Counseling at WGU
Are You Interested in a Career Similar to Counseling?
You may be interested in clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, addiction counseling or some manner of mental health counseling. If that is your desired career path, the first step is getting a counseling degree. If you’re interested in a career devoted to helping others, there may be other degree options that can help you reach those goals.
WGU doesn’t currently offer a bachelor’s degree program in counseling, but we have a variety of other degree programs that can get you the educational background and skill set you need to pursue your passion for helping others. Similar to other counseling programs, the online programs at WGU are created to help you build the foundation you need to prepare you for positions in healthcare and education that are focused on caring for others. Learn more about the ideal online programs available to you if you’ve considered a counseling degree and are open to exploring similar career options.
Pathways to Careers Related to Counseling
According to LinkedIn, there are over 124,000 counseling jobs available across the country, including roles such as a career counseling advisor, a special agent in psychology/counseling, a school counselor, and more. Addiction counseling, rehabilitation counseling, mental health counseling, and other areas are also part of the available jobs. Plus, there are numerous counseling-adjacent careers that may suit your needs, such as roles in education administration, healthcare management, health and human services, and human resources. While a degree in counseling can be a good option for some of these counseling careers, many of the skills you may need in careers similar to counseling can be found in these types of related educational programs.
Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services
This bachelor's degree program will prepare you for a career focused on helping patients and their families navigate the healthcare world. Your courses will cover topics such as value-based care, care coordination, and social determinants of health that will help you manage your future responsibilities of promoting patient-centered holistic care and providing integrated care management.
Once you've earned your degree, you'll be ready to pursue a variety of jobs, including:
- Patient advocate
- Service coordinator
- Patient educator
- Community health educator
- Care coordinator
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Human Resources Management
With a bachelor's degree in human resource management, you’ll be prepared for a career focused on connecting with employees, giving them resources they need, and helping them thrive. The curriculum will give you an understanding of how businesses function, with additional experience in training, communication, and more skills related to HR professionals.
A degree in human resource management will prepare you for the following careers:
- Human resources specialist
- Recruitment specialist
- Compensation and benefits analyst
- Talent acquisition manager
- Human resources director
- Training and development specialist
Nursing – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN to MSN)
With a master's degree in psychiatric mental health nursing, you’ll be prepared for a career focused on diagnosing and treating patients experiencing mental health challenges. The PMHNP program at WGU is an MSN program specifically designed to prepare BSN-holding nurses to become mental health practitioners.
A degree in psychiatric mental health nursing will prepare you for a career in the following areas:
- Private mental health practices
- Behavioral health and recovery facilities
- Community clinics
- Substance abuse and rehabilitation centers
- Prisons and correctional facilities
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree will explore the ins and outs of developmental psychology and the theories and practices used by today’s mental health experts to identify and treat abnormal psychology. You'll gain valuable research and learning skills that help you create evidence-based strategies that address real psychosocial issues. You'll also learn about:
Once you've earned your degree, you'll be ready to pursue a variety of jobs, including:
- Behavior technician
- Market research analyst
- Psychiatric technician
- Academic advisor
- Social services specialist
- Patient navigator
- User researcher
Bachelor of Science in Public Health
If you feel strongly about making a difference in the lives of others, including those in your community and beyond, then earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Health is a great place to start your career journey.
You’ll be introduced to the foundations of public health and expand your general healthcare knowledge to become a more informed and effective public health expert. These topics include:
- Community and public health
- Gender health
- Mental health
- Human sexuality
- Health and wellness
- Chronic and infectious diseases
Career options similar to counseling for those with a public health degree include:
- Health education specialist
- Community health worker
- Medical and health services manager
- Social and community services manager
- Social and human service assistant
Master of Healthcare Administration
Getting a master’s degree in healthcare administration is excellent preparation to help you become a clinical manager or a case manager. Both roles involve working directly with patients in healthcare settings to ensure they’re getting the care they need, which involves doing some social work, mental health counseling, and managing the process for patients.
Each of the topics, areas of study, and courses in this program are crafted around the concept of value-based care, balancing informative lessons about the industry and how it works with business knowledge, integrated health leadership, and more. Not only is this information important in patient-facing roles, but this depth of knowledge can help you move up the professional ladder quickly.
Career options similar to counseling for those with a healthcare administration degree include:
- Clinical Manager
- Case Manager
- Medical and Health Services Manager
- Nursing Home Administrator
- Hospital Administrator
Master of Science in Educational Leadership
A Master of Science in Educational Leadership is a great educational program for those who want to work with children and students as a vice principal or principal, or take on another related role as a school administrator. These roles rely on similar aspects of counseling, in that they require you to work in environments where you’ll be supporting children and students in their educational pursuits and helping them navigate difficulties that may arise during their time in school. These roles are very similar to school counseling and involve some of the same type of work. You can also work in conjunction with other teachers and with the community.
This degree program offers a background in school law and financial leadership, but also gives valuable lessons in leadership foundations and ethics, as well as cultural competency and social-emotional learning. Each of these courses provide a similar background that will support your career goals.
