With the ability to improve communication, change behavior patterns, and much more, counseling is an invaluable tool for couples of all ages and backgrounds. But what kind of degree do you need to provide couples counseling? And where and how should you pursue it?
What kind of degree program should I pursue to go into couples therapy, and what will I study?
An MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling is an excellent choice.
A career in couples counseling requires a strong foundation in the basics of counseling, which you will get in a mental health counseling program. By focusing your program on marriage and family counseling, you will study a curriculum tailored to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to help couples and families effectively cope with complex issues. The curriculum typically includes counseling techniques and theories, ethical and legal issues related to counseling, life span development, crisis and trauma response, and more.
What can I do with a counseling degree focused on marriage and family?
A specialization in marriage and family counseling can prepare you for a variety of counseling careers in settings that include:
- Universities and research centers
- Courts and prisons
- Private practice
- Marriage and family clinics
- Social service agencies
- Community mental health centers
- Business and consulting companies
- Schools and early childhood learning centers
Should I pursue my counseling degree online or on campus?
The decision to pursue a counseling degree online or at an on-campus institution often comes down to scheduling.
Since online colleges and universities don’t require travel, many busy adults find that online counseling degree programs enable them to balance work and family commitments as they progress through their academic programs.
From online discussions to real-time virtual interactions with instructors and classmates, advanced technologies utilized by online colleges and universities allow students to attend class from the comfort of home.
How do I choose the right online counseling degree program?
A successful career in couples counseling or family counseling demands a high-quality education. One way to ensure your online counseling degree program will deliver a high-quality education is accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
CACREP accreditation, signifies that an online counseling degree program meets rigorous professional standards that will help advance your career in couples therapy and beyond.
Are you ready to help couples and families by earning a counseling degree? Discover how Walden University’s online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program with a specialization in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling can help you make a difference.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering a general MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program, and five optional specializations, online. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.
Walden University’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) as a mental health counseling program under the 2001 standards. CACREP is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and CACREP accreditation is a requirement for licensure in many states.
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. Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide guidance on licensure issues, however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state licensure requirements. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure.