Online Degrees in Behavioral Health Counseling

behavioral health counseling degrees Do you want to make a difference helping others into a new and better pathway in life? You should find out about the career of behavioral health counseling. Behavioral health counselors help individuals, families, or groups to prevent and treat behavioral and emotional issues. Behavioral issues can include substance abuse, mental illnesses, eating disorders, gambling disorders and other emotional illnesses that link to dysfunctional behaviors.

Counselors can work in many different settings helping to counsel, rehabilitate, and support their patients. Counselors often work with individuals needing help in a variety of areas. They may also not only counsel one individual but their family or primary caregivers or guardians. Behavorial counselors also often work with other mental health specialists including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, school counselors, and psychiatric nurses.

Behavioral Health Counseling Programs Available at Colleges Today

Colleges are offering some excellent behavioral health counseling programs. These programs include bachelor's degrees that lead directly into master's degree programs that allow graduates to complete a degree in the counseling field. A master's degree will generally take 2 years of full-time study beyond a 4 year bachelor's degree. Some programs are even offered in the evenings and on the internet for student convenience. Find out about the amazing career field of behavioral health counseling today.

Salary Expectations for Behavioral Health Counselors

The field of behavioral health counseling offers solid paying salaries. The Occupational Outlook Handbook found that the middle 50 percent of mental health and behavioral health counselors in 2008 made average salaries between $29,000 and $47,000 annually. The licensing and educational requirements to work as counselors vary greatly by state. However, most states require counselors to have at least a master's degree in a counseling field before obtaining a state license to practice in the counseling field. The top ten percent of behavioral and mental counselors made over $70,000 annually in 2008.

Strong Job Outlook for Behavioral Health Counseling

The job outlook for those in the mental health and behavioral health counseling field is expected to be very positive. According to theUnited States Department of Labor Statistics, employment of mental health counselors is expected to see an increase of job growth of over 24 percent through 2018. This growth will be spurred by an increase in insurance companies providing reimbursement to counselors for mental health counseling, as opposed to psychiatrists and psychologists that are much more expensive. Job openings in rural areas are expected to be very positive.

If you are interested in earning a degree in Behavioral Health Counseling, click here to request more information.

Online Schools with Counseling: Behavioral Health Counseling programs

Walden University

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Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology - Psychology Applied in Helping Professions
The B.S. in Psychology program provides you with a broad understanding of psychology and its relevance in today's increasingly diverse and global society. You will apply psychological theories to current issues in psychology as you gain perspective in three vitally important areas: social awareness, responsibility, and civic engagement; cross-cultural competence; and evidence-based decision-making in an information-rich world. Take up to 70 percent of your courses in psychology or choose elective courses from other majors.

Concentrations
- Child Development Infant/Toddler
- Child Development PreSchool
- Criminal Justice
- Human Services
- Psychology Applied to Everyday Life
- Psychology Applied to the Helping Professions
- Psychology Applied to the Workplace
- Preparation for Graduate Studies
Accelerate Into Master's (AIM)
Transition from a bachelor's degree to a master's degree in less time with Walden's Accelerate Into Master's (AIM) degree option. AIM offers high-achieving undergraduate students an opportunity to take as many as five graduate-level courses in their undergraduate coursework. Upon completion, credits from these courses can be applied toward a master's degree. With the AIM degree option, you can earn your master's degree in as little as one year, depending on your individual progress and degree program.
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Master of Science (M.S.) in Mental Health Counseling - Forensic Counseling
Through a mix of research, practical application, and coursework, Walden's newly CACREP-accredited M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program can prepare you to integrate knowledge and skills into a career as a successful professional counselor. Developed by leading experts in the field, the CACREP-accredited M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program is designed to meet the high standards set by CACREP and to provide continuity throughout your learning experience, with each course building upon key experiences.

Specializations
- General
- Forensic Counseling
- Trauma and Crisis Counseling
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Ph.D. in Psychology - Counseling Psychology
Making a positive impact within your community, organization, and profession requires an ability to integrate theories, research, and evidence-based practices that accommodate cultural and individual diversity. With a Ph.D. in Psychology from Walden University, you'll be better prepared as a researcher, educator, and practitioner to help individuals and groups with family, mental health, career, and educational issues.