Career options similar to counseling for those with an educational leadership degree include:
- Nonprofit Organization Manager or Director
- Elementary, Middle, or High-School Principal
- Director of Diversity Programs
- Community College Program Director
- Director of Admissions
Master of Public Health
Whether you're already working in the public health field or just starting out, a Master of Public Health can help you gain the advanced skills and knowledge you need to propel your career forward. You'll become an expert at monitoring your community's health, addressing its needs, promoting disease prevention, improving access to healthcare and public health resources, and developing policies and plans for promising public health outcomes.
WGU's Master of Public Health degree explores the core functions and essential services of public health, along with the social and behavioral determinants. You’ll dive into the challenges of obtaining financing for public health programs, as well as topics including:
- Biostatistics and analysis
- Environmental health
- Epidemiology
- Global health
- Public health policy and advocacy
- Health education and promotion
Many counseling-related roles benefit from a bachelor’s degree, but if you want to move up in the ranks, it can help to get a master’s degree. For many specific counseling careers, like a school counselor or a clinical mental health counselor, you will absolutely need to pursue a counseling program. However there are other bachelor's degree options for careers related to counseling.
It’s easy to take the leap into a master’s after you’ve earned a bachelor’s, but your educational journey depends on which career path you decide to pursue. For example, your master’s degree focus after earning a bachelor’s in human resources would be different from that following a degree in health services coordination. Whichever counseling-related job path you choose, advancing your education can help you learn more about your field and prepare you for senior positions.
$97,500
is the average annual salary for education administrators.
$104,280
is the average annual salary for healthcare managers and healthcare coordinators.
$117,670
is the average annual salary for nurse practitioners.
$134,850
is the average annual salary for human resources managers.
Careers Related to Counseling
While a career as a counselor will require a master’s degree in social work or psychology, there are many similar careers that can offer you the chance to work with others in a giving capacity and lend them support or guidance in trying times.
What Does a Human Resources Professional Do?
Those who work in human resources tend to wear many hats. In addition to recruiting, screening, interviewing and placing employees, they manage payroll, benefits and training, as well as employee relations. They are also in charge of planning, directing, and coordinating a company’s or organization’s administrative duties.
What Does a Principal Do?
A principal is in charge of their school’s operations, including setting performance goals for students and teachers and ensuring those goals are met. They’re expected to provide leadership and maintain the school’s educational programs, encouraging leadership in others and maintaining a positive school culture.
What Does a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Do?
A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is an advanced practice nurse qualified to diagnose and treat patients experiencing mental health challenges. They assess individuals across the lifespan for mental health conditions, provide mental health care plans for individuals, families, and populations with mental health conditions, and to safely prescribe psychiatric medications.
What Does a Case Manager Do?
Depending on the focus of the facility they work for, case managers work directly with individuals by assessing their needs and determining the right course of action. This may mean coordinating additional medical care, referrals to an outpatient treatment facility, or other community-based support. This can also include collaborating with other health professionals to ensure a person’s needs are being met.
What Does a Health Services Coordinator Do?
Health services coordinators are key figures in patient-focused care, working directly with individuals in need of guidance on their health problems. They may offer advice on medication and condition management, provide care instructions, and help execute a care plan created by providers. This may require connecting patients with other providers who are part of their care plan.
What Does a Patient Advocate Do?
Being a patient advocate is all about being willing to step in as needed to help people navigate the complex landscape of the healthcare system. This can mean coordinating doctor’s visits to ensure the patient is seeing the right medical professionals, navigating their treatment plan, and connecting doctors so that the patient’s care is correctly managed from visit to visit and doctor to doctor. If a patient has been in the hospital, the patient advocate may manage their outpatient care as needed.
25%
career growth is expected by 2029 in substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor professions.
Prepared for Success on the Job
*From a 2023 Harris Poll of 300 employers of WGU graduates.
100% of employers said that WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs.*
97% of employers said that they would hire another WGU grad.*
98% of employers said WGU graduates met or exceeded expectations.*
Which Degree Should You Choose?
A masters degree in learning experience design and educational technology degree at WGU can prepare you for a future career in education. Choosing this degree is great for educators and can make sure you have training that will help you succeed.
Business
Human Resource Management – B.S.
A SHRM-recognized online business degree program:...
A SHRM-recognized online business degree program:
- Time: 65% of graduates finish within 24 months.
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 41 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Agile project management
- Employment and labor laws
- Recruiting strategies
- HR technology
- DE&I understanding
Earn your B.S. in Human Resources and help build strong organizations.
Health & Nursing
Health and Human Services – B.S.
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a...
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a difference for patients in a variety of ways.
- Time: 63% of students finish this program in 24 months
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term
- Courses: 35 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Epidemiology
- Community and Public Health
- Cultural Awareness
- Pathophysiology
- Healthcare Values and Ethics
- Substance Abuse Support
This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also directly working with patients who need help.
Health & Nursing
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S. Nursing
This program for BSNs who have an active, unencumbered RN license prepares...
This program for BSNs who have an active, unencumbered RN license prepares you to become a board-certified Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
- Locations: Due to the clinical requirements of this degree program, the PMHNP program at WGU is currently NOT open to students who have a permanent residence in the following states: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin.
