How long does a master’s degree in counseling take?

The length of time that it may take you to complete your graduate degree can vary depending on several factors, such as if you choose part or full-time status and if you have transferrable credits. GCU is also a transfer-friendly university and transferrable credits may positively impact your time to completion. To discuss a timeline for this program, fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor.

Counseling Master’s Programs

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Overview

Unlock the Skills and Credentials to Support Others

Help your clients live their lives to the fullest by earning your master's in a counseling-focused program from GCU. After completing your master’s, you will be eligible to complete the necessary exams, supervision and additional requirements to become a licensed counselor in your state.

Programs

Explore GCU’s Master’s Counseling Programs

By pursuing your graduate counseling studies at GCU, you have many different areas of study to choose from. Options range from counseling degrees with emphases in Christian counseling to trauma, offering you specialized course content to help you better prepare for a career in helping others.

Explore our advanced counseling degree options to find the one that best suits you and your career aspirations.

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Degree Type:Master

Area of Interest:Counseling

Postgraduate Counseling Courses

Course material in our counseling master's degree programs focus on preparing you to work with clients from diverse backgrounds who are dealing with various psychological, social, behavioral and emotional issues.

While specific curriculum will vary depending on the program of your choice, common course topics include:

Counseling theories

Human development

Substance use disorders and addiction

Social and cultural issues

Group counseling

Psychopathology

Community health

Careers

Master’s in Counseling Career Opportunities

Many pursuing a graduate counseling degree are likely hoping to become a licensed mental health counselor. These graduate degrees can prepare you for work, helping your clients understand their underlying mental health issues that may be negatively affecting their lives. Your work as a counselor, in a variety of settings and with diverse clientele, can help provide important treatment based on research-based practices.

Keep in mind that you will need to review specific licensure requirements in your state and meet them in order to practice as a licensed counselor. Find out if GCU’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MEd in School Counseling programs meet your state's requirements.

FAQ

Master’s Counseling Programs FAQs

If you’re looking to make a difference in the lives of others by pursuing a career in counseling, read through some commonly asked questions to learn more about earning your graduate degree.

Is a master’s in counseling worth it?

In order to seek licensure to become a licensed counselor, you will need to obtain a relevant master’s degree, such as in counseling. This career path involves helping others overcome and understand their mental health concerns while working to improve their lives. This is also a field that expects much faster than average job growth over the next decade. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors to grow by an estimated 18% from 2022 to 2032.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Additionally, as of May 2023, the median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors was $53,710, according to the BLS.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

What is the difference between a graduate psychology vs. counseling degree?

Both degree options share a focus on human behavior, with the goal of improving the lives of clients through different treatment options. However, a graduate degree in psychology will focus more on how brain chemistry affects behavior, tying abnormalities to specific mental disorders and using research-based methods. Meanwhile, a master’s in counseling may take a more holistic approach, taking into account a variety of environmental and sociological factors along with the scientific aspects of the brain.

What degree is best for a counselor?

As an aspiring counselor, you have many different degree options to consider. Many counseling master’s programs have a specific emphasis tied to them and will include specialized coursework in that area as a part of the curriculum. For instance, if your interest lies in helping family dynamics and marriages, an MS with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy may fit your goals. You may also consider earning a degree in psychology or social work, as those can also help you on your path to becoming a counselor.

Can you teach with a master’s degree in counseling?

While this degree does not directly qualify you to teach, there are degree options that lead to initial licensure, allowing you to work within school systems. Earning your MEd in School Counseling can allow you to support students in a school setting as they navigate potentially challenging years of their early lives. Be sure to review your specific state licensure requirements where you live before pursuing any licensure program.

Why GCU

Benefits of Pursuing Your Graduate Counseling Degree

An in-person and online^{(See disclaimer 3)} master’s in counseling degree is the next step on your journey to becoming a licensed counselor. At GCU, we instill a Christian worldview into all programs, emphasizing the importance of Christian principles such as compassion, ethical decision-making and servant leadership. Earning your degree from GCU can help you position yourself for possible advancement in your field as a professional counselor with the goal of promoting human flourishing in your work.

Master’s Degree Admission Requirements

To gain admission into any of our master’s programs, you must fulfill certain graduate admissions requirements, such as having a prior bachelor’s degree. To learn more about these requirements and your eligibility, fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor.

Online Learning

Accreditation

Earn Your Graduate Degree at an Accredited University

GCU is an institutionally accredited university, offering quality degree programs and curricula that is approved by a respectable accrediting body. The Higher Learning Commission has continuously accredited GCU since 1968, demonstrating our commitment to providing students with a substantial education that is worth their investment.

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences supports GCU’s mission to offer quality programs, ensuring you receive a well-rounded education no matter what level, modality or program major you choose.

University Accreditation

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Resources

Graduate Student Resources

GCU offers numerous resources to support you as you complete your graduate studies. Online master’s degree in counseling students have access to online support and tools through the Learning Management System, so you can always feel supported and connected with your classmates and faculty as you enjoy the convenience and flexibility of your online program.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

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Help others overcome mental health challenges. Earn your graduate counseling degree.

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Visit the "State Disclosures" section on the page of the program you’re interested in at gcu.edu for details on state restrictions.

COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors, retrieved May 14, 2024.
The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors, as of May 2023, retrieved May 14, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc., against a pool of candidates.
While all courses are completed online, you will need to attend clinical, practicum and immersion hours in person locally.

Counseling Master’s Programs

Unlock the Skills and Credentials to Support Others

Explore GCU’s Master’s Counseling Programs

Choose Your Area of Study in Counseling

Postgraduate Counseling Courses

Master’s in Counseling Career Opportunities

Master’s Counseling Programs FAQs

Benefits of Pursuing Your Graduate Counseling Degree

Earn Your Graduate Degree at an Accredited University

Graduate Student Resources

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Explore GCU’s Master’s Counseling Programs

Master’s Counseling Programs FAQs

Unlock the Skills and Credentials to Support Others

Benefits of Pursuing Your Graduate Counseling Degree

Graduate Student Resources

Choose Your Area of Study in Counseling

Master’s in Counseling Career Opportunities

Postgraduate Counseling Courses

Earn Your Graduate Degree at an Accredited University