Thinking about pursuing a degree in counseling? If so, after you complete your degree it's likely that you'll be in high demand!
Demand is growing!
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that employment opportunities will grow for several different counseling fields through 2022. Demand for one counseling field in particular, mental health counselors, is expected to increase by 29 percent.
And it’s not the only field that’s growing. Here are the projected growth rates for several other counseling employment opportunities through 2022:
- Social Workers - 19 percent
- Mental Health Counselors - 29 percent
Although nothing is ever certain, mental health counseling opportunities seem to be beating the average for many other occupations.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistcs (http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2013/article/occupational-employment-projections-to-2022.htm), "Community and social services occupations consist of two groups: (1) counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists and (2) religious workers. The counselors group is expected to add 368,500 jobs over the coming decade, a growth rate of 19.0 percent, which is faster than the average for all occupations."
The Bureau reports growth of 29 percent for mental health counselors, citing that a growing demand is expected because of an increase in insurance coverage for a variety of counseling services.
Who hires counselors?
Even if you're familiar with some of the employment opportunities available to counselors, in reality, there are likely many businesses and governmental institutions who hire counselors that you weren’t already aware of. Some of these include:
- Public and private clinics
- Detention facilities
- Health care (hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers)
- Schools and universities
- Government agencies
- Social service organizations
How can Fitchburg State help?
Depending on your interest, Fitchburg State offers two Master of Science degree programs that are available for counseling: Master of Science in Counseling - Mental Health Counseling and Master of Science in Counseling - School Guidance Counseling PreK-8 and/or 5-12 (Initial Licensure).
● Master of Science in Counseling - Mental Health Counseling
This three-year program prepares professionals for counseling positions in a wide variety of settings such as community mental health centers and residential treatment facilities, and offers students the opportunity to apply for licensure in mental health counseling.
● Master of Science in Counseling - School Guidance Counseling PreK-8 and/or 5-12 (Initial Licensure)
The School Guidance Counseling NCATE-accredited master’s level program is designed to prepare highly skilled professional school guidance counselors to work with all students and the entire school community including culturally diverse populations and students with serious emotional, cognitive, and behavioral disorders.
How do I learn more?
For more information about each of the master programs in counseling offered by Graduate and Continuing Education at Fitchburg State University, visit these program pages:
● Master of Science in Counseling - Mental Health Counseling
● Master of Science in Counseling - School Guidance Counseling PreK-8 and/or 5-12 (Initial Licensure)
You can also take courses prior to being accepted. Check out the counseling graduate courses and undergraduate prerequisite courses we're offering this summer. Registration begins April 6.
Summer Graduate Courses
PSY 7030 - Introduction to Professional Counseling: Issues & Skills
This course is designed to provide an overview of the counseling profession, develop basic counseling skills, foster the initial development of a professional identity, and examine one’s suitability for a career in counseling. Performance in this course is part of the pre-candidacy screening process for matriculation into the graduate program in counseling.
PSY 8005 - Topics: Geriatric Population
This course is intended to provide a broad overview of gerontological counseling, focusing on some of the unique issues and concerns with which the elderly in our society may present. The course will address theoretical material pertaining to aging, sterotypes regarding aging and older adults, issues regarding grief and loss, and the differing roles that the elderly may play in diverse family structures. The application of counseling strategies targeting work with the elderly will also be a component of this course.
PSY 8030 - LIfespan Development
This course examines human physical, cognitive, personality and social cultural development from conception to death. Emphasis is upon the understanding of the theories of human development across the life span, the understanding of empirical research associated with these theories, the enhancement of critical thinking skills and the application of understanding to current issues in development.
Summer Undergraduate Prerequisite Courses
MATH 1700 - Applied Statistics
Methods of data collection, organization and interpretation, sampling, probability, estimation, and testing are applied to areas including biology, business, medicine, economics and education.
PSY 1200 - Human Growth and Development
This lifespan course emphasizes a study of the physical, physiological, social and psychological development of the individual from conception to old age.
PSY 2350 - Abnormal Psychology
This course presents an overview of the symptoms associated with each of the major diagnostic categories described in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Subjective experience of the disorders, their etiologies and their treatments are addressed.
For information on registering for our courses, visit fitchburgstate.edu/offices/academic-offices/gce/register-for-classes/
We also encourage you to attend an information session or contact an advisor, who can answer your specific questions about the program, prerequisites, or anything else about Fitchburg State.
