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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.
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.
50% of U.S. adults ages 18-24 reported a mental illness in 2023.1 Earn your counseling degree to help make a difference in the lives of others.
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
New jobs estimated for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors from 2023 to 20332
Estimated job growth for school and career counseling and advisor jobs in the U.S. from 2023 to 2033, as fast as average3
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.
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:
Our institutionally accredited university delivers a 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 has continually accredited GCU since 1968. Learn more about the College of Humanities and Social Sciences programmatic accreditation.
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 online degrees are designed for the working professional to pursue education with convenience. If you prefer to earn your degree in person, GCU offers degrees on campus or through our evening degree program.
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 an investment in your future, so let us help you plan for it with these convenient cost-estimating tools and resources:
In scholarships for non-traditional students in 2024
In scholarships received by traditional students in 2024
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.2 Ultimately, the worth of an online program depends on your individual goals and commitment to the field.
GCU’s online counseling degrees can offer the flexibility you need while providing a quality education in the counseling profession.
1 American Psychological Association. (2023, Nov. 1). Stress in America 2023: A Nation Grappling With Psychological Impacts of Collective Trauma. 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, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, retrieved Sept. 23, 2024.
3 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.
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.
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