- Time: It takes 2.5 years to complete the coursework and clinical components of this degree program.
- Tuition and fees: $6,955 per six-month term.
- Courses: 17 total courses in this program.
This program is for current RNs who have earned their BSN and are ready to move forward in their career. This MSN program prepares students to become licensed as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in select states.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Assessment and Diagnostics
- Behavioral health
- Advanced Pharmacology
Students must have a permanent and active license from a state that is not listed above, must complete the internships in that state, and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. See more state-specific information related to nursing licensure. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. More about compact licenses.
Health & Nursing
Psychology – B.S.
An online psychology program for students who want to make a difference in...
An online psychology program for students who want to make a difference in their life, and the lives of others.
- Time: 95% of students finish similar programs in less than 4 years.
- Tuition: $4,085 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 34 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Social psychology
- Consumer psychology
- Adult psychology
- Mental health awareness
- Psychopathology
This degree allows you to gain valuable knowledge and experience in the field of psychology and can prepare you for additional certifications or careers.
Health & Nursing
Public Health - B.S.
This online bachelor's degree in public health will prepare you to impact...
This online bachelor's degree in public health will prepare you to impact your community and make a difference.
- Time: 63% of students finish similar programs in 24 months.
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term
- Courses: 33 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Cognitive psychology
- Public health approaches
- Epidemiology
- Biopsychosocial health models
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
Education
Educational Leadership – M.S.
An online master's degree for current teachers looking to move into a...
An online master's degree for current teachers looking to move into a school or district leadership position, like principal, vice principal, or administrator.
- Time: 60% of grads earned this degree within 23 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 13 total courses in this program.
This program is for licensed teachers who are ready to take the next step in their education career.
Concepts included in this program:
- School Law
- School Financial Leadership
- People & Talent
- School Operations and Management
- Leadership Ethics
Put your leadership skills to good use—in the service of America's children—with this education master's degree.
States that do not accept this program: Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota.
Health & Nursing
Master of Healthcare Administration
A master's focused on managing comprehensive, value-based care, directly...
A master's focused on managing comprehensive, value-based care, directly in line with innovations in health and healthcare.
- Time: 60% of grads finish within 21 months.
- Tuition: $4,995 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 12 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Collaborative Leadership
- Healthcare Models and Systems
- Healthcare Financial Management
- Enterprise Risk Management
- Healthcare Information Technology
Your rich experience in a health-related field can mean more when you bring a master's level of understanding to the problems that organizations need to solve.
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
Health & Nursing
Master of Public Health
This online Master of Public Health degree program is a perfect fit for...
This online Master of Public Health degree program is a perfect fit for students who want to make a difference in their community.
- Time: 60% of students finish similar programs in 21 months.
- Tuition: $4,995 per 6-month term
- Courses: 12 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Biostatistics and analysis
- Environmental health
- Epidemiology
- Global health
- Public health policy and advocacy
- Health education and promotion
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
Health & Nursing
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Post-Master's Certificate
This program is for current RNs who already have earned an MSN and are...
This program is for current RNs who already have earned an MSN and are wanting to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through a post-master's certificate program.
- Locations: Due to the clinical requirements of this degree program, the PMHNP post-master's certificate program at WGU is currently NOT open to students who have a permanent residence in the following states: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin.
- Time: This program can be finished within 1.5 years, depending on transfer credit and how quickly you move through core coursework. Please note the clinical components of this program are set.
- Tuition and fees: $6,955 per six-month term.
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program.
This program is for current RNs who have earned their MSN but are wanting to add a specilization to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. This post-master's certificate program is only available in select states.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Assessment and Diagnostics
- Behavioral health
- Advanced Pharmacology
Students must have a permanent and active license from a state that is not listed above, must complete the internships in that state, and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. See more state-specific information related to nursing licensure. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. More about compact licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions About a Counseling Career
A counseling program can be beneficial for certain careers that require it, but there are many counseling-related roles where another degree may be more beneficial. If you're specifically interested in school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, addiction counseling, etc. you will want a counseling degree and it will be worth it. But for other areas that are related to counseling, a counseling program may be unnecessary. For example, degrees in educational leadership or health services coordination can offer similar skills for roles such as school principal, patient advocate, and more.
Some careers you can get with a counseling degree include a marriage and family counselor, mental health counselor, school counselor, substance abuse counselor, and more.
There are many jobs that are similar to counseling or that rely on counseling as part of its skill set. Some of those roles include clinical manager, psychiatric nurse practitioner, patient care advocate, human resources manager, hospital coordinator, director of diversity programs, and more.
A counselor’s annual salary depends on which specialty they choose to pursue, For example, school and career counselors can average $58,120, while substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors average $47,660 per year. Meanwhile, marriage and family counselors can make $51,340 per year.
If you have a passion for helping others, a knack for offering sound guidance and support in times of stress, and keen insights into human nature and how to work with it, you may want to pursue a counseling degree. However, you may find those needs and more met in a degree program that is similar to a counseling program. Related educational programs may offer you a wider variety of career paths and more opportunities for growth.
