Online Counseling Degree

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If you're a good listener and often find yourself offering a shoulder to cry on, then counseling could be a good career choice for you. A counseling program offers several areas in which to specialize such as clinical counseling, school counseling, genetic counseling, art therapy, ministry, wilderness therapy and plenty of others. With such a lot of career options, counseling is rewarding and very promising.

Many universities in the USA offer online counseling degrees and these are the perfect choice for students who either don't have access to a campus, or who don't have the time to attend. In essence they suit students who are already working and want to learn in their own time, often at their own pace. Online degrees follow the same curriculum as a traditional degree but everything is conducted online, from receiving assignments, attending lectures and interacting with your fellow students.

Duties of a counselor

Counselor's duties vary according to their chosen speciality, the environment in which they are working and the people they are helping, They provide therapy for children, adolescents, adults and families with mental health problems, disability and employment needs, drug addiction, problems at school and trauma. They also develop and put in place treatment plans as well as examining a client's physical/mental condition. Each speciality has it's own unique challenges and responsibilities.

If you're going to advance within your chosen field then you will in most cases need a graduate degree in counseling. Both the education requirements and state licensure and certification requirement will vary depending on the speciality. However, graduate levels programs will give an individual the extra skills and knowledge to take on more responsibility or move into positions of leadership.

Many people find a career in counseling very rewarding as they are helping people to improve their lives. Although it can be hard work, it is also satisfying to help people work through their problems.

Career opportunities

The career path you choose to go down depends on your personality and interests. Whatever you choose, however, you will need to have a passion to help other people, be able to listen, and have a sympathetic nature. The following are some of the speciality fields you could choose from:

Mental health

It can be hard to overcome depression and other mental health problems. Mental health counselors work with patients to help them overcome their difficulties. They also work with families to help them learn how to cope with relatives suffering from mental health problems.

Substance Abuse

Counselors in this field work with addicts helping them to get their addiction under control. They also organize support groups and work closely with family members of the addict.

School guidance

Counselors in this field work help children of all ages reach their personal, social and educational goals. They also help them overcome any social or behavioral problems and advise them on higher education and career choices.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation counselors work with people who have mental or physical diabilities. They help people who have been injured at work, people with drug or alcohol problems and older people with health issues.

Career guidance

Career counselors help students and adults looking to hone or improve their skills, as well as looking for a job.

Marriage and family

When you work in this field you are working with families to help them learn how to function better together. You will also provide guidance for improving relationships.

What type of degree?

Most employers insist on a Master Degree although in some instances you can begin with a Bachelors and work towards a Masters.

Working environment

Once you have your degree you can decide what sort of environment you want to work in. Some options include working at a school or a clinic or setting up your own business. Although to do this it may be better to have already gained some experience working in a clinic.

Earning potential

Your wage will be determined by the speciality you choose to work in. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics rehabilitation counselors had the lowest annual median wage whereas education paid the highest amount in wages. In 2010 rehabilitation counselors cold earn anything between $29,910 and $53,260 median annual wages and educational counselors were earning between $49,540 -$62,310.

Jobs in counseling continue to grow and with plenty of diversity, there is bound to be a career which would suit your caring nature.

Enroll in one of these courses, geared towards completing an Online Counseling Degree.