What can you do with a master’s degree in mental health counseling?

A Master’s in Mental Health Counseling will equip you with the skills and knowledge to diagnose and support clients as a professional counselor. With the growing need for qualified mental health professionals, careers in this field are in high demand. Areas such as substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors have a high projected job growth outlook of 17% between 2024 and 2034, with over 48,000 new openings projected each year.¹

Online programs, such as Marquette University's online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, can prepare you for a variety of roles. Below, learn more about mental health counseling, what you can do with a Master's in Counseling, and some of the top career paths.

Licensing and Certification Overview

Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or pursuing a similar role requires strict licensing and certification, though the exact licensure requirements vary by state. For example, many states require you to pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and/or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). These tests assess your counseling knowledge and abilities to ensure you can provide ethical and impactful services.²

Most states also require you to complete a certain amount of hours of post-degree clinical experience, which can take one or two years to finish. For example, in Michigan, counselors with master's degrees must accrue 3,000 hours of post-degree experience over two years, with at least 100 hours under immediate supervision.³

Clinical and counseling career paths

What jobs can you get with a master's in counseling? These are some of the top clinical and mental health counseling career paths:

Private practice therapist or counselor: These therapists operate their own practices, serving as both mental health clinicians and business owners. A private practice approach can give you more control over your career and your counseling techniques. Demand for private practice therapists is particularly high in individual and family services and outpatient care centers.⁴

Clinical mental health counselor in hospitals or clinics: Counselors in hospitals and clinics assess, diagnose, and treat patients' mental, behavioral, and emotional needs. Effective clinical counseling and collaboration with other healthcare professionals can comprehensively boost patients' well-being.⁵

Substance abuse and addiction counselor: These counselors advise patients and clients struggling with alcoholism, addiction, depression, and other mental health concerns. They typically operate full-time in community health centers, mental health centers, and private practices.⁶

Marriage and family therapist: These therapists diagnose and treat behavioral, cognitive, and other mental health disorders when helping couples, families, and other relationships. Marriage therapists tend to work in offices and mental health centers, with some expected to work weekends and evenings.⁷

Community and school-based roles

A graduate degree can also earn you a career in mental health counseling in academic and community settings:

School counselor or academic advisor: These counselors help students develop the social and academic skills to succeed at school and in their future careers. School counselors typically operate in public and private schools, while most career advisors and counselors work in universities and colleges.⁸

Community outreach or social services counselor: These counselors fulfill various roles, including rehabilitation counseling and social work. They provide direct support to clients by allocating essential resources and advocating for their needs.⁹

Crisis intervention specialist: These mental health professionals provide immediate support to people experiencing emotional distress and trauma. Many of these specialists operate via telehealth and phone calls, such as suicide hotlines.¹⁰

Specialized counseling fields

Instead of offering broad counseling services, many counselors specialize in particular fields and services:

Trauma and grief counseling: This type of counseling helps clients manage and adapt to a loss or other types of trauma. Grief and trauma counselors work in various settings, such as private practices that help grieving families or in juvenile justice centers.¹¹

Career and vocational counseling: Vocational and career counselors offer professional support and guidance to help clients find the best resources and opportunities for their career paths. They typically operate in universities, private practices, government agencies, and rehabilitation centers.^8,12

Military, veterans, or youth counseling: These counselors offer specialized support to military members, veterans, and their families. They often focus on the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and readjusting after service.¹³

Non-Clinical Career Opportunities

Non-clinical career options with a master's in counseling include:

Program director or policy advocate in mental health organizations: Healthcare policy advocates speak up for patients and clients, and give organizations crucial guidance to support people's needs.¹⁴

Research, education, and training roles: Graduates can expand their research in counseling and provide instruction and training at educational institutions and other organizations.

Corporate wellness and employee assistance programs: These programs offer short-term counseling, assessments, referrals, and other services to support employee health.¹⁵

Salary and job outlook

How much you can earn with a master's in counseling depends on your specific career path, including your role and setting. Here are average counseling salaries and job outlooks by role:

• Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors: $59,190 per year with a 17% job outlook between 2024 and 2034⁶
• Marriage and family therapists: $63,780 per year with a 13% job outlook⁷
• School and career counselors and advisors: $65,140 per year with a 4% job outlook⁸
• Rehabilitation counselors: $46,110 per year with a 1% job outlook¹⁶

Prepare for a rewarding career in mental health counseling

An online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) from Marquette University can give you the skills and practical experience to launch your career anywhere you want to take it. With this degree, you can align your passion and purpose with a variety of career choices, whether you want to work with couples, students, kids, veterans, or corporations.

With this online program, you'll have the flexibility to learn on your own schedule while working with seasoned professionals in counseling. In addition to the general track, Marquette offers specialization in addiction, clinical rehabilitation, and child and adolescent counseling.

Discover how to apply, and contact us or schedule an appointment with an admissions outreach advisor to learn more about pursuing a rewarding career in mental health counseling.