

Psychotherapists address deeper psychological concerns, often working with clients over an extended period. You'll employ therapeutic techniques such as psychoanalysis or trauma-informed care to explore underlying emotional issues and guide clients toward healing.

Trauma Counselor

Trauma counselors specialize in helping clients recover from life-altering experiences, such as abuse, accidents, or natural disasters. You'll use trauma-focused approaches to help individuals process their experiences, rebuild trust, and regain control of their lives.

Grief Counselor

Grief counselors help individuals cope with the loss of a loved one, navigating the stages of grief and finding healthy ways to process emotions. You'll use compassionate listening and evidence-based techniques to support clients as they rebuild their lives.

6. Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling

If you're driven to help individuals with disabilities lead fulfilling, independent lives, a master's degree in clinical rehabilitation counseling is an excellent fit. This program teaches you how to support people facing physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges, empowering them to overcome barriers and achieve their personal and professional goals. You'll explore topics like:

• disability studies
• assistive technology
• psychosocial aspects of disability
• case management strategies

A key component of this program is vocational counseling, which prepares you to help clients transition into the workforce or develop new skills for career advancement. Many programs also offer fieldwork opportunities in rehabilitation centers, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations. These hands-on experiences allow you to create individualized rehabilitation plans, learning how to balance practical solutions with empathy and advocacy.

If you value problem-solving and want to make a tangible difference in people's lives, this degree equips you to break down barriers and support meaningful progress through the careers listed below.

Rehabilitation Counselor

As a rehabilitation counselor, you'll work with individuals to assess their needs, set goals, and create tailored plans to overcome physical, emotional, or social challenges. You might collaborate with healthcare providers and employers to ensure clients receive comprehensive support.

Disability Services Coordinator

Disability services coordinators ensure individuals with disabilities have access to the resources and accommodations they need in educational, workplace, or community settings. You'll help clients navigate services, implement accessibility measures, and advocate for equal opportunities.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

A vocational rehabilitation counselor focuses on helping individuals with disabilities or other barriers achieve employment. You'll work with clients to assess their abilities, find appropriate job opportunities, and provide resources for workplace accommodations.

7. Community Counseling

A master's degree in community counseling provides a unique opportunity to create meaningful change for underserved populations. Designed to address the mental health needs of diverse groups, the program emphasizes tackling systemic challenges, including poverty, discrimination, and limited access to care. Topics like counseling theories, group dynamics, crisis intervention, and program development form the foundation of the curriculum, enabling you to design and implement effective mental health services tailored to community needs.

A community counseling program emphasizes multicultural competence, helping you understand how cultural, social, and economic factors influence mental health. Many degrees also include training in prevention and outreach, teaching you how to create initiatives that promote wellness and resilience within communities.

Hands-on fieldwork in community centers, nonprofits, or public health agencies allows you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings, ensuring you're prepared to lead impactful programs. If you're driven to be an advocate for mental health and social justice, this degree provides the tools to transform lives on a larger scale.

Here's a look at possible career options with a community counseling master's degree.

Community Mental Health Counselor

As a community mental health counselor, you'll provide direct therapy and support to individuals and families within your community. You'll work with clients facing issues like anxiety, depression, or trauma, tailoring your approach to address their specific needs.

Nonprofit Program Counselor

Nonprofit program counselors work with nonprofits to deliver mental health services and support programs for specific populations, such as refugees, veterans, or at-risk youth. You might provide counseling, lead workshops, or help design initiatives that address community challenges like substance abuse or homelessness.

Outreach Counselor

Outreach counselors focus on prevention and education, connecting individuals and families to the mental health resources they need. In this role, you might run workshops, distribute resources, or provide initial counseling to underserved populations. Outreach counselors frequently work in schools, shelters, or community outreach programs.

8. Counseling Psychology

If you're fascinated by human behavior and want to blend psychological theory with practical counseling techniques, a master's degree in counseling psychology will help you learn more. This program focuses on understanding how people think, feel, and behave, equipping you to address a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges. You'll take courses in research methods, human development, personality assessment, and therapeutic interventions, building a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied psychology.

A key aspect of this program is its emphasis on cultural competence and individual differences, ensuring you're prepared to provide effective therapy in diverse settings. Many programs offer hands-on experiences through practicums, research projects, or internships, allowing you to apply psychological principles to real-world counseling scenarios.

You can also tailor your education by choosing electives in areas like trauma counseling, health psychology, or family systems, aligning your degree with your passions and career goals. If you're analytical, empathetic, and driven to help others, counseling psychology offers the tools to make a profound impact through the careers listed below.

Counseling Psychologist

As a counseling psychologist, you'll work directly with clients to address issues such as stress, relationship challenges, or emotional difficulties. Using evidence-based approaches, you'll guide individuals in exploring their thoughts and behaviors to foster personal growth and well-being.

Behavioral Therapist

Behavioral therapists specialize in helping individuals change problematic behaviors, often working with clients who have anxiety, OCD, or phobias. Using techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), you'll teach clients strategies to manage their symptoms and improve daily functioning.

Researcher in Counseling Psychology

If you're passionate about advancing the field of psychology, a career in research may be ideal. You'll study topics like human behavior, therapy outcomes, or mental health interventions, contributing to the development of new techniques and approaches.

9. Forensic Counseling

For those intrigued by the connection between psychology and the legal system, a master's degree in forensic counseling offers the skills to create a significant impact. This focused program is designed to address and understand mental health challenges within the justice system. You'll study topics such as:

• criminal behavior analysis
• psychopathology
• ethical and legal issues in counseling
• the assessment and treatment of offenders

These courses equip you to evaluate individuals involved in the legal system, offering insights into their mental health and behavioral patterns.

