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Counseling Psychology Career Outlook

Build the Foundation for In-Demand Counseling Careers

Complete in 3.5 Years

6 Starts Dates Per Year

The online psychology degree in counseling delivers the foundational skills you need to begin entry-level counseling careers, plus the academic credential to pursue a master’s degree and become a licensed mental health counselor. As a student, you’ll learn online through an interactive platform and explore psychopathology, crisis intervention, the counseling needs of diverse populations, clinical psychology, ethics of mental health counseling, and more.

  • 22% projected growth for the counseling field through 20311
  • Courses taught by expert faculty
  • Study online on your schedule

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Types of Counseling Careers: Impactful and Rewarding

According to Mental Health America, more than 20% of individuals in the United States face mental health challenges, causing a great demand for counseling professionals.2 The online counseling foundations program is a building block for achieving success in counseling careers that are always in high demand.

  • School Counselor: $60,510 per year3
  • Social Worker: $50,390 per year*4
  • Behavioral Disorder Counselor: $48,520 per year*1

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the high demand for new counselors will cause the field to grow by 22% through 2031.1 This growth will create more than 294,000 new positions for social service professionals.5

  • Salaries for behavioral disorder counselors can reach over $77,000 annually6
  • Social work industry alone is expected to grow by 9% through 20314
  • 60% of psychology careers require applicants to have completed at least a bachelor’s degree7

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Sources and Disclaimer

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.” Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm#tab-1.
  2. Mental Health America. “The State of Mental Health in America.” Retrieved from https://mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america.
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “School and Career Counselors and Advisors.” Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/school-and-career-counselors.htm.
  4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Social Workers.” Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm.
  5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Community and Social Service Occupations.” Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/home.htm.
  6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, Pay.” Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm#tab-5.
  7. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Field of degree: Psychology.” Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/psychology/psychology-field-of-degree.htm.

*Additional education may be required.