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This career is expected to grow 30 percent—much faster than average—through 2016. States are creating networks to improve services for children with serious emotional disturbances and their families. These networks need staffing.
Also, because counselors are a less-expensive alternative to psychiatrists and psychologists, managed care insurers increasingly prefer to hire and reimburse counselors.
In 2006, mental health counselors earned an average salary greater than $34,000. The middle 50 percent earned $27,000 to $46,000. The highest 10 percent earned more than $60,000.
For mental health counselors, government employers generally pay the highest wages, followed by hospitals and social service agencies. Residential care facilities often pay the lowest wages.
Mental health counselors work with individuals, families and groups to address and treat mental and emotional disorders and to promote mental health. They are trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address issues, including depression, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress, problems with self-esteem and grief.
They also help with job and career concerns, educational decisions, issues related to mental and emotional health, and family, parenting, marital, or other relationship problems. Mental health counselors often work closely with other mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses and school counselors.
Counselors may work in a private practice, community health organization or hospital. Mental health counselors often work flexible hours to accommodate families in crisis or working couples who must have evening or weekend appointments.
Carefully check any licensing requirements your state may place on mental health counselors. State licensing requirements will vary widely depending on your employer, location and specialty.
Licensing: Forty-nine states and the District of Columbia have some form of counselor licensure that governs the practice of counseling. Requirements for private practice typically include the completion of a master’s degree in counseling. You may also need to complete at least two years or 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience beyond the master’s degree. Finally, you may be required to pass a state-specific licensing exam. Criminal background checks are required for most counseling positions.
Many counselors elect to be certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors, which grants a general practice credential of National Certified Counselor.
Entering the Field: Many counselors specialize. Gerontology (old age) counselors are in increasing demand. Drug and addiction counselors also represent a growing specialty. Earning a certificate or associate degree in some special area of psychology (grief counseling) or some special population (women or the elderly, for example) can help you prepare to work in human services facilities and group homes.
Career Changers: Teachers, ministers and healthcare aides often cross over into counseling careers. Many who hold bachelor’s degrees in the liberal arts, philosophy, religion, humanities or social science advance to earn master’s degrees in counseling psychology.

Find online degrees for Psychology and Human Services now. >>




Source for salary and growth data is the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For more information on careers in mental health counseling, salaries, and job prospects visit: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Counselors, at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos067.htm.
 
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Q I’m looking for an online MBA. I’ve found several that fit my budget but none are accredited by the AACSB. What is the AACSB? Do I really need a distance MBA degree that is accredited by them? —Roberta, Gary, IN
A The AACSB is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. It is considered the gold standard of business school accreditation. But not every student needs an AACSB-accredited MBA...
Q I was laid off from my job as a real estate agent and want to be a high school math teacher, but my bachelor’s degree is in psychology. Do I need a new degree in education? Will an online bachelor’s in education qualify me to become a licensed teacher? —Willis, Houston, Texas
A If you didn’t earn a bachelor’s degree in education years ago and you now want to teach in the public schools, don’t fret. Every state maintains what are termed “alternative teacher certification” programs...
 
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Western Governors University
Western Governors University -- Online, Competency-Based MBA -- A private, non-profit university, WGU offers three flexible, online master’s degrees in Business: the Master of Business Administration, MBA—Information Technology Management, and the MBA-Healthcare Management. You set the pace—the more time and energy you can commit to our fully accredited degree program, the faster you’ll graduate. Plus, the knowledge you've accumulated from prior academic or work experience may help you move through the assessments even more quickly.
Boston University
Boston University, one of the most respected schools in the US, has developed a Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) program, delivered fully online. This program has established itself as the largest course of its kind in North America. By completing this program you will earn a highly respected master’s degree from one of the most prestigious universities in the US. Having this MCJ degree can lead to many career opportunities within the criminal justice field.
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For active-duty military, reservists, veterans, and military families.
More than half of military students use online education. What do you need to know to find schools that best fit your needs? How can you find the best financial aid and scholarship package at your online school? Answers are here.

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The field of online education is growing and so is the need for teachers who can teach online. Check out our regularly updated list of online job opportunities, post your job availability, and visit our Online Resource Center, with tips, advice and free downloads for online educators.

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