An innovative option helps undergraduate psychology majors get a head start on their master’s degree program to prepare for a counseling career.
There’s a reason why psychology is one of the most popular college degree choices among postsecondary students.1 Actually, there are a multitude of reasons: the education a bachelor’s in psychology confers can lead to numerous career paths.
College graduates may find BS in Psychology career options in fields like social and human services, law and law enforcement, and technology,1 to name just a few. Plus, if your sights are set on becoming a licensed counselor, earning a BS in Psychology can help prepare you to earn a master’s degree in counseling—a necessary step toward that career goal.
Walden University’s online BS in Psychology degree program has an option that can help expedite your path to a graduate degree, moving you closer to your goal of becoming a clinical mental health counselor or another type of licensed counselor. The Accelerate Into Master’s (AIM) concentration in the BS in Psychology degree program lets you take up to five master’s-level courses from a select number of Walden master’s programs at the undergraduate tuition rate.
That means you’ll have earned credits to transfer when you enroll in Walden’s online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, giving you the chance to earn your master’s sooner.
“The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is by far the most popular AIM program that we offer. Students love that they can start taking their master’s courses while they are still an undergraduate. I do remind students that the Clinical Mental Health Counseling courses are 10 weeks long, whereas the undergraduate courses are six weeks long. That is one main difference to plan for,” says Dr. Patricia Costello, program director for Walden’s BS in Psychology program.
Walden’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program can academically prepare you to seek state licensure or certification as a professional mental health counselor. This master’s degree program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), which means it has been evaluated and meets standards set by the profession. CACREP accreditation is a requirement for licensure in many states.
Clinical mental health counseling online programs can give you the knowledge and skills you need to become a licensed counselor working in settings such as outpatient and inpatient mental health and substance abuse centers, individual and family service organizations, public or private hospitals, and courts and government agencies. Career positions may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of a master’s degree program.
Kick Off Your Psychology Online Education
When you earn your BS in Psychology degree from Walden, you can help prepare for the job field that interests you most. Career-focused concentrations include Addiction, Criminal Justice, Forensic Psychology, Human Services, and Workplace Psychology.
“And if you are not sure which concentration is best for you, we also offer a General Psychology concentration that gives students exposure to psychology courses from all areas of the psychology field,” Costello says.
And when you choose to earn a degree online with Walden, you can take psychology courses while working and enjoying your personal time. While the program has regular due dates, the accredited university’s flexible learning platform allows you to complete your work when and where it’s most convenient. Walden also offers 24/7 technical support and a comprehensive suite of student support services to help guide you and thousands of other working professionals on their way to earning their bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees.
If you’re ready to get started, one of Walden’s Enrollment Specialists can help you explore your options. Will you choose to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology online to help unlock a wide array of job choices? Or will you begin your journey to a master’s degree, and future licensure, by selecting the BS in Psychology’s AIM option? Match your psychology degree program to your career goals and add your talents to the diverse job fields where you can make your mark.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering an online BS in Psychology degree program with an Accelerate Into Master’s (AIM) option to help you meet your professional goals. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.
1Source: www.apa.org/education-career/guide/bachelors
Program note: The BS in Psychology to MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Accelerate Into Master's (AIM) program option requires one additional credit, for a total of 182 credits.
Note on licensure: The BS in Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology or counseling professional.
Note on licensure: The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. Because no graduate program can guarantee licensure upon graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate agency to determine specific requirements. For more information about licensure, students should visit the National Board for Certified Counselors at www.nbcc.org/search/stateboarddirectory and/or the American Association of State Counseling Boards at www.aascb.org, and contact the appropriate licensing body. Learn more about professional licensure.
Walden University’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CACREP accreditation is a requirement for licensure in many states.
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.