When a person considers a career in counseling, a major question is the amount of education to obtain. Counselors operate at various levels of knowledge, with bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees being acceptable prerequisites for entering the field. So the question becomes: is a master’s degree in counseling worth the money? Here are some points to consider when answering this question.
Bachelor’s vs Master’s Degrees
Some counselors operate after obtaining only a bachelor’s degree, usually in counseling or psychology. With a bachelor’s in psychology, a person can do a lot of work related to counseling. For instance, one could work in a rehabilitation center or as a social worker in a charity or government organization. These types of jobs would provide a person with the opportunity to help others and counsel them in difficult situations. If these jobs appeal to the applicant, then a bachelor’s degree in psychology or counseling may be all that is necessary. Sometimes it may be possible for a person who holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology or counseling to find some counseling work. This type of work will usually be found in non-profit organizations.
However, for a person who is serious about counseling as a career, it is a good idea to put the time and effort into getting a master’s degree in counseling. The jobs that are available to holders of master’s degrees are much more varied. Also, the competition for good counseling jobs is tough, and a person who holds a master’s degree will have a leg up in getting the jobs. Although the initial energy invested into getting a master’s degree is intimidating, the possession of the degree will be a tool that will make the rest of a person’s career run much more smoothly.
Finally, a master’s in counseling will give the individual a comprehensive base of knowledge that will allow him or her to truly help others. Although bachelor’s degree holders may know some things about psychology or counseling, and they may have a general idea of how to do the job, they often don’t have enough of a well-developed skill set in order to truly help the people they are counseling. So while it is possible to stop at a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree is a smarter choice for the lifelong professional.
Obtaining a Master’s Degree
Getting a master’s in counseling is not as difficult as it used to be, with the proliferation of online degree programs. Online programs allow a person to develop as a professional while holding down full- or part-time jobs at the same time. Many people find this option more appealing, because they can earn money while studying.
In conclusion, getting a master’s degree in counseling is an investment, but it’s worth the time and money. The additional knowledge and credentials that it provides will allow a person to have a more flexible and meaningful career. Taking the step of getting a master’s degree in counseling will save a person years of learning on the job and allow him or her to do excellent work from the very beginning.
For information about different types of master’s degrees available in the counseling field, visit Masters in Counseling.
For more information on the best online master’s programs, click “Top 10 Masters in Counseling Degree Programs“.