Counseling Master’s Programs
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.
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.
Choose Your Area of Study in Counseling
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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
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.
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?
What is the difference between a graduate psychology vs. counseling degree?
What degree is best for a counselor?
Can you teach with a master’s degree in counseling?
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.
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.
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)
Help others overcome mental health challenges. Earn your graduate counseling degree.
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.