Health Care Careers

Your Information Resource for Education, Training, and Schools in the Medical and Allied Healthcare Fields

health-care-careers_03 Home Healthcare Careers Healthcare Schools State Listings
health care careers
Find Your Health Care Career

Note: Because schools change the programs offered at their campuses periodically, not every campus of each school will offer all programs, and program names may change slightly from campus to campus.

While we try to keep up with the programs each school offers, you should visit the school's website by following the Request Information link to verify the exact programs offered at each campus.

Counseling Schools and Training Programs

Help those in need by considering a career in mental health, vocational, family, or rehabilitation counseling. Mental health counselors are trained in a wide variety of therapies to address substance abuse, depression, emotional health, relationship problems, and other mental health issues. Mental health counselors often work hand-in-hand with other specialists, including psychologists, social workers, and school counselors.

Counseling Careers: Types of Jobs and Positions

A counselor career can vary widely depending on the counselor’s career path and workplace.

A mental health counselor works with either individuals or families to treat mental and emotional disorders such as depression, addiction, stress management, career concerns, parenting, and even low self-esteem. They work closely with psychiatrists and others involved in the mental health field.

Marriage and family counseling, on the other hand, focuses on emotional conflicts between family members -- husband and wife, parents and children, or siblings. They can work with individuals, families or even organizations. This type of therapy mainly centers on communication issues and building understanding.

Rehabilitation counselors work with disabled individuals and their families. They examine the limitations and strength of the disabled individual, and work with him or her on medical, vocational and other issues, with the goal of coming as close to independent living as possible.

A vocational or career counselor works with people who want to change careers or jobs. They evaluate a person's educational background and experience, and help determine appropriate career choices. They may also assist with developing job-search skills, and provide advice to people who have recently become unemployed.

Another type of counseling is pastoral counseling. This can cover the same issues as a mental health counselor or family counseling. The only difference is that in pastoral counseling the counselor is an ordained priest, rabbi or minister.

Where Counselors are Employed

Counselors can work in public or private establishments such as healthcare facilities, career centers, social agencies, residential care facilities, and even correctional institutions and halfway houses. A growing number are self-employed as well.

Most types of counselors work flexible hours. This allows them to meet with their clients or patients whenever there is a crisis. Many of the people who need counseling have school or work during the week and therefore need to meet with their counselor in the evening or on weekends. The counselor has to allow for this.

Training Required for a Career in Counseling

To have a counselor career, regardless of the specialty, you will need formal education, since 48 states and the District of Columbia have counselor licensure laws and programs. Typical requirements are a master's degree in counseling; two years or 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience; and a passing grade on a state exam. Some states also have continuing education requirements throughout your counselor career.

You can begin your course work at the undergraduate level, since courses to become a mental health counselor and family counselor are often found in schools’ psychology departments. These are continued in further detail at the graduate level, and will also include courses on development, diversity, relationships, group work, assessment, and research. Most graduate counseling degree programs include some supervised clinical experience. Individuals considering school counseling as a specialty may be required to have a teaching certificate, depending on the state in which they want to practice.

To be a mental health counselor or to go into family counseling, you should consider attending a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. This accreditation, while not strictly necessary, may make it easier to pass state licensing requirements. Students interested in becoming rehabilitation counselors should consider programs accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education.

Expand [+]

 

South University - Campus

[Campus]
Programs:
  • Professional Counseling (MA)
  • Psychology (BA)
Quick Summary: Make the most of your potential with a quality education from South University. Earn your degree online, on your own timetable, or at one of our five convenient campus locations.

North Park University

[Campus]
Programs:
  • Counseling Psychology
Quick Summary: North Park's School of Adult Learning offers you a convenient and affordable way to finish your bachelor's degree while working full-time.

Liberty University

[Campus]
Locations:
  • Lynchburg
Programs:
  • MA in Professional Counseling
  • MA in Professional Counseling - 60 Hour
  • PhD in Counseling - Professional Counseling
  • More
Quick Summary: We keep our tuition affordable because it is an integral part of the overall mission for our university.

Argosy University

[Campus]
Programs:
  • Counselor Ed & Supervision (EdD)
  • Counseling Psychology (EdD)
  • Counseling Psychology (MA)
  • More
Quick Summary: To succeed in today's competitive workforce, you need a solid foundation of knowledge - and the power to put it to work. And that's exactly what an Argosy University education offers.

Colorado Christian University

[Campus]
Programs:
  • M.A. Counseling
  • Psychology, B.S.
Quick Summary: With a heritage dating back to 1914, Colorado Christian University is committed to offering a complete education that develops students intellectually, professionally, and spiritually.

Walden University

[Online]
Programs:
  • Ph.D. in Psychology - Counseling Psychology
  • Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
  • M.S. in Career Counseling
  • More
Quick Summary: Earn a respected bachelor's degree, master's degree, or Ph.D. online at Walden University.

Olivet Nazarene University - Graduate and Continuing Studies

[Campus]
Locations:
  • Bourbonnais
Programs:
  • Master of Arts in Professional Counseling
  • Master of Arts in School Counseling (Type 73)
Quick Summary: Advance your career with Olivet Nazarene University - Graduate and Continuing Studies.

University of the Rockies

[Online]
Programs:
  • Master of Arts in Psychology, Career Management and Counseling Specialization
  • MA in Psychology, Mediation & Conflict Resolution
  • Doctor of Psychology, Mediation & Conflict Resolution
  • More
Quick Summary: Take the next step in your professional career with University of the Rockies.

Bellevue University

[Campus]
Locations:
  • Bellevue
Programs:
  • MS in Clinical Counseling
Quick Summary:

Bellevue University makes it possible for you to earn a high-quality college degree.


Vatterott College

[Campus]
Locations:
  • Omaha
Programs:
  • Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor
Quick Summary: Build the life you want with training from Vatterott.

Kaplan University

[Campus]
Programs:
  • BS in Psychology - Substance Abuse
  • MS in Psychology - Addictions
  • BS in Psychology
  • More
Quick Summary: Advance your career with an online degree from Kaplan University.

Career Colleges of America

[Campus]
Programs:
  • Alcohol and Drug Counseling
Quick Summary: Get your career started with Career Colleges of America.

CTS Canadian Career College

[Campus]
Programs:
  • Personal Support Worker
  • Addictions Intervention Counselling
Quick Summary: Give your career a boost with training from CTS Canadian Career College.

Argosy University Online

[Campus]
Locations:
  • Phoenix
Programs:
  • Psychology - Substance Abuse concentration (BA)
  • BA Psychology
Quick Summary: Argosy University offers flexible online programs designed to enhance your career.