Deciding to get your masters degree in counseling is laudable. You will be increasing your earning power even as you set out toward a career path that will have you helping people on a daily basis. But deciding to get a masters degree in counseling is not enough. You need to decide which online masters degree in counseling is right for you.

Choose Your Specialty

You can specialize in any number of areas when you decide to pursue a masters in counseling. This is one of the easiest criteria with which you can judge online programs. If an online school do not have the specific course of study that you are looking for then you can skip it. But first you have to choose the area that you want to specialize in.

You may want to focus on school counseling, mental health counseling, addiction counseling, marriage and family counseling, or any other area. You just need to do some soul searching and ask yourself what exactly you would like to be doing with your masters in counseling. Each specialty is a viable career path. You just need to decide which one fits you and your goals. This is how you begin your search.

Choose The Online School

Once you have selected your specialty then you already have narrowed down the schools that are possibilities. Not every school offers every specialty. But, of the programs that remain, which online masters degree is right for you?

To answer this question you have to look at many factors. How long will the program take to complete? How much does the program cost? Is the program accredited properly to help you reach your career goals? Is there assistance available if you need extra help with online courses or with other program details?

You need to locate a program that fits into your life. Some programs may be designed to be completed at a certain pace while others may be adjustable depending upon how much time you have to devote to them. Some may rely almost exclusively on text while others incorporate videos and other learning aids. What will help you learn?

Which online masters in counseling is right for you? First you need to choose your specialty and then you need to evaluate the details of each program to see how well each will fit into your life. You need a program with the right cost, curriculum, and accredited conclusion.

There is a wide variety of careers available to individuals with master's degrees in counseling. A holder of a masters in counseling can become a school counselor, rehabilitation counselor, career counselor, mental health counselor, substance abuse counselor, or marriage and family therapist, just to name a few of the options. Below is a list of accredited online universities offering master's degrees in counseling.

M.Ed. in School Counseling MA in Profes. Counseling MA in Pastoral Counseling	Liberty University: Liberty University's online counseling master's programs in school counseling, professional counseling, and pastoral counseling prepare students for state licensure and national certification, and ultimately for careers in mental health agencies and private practices. The program includes a focus on integrating faith with the career of counseling, as well as standard coursework in counseling theories and skills, legal issues, human development, and research methodology.
MS in Mental Health Cnsling MS in Forensic Counseling	Walden University: Walden University is one of only a few online colleges to offer a CACREP accredited MS degree in Mental Health Counseling and an MS in Forensic Counseling. The degrees are designed to allow students to use their knowledge immediately as professionals, even incorporating interactive simulations of real-world situations into the training and coursework.
MS in Counseling Studies MS in Addiction Counseling MS in Career Counseling MS in Mental Health Cnsling More Degrees...	Capella University: Capella University's online counseling programs in school counseling, career counseling, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, counseling studies, and psychology all offer well-rounded curriculums that include online coursework, residencies and field experiences to prepare students to be eligible for state licensure. Theory and practice come together in this program to ensure graduates will be able to assess and treat mental and emotional health issues.
MS in Family Therapy MS in Mental Health Cnsling MS in Rehab Counseling MS in School Counseling	University of Massachusetts: The University of Massachusetts offers MS degrees in family therapy, school counseling, mental health counseling, and rehabilitation counseling, in addition to specialized certificates in Autism and addiction treatment. The 60 unit degree programs meet the academic requirements for licensure in Massachusetts. Some clinical courses must be taken on campus and take place for two weeks during summers.
MS in Clinical Counseling	Bellevue University: Bellevue University offers a 60-credit clinical counseling master's program preparing students to get a provisional LMHP or equivalent licensure in other states. Graduates will have the opportunity to be supervised while treating major mental disorders. Applicants must have 6 credits in behavioral sciences and 3 credits in statistics to apply.
MS in Professional Counseling MS in Addiction Counseling	Grand Canyon University: Graduates from the Grand Canyon University MS in Professional Counseling and MS in Addiction Counseling programs will meet the requirements for licensure in Arizona, and if they do not live in Arizona, will be prepared to begin the process of certification in their own states. Students should check the requirements in their home states and make sure this program meets them.
MS in Rehab Counseling	Thomas University: Thomas University's MS in rehabilitation counseling program prepares students for the Licensed Associate Professional Counselor credential, and can be done completely online with no residency requirements. With a Masters degree in Rehabilitation, graduates can work in careers from vocational evaluation to independent living program coordination to marriage counseling among others.
MA in Psychology - Career Counseling	University of the Rockies: The MA in Psychology with specialization in Career Management and Counseling is a unique program in which students learn how psychological research influences job seeking and deciding on a career. Coursework allows students to assess the performances of job candidates, and use group dynamics to build effective teams of empowered professionals.
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