Counseling Degrees

GCU offers a variety of counseling programs designed to equip you with the skills needed for a career in mental health and wellness. Our programs emphasize hands-on experience and practical application while teaching insights into diverse counseling practices. With knowledgeable faculty and a supportive community, you can be prepared to make an impact on the lives of others.

Choose a Career Helping Others

Choosing a career that serves others can be a noble aspiration. When you pursue a counseling path, you are dedicating yourself to being a bridge that can help others create lives with enduring transformation. If you are passionate about helping others navigate life’s trials and hardships, GCU offers programs to help you start your service journey.

84,500

New jobs estimated for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors from 2023 to 20331

4%

Estimated job growth for school and career counseling and advisor jobs in the U.S. from 2023 to 2033, as fast as average2

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50% of U.S. adults ages 18-24 reported a mental illness in 2023.3 
Earn your counseling degree to help make a difference in the lives of others.

Develop Critical Skills That Help Make a Difference

Examine evidenced-based theories and practical applications of counseling in our programs. Additionally, you will be educated to develop core competencies and skills necessary for counselors, including:

  • Counseling relationships and practice
  • Career development
  • Serving diverse populations across the lifespan
  • Assessing mental and emotional status of clients
  • Ethical decision-making

  • Awareness of social and cultural trends

  • Understanding of legal and counseling practice standards

  • Group counseling and group work

  • Diagnosis and assessment processes

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Counseling Programs From an Institutionally Accredited University

Female counselor meeting in-person with client for session

Our institutionally accredited university delivers a high-quality education, offering campus and online counseling degree programs that can help you prepare to make positive contributions in your field and within your community. In addition, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has continually accredited GCU since 1968.

Explore Campus or Online Counseling Programs

Whether you are a high school student or a working professional, our degrees offer flexible formats designed to help you reach your education and career goals while achieving optimal school-life balance. Our degrees are designed for the working professional to pursue education with some flexibility. If you prefer to earn your degree in person, GCU offers select degrees on campus or through our evening degree program.

GCU’s Commitment to Affordable Education

GCU counseling students smiling and holding Lopes Up hand sign

While pursuing one of our counseling programs, you can be assured of our commitment to providing high-achieving students with access to an affordable private education. Financing your education is a big investment in your future, so let us help you plan for it with these convenient cost-estimating tools and resources:

Nearly $140 Million

In scholarships for online students in 2023

Nearly $176 Million

In scholarships received by campus students in 2024

Discover Counseling Degrees at GCU

GCU offers degrees in counseling at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. If you are looking to build upon your knowledge and skills in a particular area of counseling, see GCU’s available certificate programs.

 

Bachelor’s Degrees in Counseling

Female and male bachelor's counseling program students smiling on GCU's campus

Counseling Master’s Degrees

Master's counseling degrees students dressed for class presentation

Doctorate in Counseling Programs

Female doctoral counseling program student smiling in classroom

Counseling Certificate Programs

Male doctorate in counseling degree program student working from home

Counseling Career Pathways

A bachelor’s in counseling may qualify you to pursue certain professional credentials, but many students choose to pursue an advanced degree to progress their skills. Earning a graduate-level degree is required for those interested in clinical counseling or any counseling position that requires licensure or certification.4

Our online counseling degrees at the graduate level offer specializations in areas like school counseling, substance use and addictive disorders, childhood and adolescence disorders, marriage and family therapy and trauma, allowing you to align your studies with your interests. Specific career options may include the following:
 

  • Mental health counselor
  • Marriage and family therapist

  • Substance abuse counselor

  • Behavioral disorder counselor
  • Postsecondary psychology or health specialties teacher
  • Educational, guidance or career counselor

One benefit of earning a degree in counseling is the opportunity to specialize in areas that align with your personal interests. At GCU, you can choose from various counseling program emphases, including:

FAQs for Aspiring Counseling Majors

Discover how our knowledgeable faculty and comprehensive curriculum can support your journey into counseling specializations. Learn more about our counseling programs with answers to these common questions.

Earning a graduate degree in counseling can provide you with advanced knowledge and skills needed for many roles in this helping profession. If you want to specialize, it is important to know your area of interest so you can choose the best degree for you.

Emphasis programs are available in school counseling, child and adolescent disorders, trauma, marriage and family therapy and addiction disorders. Many careers in counseling require licensure or certification so be sure to do your research to ensure your degree program meets the prerequisites for the exams and credentials.4

Although the education required or preferred may vary by position, state or employer, counselors typically need, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree. Mental health counselors typically need a master's degree and all states require mental health counselors to be licensed.4 For specific requirements for counseling majors, visit our admissions page.

If you pursue an online counseling program from an accredited university, you can trust that it meets the rigorous standards set by the accrediting body. This reflects the quality of both the school and its programs. For example, GCU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968, which demonstrates our commitment to excellence.

Online counseling programs can be valuable, offering flexibility and access to a range of resources that can help enhance your learning experience. Additionally, the job growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors is projected to grow by an estimated 19% from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.1 Ultimately, the worth of an online program depends on your individual goals and commitment to the field.

A GCU Counselor speaking with a student

1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, retrieved Sept. 23, 2024.

2 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, School and Career Counselors and Advisors, retrieved Sept. 23, 2024.

3 American Psychological Association. (2023, Nov. 1). Stress in America 2023: A Nation Grappling With Psychological Impacts of Collective Trauma. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2024.

4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How to Become a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, or Mental Health Counselor. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2024.

GCU’s online counseling degrees can offer the flexibility you need, while providing a quality education in the counseling profession.