Studies & Degrees in Counseling
Counseling Study Programs
Counseling (spelled counselling in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand) is the professional practice of helping people deal with personal, emotional, educational or career questions through structured conversation with a trained practitioner. CACREP, the body that accredits counseling programmes in the United States, defines it as a professional relationship that helps individuals, families and groups to reach mental health, wellness, education and career goals. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) adds a practical point: a counsellor does not give opinions or advice and does not prescribe medication, but helps clients find their own solutions.
Students learn the main theories of counseling, communication and interviewing skills, ethics, group work and how to work with families, crisis, grief and cultural diversity. Every professional route also includes supervised practice with real clients.
Qualifications and levels
The route into the profession differs by country, so the first thing to check is where the graduate wants to practise.
- United States. CACREP describes the master's degree as the entry degree for practice as a professional counselor. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nearly all states require school counselors to have a master's degree, and mental health counselors typically need a master's degree and an internship, while substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors typically need at least a bachelor's degree. One example is the University of Scranton, whose School Counseling master's has 60 credits and is accredited by CACREP through October 2031. Graduates of its Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's must still pass a licensure test and complete post-master's clinical hours to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania.
- United Kingdom. BACP states that there are no compulsory training courses or qualifications for therapists, and that professional associations set their own standards. It recommends a three-stage route that can take three or four years: an introductory course of eight to 12 weeks, a certificate in counselling skills (generally one year part-time) and core practitioner training at diploma level or above. For BACP membership the core course needs at least two years of classroom-based tuition and a supervised placement of at least 100 client hours; courses delivered only online do not qualify. The Counselling and Psychotherapy MSc at London Metropolitan University, for example, takes two years full-time with one day per week on campus and includes those 100 supervised client hours.
- Australia. Counselling is also offered as a first degree. The Bachelor of Counselling at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) lasts three years and is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
- Latin America. The Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG) teaches a postgraduate programme in Consejería Psicológica that lasts 10 months, in person and in Spanish with some readings in English. A master's degree there requires two such postgraduate programmes, supervised practice and a graduation project.
Short courses, certificates and doctorates complete the range. A doctorate in counselor education is mainly for those who want to teach and supervise future counselors.
Where to study
SpainExchange lists 39 active schools for counseling. Most are in the United States (24), followed by the United Kingdom (6), Spain (3) and Australia (2); New Zealand, Ireland, Guatemala and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have one each. The list includes San Diego State University, Hofstra University, Temple University, Saint Louis University and the University of Scranton in the United States, London Metropolitan University, York St John University and the University of Sunderland in the United Kingdom, UniSC in Australia and Massey University in New Zealand.
Most of these programmes are taught in English. Programmes in Spanish exist in Guatemala and Spain. Because a counseling qualification is tied to the licensing or membership rules of one country or state, ask the school which professional body accredits the programme and whether it leads to registration where you plan to work. International students should also check the study mode: at UniSC, for example, only the full-time option is open to students on a Student visa.
Careers
Counselors work in schools, colleges and universities, career centres, mental health and community health centres, hospitals, addiction services and private practice. CACREP distinguishes school counselors, who work in primary and secondary schools, from clinical mental health counselors, who work in private practice, hospitals or community agencies.
For the United States, the BLS counts 389,500 jobs for school and career counselors and advisors in 2025 and projects growth of 3 percent from 2025 to 2035. For substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors it counts 533,400 jobs in 2025 and projects growth of 18 percent over the same period. Both figures refer to the United States only.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a master's degree to work as a counselor?
In the United States usually yes: the master's degree is the entry degree for professional counselors, and nearly all states require it for school counselors. In the United Kingdom there is no compulsory qualification, but BACP membership requires core practitioner training at diploma level or above.
How long does it take to train as a counsellor in the United Kingdom?
BACP recommends a three-stage route that can take three or four years, ending with core practitioner training that includes a supervised placement of at least 100 client hours.
Can I study counseling entirely online?
Some schools teach counseling at a distance, but check recognition first. BACP states that courses delivered solely online or by distance learning do not qualify for its membership.
Is a counseling degree from one country valid in another?
Not automatically. Licences and memberships are granted by state boards or by professional bodies such as BACP, ACA or PACFA, each with its own requirements. Ask the school and the professional body in the country where you want to work.