One of the program's important components is its emphasis on understanding the social and psychological factors that contribute to criminal behavior. You'll also develop skills in therapeutic interventions, crisis management, and providing expert testimony in court. Internships in settings like correctional facilities, juvenile detention centers, or forensic hospitals give you practical experience and the chance to apply your skills in real-world scenarios.

This degree is perfect if you're passionate about blending psychology, counseling, and law to support individuals and promote justice within communities. Take a look at the careers you can pursue with this counseling master's degree.

Forensic Counselor

Forensic counselors work closely with individuals connected to the legal system, including both offenders and victims. In this role, you'll evaluate mental health needs, deliver therapeutic interventions, and create treatment plans focused on issues such as trauma, anger management, and rehabilitation.

Court-Appointed Evaluator

Court-appointed evaluators conduct psychological assessments for individuals involved in legal cases. You'll evaluate competency to stand trial, risk of reoffending, or the mental health of parents in custody disputes. Your assessments and reports play a critical role in shaping court decisions.

Expert Witness for Mental Health Cases

As an expert witness, you'll use your counseling expertise to provide testimony in legal cases involving mental health issues. You might explain psychological evaluations, offer insights into criminal behavior, or support claims of mental illness in court. This role requires strong communication skills and the ability to translate psychological findings into understandable terms for judges and juries.

10. Marriage and Family Counseling

If you want to help families and couples build stronger relationships and overcome challenges, a master's degree in marriage and family counseling can prepare you to make a real difference. In this program, you'll learn to understand how family dynamics and cultural influences shape relationships.

In marriage and family counseling, you'll study family systems theory, conflict resolution, and attachment dynamics, gaining practical tools to support families through difficult times. By learning how to identify unhealthy patterns and promote better communication, you'll be ready to guide families toward healthier, more connected relationships.

The program emphasizes real-world application, often requiring supervised practicums where you work directly with families and couples. You'll also gain hands-on experience with evidence-based therapies, such as emotionally focused therapy (EFT) and solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT). These methods allow you to address crises like divorce, trauma, or addiction effectively, guiding families toward resolution and growth.

This degree is ideal if you're empathetic, solution-oriented, and committed to helping people build stronger connections. Once you graduate, you can pursue one of the following careers.

Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)

As a licensed marriage and family therapist, you'll work with couples and families to address relational conflicts, communication barriers, and life transitions. You'll use therapeutic techniques to help clients resolve issues and improve their relationships.

Divorce Counselor

Divorce counselors assist individuals or couples in navigating the emotional and practical challenges of separation. You'll help clients process grief, manage co-parenting dynamics, and transition into new phases of life.

Parenting Counselor

Parenting counselors focus on helping parents develop strategies for raising children, and addressing challenges like discipline, communication, or co-parenting after divorce. You'll guide parents in creating nurturing, structured environments for their children.

11. Military Families and Culture Counseling

If you're driven to support service members, veterans, and their families, a degree in military families and culture counseling provides the training needed to address the unique challenges they face. This program focuses on understanding military culture and values, equipping you to tackle issues such as deployment-related stress, trauma and PTSD, and the complex family dynamics often present in military households.

You'll gain the skills to counsel individuals and families coping with grief, loss, and reintegration into civilian life since the curriculum prioritizes culturally competent counseling approaches, helping you build meaningful connections within military communities. Many programs also include fieldwork in locations like veteran centers, military bases, or family support organizations, offering hands-on experience that enhances your expertise.

If you're compassionate, adaptable, and committed to helping those who serve, this degree prepares you to make a lasting impact in the following careers.

Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC)

As an MFLC, you'll provide emotional support and guidance to service members and their families, helping them cope with deployment stress, family transitions, or reintegration challenges. You may work on military bases, offering counseling in schools, community centers, or directly to families.

Veterans Affairs Counselor

In this role, you'll assist veterans in managing mental health concerns, such as PTSD or depression, while also helping them transition to civilian life. You'll provide therapy, connect clients with resources, and address issues like career adjustment or housing. Veterans Affairs counselors often work in VA hospitals or veteran-focused organizations.

Deployment Readiness Counselor

Deployment readiness counselors prepare service members and their families for the challenges of deployment. You'll guide families through pre-deployment stress, provide support during separation, and help them plan for reintegration. This role is common in military family support programs.

PTSD Specialist

PTSD specialists focus on helping individuals recover from trauma related to combat, service, or other military experiences. You'll use evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive processing therapy (CPT) or prolonged exposure therapy, to guide clients toward healing.

12. School Counseling

A school counseling master's degree is great for students who want to learn how to guide young people through their academic and personal development. This program focuses on supporting students in grades K-12 academically, socially, and emotionally. You'll take courses in the following subjects to provide the tools to address common challenges like bullying, mental health concerns, and family dynamics:

• child and adolescent development
• academic intervention strategies
• career readiness
• counseling techniques tailored for school settings

Fieldwork is a cornerstone of school counseling programs, allowing you to work directly with students in schools under the supervision of experienced counselors. You'll gain hands-on experience applying counseling theories and techniques in real-world educational environments. Many programs also emphasize collaboration, teaching you how to work effectively with teachers, administrators, and families to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere.

The following careers are great options if you want to earn a master's degree in school counseling:

K-12 School Counselor

As a school counselor, you'll work directly with students to support their academic, emotional, and social development. You'll provide one-on-one counseling, lead group sessions, and help students navigate challenges like peer pressure, family issues, or academic stress. School counselors often collaborate with educators and parents to ensure each student's success.

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