Specializations
- Clinical Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- General Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Organizational Psychology
- Social Psychology

Grand Canyon University

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M.S. in Professional Counseling

The curriculum offers an in-depth examination of counseling theories, chemical dependency, marriage and family, social and cultural issues, psychopharmacology, diagnostics, assessment and treatment, psychopathology, research methods, and more. In addition, four practicum-internships provide a total of 600 contact hours of opportunity for students to develop counseling skills.

Courses in this rigorous program were chosen to meet the academic requirements established by the National Board for Certified Counselors for the National Certified Counselor credential (NCC) and by Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. A master's degree in counseling is required in 48 states for individuals seeking to become licensed as counselors.

Graduates from this program are prepared to meet the academic requirements for licensure in Arizona as a: Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Associate Substance Abuse Counselor (LASAC) and Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC).
Additionally, graduates from most other states will be academically prepared to begin the process of seeking certification and licensure in their home state.

Licensing and certification requirements may vary from state to state. It is the student's responsibility to check the licensing and certification requirements in their state.

Prospective students must have completed a bachelor's degree program prior to enrolling.

Campus-based Schools with Counseling: Behavioral Health Counseling programs

University of Phoenix
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Online Schools with Counseling programs

Walden University

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Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology - Psychology Applied in Helping Professions
The B.S. in Psychology program provides you with a broad understanding of psychology and its relevance in today's increasingly diverse and global society. You will apply psychological theories to current issues in psychology as you gain perspective in three vitally important areas: social awareness, responsibility, and civic engagement; cross-cultural competence; and evidence-based decision-making in an information-rich world. Take up to 70 percent of your courses in psychology or choose elective courses from other majors.

Concentrations
- Child Development Infant/Toddler
- Child Development PreSchool
- Criminal Justice
- Human Services
- Psychology Applied to Everyday Life
- Psychology Applied to the Helping Professions
- Psychology Applied to the Workplace
- Preparation for Graduate Studies
Accelerate Into Master's (AIM)
Transition from a bachelor's degree to a master's degree in less time with Walden's Accelerate Into Master's (AIM) degree option. AIM offers high-achieving undergraduate students an opportunity to take as many as five graduate-level courses in their undergraduate coursework. Upon completion, credits from these courses can be applied toward a master's degree. With the AIM degree option, you can earn your master's degree in as little as one year, depending on your individual progress and degree program.
+

Master of Science (M.S.) in Mental Health Counseling - Forensic Counseling
Through a mix of research, practical application, and coursework, Walden's newly CACREP-accredited M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program can prepare you to integrate knowledge and skills into a career as a successful professional counselor. Developed by leading experts in the field, the CACREP-accredited M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program is designed to meet the high standards set by CACREP and to provide continuity throughout your learning experience, with each course building upon key experiences.

Specializations
- General
- Forensic Counseling
- Trauma and Crisis Counseling
+

Ph.D. in Psychology - Counseling Psychology
Making a positive impact within your community, organization, and profession requires an ability to integrate theories, research, and evidence-based practices that accommodate cultural and individual diversity. With a Ph.D. in Psychology from Walden University, you'll be better prepared as a researcher, educator, and practitioner to help individuals and groups with family, mental health, career, and educational issues.

Specializations
- Clinical Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- General Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Organizational Psychology
- Social Psychology

Grand Canyon University

+

M.S. in Professional Counseling

The curriculum offers an in-depth examination of counseling theories, chemical dependency, marriage and family, social and cultural issues, psychopharmacology, diagnostics, assessment and treatment, psychopathology, research methods, and more. In addition, four practicum-internships provide a total of 600 contact hours of opportunity for students to develop counseling skills.

Courses in this rigorous program were chosen to meet the academic requirements established by the National Board for Certified Counselors for the National Certified Counselor credential (NCC) and by Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. A master's degree in counseling is required in 48 states for individuals seeking to become licensed as counselors.

Graduates from this program are prepared to meet the academic requirements for licensure in Arizona as a: Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Associate Substance Abuse Counselor (LASAC) and Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC).
Additionally, graduates from most other states will be academically prepared to begin the process of seeking certification and licensure in their home state.

Licensing and certification requirements may vary from state to state. It is the student's responsibility to check the licensing and certification requirements in their state.

Prospective students must have completed a bachelor's degree program prior to enrolling.