Assessing the Value of a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling 

People choose certain career paths for many reasons. Many are looking for ways to find fulfillment in their work beyond bringing home a paycheck. A career in mental health counseling could be a path to steady employment as well as personal fulfillment based on the ability to use your personal expertise to help people every day.   

For those looking to take the next step toward a fulfilling career, earning a master’s in mental health counseling from an accredited program is a great place to start.  

A master’s in mental health counseling prepares graduates to provide evaluation, assessment, treatment, and consultation services for adults, children, families, and communities. Approved programs also prepare students to take the exam that is required to practice as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). At Russell Sage College, graduates of the mental health counseling master’s program can take the exam required to practice as a LMHC in New York state.  

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), strong growth is projected for all mental health professionals through 2032. For mental health counselors specifically, demand is expected to increase by 19% between 2022 and 2032. The average projected growth for all professions is 3%, putting the demand for mental health counselors significantly higher than average. For potential students asking themselves, “Is a master’s in mental health counseling worth it,” these growth projections may be encouraging.  

Earning a master’s degree and becoming a licensed mental health counselor can open up many career opportunities and give graduates a chance to have a real impact on the mental health of their communities.

Although many mental health career opportunities are available for those who hold undergraduate degrees, a master’s degree can open many more doors to potential career paths. A master’s in mental health gives graduates an opportunity to specialize based on patient population or specific mental health concerns, which could ultimately lead to more opportunities and better pay. Potential career outcomes with a mental health counseling degree include school counselor and substance abuse counselor as well as private practice.  

Mental health counseling is a field where practitioners can feel a sense of satisfaction knowing they are helping people who are suffering while also earning a living. According to the BLS, the median salary for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors was $53,710 per year in 2023. In New York state, the mean salary in 2023 was $67,240, making it the second highest paying state in the U.S. after California. Counselors may be able to increase their earning potential through licensure or specialty certifications.  

Graduates of master’s degree programs are eligible for professional recognition in the form of certifications and will likely have more opportunities for career advancement. In addition to becoming licensed as a mental health counselor, graduates can earn other recognition, such as:  

Certification in a specialty area can help mental health professionals advance in their careers through higher positions, more clients, and better salaries.  

In addition to expanding professional opportunities, advancing your education can also come with significant personal benefits.  

One recent study found that, on average, people who hold graduate or post-graduate degrees are happier than those who only hold bachelor’s degrees or don’t have any college education. Furthermore, many aspiring mental health counselors have considered their careers for a long time and can find great personal fulfillment in taking the next step down the path they want to explore. 

A graduate degree program in mental health counseling can help students develop the skills they need to be compassionate and effective clinicians. In addition to learning key theories of counseling and mental health development, master’s students in mental health counseling learn counseling skills like active listening, assessment, and professional collaboration.  

An advanced degree is an investment in a student’s future. Every master’s in mental health counseling program has different degree and tuition requirements. Graduate program tuition is typically calculated on a per-credit basis.  

At Sage, master’s in mental health counseling students can expect to complete their degrees with 60 credits over the course of three years. As of 2024, the cost of this program is $800 per credit hour. Applicants should note that $3,400 Graduate Assistantships are available each semester for those enrolled in a minimum of six credits per semester. As an incentive for motivated students, Sage offers a 10% discount for employees of organizations in the Workforce Development Partnership program. 

The master’s in mental health counseling program at Sage is designed to be completed in three years. With mostly evening classes available, the program allows many students to adhere to that timeline while maintaining full-time jobs outside of the classroom. Anyone applying to a graduate program should be sure they have the necessary support system in place, as a rigorous work and school schedule does require a significant time commitment.  

Pursuing a career that you are passionate about still comes with emotional demands. Once students start to work with clients on a supervised basis, it is important to have coping strategies and self-care plans in place, as counseling can be an emotionally demanding career. 

Is a master’s in mental health counseling worth it? As noted, the demand for mental health professionals is expected to grow quickly over the next decade. Employment opportunities are likely to be available in many different specializations as well as various work environments.  

As of 2022, which is the most recent BLS data available, 17% of mental health counselors work in outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers, while 16% work in individual and family services, and 14% work in the offices of other health practitioners. Only 9% work in residential mental health and substance abuse facilities, while another 9% work in hospitals. Demand for mental health counselors is likely to increase across each of these work environments, with outpatient centers expected to have the steepest increase in demand.

Mental health counseling careers can also be differentiated by patient population. Demand for mental health counselors for aging adults is likely to increase as the population of the U.S. ages, and some begin to experience cognitive decline and other mental health concerns.  

Having built a strong foundation in mental health counseling within a master’s program, graduates can choose to specialize further. Some of the opportunities for specialization within the mental health counseling field include:  

At Sage, students interested in forensic mental health can earn a Certificate in Forensic Mental Health concurrent with their master’s degrees. Other specializations may require further coursework or gaining entry-level experience in the area before pursuing more niche work.

Sage is an excellent choice for applicants who want to pursue careers in mental health counseling. The master’s in mental health counseling program is accredited by the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). The Sage mental health counseling master’s program is approved by the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions, which means graduates are eligible to take the exam required to practice as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York state. Additionally, if in-person learning doesn’t work for your schedule, Sage also has a Online Master’s in Mental Health Counseling. 

Aspiring mental health counselors who are ready to take an exciting and rewarding step toward their chosen careers should reach out today or simply start your application.